MOR 559: Strategic Renewal &
Organizational Transformation
Syllabus & Course Information
Professor Michael A. Mische
Fall 2000 – Term 003
©1999, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
PLEASE NOTE…
This syllabus is designed to provide you with a thorough
overview of the course, its structure and content.
In the syllabus, you will find information about the grading
policies and requirements for the course as well as the
general class format and structure… please, read it!
The syllabus also describes the overall objectives of the
course and my performance expectations of you as MBA
candidates.
In addition to the syllabus, the class folder “MOR 559,
Mische” on First Class is indispensable… check it daily for
updates, announcements, case questions, etc.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
WELCOME TO MOR 559!

I am pleased that you have selected this class. This is an exciting and
valuable class, regardless of whether you are considering a career in
management consulting, a major corporation, an Internet startup or an
entrepreneurial firm.

The class is updated each semester and adjusted based on the latest
industry developments, feedback from former students who are now
working in the field as well as input from my faculty colleagues and clients.

The objective of this class is to make you think as strategists and future
leaders of high-performance organizations. Strategy is an imperfect
process, each company and/or case is different. If you are looking for a
standard formula, canned approaches and easy solutions… you won’t find
them in this class.

This class is highly interactive… be prepared for discussion, debate,
constructive confrontation and lots of challenges. If you are uncomfortable
with those activities you might find this course to be more challenging than
what you might like.

During the course of the semester, you will be exposed to a variety of
readings, materials and cases. Take advantage of these and use them to
improve your understanding of the strategy development and organizational
transformation process… This is the place to grow, take chances and learn!
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
MOR 559 COURSE OBJECTIVES…
MOR 559 is designed as an advanced course in business strategy and organizational
transformation. It is taught from a pragmatic perspective with a heavy emphasis on critical
strategic issues as related to achieving high-performance and sustaining competitiveness and
industry dominance.
The primary objective of this course is to help you develop the skills to think as a strategist. At the
conclusion of the course you will have a foundation for thinking about the fundamental strategic
concerns and implications as driven by changing and evolving market dynamics, understanding the
big issues as related to continuous high-performance, and for developing innovative, winning
strategies.
The course is designed to satisfy a number of learning objectives by addressing significant
strategic issues and major business trends, including but not limited to:.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Understanding the basic concepts, definitions and objective of high-performance and strategy formulation
Introducing effective frameworks for evaluating, formulating and implementing strategies (i.e.
competitive, knowledge, innovation, etc.)
Understanding the major drivers of change in the current business environment
Assessing the impact and implications of trends such as globalization, multiculturalism and IT on today’s
businesses
Understanding the competitive significance of concepts such as IT, leadership, innovation, knowledge
management, organizational agility, etc. for today’s companies
Strategic planning for organizational transformation
Understanding the role of leadership in organizational performance
Other objectives include, but are not limited to:
–
–
–
©2000, Michael A. Mische
Gaining exposure to major strategic concepts and challenges through various cases
Improving your knowledge and awareness of major strategic and competitive issues through readings
Increasing your presentation and communication skills through classroom interactions
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
TEXTBOOK AND READER…
•
There are two textbooks and a course reader for this class:
Strategic Renewal: Becoming a High-performance Organization,
by Michael Mische (Prentice Hall; 2000).
Course Reader, available at the USC Bookstore (September 1 or 5,
2000).
The 21st Century Organization: Reinventing through
Reengineering, by Warren Bennis and Michael Mische (Jossey
Bass).*
* Optional for Fall 2000, but highly recommended.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
STUDENT PREREQUISITES & SKILLS…
This is not a remedial or introductory course in strategy or OD. It is
an advanced strategy class.
Although not required, you may find this class difficult and perhaps
frustrating if you lack the following:
–
Knowledge of business and general business strategy
–
Basic understanding of business terms and definitions
–
The ability to think in abstract terms
–
The ability to identify and work with patterns
–
Analytical and case analysis skills
–
The ability to work with financial and numeric data and perform basic
quantitative analyses and comparisons
–
PowerPoint and public presentation skills
–
Discussion skills and the confidence to speak in class
If you have problems, come see me… but I cannot tutor you in the
basics.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
CLASS AGENDA: TYPICAL CLASS SESSION (example)
I.
