Business Department
Course Syllabus
Course
BUSN 6200 Strategy and Competition
Term
Spring 2, 2014, Shanghai, China
Instructor
Name: Mike Gibbs, Adjunct Full Professor
Email: mgibbs@webster.edu
Description
The student examines the conceptual and practical aspects of business policies and
policy decision making by utilizing all the concepts, theories, and tools that were
presented in the previous courses. The student should be able to analyze and recommend
a comprehensive and workable approach to the situation. The course should cover
current business issues and developments.
Prerequisites
Completion of all other required courses in the MBA
Catalog
Course Level
Learning
Outcomes
Outcome
1. Students understand the
important facts,
terminology, concepts,
principles, and theories in
the area of Strategy.
2. Students can conduct
industry analysis to
assess the relative market
position of a firm or
product division.
3. The student will be able
to use accounting and
financial information to
assist in their strategic
analysis.
4. The MBA will be able to
use quantitative tools to
assist in the analysis of
the strategy of the firm.
Expectation
Students can discuss the results of research that
links strategic variables to firm performance
(e.g. The PIMS findings).
Students can describe the various models and
methods used to conduct external and internal
analysis (e.g. SWOT, BCG, Porter, etc.)
Students can prepare a written analysis of a
business situation, including market structure,
within the parameters of the Porter 5 Forces
Model or standard Economic Market
Structures to assess market conditions.
Students can determine the relative well-being
of the firm and identify specific performance
problems (e.g. inventory management, debt
load, etc.) based on financial statements.
Students can determine whether the financial
condition of the firm will allow the firm to
pursue a desired strategy.
Students can discuss quantitative tools that can
be used to assess competitive position and
strategy.
Students can identify situations when these
quantitative tools can be helpful in the
analysis. They can apply the tools and interpret
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5. The MBA can address
unstructured business
problems that span
multiple functional areas.
Materials
the results.
The MBA will, when faced with an
unstructured business situation (through a case
or simulation), be able to identify the key
factors driving problem or situation, the
additional information needed to understand
the situation, and to set priorities for decision
and action.
Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization
Author: Hitt, Ireland and Hoskission
Publisher: Southwestern
International Version: ISBN-10: 1439042306; ISBN-13: 9781439042304
Capsim Business Simulation
Registration for the CAPSIM Business Simulation software should be done
before the first class. See the Week One Schedule below for details on how to
register. The software fees are paid by Webster University in St. Louis. No
purchase is necessary at the time of registration. Note: Registration for BUSN
6200 and registration for the CAPSIM simulation are two separate registrations,
and they should not be confused.
CAPSIM Team Member Guide (Print Version)
The print version of the CAPSIM Team Member Guide will be provided by your
instructor during the first class subject to availability. In the event they are not
available, you may use the online version listed below.
CAPSIM Team Member Guide (Online Version)
An online version of the CAPSIM Team Member Guide is available on the
CAPSIM website to registered users of the CAPSIM simulation.
Computer Access
Each team must have access to at least one computer or other electronic device
capable of accessing and using the CAPSIM website. This implies that you will
have a functioning internet connection throughout the class period. If you have a
laptop, please bring it to class.
Your Accounting Textbook
Optional but highly recommended.
Your Finance Textbook
Optional but highly recommended.
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Grading
Class and Group Participation
CAPSIM Practice Rounds
CAPSIM Competition Rounds
CAPSIM Comp X/M Exercise
Final Exam
Grading
95-100
90-94
87-89
83-86
80-82
70-79
0-69
%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
A
AB+
B
BC
F
The GRADUATE catalog provides these guidelines and grading options:
 A/A– Superior graduate work
 B+/B/B– Satisfactory graduate work
 C Work that is barely adequate as graduate-level performance
 CR Work that is performed as satisfactory graduate work (B– or better). A grade of
"CR”is reserved for courses designated by a department, involving internships, a thesis,
practicums, or specified courses.
 F Work that is unsatisfactory
 I Incomplete work
 ZF An incomplete which was not completed within one year of the end of the course.
ZF is treated the same as an F or NC for all cases involving G.P.A., academic warning,
probation, and dismissal.
 IP In progress
 NR Not reported
 W Withdrawn from the course
Institutional
Policies
University policies are provided in the current course catalog and course
schedules. They are also available on the university website. This class is
governed by the university’s published policies. The following policies are of
particular interest:
Academic Honesty
This syllabus is a working document which reflects the dynamic nature of the
class. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as
dictated by the changing needs of the course. Changes to the syllabus will be
announced in class. Students are responsible for knowing about these changes.
Drops and Withdrawals
Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this
course, the date on which you notify the university of your decision will
determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Please refer to the
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university policies on drops and withdrawals (published elsewhere) to find
out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for
withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.
Special Services
If you have registered as a student with a documented disability and are
entitled to classroom or testing accommodations, please inform the
instructor at the beginning of the course of the accommodations you will
require in this class so that these can be provided.
