Course: 44285 Int’d Bus Policy/Strategy
Fall 2009
Instructor: Victor Berardi
1
Kent State University, Stark Campus
M&IS 44285 – INTEGRATED BUSINESS POLICY/STRATEGY
Fall 2009 Semester
Call #
14904
Section
600
Days
Tu Th
Time
12:30pm-1:45pm
Room
210 Fine Arts
Instructor:
Dr. Victor L. Berardi
Phone: 330-244-5175 office
330-244-0078 home, between 9:00am & 9:00pm only please
Email: vberardi@kent.edu
Web: www.personal.kent.edu/~vberardi
Office:
150M Fine Arts Bldg.
Hours: MW
11:15 – 12:00pm (before 10/21), 1:15 – 2:00pm (after 10/21)
TR
1:45 – 3:15pm,
T
6:30 – 6:55pm, 9:35 – 9:50 pm (preference to night class)
Also, by appointment, please contact to arrange
Textbook & Materials
Required:
Strategic Management—Concepts, 6th or 7th Edition
Hitt, Ireland, and Hoskisson
Southwestern, 2004 or 2006
Course Catalog Description
Integration of the functional areas of business in the formation and implementation of policy. Projects and
case analyses of business situations provide students with the opportunity to apply analytical and creative
problem solving skills. Prerequisite: admitted into the College of Business and minimum 2.50 cumulative
GPA; and MIS 24163 or BMRT 11009. Students without the prerequisite risk being deregistered from the
course.
Overall Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply modern theories of strategic management
(such as market- and resource-based frameworks) and integrate all business disciplines to make decisions
and solve business problems. Students will have a breadth of understanding across all areas of business.
Methods of Teaching
This course relies heavily upon discussion cases and questions to supplement class lecture. Therefore,
student participation via in-class discussion, exercises, and presentations are critical components to the
success of this course and is given due consideration in student evaluation. A semester-long group project
is a major course component used to integrate material and prepare students for group dynamics in the
workplace. Examinations tend to fulfill a factual role in the course but include an integrative role too.
Course: 44285 Int’d Bus Policy/Strategy
Fall 2009
Instructor: Victor Berardi
2
Student Evaluation and Grades
Student evaluation in this course may consist of examinations, group and individual projects, and class
preparation and participation. A breakdown of the relative value of each component, a description of each,
along with the schedule for final grade allocation follows.
The following is a summary of the grade allocation and the base rules for assigning final grades:
Exams I – III (14%,15%,21%)
Prelim. Grp. Projects (2 req’d)
Final Grp. Project
Grp. Presentation
Ind. Projects (2 req’d)
Preparation/ Participation
50%
6%
21%
7%
6%
10%
100%
Final Grade Allocation
90.0 to 100%
A
89.5 to <90.0% A88.5 to < 89.5% B+
81.5 to <88.5% B
80.0 to < 81.5% B79.5 to <80.0% C+
71.5 to < 79.5% C
70.0 to <71.5% C60.0 to < 70.0% D
Less than 60% F
Grading scale may move down but never higher.
1. Exams
Two midterm exams and one final will be given. The weights for each exam are as noted in the schedule
above. Exams generally will consist of short answer and essay questions and may be factual and/or
integrative in nature. Exams may be in-class, take-home, or a combination. Specific details and
expectations will be communicated in class.
Students are expected to take the exam on the scheduled date. If a student is unable to be present in class
when an exam is scheduled, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the exam
date, or within 24 hours after the exam if an emergency situation exists. Makeup exams may be written
or oral essay! It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to schedule a makeup exam as
soon as possible after the missed test. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero points for the test.
2. Group Projects and Presentation
Student groups (approximately 4-5 students per group) will investigate strategic considerations of a
major industry and an organization within that industry as a semester-long project designed to parallel
classroom topics. It will be necessary for students to perform outside research to fully investigate the
dynamics of the specified industry. However, structure is provided by utilizing S&P Industry Surveys
available from the library on-line (campus computers) and other library, Internet, and outside sources.
Students will be charged with generating a written analysis and a formal presentation utilizing
PowerPoint or a similar presentation tool as noted in the schedule. Detailed information concerning
project write-up and presentation structure and content will be discussed in class.
Two preliminary project reports are required to facilitate project completion throughout the semester and
to avoid end of semester surprises.