6:30 – 6:40
Course-related Q&A
General Discussion
II.
6:40 – 7:30
Lecture
III. 7:30 – 7:45
Break
IV. 7:45 – 8:30
Lecture & Material/Topic Discussion
V.
Case Discussion & Questions
8:30 – 9:30
a) 8:30 – 9:50
Break-out Groups*
b) 8:50 – 9:30
Class Discussion
*groups will be formed during the first or second session
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
COURSE ADMINISTRATION & RECORD KEEPING…
• Grading and Grade Records
–
Cases, quizzes and exams are graded “blind” using only the last four digits of
your social security number. On all homework, exams, quizzes, etc. use only
the last four digits of your SSN. Place your SSN on each page of the exam or
homework. This improves security and mitigates any personal bias in grading.
–
I do not maintain the grade records…my assistant does that. I do not
maintain the file that maps your name to your SSN..my assistant does that.
This improves security and mitigates any knowledge bias.
–
You participate in grading through active classroom participation and
performance on exams, cases, etc. You earn your own grade, so act
accordingly.
• Assistant
–
–
©2000, Michael A. Mische
The assistant for this class is Ms. Karolina Bakalarova. Karolina is a full-time
consultant in my firm and a graduate of USC. She has worked as an assistant
for this course for 4 semesters… so, she knows it well!
Karolina’s email is bakalaro@bus.usc.edu… use it to communicate with her.
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
ASSIGNMENT & EXAMINATION POLICIES & RULES…
•
Assignments:
– No email or fax submissions – HARD COPIES ONLY!
– No late submissions – ALL ASSIGNMENTS DUE IN CLASS!
– No second chances – NO RE-WRITES, MAKE-UPS, ETC.!
•
Exams & Quizzes:
– No make-up dates – ALL TESTS MUST BE TAKEN DURING THE
SCHEDULED CLASS SESSIONS!
– No second chances – NO RE-WRITES, MAKE-UPS, ETC.!
– You may dispute your grade after receiving your score. IF AN
ERROR OR MISUNDERSTANDING OCCURS, COME FORWARD
IMMEDIATELY!
– Missing a test (a quiz or the exam) will result in a score of 0 pts
for the test!
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
POLICIES & RULES…
•
Grades:
–
–
–
–
•
Do not email either Karolina or me requesting your grades
Grades will only be given out in class
Homework, exams, quizzes, assignments, etc., will only be distributed in
class… do not ask me or Karolina to fax, FedEx or use any other means to
deliver them to you
Grades are based on the USC scale of 0.0 (F) to 4.0 (A) with an overall class
GPA average not to exceed 3.5.
Class Etiquette
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
©2000, Michael A. Mische
Respect your fellow classmates and exhort them to participate
Turn off your cell phones and pagers
Do not surf the net or email while I am lecturing
Stop me if you are not clear on the concepts or material discussed; ask
questions immediately!
Feel free to challenge points, raise an argument… at any time
If you are late… try to be quite when you enter the room
If you are eating… be mindful that others have not… please, don’t eat fish in
class!
If you are bored… you are invited to leave
Finally, leave your attitude on the 110 and come to class with a sense of humor
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
POLICIES & RULES…
•
Lecture Materials and Slides:
– Slides are available for each lecture or topic
– Slides will be available in the class folder on First Class
– Slides will be posted before class, usually days ahead, sometimes
updates are posted right before class… it depends on the content
as I am constantly updating the subject matter
– File sizes for lectures are large, be considerate of the timing and
effort that goes into making them and into downloading them
– You are responsible for downloading and printing your own slides
– Slides are available in PPT format under Office 2000… do not ask
us to reformat them or convert them to something else
•
Important…enjoy this class, take risks and speak-up,
experiment with your learning. In this class, you will never be
downgraded for being wrong or for trying… this is the forum
to make mistakes and learn… this is the forum to get better.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
FINALLY… ALL THINGS CHANGE
I will try to make this course exciting and challenging.
