“Developing tomorrow’s leaders today”
Organizational Strategy
MANA 4322 Section 007
Fall 2008
Instructor: Dr. Liliana Pérez Nordtvedt/Mr. David Mosby
Class meets Tu-Th in COBA 243 from 7:00p.m - 8:20p.m.
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: lnordtvedt@uta.edu
for Dr. Nordtvedt and mosby@uta.edu
for Mr. Mosby
Course Outline
The focus of this capstone course is to understand, from a practical point of view, how top managers develop strategies and policies that allow their companies to operate in their business environments. The interrelationships among the various phases of business, including the human aspects, will be emphasized in order to stress the need for functional integration at the top levels of management. Consideration will also be given to the political and economic environment (domestically and internationally) that surrounds the business firm. The purpose of the course, therefore, is to encourage you to think as top managers, integrate the business skills you have accumulated in your other business classes, and apply them in the analysis of cases. This class will provide you with tools to critically analyze what other top managers did and/or should have done to make their organizations more successful.
Student Learning Outcomes :
After completing the course the student will be able to:
1.
Conduct an industry analysis
2.
Conduct an analysis of a company’s external environment
3.
Conduct a company’s internal analysis and identify strengths and weaknesses
4.
Identify and evaluate a company’s strategies at the business level
5.
Identify and evaluate a company’s strategies at the corporate level
6.
Analyze issues associated with implementation of a firm’s strategies.
7.
Analyze a company case and write a related report.
8.
Infer a company’s objectives.
Note: This class will be time consuming. It will require work outside of the classroom at both the individual and the group level. Although a lot of learning occurs in the classroom, a great deal of writing as well as group meetings will be expected outside the classroom.
Teams
Company audit and presentation will be conducted in teams of 4-6 students depending on the size of the class.
Required Books
1.
Dess, G.G., Lumpkin, G.T., and Eisner, A. 2008. Strategic Management : Text and Cases. Fourth edition .
McGraw-Hill Irwin.
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1.
Grading Method
This class consists of 2 main components: Exams and Cases.
Course Grading
Exams
Exam 1 (individual effort)
Exam 2 (individual effort)
Final Exam (individual effort)
(20%)
(20%)
(20%)
2. Company Case Analyses
Company Case 1 Report (group effort)
Company Case 2 Report (group effort)
Case Participation (individual effort)
____________________________________________________
(15%)
(15%)
(10%)
Total 100%
The final grade will be based on the requirements explained above. The letter grade that you obtain in the course will be based on the numeric grade you obtain as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-90
70-80
60-65
BELOW 60
Exams (60%)
There will be 3 exams that will cover the material presented in class and the chapters assigned. The first exam covers Chapters 1-4. The second exam covers Chapters 5-8. The third (final) exam covers Chapters 9-12. Exams will be multiple choice, and will require a class period to be completed.
Company Cases Analysis (40%)
This grade consists of 2 parts: 2 Company Case Reports and Case Participation. The cases that we will cover during the semester are:
1.
Case # 12: Whole Foods Market 2007: Will there be Enough Organic Food to Satisfy the Growing
Demand? (p. C81)
2.
Case # 16: JetBlue Airlines: Is the Blue Fading? (p. C123)
3.
Case # 14: Will the Real Ann Taylor Please Dress Up? (p. C98)
4.
Case # 17: Panera Bread Co. in 2007 (p. C132)
5.
Case # 19: Johnson & Johnson (p. C149)
6.
Case # 15: United Way of America (p. C113)
7.
Case # 24: Procter & Gamble (p. C189)
8.
Case # 28: Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (p. C221)
9.
Case # 38: Ford Motor Company on the Edge? (p. C366)
Company Case Reports (30%)
Out of the cases mentioned above, teams will be required to select 2 cases for analysis. As such, teams will be required to write 2 case analysis reports. This selection will be done after groups are formed, and it will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. However, I want groups formed by September 11 th
. After you form your group and you select 2 cases, you can let me know right away and I will assign those cases to you. Remember, the assignment of companies for audit and presentation will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
Case reports should not exceed 3 pages, and should be single spaced, 12 pt. font with 1-inch margins all around the page. The company case reports should have the following sections ( NOTE : The questions listed in here in each
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section are intended as guidelines; do not let them limit you and do not necessarily answer each specifically.
