STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT THEORY

The course is designed to expose students to a broad foundation in strategic management research. The course will offer an introduction to the range of research on strategic management, from the theoretical to the empirical, and from the classic to the current. The theories presented dudring the course aim at explaining performance differences between firms within and across industries. Readings in each session incorporate a variety of theoretical and empirical approaches, giving students an opportunity to explore different ways of pursuing answers to some of the same questions, and also helping students to develop a portfolio of theories and methods.

At the end of the course the students will have learned some of the main theories of strategic management, and the main research methodologies adopted in this discipline. More specifically:
A. Each student should develop an understanding of the key theories, issues, and contributions in the field of strategic management.
B. Each student should develop the skills necessary to evaluate, critique, and ultimately contribute to the literature on strategic management.
C. Each student should develop at least one creative idea to be developed into a research paper to be sent to the instructor at the end of the course.
D. Each student should develop an awareness and knowledge of alternative approaches used in empirical research in strategic management.

Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of Strategic Management. Suggested reading before the course begins: Grant R. M. (2010, or successive editions), “Contemporary strategy analysis”, Wiley.

- Description of the historical development of the strategy field
- The structure of research articles in strategic management: from the abstract to conclusions
- Industry structure, strategy and performance
- Resource-based view
- Imitation theories
- Competitive dynamics and temporary advantage
- Diversification and vertical integration

Most of the course material will consist of journal articles. They are available through the Ca’ Foscari BEC online library system.
The syllabus with the list of readings will be sent to students one week before the beginning of the course.

The course will be taught using a seminar style. The course is interactive and based on the discussion of a selection of papers. It is therefore vital that students come to every class, prepared and ready to contribute. Good participation includes asking questions, raising original ideas, making constructive comments, and having a positive attitude toward learning. Each student is expected to read all of the required readings for the week. The instructor will guide the discussion and introduce the theme of the seminar but will not be the main contributor to the discussion.

Students evaluation will be based on:
(1) Class preparation and participation (40%)
(2) Work-in-progress in-class presentation (20%)
(3) Writing of the Final Paper (40%)

Frontal lectures.
The course will be taught using a seminar style. The course is interactive and based on the discussion of a selection of papers.

English

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

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