•
Based on your collective performance, and if, in my
opinion, the course syllabus, assignments, grading
criteria and weightings, course schedule and content,
reading materials, etc. need to be changed, I will
change them.
•
I will discuss all changes with you, as a class, and
occasionally I will ask for a vote… the majority rules in
those instances.
•
I make changes that I believe are in your best interests
as students and prospective users of the material.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR…
My name is Professor Michael Mische. Please call me Mike or Michael and please
feel free to get to know me. I teach because I enjoy it and think that it is important
to pass along some experience. I am available, but I travel extensively and spend
much of my time with clients, so please be patient and coordinate with my assistant.
I am an Adjunct Professor and teach only part-time. My other job is as a
management consultant. I am the CEO of a firm and have written 5 books, including
the texts for this course. I have twenty-two years of consulting experience and
have been a national partner and practice leader for two major consulting firms and
I am on the board of several companies.
My office is located in the courtyard of Popovich Hall. You can usually find me there
on Tuesdays from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Also, you can make an appointment.
My email is mische@marshall.usc.edu… use it to contact me.
My office telephone number is 310.284.5913… feel free to call. Do not call me at
USC or leave me a voice mail at USC.
Please do not leave the same voice or email message on multiple numbers or lines…
help make my life less complicated… leave it only once.
My personal interests are skiing, USC and Penn State football and tennis.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
COURSE GRADING
AND
GRADING POLICIES
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
COURSE GRADING CRITERIA & COMPONENTS…
Grades are based on a combination of four criteria:
Grade Component:
Weight:
Date:
•
In-Class Midterm:
– Multiple choice questions
– Short answer: case questions
30%
10/24/00
•
Short Quizzes: MC Questions
20%
9/26/00
11/14/00
•
Group Case Presentation
40%
12/5/00
•
Class Participation
– Lecture Attendance
– Class Activity
10%
All Term
TOTAL CLASS:
100%
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
GRADING: GUIDELINES…CLOSE-UP
•
Midterm Examination:
– multiple choice questions:
– short-answer questions:
•
Short Quizzes:
•
Group Case Presentations:
– Case:
assigned readings
lecture material
cases and concepts – TBD
assigned readings
lecture material
TBD, will be assigned in November
– Format:
Case Competition Format
– Structure: Client Report (issues, analysis, objectives, methodology & work
plan, benefits & deliverables, etc.)
30-min presentation, plus 15-20 min Q&A
– Grading: Multiple criteria and Simulated Client BOD
– Submit:
Complete PPT presentation slides
1 pg executive summary due Tuesday December 5
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
GRADING: GUIDELINES…CLOSE-UP
• Course Participation
– Attendance:
40% of participation grade
• Class roll taken by 6:35pm each session
• One (1) unexcused absence allowed per semester
• Each additional absence will result in a 1/3 letter grade decrease for
class attendance grade
– Class Activity:
60% of participation grade
• Graded each session on a scale of 4.0-0.0:
– 4 = repeatedly induced discussion, raised challenging issues/question,
challenged claims, demonstrated analytical/logical reasoning, provided new
insight and perspective, contributed to class, demonstrated leadership
– 3 = frequently engaged in class discussion, demonstrated knowledge of
material and preparedness
– 2 = occasionally participated in discussion, provided average insight
– 1 = answer when called on, lacking initiative
– 0 = failed to contribute and/or engage in discussion, answer and/or raise