3. Individual Projects
Strategic planning considerations are just as useful to individuals as to corporations. Therefore, students
will be charged with considering their own strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats
presented by the environment as they pursue their careers. From this first project, students will then plot
a five-year plan to help them get to where they want to be.
Course: 44285 Int’d Bus Policy/Strategy
Fall 2009
Instructor: Victor Berardi
3
4. Participation and Preparation
Classroom preparation and participation by students are integral components to this course. The course
schedule contains information on activities requiring advance preparation and others will be assigned in
class. I will collect these so write them out on a sheet of paper. “Winging it” is usually easy to identify
and not highly rewarded.
The instructor is the final judge as to the level of preparedness and may deduct up to 10 percent from the
participation portion of a grade for each incident (e.g., Two non-prepared events during a semester may
result in a maximum grade of 80 percent on participation.) IMPORTANT NOTE—Absences may
impact both the preparation and participation grades and lead to greater deductions than noted above. See
Attendance section.
A course management system called BlackBoard/Vista is used in this course. The instructor will
overview the system in class and can help students who have never used it or who run into problems.
Please ask if you need help.
Student Responsibilities
The student is responsible for doing all assigned readings and internalizing all the material presented in
class, which may or may not originate from the textbook. The student will be responsible for the material
covered in the lectures, assigned textbook readings, presentations, and other assignments whether or not
covered in the class lectures.
Discussion questions and cases requiring advanced student participation will be announced by the
instructor and/or listed in the course schedule or chapter notes. The instructor may randomly check for
evidence of preparation to be included in a student’s preparation, participation, and/or attendance grade(s).
See the grades and student evaluation sections for relative emphasis in this course.
Written evidence, informal as it may be, often requires less follow up by the instructor than that which is
simply committed to student memory. The instructor is the final judge as to the level of preparedness and
may deduct up to 10 percent from the participation portion of a grade for each incident (e.g., Two nonprepared events during a semester may result in a maximum grade of 80 percent on participation.)
The student is responsible for submitting the assignments when scheduled by the instructor. Absence from
class does not excuse the student from any assignments made during the class period. Email may be used to
submit assignments only with instructor approval. A student who misses a class should check with the
instructor to determine if an assignment was made during the class that was missed. It is recommended to
ask other students, too, if an assignment was made.
In consideration of others, please turn off cell phones and do not access the internet, email, etc. during
class. Texting is a particularly obnoxious activity and will be dealt with as such. The instructor can
accommodate emergency situations if notified in advance. Violations may impact your preparation grade
because they are particularly disruptive to others.
Course: 44285 Int’d Bus Policy/Strategy
Fall 2009
Instructor: Victor Berardi
4
Academic Dishonesty
The use of the intellectual property of others without attributing it to them is considered a serious academic
offense. Cheating or plagiarism will result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course. Repeat
offenses will result in dismissal from the university.
Plagiarism software (e.g., Turnitin.com) will be required in this course as exclusively determined by the
instructor. If you do not agree to this requirement, you must deregister now.
In courses requiring citation of sources, the preferred format is APA, though MLA is also acceptable. The
Writing Center’s Writer’s Toolbox (www.stark.kent.edu/Academics/Writing/Toolbox.cfm) has pamphlets
if needed.
Sources must be credible, preferably peer-reviewed, and not open to manipulation by individuals. Library
and Ohio Link databases are safe bets. Internet websites can be acceptable but use with caution. Wikipedia
(www.wikipedia.com), while a good source to consult, is never acceptable as your final source. If you
find information in Wikipedia that you want to reference, you should be able to find it at an alternative,
acceptable source.
Students with Disabilities
Kent State University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional atmosphere in which
students with disabilities can succeed. In accordance with University Policy Subpart E…104.44, if you
have a documented disability, you may request accommodations to obtain equal access in this class. Please
contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services on campus.
The Office of Student Accessibility Services is located in the Campus Center in the Academic Success
Center, lower level Room #40. Kelly Kulick is the Stark Campus coordinator.
If a student with a disability is requesting assistance, medical documentation needs to be presented to the
disability coordinator for review. Professors cannot award accommodations without input from the Office
of Student Accessibility Services. Feel free to contact Ms. Kulick with any questions regarding eligibility
and/or disability issues. You may contact Ms. Kulick either by her office number at 330-244-5047 or
through e-mail kkulick@stark.kent.edu.