Remember, you are integrating what you’ve learned from many disciplines .):
1.
Problem Statement/Description (0.5 pages or less). What is the most important problem, set of problems, and/or opportunities facing the company? What area(s) is(are) they in? Why is this problem/opportunity important to the company? Be concise and specific.
2.
Problem Analysis (1 – 1.5 pages). What caused the problem? How does the problem/opportunity relate to the internal and external environments (SWOT)? What evidence supports your interpretation? How does the problem connect with other areas of the company or other businesses?
3.
Potential Strategic Alternatives and YOUR Recommendation (1 – 1.5 pages). What options do you think the company has available to it? What are the pros & cons of each? What solution do you recommend? How does your solution follow from your problem analysis? How will your plan eliminate the problem? How will it be implemented? Is it feasible? How will it be financed? How will other actors (competitors, unions, employees, governments, suppliers, etc.) react to your plan?
4.
Financial Analysis : You will be required to provide a ratio analysis (don’t simply reproduce what’s in the text, add value.). Please provide a minimum of 5 ratios, and one from at least each category of ratios: liquidity measures, long-term measures, asset management measures, profitability measures and market value measures.
Also, provide an explanation as to what these ratios mean for the company (i.e., at least compare them to the industry average or the closest competitor to assess how well the company you are analyzing is doing). For more information, read the appendix to Chapter 13 th
, pages 471-479.
All Company Case Reports are due in class, at the beginning of the class.
Guidelines for short case written reports:
1.
The report should answer the questions in a meaningful and analytical way. Do not just summarize the facts in the case. The report should be an analysis of the company. Facts should only be used to support positions. For example, Position: The company is not doing as well as in the past; Fact: Profitability has declined 10% in the last year.
2.
When giving suggestions for action, be specific. These suggestions should be feasible.
3.
If you have more than one answer to a question, you may be constrained by space limitations. If so, pick the answer that you consider to be the best.
4.
Students are expected to demonstrate correct and effective oral and written communication skills. A lack of good spelling, grammar and punctuation will adversely affect students’ grades. These rules are firm because professionally managed enterprises do not accept spelling or grammatical errors in written or presented materials as this diminishes the company’s reputation.
5.
The most difficult guideline: USE AN OUTLINE FORMAT (e.g., A. B. 1. 2. a. b. bullets, etc).
Business reports should get to the point. They should provide sufficient background, but not be overly wordy. If you want people to read your reports at work, make sure every word is important. Delete those that do not serve a purpose. There is a premium on complete and cogent thought, not complete sentences.
Case Participation (10%)
If you do not come to class when a case analysis is going to be discussed, you will get a zero on case participation that day. Case participation is not limited to attending class that day; talking is a must. Because everybody has to read the case, participating should come natural. Everybody is expected to get involved in the discussion and contribute, not only the students that have a Company Case Report due that day. I expect everyone to read the case.
To make sure that students have read the case, I may have 1 or 2 unannounced quizzes at the beginning of the class.
The questions will be simple and designed to see whether or not you read the case. So, besides reading the case, no preparation is required. These quizzes will be a part of this 10%.
Guidelines for case participation a.
Disagreeing is ok. Good arguments are encouraged.
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b.
Make points that are relevant to the discussion c.
Make points that are linked to the comments of others d.
Make comments that add to our understanding of the case e.
Make comments that show careful reading and understanding of case f.
Make points that are analytical and not simple repetitions of facts g.
Do not repeat what others have already said h.
Do not make detrimental comments. All comments should be constructive.
Rules of Conduct
1.
Class will begin on time. Out of respect to your classmates and me, please be on time.
2.
Make up exams will be given only in situations of extreme emergency (hospitalization, jail, and such). Proper evidence of such cases is required.
3.
Students are responsible for acquiring notes and materials provided in class from other classmates.
4.
Turn off all beepers and cellular phones while in class. If you put them on silent, don’t answer them in class. If you must answer a call, please leave the room. I do not expect this to happen very often – very rarely, in fact.