questions
• Self-evaluation cards (signed index cards) collected for selected classes
©2000, Michael A. Mische
READING ASSIGNMENTS
AND
SCHEDULE
Fall 2000 – Term 003
©1999, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
COURSE CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE
•
Course Calendar
Week of:
– Semester Begins:
28 August 2000
– Quiz No. 1:
26 September 2000
– Mid-term Exam:
24 October 2000
– Quiz No. 2:
21 November 2000
– Group Presentation:
5 December 2000 or
Final Exam Date (TBD)
– Semester Ends:
8 December 2000
– Grades Posted:
Per USC Calendar
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
COURSE TOPICS AND CALENDAR*…
Session
Topic
1
1
Date
8/29
Topic
Course Introduction
The Case for Strategic Renewal & Transformation
Case Analysis Method
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
9/5
9/12
9/19
9/26
Strategic Renewal & High Performance
Drivers of Change – Part 1: Information Technology
Drivers of Change – Part 2: Globalization & Transnationalism
Drivers of Change – Part 3: Diversity & Multiculturalism
Quiz No. 1
Innovation
Knowledge Management
Strategic Leadership
6
7
8
9
10
6
7
8
9
10/3
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
Strategic Renewal Part 1:
Strategic Renewal Part 2:
Strategic Renewal Part 3:
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Strategic Renewal Part 4:
11
12
13
10
10
-
11/7
11/14
11/21
Strategic Renewal: Business Integration – Part 1
Strategic Renewal: Business Integration – Part 2
14
15
-
11/28
12/5
Organizational Agility
Operational Excellence &
Quiz No.2
In-Class Case Study – TBD
Group Case Preparation Time
Course Summary & Wrap-Up
Case Presentations
* Course schedule and timing may change according to learning pace, industry news and market developments, student
suggestions, etc.
©2000, Michael A. Mische
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
READING AND CASE ASSIGNMENTS…
TOPIC 1: August 29, 2000
TOPIC 2: September 5, 2000
TOPIC 3: September 12, 2000
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 1
Bennis, Mische: The 21st Century
Organization, Chapter 2
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 2
READINGS
Harley-Davidson, Inc., HBS, 292082,
December 15, 1992.
Loomis: “Dinosaurs?” Fortune, May 3,
1993
CASES
No cases assigned
Illustrative cases and company
examples (class discussion form)
©2000, Michael A. Mische
CASES
Harley Davidson, Inc. (HBS)
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 5
Schlender: “Big Blue Is Betting on Big
Iron Again That’s Not,” Fortune, April 29,
1996.
Lyons: “IBM’s Giant Gamble,” Forbes,
October 4, 1999.
Kirkpatrick: “IBM from Big Blue Dinosaur
to E-Business Animal,” Fortune, April 26,
1999.
Matching Dell (HBS) – 9-799-158.
Serwer: “Michael Dell Turns the PC
World Inside Out,” Fortune, September
8, 1997.
Lyons: “Games Dealers Play,” Forbes,
October 19, 1998.
Fisher: “Growing Pains,” Forbes, March
8, 1999.
Roth: “Dell’s Big New Act,” Fortune,
December 6, 1999.
CASES
IBM (article-built case)
Dell Computers (HBS & article-built
case)
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
READING AND CASE ASSIGNMENTS…
TOPIC 4: September 19, 2000
TOPIC 5: September 26, 2000
TOPIC 6: October 3, 2000
READINGS
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 4
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 3
Branch: “The Brand Builders Five
Leaders Who Altered Business by
Turning Great
Products into Global Icons,” Fortune,
May 10, 1999
Jacob: “Nokia Fumbles, but Don’t Count
It Out,” Fortune, February 19, 1996
Young: “Wireless Wonderland,” Forbes,
March 25, 1999
Guyon: “Next Up for Cell Phones:
Weaving A Wireless Web,” Fortune,
September 25, 1999
Fox: “Nokia’s Secret Code,” Fortune,
May 1, 2000
Taylor: “The Germans Take Charge,”
Fortune, January 11, 1999
Taylor, Schrempp: “Is the World Big
Enough for Juergen Schremmp?”
Fortune, March 6, 2000.
Doebele: “The Transatlantic
Connection,” Forbes, January 11, 2000.
