Foundations of Strategic Management

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/E_IBK3_FSM

Course Objective

At the end of the course, students should be able to: Academic & Research skillsDesign, conduct, and report on a small-scale field study of strategic professionalsExplain theoretical models and concepts in the field of strategic management, particularly with regard how the field developed over timeBridging theory and practiceExamine and understand strategic management challenges and issues from different perspectives as well as explain theoretical models and concepts in the field of strategic managementBeing able to recognize fundamental structures and to leave out irrelevant informationPut forward well-founded, substantiated points of view, both in spoken and written formatApply theoretical knowledge about various strategic management theories in the context of strategic decision-makersBroadening your horizonThink beyond contemporary and dominant strategic management perspective and engage on societally relevant issuesSelf awarenessTake responsibility for individual learningCan reflect on his/her personal development

Course Content

The course aims to familiarize students with a number of classical and influential debates in the strategic management literature. This includes examining some of the “founding fathers” of strategy, such as Sun Tzu, as well as the work of more contemporary management thinkers such as Michael Porter, Henry Mintzberg, and Richard D’Aveni. Students will read both original texts as well as recent studies applying these perspectives, in order to gain a better understanding how classical debates inform current strategic management research and practice. Particular attention will be given to identifying and assessing different and potentially diverging positions in these central debates in the field. In addition to acquiring knowledge about the development of the scientific field of strategic management, the focus is on conducting a critical application of strategic management literature and on conducting an empirical investigation of strategic management professionals. During the course students are invited and challenged to develop their own opinion and adopt a genuinely scholarly attitude. This not only contributes to a deeper understanding of central debates in strategic management, but also provides an important basis for a students’ further development in this field.

Teaching Methods

Lectures Instruction lectures Tutorials

Method of Assessment

Written exam
- Individual Participation assignments
- Individual and group Practical assignments
- Group

Literature

This course is article based.Readings will be announced in course manual.

Recommended background knowledge

BK: 1.1 Management & Organisatie; 1.3 Academische Vaardigheden; 2.1 Strategie; 2.5 Strategisch Ondernemerschap IBA: 1.2 Organization Theory; 1.3 Academic Skills; 2.2 International Strategy; 2.4 BRM I
- Quantitative