Course content

The objective of the subject is to give an overview and insight into different strategic challenges companies are facing today. The primary objective is to support systematic analysis using theories to explain strategic management practices.

The subject will also give students insight into how different strategic processes depends on context.

• Theoretical perspectives on strategy
• Industry and external analysis
• Internal analysis, resource based theory and dynamic capabilities
• Transformation into sustainable economies
• Technology, digital transformation and innovation
• Competitive advantage
• Generic competitive strategies
• Flexibility as a response to risk, uncertainty and crises
• Strategies for vertical integration, mergers and acquisitions
• Strategic alliances and inter-organizational relationships
• Implementation of strategy

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• The student shall develop knowledge needed to develop strategies for different businesses and relationships.
• The student shall also understand factors that plays a role in strategy development as well as for strategic alliances.

Corporate strategies:

• Understand what strategy is, and what strategy processes implies. Understand the principles for developing strategies.
• Understand the internal and external analysis needed to access a company's ability to develop a strategy.
• Understand how sustainability change the national and international business landscape.
• Understand how digital transformation will influence corporate strategies.
• Understand the strategic alternatives of businesses and develop a critical reflection on different theories and practices in strategic management.

Strategic alliances:

• Develop an understanding for different forms of alliances and interfirm relationships.
• Understand how a company can organize, manage, and control alliances.
• Develop an understanding for how theoretical insights can improve the governance of strategic alliances.
• Understand the impact of technological changes, automation, digital innovations, uncertainty, crises and sustainability on an alliance ability to create value.

Skills

• The student shall be able to develop a strategy, including an understanding of strategic development processes and be able to recommend strategies that enables a business to reach its long term sustainable goals.
• The student shall understand how competitive advantages are created and how value are delivered to own company and different stakeholders.
• The student shall be able to organize strategic alliances for creating value, and develop an understanding for when different strategies as vertical integration, mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances creates value.

General competence

• The student shall gain competence and knowledge that makes the the individual a valuable resource for the company, when developing strategies.
• Through theoretical and systematic analysis, the student will gain insight into strategic management, governance and control as well as adjusting strategies to sustainability, risk, changes in technology and external environmental uncertainty, in general.

Learning methods and activities

Lecturers, discussions, presentations and cases

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Information is given at the beginning of the term.

Credit reductions