Attendance
Students who do not attend lectures cannot get preparation and participation points (and attendance credit
as appropriate) during that class period. All requests for excused absence must be in advance. The
instructor may deduct up to 25 percent from the preparation and/or participation portions of a grade for
each incident (e.g., In this case, two absences during a semester may result in a 50 percent on preparation
and/or participation.)
Kent State University now has a stopped attending failure (SF) grade faculty are to report during the
semester for students who are not attending classes. NOTE— this may impact Title IV student financial aid
eligibility and awards, please manage this issue with the utmost care.
WARNING—The instructor reserves the right to fail students with unexcused absences that total
more than 3 contact hours (e.g., more than two classes for a twice per week course in fall or spring or
one class meeting during intersession). If you think you might have trouble meeting this
requirement, please consider withdrawing from the course now to avoid problems later.
Course: 44285 Int’d Bus Policy/Strategy
Fall 2009
Instructor: Victor Berardi
5
Registration and Withdrawals
Students have responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes. Should you find an error in
your class schedule, you have until September 13th to correct it with your advising office. If registration
errors are not corrected by this date and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are
not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the
semester for any class in which you are not properly registered.
The course withdrawal deadline is November 8th. Withdrawal before the deadline results in a "W" on the
official transcript; after the deadline a grade must be calculated and reported.
Note—Registration, attendance, and withdrawal issues may impact Title IV student financial aid eligibility
and awards, please manage this issue with the utmost care. Students are strongly encouraged to consult an
academic advisor in Student Services before dropping courses.
Tentative Schedule
Changes made as directed and communicated by instructor.
Week
1
Day
Tue
Date
9/1
Thur
9/3
Tue
9/8
Thur
9/10
3
Tue
9/15
4
Thur
Tue
9/17
9/22
Thur
9/24
Chapter 8: International Strategy
Tue
Thur
9/29
10/1
EXAM 1
2
5
Textbook
Chapter 1: Strategic Management
and Strategic Competitiveness
Chapter 10: Corporate Governance
Chapter 2: External Environment
Activities
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Group Project Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 10
Group Project Introduction
Chapter 10
Prep—Find an example of corporate
misconduct or a governance issue and
prepare to discuss in terms of ch. 1, 10,
etc. Details given in class.
Group Project Introduction
Chapter 2
Group Time
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Prep—Scanning the External
Environment…Do individually and
apply to your semester project
industry. Detail given in class.
Chapter 8
Group Time
Chapter 8
EXAM 1: Chapters 1, 2, 8, and 10
Continued on next page.
Course: 44285 Int’d Bus Policy/Strategy
Fall 2009
Instructor: Victor Berardi
6
Tentative Schedule (continued)
6
Tue
10/6
Thur
10/8
7
Tue
Thur
10/13
10/15
COB ASSESSMENT TEST
8
Tue
Thur
10/20
10/22
Chapter 4: Business Level Strategy
9
Tue
10/27
Thur
10/29
Chapter 5: Competitive Rivalry
and Competitive Dynamics
Chapter 6: Corporate-Level
Strategies
Tue
Thur
11/3
11/5
11
Tue
Thur
11/10
11/12
12
Tue
Thur
11/17
11/19
Tue
11/24
Thur
11/26
Tue
Thur
Tue
Thur
12/1
12/3
12/8
12/10
Semester Project Session
Group Presentations
Group Presentations
Final
Final
PER UNIVERSITY SCHEDULE
10
13
14
15
16
Chapter 3: Internal Environment
Chapter 7: Acquisition and
Restructuring Strategies
EXAM 2
Chapter 9: Cooperative Strategies
Chapter 11: Organizational
Structure and Controls
NO CLASS
Chapter 3
Group Time
Chapter 3
DUE Grp. Prelim. Report #1—Focus on
external environment w/ some overview
COB ASSESSMENT TEST
Prep—Scanning the Internal
Environment…Do individually for
semester project company. Details given
in class.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
DUE—Ind. Project #1: Personal SWOT
Analysis. Details given in class.
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Group Time
Exam 2: Chapters 3-7
Chapter 9
DUE Grp. Prelim. Report #2—Focus on
chapter 3, then chapters 4 - 6
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
Group Time
Chapter 11
DUE—Ind. Project #2: Five-year
strategic plan. Details given in class.
THANKSGIVING
Chapter 11
Semester Project Session
Group Presentations
Group Presentations
DUE—Final Group Projects (all
groups)
EXAM 3: Entire semester