Stetson School of Business and Economics

The Stetson School of Business and Economics (SSBE) promotes the advancement and integration of quality business education and practice. 
In support of Mercer University’s mission, the School provides undergraduate and graduate programs that are designed to enable, enhance, and expand professional careers, civic responsibility and lifelong learning.

MGT 498 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS POLICY
(Fall 2011)

Instructor - Office Hours - Course Description - Objectives - Materials
Requirements - Grading Scale - Outline & Schedule

Course Description 
This course focuses on the problems of business organizations from the point of view of the chief executive officer.  Written analyses and oral discussions require that the students view decisions in terms of their impact on the total organization.  An emphasis is placed on systems thinking, learning from mistakes, and professional communications.  As a capstone course, it builds on the foundation developed in disciplinary courses, and synthesizes that foundation with an understanding of the strategic management process.

Course Prerequisites 
ACC204, 205; BUS 346; ECN 150, 151; FIN 362; MGT 363; MKT 361; and Senior Standing.

Instructional Design 
The pedagogical approach underlying the course design is based on:

• active learning:  understanding comes from the students interacting with the course resources; i.e., the more effort students invest into the course, the more they will learn as a result
• collaborative learning:  students work together to build a shared understanding by setting educational goals, extending course content, and contributing to the class' processes
• constructivist learning: assignments are encourage students to build on what they have already learned in other courses, and apply that knowledge in other contexts.

This course is intended to be a challenging and exciting capstone course for the business curriculum, to put the finishing touches on your undergraduate business education and prepare you for what lies ahead.

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Course Objectives 
Upon the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the strategic planning process

• Develop a fundamental understanding of corporate social responsibility

• Evaluate the strategic moves of a variety of organizations

• Analyze issues in strategic management

• Apply strategic management principles and practices in a simulated management situation.

To be successful in this class, you are expected to:

• Read the assigned materials in preparation for each class. Really!
• Participate in group exercises and class discussions. That means you.
• Work collaboratively with your group members.  Yes, this is important.
• Allow adequate time to prepare written materials. Try it, you'll like it!
• Challenge yourself to go beyond the quick answer and minimum response.

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Course Materials 

Required

Our textbook is a customized selection of readings, current and classic. To save money and paper, you will order it from the  the McGraw-Hill eBookstore (http://create.mcgraw-hill.com/shop/). Search for "Brennan." After a short registration process, you will be able to purchase the eBook online with a credit card and begin using it.

We will also be using an integrated simulation experience for this course.  You will receive a userid and password in an email from Interpretive Simulations after the drop/add period.  At that point, you must go to the site URL to register and pay for the materials.  If you delay, you will hinder your team's ability to compete.  Note that you will need a credit card to complete the transaction. 
Also note that you must have an individual license for the simulation, or you will receive no credit for this portion of the coursework.

We will be using computer-mediated communications extensively in this course; you are expected to stay current with your Mercer student email id.  Our class website can be found at:  http://mercer.blackboard.com.  You are expected to check the calendar and course communications at least weekly.

Course Requirements

Your final grade will be based on several indicators of performance, for a total of 100 possible points, as follows:

• Simulation (25)
• Company Profiles  (10)
• Exams (50)
• Class Preparation & Participation (15)

Simulation
Working as an executive team, you will manage a hypothetical business using a computerized simulation over several business cycles.  Your grade will be based on your team's simulation decisions (i.e., 10 points are based on your final score in the simulation; the score is based on relative performance), your team's presentation of its strategic analysis (10 points) and your peer evaluations (5 points).

Company Profile
Individually, you will prepare a written analysis of a case study, and present the case in front of the class.  Your grade will be based on the thoroughness of your analysis, your application of course concepts, and the engagement of class in discussion.

Exams
There will be a midterm and a final exam.  Exams are based on the textbook, simulation, and class lectures. 

Class Preparation & Participation
Class preparation includes a variety of small assignments, such as reading a chapter and taking an online quiz for that chapter, completing group work, and participating in class exercises.  Your participation grade will be based on the completion of your homework and your prompt and attentive presence.  Sitting in class and using your cell phone in class is RUDE and unprofessional.
Note that, attendance is required, as it is VERY difficult to participate if you are not present in the class.  If you are late, that disrupts the class and will count as half an absence.  After two unexcused absences, each absence will lower your participation grade one point.  Also note that, even if you have an excused absence (e.g., medical, athletic), you are still responsible for completing the homework in advance.  Please plan accordingly.

Grading Scale

Course Outline and Tentative Schedule
Specific due dates and homework assignments will be posted in the Blackboard calendar.  In general, we start with an overview of strategic management.  Then we evaluate each step in building a strategic plan: establishing the vision, performing internal assessment, evaluating external factors.  The next segment of the course examines specific types of strategies.  We end with an examination of strategic leadership and plan execution.  Current examples and cases are used as illustrations throughout our journey.

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Class Policies

Honor Code
It is expected that you will adhere both to the letter and the spirit of the Honor System as it relates to procedures and assignments for this course.  You may discuss the homework assignments with your classmates; however your work should be original. All work on the exams is to be done individually and is not to be discussed with other students.  Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, phrases, or additional information such as charts or maps, from any sources, without giving proper credit to the original author. Using direct quotations, paraphrases, or reproductions of any material that is not the student’s own authorship is also considered plagiarism. Failure to reference any such material used is both ethically and legally improper.  Violations  will result in referral of the matter to the Honor Council.

University Policy for Electronic Communications
Students are generally responsible for checking their Mercer electronic mail accounts for course communications and official University announcements.  As we will be using the Blackboard online system, you are expected to stay current on those communications as well. 

University Policy for Electronic Submission of Course Work
Students bear sole responsibility for ensuring that papers or assignments submitted electronically to a professor are received in a timely manner and in the electronic format(s) specified by the professor. Students are therefore obliged to have their e-mail client issue a receipt verifying that the document has been received. Students are also strongly advised to retain a copy of the dated submission on a separate disk. Faculty members are encouraged, but not required, to acknowledge receipt of the assignment. 

University Policy for Use of Cell Phones and Pagers
Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom, lab, or formal academic or performance event. 

Disability Provisions
Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible.  If you are not registered with Disability Services, the instructor will refer you to the Student Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504.  In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Services.  Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator on the 3^rd floor of the Connell Student Center.  Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester, also.  For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the website at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm.

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©Dr. Linda L. Brennan
Last revised: 07/26/2011