BCOR 623 - Business Strategy
CRN 15475 & 16441
Spring Semester 2015
03/09 – 05/17
Online Course
Instructor
Telephone
e-mail
Office
Office Hours
Dr. David D. Dawley
293-7923
David.dawley@mail.wvu.edu
118 B&E
TBA
See e-Campus for course web page
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Combine all of the major components and key concepts of the graduate business administration
curriculum
2. Critically analyze a wide variety of current business problems and issues
3. Analyze factors that influence the competitive behavior and performance of the firm.
4. Formulate strategy concepts and techniques to virtually any business organization
5. Develop a strategic manager’s perspective for resolving major business problems and issues, with the
goal of improving organizational performance.
7. Assess the effect of government policy on business
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
EMBA student in good standing
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Essentials of Strategic Management 3rd Edition. 2013. Gamble, J., Thompson, A., and Peteraf, M. McGrawHill Irwin: New York. ISBN: 978-9-07-80298-8 or 0-07-802928-7
Formats : Hard copy, loose leaf or digital is fine.
Glo-Bus Business Simulation Game, McGraw-Hill Irwin. (www.glo-bus.com) $42.95 registration fee.
Details will be provided in class
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METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:
1. Text book readings
2. On-line content delivery via e-Campus
3. Wall Street Journal articles delivered via e-Campus
4. Glo-Bus Simulation
5. Washington Experience Trip
COURSE ACTIVITIES: (as included in the course) Note any points/grades assigned to these
assignments and include in Determination of Grade Section
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Two GLO-BUS quizzes
Four Examinations
GLO-BUS computer simulation – end game performance (group project)
The Washington Experience Trip
REGULARLY SCHEDULED EXAMINATIONS:
There will be 5 (five) exams during the semester. You are responsible for all material from the text book, on
line content, and assigned readings.
Two quizzes will be given during the semester regarding your understanding of the Glo-Bus handbook and
tutorials.
GROUP SIMULATION GAME:
GLO-BUS Simulation. The Spring 2015 class will be divided into teams as previously assigned in the MBA
program.
Each group will work together in playing the GLO-BUS 2015 computer simulation game. The game involves a
hypothetical digital camera industry, which consists of several companies (run by your classmates). During the
semester, each team will make decisions critical to the success of their company. At the end of the eighth round,
each team will be ranked from first to last place in their respective industry. First place gets a score of 100, sixth
place gets a score of 75, and all other teams are scaled in between 100 and 75. There is a wealth of information
that can lead to company success; my experience has been that the harder working teams usually excel.
THE WASHINGTON EXPERIENCE
From April 12-15, the class will travel to Washington DC for a series of policy-related seminars. The
Washington Campus Executive MBA trip is designed to complement and expand our course curricula in
economics, strategy, policy, international business, trade policy, and international politics.
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The Washington Experience staff will work closely with our program to achieve a residency seminar design
consistent with our educational objectives. On the last day in DC, we will have a brief written exam.
DETERMINATION OF GRADE:
Individual grades will be assigned based on total points obtained. THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA CREDIT
PROJECTS. A total of 100 percentage points is possible. Percentages of the final grade are as follows:
Glo-Bus Quiz 1
Glo-Bus Quiz 2
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3a
Exam 3b
Exam 4
Performance on Glo-Bus Game
Total
Scale (% of Total Points):
2%
2%
17%
17%
8.5%
8.5%
17%
28%
100%
A = 90%, B = 80%, C = 70% etc.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Please refer to the West Virginia University Student Handbook,
ETC., for more information about academic dishonesty. Please note that a student will receive a failing grade
in this course for cheating.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
The instructor reserves the right to adjust exam grades up (i.e., in students’ favor), but will never adjust the scale
up (i.e., to students’ detriment).
All opinions and perspectives are valued in this class, and ridicule of another’s viewpoint will not be tolerated.
However, spirited debate is strongly encouraged as a means of pushing one another to make logical and informed
conclusions. We can all learn from each other.
SOCIAL JUSTICE:
West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to
maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and nondiscrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status,
religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive
and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate
in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).
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Course Schedule 10/13-12/21
Date
Week 1
03/09
Week 2
03/16
Topic(s)
Module One – Strategy Overview
Glo-Bus Practice Round 1
Glo-Bus Quiz One
Module Two - External, Industry, & Competitive Analysis
Glo-Bus Practice Round 2
Exam 1 – Modules 1 & 2
SPRING BREAK WEEK
03/23
Week 3
03/30
Module Three – Internal Analysis
Glo-Bus Round 1 (Glo-Bus “year 6”)
Week 4
04/06
Module Four - Strategy Formulation and Generic Strategies
Glo-Bus Round 2 (Glo-Bus “year 7”)
Exam 2 – Modules 3 & 4
Week 5
04/13
Module Five - Washington Experience Trip 04/12-04/15
Exam 3a – Essay test in DC
Week 6
04/20
Week 7
04/27
Week 8
05/04
Week 9
05/11
Module Six - Strategy Formulation & Other Strategies
Glo-Bus Round 3 (Glo-Bus “year 8”)
Exam 3b– Module 6
Module Seven – Corporate Diversification
Glo-Bus Round 4 (Glo-Bus “year 9”)
Glo-Bus Quiz Two
Module Eight – Corporate Governance
Glo-Bus Round 5 (Glo-Bus “year 10”)
Exam 4 - Modules 7 & 8
Glo-Bus Round 6 (Glo-Bus year 11)
Glo-Bus Round 7 (Glo-Bus year 12)
Glo-Bus Round 8 (Glo-Bus year 13)
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