FREEMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
MGMT 4900-22
Business Integrative Capstone
Fall 2015
Instructors: Edward “Ted” George and
Arlene Nesser
Office Phone (504) 585-7253 (George)
(504) 896-7626 (Nesser)
E-mail: George@chaffe.com
Arlene@commanderspalace.com
Office: Room #540, GWI
Blackboard Site: myTulane.blackboard.com
Office Hours: By appointment
Class Location: TBD
Class Meeting Day & Time:
Thursday 5:00-6:15pm
Thursday 6:30-7:45pm
Course Description:
In MGMT 40, students will pull together and integrate the knowledge, skills, and concepts acquired from
the core classes and majors in the Bachelor of Science of Management degree. Working from case
studies, students will make, present and defend strategic business decisions from functional area
perspectives and a total organizational perspective. The class will be organized into teams, and the
highlight of the course will be a final BSM Case Competition involving all students taking the Capstone
course. The course requirements include an individual written case analysis and a team case analysis and
presentation. Students will also be graded on class attendance and participation and their ability to work
effectively and contribute as team members.
Course Prerequisites: All BSM 3000-level core courses and Senior Standing. Must be taken
concurrently with MGMT 401. Together, these courses serve as the Business Capstone Experience.
Course Goals
MGMT 4900 is the required business integration Capstone course for the Bachelor of Science in
Management (BSM), and it is taught in conjunction with MGMT 401: Strategic Management. MGMT
401 provides the background knowledge and foundation for MGMT 4900 in terms of strategic
management and case analysis skills.
MGMT 4900 utilizes Harvard’s case analysis concepts applied to the case studies chosen for this course.
The selected cases require students to integrate material from many of the courses that each have taken
during their undergraduate studies. The case analyses and presentations require that the student
demonstrate the ability to analyze and communicate recommendations on complex business situations.
The course requires that each student work as a member of a team to evaluate cases and to compete
against other teams in a case competition. Thus, a desired learning goal in MGMT 4900 is to become
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accustomed to team analysis and presentation tasks. Students will be evaluated on analysis, critical
thinking, innovation and communication skills both individually and as a team.
The cases and other materials may be obtained at
https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/access/38335604
The ETS examination: In this course, students will be required to take a comprehensive exam known as
the ETS® Major Field Test for the Bachelor's Degree in Business and this exam is part of the course
grade. The exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions designed to measure a student's subject
knowledge and the ability to apply facts, concepts, theories and analytical methods. Some questions are
grouped in sets and based on diagrams, charts and data tables. The questions represent a wide range of
difficulty and cover depth and breadth in assessing students' achievement levels. The test covers the
following areas (coverage): Accounting (~15%), Economics (~13 %), Management (~15%), Quantitative
Business Analysis (~11%), Information Systems (~10%), Finance (~13%), Marketing (~13%), Legal and
Social Environment (~10%) and International Issues (overlapping and drawn from other content areas
previously listed). This standardized examination will be administered during the semester or during the
final examination period. Time slots and rooms will be assigned.
Student Learning Objectives
MGMT 4900 builds on the student’s entire educational experience and coursework in the BSM program
and provides opportunities for the student to apply this experience and knowledge in team-based case
analyses, presentations, and a case competition that requires students to integrate concepts and knowledge
from many fields in business. The course also emphasizes the necessity of working well with others in a
competitive environment to succeed in business.
The basic philosophy of MGMT 4900 is that learning is an active, engaged process in which you must
participate fully to get the most out of the course. You learn as much from your colleagues as you do
from the professor. The professor’s role is to provide a framework and environment conducive to
learning and to facilitate the learning process. The course enhances your abilities to think, to learn, to
make informed decisions, and to develop into stronger, more effective leaders.
Substantive Knowledge
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To develop a general management perspective (i.e., a capacity for dealing with problems and
opportunities on a company-wide basis) and to integrate the knowledge gained in previous
courses into this perspective.
To apply these concepts to real-world problems.
To improve your understanding of business and corporate environments.
Process Skills
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To analyze and present cases: formulate solutions, develop strategic alternatives, select the
“best” approach, and propose a plan for implementation of your strategy.
To develop creative solutions to strategic and operational problems.
To think strategically.
To present and to get your ideas across to top management.
To improve, through class discussion, your communication skills, including persuasion and
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thinking “on your feet.”
Course Materials: Students will be directed to Harvard Publishing for purchasing and downloading
course materials.
Grading
Individual Case Assignment
Team Case Analysis and Presentation – Presentations 1 and 2
Evaluation of Other Teams’ Case Presentations (Critique Forms)
ETS Exam
Stewart Foundation Case Competition (or Alternate assignment for students
not advancing to Case Competition)
Class Attendance and Participation
Total
5%
50%
5%
10%
20%
10%
100%
Each of the components will be graded on a 10-point scale with increments (10.0, 9.75, etc.).