5.
Do not eat in class or you will be asked to leave.
6.
Do not read newspapers in class or you will be asked to leave.
7.
Do not work on other subjects while in class or you will be asked to leave.
8.
Reading in advance of class is expected so that you can participate.
9.
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus if it is considered necessary. The changes would be announced in class, so students who are not in class should find out what those changes are from other classmates. I will also make every effort to make changes available on WebCT, but the best way to stay informed is to attend class.
10.
Grade penalties may be assessed on late assignments.
11.
Cheating and disruptive behavior will have significant consequences. See the
“Academic Dishonesty” section below.
12.
All submissions become the property of the instructor.
Laptop Policy
Laptop use is discouraged. Unless directed by the professor, there is no need for laptops to be open. If open, it should solely be used for class purposes, and you should sit in one of the first two rows. No other programs, windows, emails, or websites should be active during the class. If you have your laptop open it is expected that any information displayed is class related and available for public viewing.
Final Review Week
A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as
Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations.
During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabi. During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week.
Americans With Disabilities Act
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 -- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans With Disabilities Act - (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of
The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
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As faculty members, we are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.
Academic Dishonesty
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22)
Student Support Services Available
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the
University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
Evacuation Procedures
In the event of an evacuation of the College of Business building, when the fire alarm sounds, everyone must leave the building by the stairs. With the fire alarm system we now have, the elevators will all go to the first floor and stay there until the system is turned off.
All those in the North tower side of the building should proceed to the fire escape stairs located on the East and
West sides of that wing.
FOR DISABLED PERSONS
…..please go to the Northeast fire stairs. We have an evacuation track chair located on the 6 th
floor stairwell. We have people trained in the use of this chair and there will be someone that will go to the 6 th
floor to get the chair and bring it to any lower floor stairwell to assist disabled persons.
Should this be a real emergency, the Arlington Fire Department and UTA Police will also be here to help.
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Date
T, August 26 th
R, August 28 th
T, September 2 nd
R, September 4 th
T, September 9 th
R, September 11 th
T, September 16 th
R, September 18 th
T, September 23 rd
R, September 25 th
T, September 30 th
R, October 2 nd
T, October 7 th
R, October 9 th
T, October 14 th
R, October 16 th
T, October 21 st
R, October 23 rd
T, October 28 th
R, October 30 th
T, November 4 th
R, November 6 th
T, November 11 th
R, November 13 th
T, November 18 th
R, November 20 th
T, November 25 th
November 27 th
-
30 th
T, December 2 nd
R, December 4 th
December TBA
Introduction
External Environment
External Environment
Internal Environment
Internal Environment
Groups get together
Case # 12: Whole Foods
Business Strategy
Business Strategy
Case # 16: JetBlue
Corporate Strategy
Corporate Strategy
Case # 14: Ann Taylor
International Strategy
International Strategy
Case # 17: Panera
Competitive Dynamics
Case # 19: Johnson &
Johnson
Governance
Exam 2
Organizational Design
Case # 15: United Way
Strategic leadership
Case #24: Procter &
Gamble
Case #28: Caribou Coffee
Thanksgiving Holidays
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
In Class Topics Chapter
Syllabus
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Case Study 1
Chapter 5
Exam 1
Chapter 5
Case Study 4
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Case Study 2
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Case Study 5
Chapter 8
Case Study 3
Assignments Due
Last day to form teams. Last day to pick 2 cases
Read chosen cases and work on reports
Whole Foods Company Report; Read Case
Chapters 1-4
JetBlue Company Report; Read Case
Ann Taylor Company Report; Read Case
Panera Company Report; Read Case
Johnson & Johnson Company Report; Read Case
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Case Study 1
Chapter 11
Case Study 7
Case Study 7
No class

Chapters 5-8
United Way Report; Read Case
Procter & Gamble Company Report; Read Case
Caribou Coffee Company Report; Read Case
Managing Innovation
Case # 38: Ford
Exam 3
Chapter 12
Case Study 5 Ford Company Report; Read Case
Chapters 9-12
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