Disturbances
Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without
interruption, disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior is not
acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students
with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion
arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to
disciplinary action, including removal from the course.
Student Assignments Retained
From time to time, student assignments or projects will be retained by The
Department for the purpose of academic assessment. In every case,
should the assignment or project be shared outside the academic
Department, the student's name and all identifying information about that
student will be redacted from the assignment or project.
Contact Hours for this Course
It is essential that all classes meet for the full instructional time as
scheduled. A class cannot be shortened in length. If a class session is
cancelled for any reason, it must be rescheduled.
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Course
Policies
Weekly
Schedule
This syllabus may be revised at the discretion of the instructor without the prior
notification or consent of the student. The schedule below presents an
approximate expectation of course progress. The instructor reserves the right to
add, delete, or modify any weeks of this schedule. The instructor also reserves
the right to change the overall course grade weighting. Any changes will be
announced in class.
Weekly
Week 1
Schedule
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 1: Strategic Management and Strategic
Competitiveness
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISE
 Register for the On-line CAPSIM Business Simulation
at www.capsim.com. An industry ID is required for
registration. It will be provided by your instructor. The
simulation for the class cannot begin until everyone is
registered.
 Project Team Assignments. You must be registered as a
CAPSIM participant before you can be assigned to a
team. Anyone not present during the first class will be
assigned to a team by the instructor.
LECTURE
 Introduction to Strategic Planning
 Market Structures and Strategic Planning
 CAPSIM Overview
Week 2
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Read the CAPSIM “Team Member Guide.” You must be
thoroughly familiar with the workings of CAPSIM in
order to participate in the simulation during week 2.
ASSIGNMENTS: (Before coming to class)
 Click Getting Started on the CAPSIM Menu
 Watch the Course Introductory Video
 Take the Quiz at the end of the video
 Do the Rehearsal Simulation
 Take the CAPSIM Courier Tour
 Watch the CAPSIM Videos provided in the team
member guide.
GROUP ASSIGNMENT BEFORE CLASS
 Meet with your Group
 Complete the Situation Analysis
 Pick a Strategy
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LECTURE:
 Makings Sense of It All: Capstone Debrief Rubric
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Practice Round 1
 Practice Round 1 Restart (If needed)
Week 3
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 2: The External Environment
 Chapter 3: The Internal Organization
ASSIGNMENTS: (Before coming to class)
 Review the results of practice round 1, and be prepared
to begin practice round 2 in class.
LECTURE:
 CAPSIM Recap
 The External Environment
 The Internal Organization
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Practice Round 2
Week 4
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 4: Business Level Strategy
 Chapter 5: Competitive Rivalry/Dynamics
ASSIGNMENTS: (Before coming to class)
 Practice Round 3
LECTURE:
 CAPSIM Recap
 Business Level Strategy
 Competitive Rivalry/Dynamics
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Practice Round 4
 Practice Round 5
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Week 5
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 6: Corporate Level Strategy
 Chapter 7: Merger and Acquisition Strategies
ASSIGNMENTS: (Before coming to class)
 Practice Round 6
LECTURE:
 CAPSIM Recap
 Corporate Level Strategy
 Mergers and Acquisitions
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Practice Round 7
 Practice Round 8
Week 6
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 8: International Strategy
 Chapter 9: Cooperative Strategy
ASSIGNMENTS: (Before coming to class)
 Pre-competition Analysis by Teams
 COMP-XM Individual Exercise. Begin this exercise.
Plan on about 20 hours of work outside of class to
complete it. This exercise is self-paced and may be
spread out over weeks 6, 7 and 8. Doing this exercise
will help you in the competition rounds.
LECTURE:
 CAPSIM Practice Rounds Recap
 International Strategy
 Cooperative Strategy
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Competition Round 1
 Competition Round 2
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Week 7
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 10: Corporate Governance
 Chapter 11: Organization Structure and Controls
ASSIGNMENTS:
 Competition Round 3
 COMP-XM Individual Exercise. Continue working on
this exercise.
LECTURE:
 CAPSIM Recap
 Corporate Governance
 Organization Structure and Controls
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Competition Round 4
 Competition Round 5
Week 8
READ PRIOR TO CLASS FROM TEXTBOOK:
 Chapter 12: Strategic Leadership
 Chapter 13: Strategic Entrepreneurship
ASSIGNMENTS:
 Competition Round 6
 COMP-XM Individual Exercise. Finish the work you
started in week 6. This exercise must be finished by
midnight of the day on which the class meets in week 8.
LECTURE:
 CAPSIM Competition Rounds Recap
 Strategic Leadership
 Strategic Entrepreneurship
CAPSIM IN CLASS EXERCISES:
 Competition Round 7
 Competition Round 8
Week 9
IN CLASS:
 Final Exam
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Additional
Information
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None