The Stewart Foundation Case Competition will be evaluated and graded on case analysis skills (critical
thinking, strategy, marketing, financial modeling, etc.), the quality of the presentation, and the
PowerPoint document.
Final grades will be determined from weighting each individual grade received for an assignment and
summing the result. The highest achievable grade is 10.0. The following grade matrix will be used to
determine the final letter grade:
From
9.20
8.86
8.52
8.18
7.84
7.50
7.16
6.82
6.40
0
To
10.00
9.19
8.85
8.51
8.17
7.83
7.49
7.15
6.81
6.39
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Team Case Analyses and Presentation: The class will be divided into teams of four to five members.
When choosing team mates, it is an advantage to have a marketing major, a finance major, an accounting
major, etc. versus team members all from the same academic major. Each team will be required to
prepare analyses of comprehensive business cases that span several functional areas in business (e.g.,
accounting, finance, human resources, information systems, legal and regulatory, marketing, operations,
supply chains, and strategy) and to prepare case presentations that analyze the cases. Each team will be
graded on the quality of its analysis, presentation, and PowerPoint document. Each team member is to
have a role in the presentation.
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Two copies of the team’s case presentation should be given to the professors at the beginning of the
class when the assignment is due. The assignments and due dates are given in the course schedule.
Please use a cover page; put the case name, the team’s name, team members’ names, page number, and
date on each page.
Stewart Foundation Case Competition: Each MGMT 4900 section will advance its top team(s) to the
Stewart Foundation Case Competition. The Stewart Foundation Case Competition will be judged by a
team of academic and business leader judges; the judges’ evaluations and rankings will be used to
determine the grade on the case competition. Each team will be graded on the quality of its analysis,
presentation, and PowerPoint document. Each team member is to have a role in the presentation. The top
three teams emerging from the Stewart Foundation Case Competition will receive an A grade for the
course and a monetary stipend. The runner ups will be subject to the grading criteria for a final grade.
Alternate Assignment: Those students not competing in the BSM Team Case Competition will be
required to complete the Alternate Assignment, either as a team or an individual student. Individual
student presentations of the Alternate Assignment will utilize PowerPoint slide deck with notes to
supplement the slide deck.
Class Attendance:
Class attendance is mandatory and any excused absence must be coordinated with the professor or the
teaching assistant. Absences will require a make-up assignment unless waived by the professor.
Statement about Academic Integrity
This class will be conducted in full accordance with Tulane’s policies about academic integrity including,
but not limited to, the Code of Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Conduct. These can be found
at: http://tulane.edu/college/code.cfm and http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/upload/02Academic.pdf
“Tulane University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people.
As “One Wave,” Tulane is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination
based on race, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as all
forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. If you
(or someone you know) has experienced or experiences discrimination, domestic violence, sexual
assault or sexual harassment, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available. Learn
more at onewave.tulane.edu. Any and all of your communications on these matters will be treated as
either “Strictly Confidential” or “Mostly Confidential” as explained in the chart below.”
Strictly Confidential
Except in extreme circumstances, involving
imminent danger to one’s self or others,
nothing will be shared without your explicit
permission.
Mostly Confidential
Conversations are kept as confidential as possible,
but information is shared with key staff members so
the University can offer resources and
accommodations and take action if necessary for
safety reasons.
Coordinator of Violence Prevention | (504) 3142161
Counseling & Psychological Services
(CAPS) | (504) 314-2277
Student Health Center | (504) 865-5255
Tulane University Police (TUPD) | (504) 8655911
Office of Institutional Equity | (504) 862-8083
Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and
Education (SAPHE) | (504) 654-9543
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Freeman Educational Norms and Expectations
This class will be conducted in full accordance with Freeman’s Educational Norms and Expectations.
Please reread the Norms and Expectations, which can be found at
http://www.freeman.tulane.edu/students/bsm/pdf/Expected%20Behavioral%20Norms.pdf
Learning Disabilities
Under the Americans with Disability Act and the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, if you have a
disability, you may have the right to an accommodation; however, the right is contingent upon you taking
certain steps. You should review the steps that you need to take, as well as Tulane’s policy concerning
accommodations at http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/disability/accommodations.cfm
Any student with a disability, in need of course or examination accommodation, should request an
accommodation through the University’s Office of Disability Services (ODS) located in the Mechanical
Engineering Building. At the beginning of the semester, please provide us with a copy of your approved
ODS accommodation form. We are committed to working with ODS to ensure that we provide you with
all approved accommodations. If you do not deliver the approved accommodation form to us, we will not
know that ODS approved your accommodation and will have no basis to provide those accommodations.
