MBA specialization in Strategy
*Core Strategy Courses*
*1. Foundations of Strategic Management*
- *Topics*:
- Introduction to strategy frameworks (SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, VRIO).
- Strategic vision, mission, and goal-setting.
- Industry analysis and competitive positioning.
- Resource-based view vs. market-based view of strategy.
- *Key Text: *"Competitive Strategy" by Michael Porter.
*2. Corporate Strategy*
- *Topics*:
- Corporate-level strategy: Diversification, vertical integration, mergers & acquisitions.
- Portfolio management (BCG Matrix, GE-McKinsey Matrix).
- Strategic alliances and joint ventures.
- Corporate governance and stakeholder management.
- *Case Study*: Disney’s acquisition strategy or Amazon’s diversification.
*3. Competitive Strategy*
- *Topics*:
- Cost leadership, differentiation, and focus strategies.
- Game theory applications in strategy (e.g., pricing wars, entry barriers).
- Disruptive innovation and responding to competitors.
- Blue Ocean Strategy.
- *Key Text: *"Blue Ocean Strategy" by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne.
*4. Global Strategy*
- *Topics*:
- Internationalization strategies (exporting, licensing, FDI).
- Managing cross-cultural teams and global supply chains.
- Strategies for emerging markets.
- Geopolitical risks and global trade dynamics.
- *Case Study*: Netflix’s global expansion vs. local competitors.
*5. Strategic Leadership & Change Management*
- *Topics*:
- Leading organizational transformation.
- Aligning culture, structure, and strategy.
- Decision-making under uncertainty.
- Ethical leadership and sustainability strategies.
- *Key Text: *"Leading Change" by John Kotter.
*Advanced Electives*
*6. Innovation & Digital Strategy*
- *Topics*:
- Digital transformation (AI, blockchain, IoT).
- Platform business models (e.g., Uber, Airbnb).
- Open innovation and R&D strategy.
- Managing innovation ecosystems.
*7. Strategy Execution*
- *Topics*:
- Balanced Scorecard and OKR frameworks.
- Aligning KPIs with strategic goals.
- Overcoming execution challenges (e.g., resistance to change).
- Agile strategy and adaptive planning.
*8. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)*
- *Topics*:
- Valuation methods (DCF, comparable).
- Post-merger integration and cultural alignment.
- Hostile takeovers and defence strategies.
- *Case Study*: Disney-Fox merger or failed mergers (e.g., AOL-Time Warner).
*9. Sustainability & ESG Strategy*
- *Topics*:
- Integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) into corporate strategy.
- Circular economy and green business models.
- Stakeholder capitalism vs. shareholder primacy.
*Analytical Tools & Workshops*
- *Scenario Planning*: Building future scenarios (e.g., Shell’s scenario methodology).
- *Data Analytics for Strategy*: Using big data to inform strategic decisions.
- *War Gaming Simulations*: Competitive role-playing exercises.
- *Business Model Canvas*: Designing and iterating business models.
*Case Studies & Practical Projects*
- *Classic Cases*:
- Apple’s ecosystem strategy.
- IKEA’s cost leadership and global supply chain.
- Tesla’s disruption of the automotive industry.
- *Capstone Project*: Develop a full strategy for a real company (e.g., market entry, turnaround, or digital transformation).
- *Consulting Practicum*: Work with companies to solve live strategic challenges.
*Learning Outcomes*
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
1. Analyse industries and identify competitive advantages.
2. Design corporate and business-level strategies for growth and sustainability.
3. Lead organizational change and align teams with strategic goals.
4. Use data-driven insights and ethical considerations in decision-making.
*Recommended Resources*
- *Books*:
- "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy" by Richard Rumelt.
- "Playing to Win" by A.G. Lafley & Roger Martin.
- *Journals: *Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review.
- *Simulations: *Capsim, Harvard Business Publishing simulations.
Master's