CASES
Nokia (article-built case)
DaimlerChrysler (article-built
case)
©2000, Michael A. Mische
Einstein: “How Fiorina Shattered the
Glass Ceiling,” Forbes, July 19, 1999.
Hardy: “The Cult of Carly,” “Balancing
the Need for Speed with a Respect
for HP’s Past,” “Carly Makes Contact,”
“True or False: I Should Run HP,”
Forbes, December 13, 1999.
Peters: “Opportunity Knocks,” Forbes,
June 2, 1997.
Jones: “Gender Motors,” Forbes, May
17, 1999.
CASES
Hewlett Packard (article-built case)
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 6
Schlender: “Sony on the Brink,” Fortune,
June 12, 1996
Schlender: “Sony Plays to Win,” Fortune,
May 1, 2000
Polaroid Corp.: Digital Imaging
Technology in 1997 (HBS) – 9-798-013
Deutsch: “Polaroid Girds for the New Era
in Instant Photography,” The New York
Times, March 27, 2000
CASES
Sony (article-built case)The Digital
Polaroid (HBS & article-built case)
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
READING AND CASE ASSIGNMENTS…
TOPIC 7: October 10, 2000
TOPIC 8: October 17, 2000
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 7
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 8
READINGS
• Review material (TBA)
Knowledge Management at Andersen
Consulting (HBS) – 9-499-032
Munk: “How Levi’s Trashed a Great
American Brand,” Fortune, April 12,
1999.
Stewart: “See Jack. See Jack Run
Europe.” Fortune, September 27,
1999.
Colvin: “The Ultimate Manager,”
Fortune, November 22, 1999.
Murray: “Last Conglomerate,” The
Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2000.
Scott Paper Company (HBS) – 9-296048.
CASES
Andersen Consulting (HBS case)
CASES
Scott Paper Company (HBS case)
GE and jack Welch (article-built
case)
©2000, Michael A. Mische
CASES
• Review cases (TBA)
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
READING AND CASE ASSIGNMENTS…
TOPIC 9: October 31, 2000
TOPIC 10: November 7 & 14, 2000
CASE PRESENTATIONS
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter
9
Garvin: “Leveraging Processes for
Strategic Advantage,” HBR, 95502
READINGS
Mische: Strategic Renewal, Chapter 10
READINGS
N/A
The Adams Corporation (HBS) – 9372-263
Corcoran: “Reinventing Intel,”
Forbes, May 3, 1999
Bennis, Mische: The 21st Century
Organization: Reinventing Through
Reengineering
Skilleter: “Formula Ford,” Jaguar World,
March 2000.
Einstein: “Intel: Elephant in a
Tutu,” Forbes, April 13, 2000
Einstein: “AMD Shows It’s Ready
for Prime Time,” Forbes, April 13,
2000
CASES
Intel Corporation and AMD
(article-built cases)
Adams Corporation (HBS case)
©2000, Michael A. Mische
CASES
Ford & Jaguar (article-built case)
CASE
TBD
MOR 559: Strategic Renewal & Organizational Transformation
READING AND CASE ASSIGNMENTS…
APPENDIX: SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS/CASES
UPDATES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
READINGS
Grant: “Can Fisher Focus Kodak?” Fortune, January 1997
Greenwald: “Kodak’s Bad Moment,” Time, September 29,
1997
Grant: “Missed Moments,” Fortune, October 27, 1997
Chakravarty and Gordon: “Vindication,” Forbes,
September 7, 1998
Grant: “Why Kodak Still Isn’t Fixed,” Fortune, May 11,
1998
Markoff: “Chips Promise Digital Images at Lower Costs,”
The New York Times, April 24, 2000
Upbin: “Kodak’s Digital Moment,” Forbes, August 21,
2000.
SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS & UPDATED MATERIAL
CASES
Kodak (article-built case)
CASES & TEST MATERIAL
Current information available at:
Updated on a continuous bases.
Current information available at:
First Class and/or http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~mische
First Class and/or http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~mische
©2000, Michael A. Mische