PLEASE NOTE: For students with extended time accommodation, you are to take your exams within
the Freeman School, please take your Exam Request Form to Suite 200 at least three days before the
exam and the Office of Undergraduate Programs will schedule your exam. You must begin your exam
when the class normally would begin. For all other accommodations, please take your form to ODS and
they will schedule your exam.
Specific Course Policies
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Students are expected to attend all classes unless previously excused by the professor.
Attendance and participation are part of the grading criteria. The course demands interaction and
class discussions—students should be prepared for each class to contribute insights, ideas,
critiques etc.
Be on time. Late to class is disrespectful to fellow students who may already be engaged in
discussions or presentations. Business careers demand timely execution and completion of tasks
within strict time frames. This course emphasizes these points repeatedly.
Focus on the course work and discussion. Students may only use a computer in class for note
taking or presentation work. Emailing, texting and similar uses of any electronic device during
class is distracting and again disrespectful of the professor and fellow students.
CLASS SCHEDULE
SESSION
Thursday
Aug. 27
TOPICS
Tulane Spring Semester Begins
Course Overview--Expectations
Formation of Teams
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ASSIGNMENTS, INFO, DUE DATES
Practice Case - Martin Blair; Assignment is to
meet with your team before the next class to
discuss and critically analyze the case; Each
Case Analysis
Teamwork Skills
Strategic Analysis
Measuring Performance
Thursday
Sept.3
Thursday
Sept. 10
Thursday
Sept. 17
Thursday
Sept. 24
Thursday
Oct. 1
Thursday
Oct. 8
Thursday
Oct. 15
individual will then prepare a written analysis of
this case with a recommended course of action
for Blair;
CLASS CANCELLED
Analysis of Blair case
Review video of sample case
study presentation;
Format for Case Presentations;
Presentation skills;
Critical thinking and analysis
TEAM PRESENTATION #1
TEAM PRESENTATION #1
Individual Meetings with teams
TEAM PRESENTATION #2
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Turn in individual analysis of Blair case at the
beginning of class. Be prepared to actively
participate in class discussion/analysis. Explore
strategy, financial analysis, marketing, etc.
Assignment of Round 1 Case for Team
Presentations
Lecture focuses on further examples of strategy
formulation, case analysis, critical thinking,
execution plans and overall presentation skills.
Students will read the case(s) for next week’s
presentations. Prepare for Team presentations to
be conducted over the next 2 weeks.
Give copy of PowerPoint presentation to
professor when you present. (Expect 4 teams to
present today.) All students will fill out individual
critique forms and turn them in at the end of
class as part of your grade. Presentations will be
videotaped. (Library assignment is to watch the
video of your presentation.)
Give copy of PowerPoint presentation to
professor when you present. (Expect 4 teams to
present today.) All students will fill out individual
critique forms and turn them in at the end of
class as a part of your grade. Presentations will
be videotaped. (Library assignment is to watch
the video of your presentation.)
Teams scheduled for individual meetings will
need to bring all data related to case study
presented – goal is to improve the case analysis
skills before presenting Case Study #2.
Give copy of PowerPoint presentation to
professor when you present. (Expect 4 teams to
present today.) All students will fill out individual
critique forms and turn them in at the end of
class as a part of your grade. Presentations will
be videotaped. (Library assignment is to watch
the video of your presentation.)
Thursday
Oct. 22
Individual meetings with teams
Teams scheduled for individual meetings will
need to bring all data related to case study
presented – goal is to improve the case analysis
skills before presenting Case Study #2.
Thursday
Oct. 29
TEAM PRESENTATION #2
Give copy of PowerPoint presentation to
professor when you present. (Expect four teams
to present today.) All students will fill out
individual critique forms/quiz provided by the
professor and turn them in at the end of class as
part of your grade.
WINNING TEAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED
THE DAY AFTER THESE PRESENTATIONS.
Thursday
Nov. 5
TEAM PRESENTATIONS –
ALTERNATE CASE
Give copy of PowerPoint presentation to
professor when you present. All students will fill
out individual critique forms/quiz provided by
the professor and turn them in at the end of class
as part of your grade.
Give copy of PowerPoint presentation to
professor when you present. All students will fill
out individual critique forms/quiz provided by
the professor and turn them in at the end of class
as part of your grade.
Discussion of our semester together; lessons
learned, inputs to improve. Professor available
to respond to case comp teams
1-5pm
Thursday
Nov. 12
TEAM PRESENTATIONS –
ALTERNATE CASE
Thursday
Nov. 19
Wrap Up Lecture.
Saturday
Nov. 21
STEWART FOUNDATION
CASE COMPETITION
TBD
ETS Exam: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Use your own laptop to take the test
TBD
ETS Exam: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Use your own laptop to take the test
TBD
ETS Exam: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Use your own laptop to take the test
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