CANADORE@STANFORDBUS 340 Strategic PlanningInstructor: Radu Cureteanu, Ph.D.

Course Description:This course introduces basic concepts of strategic planning and management. Strategic planning is defined as a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it. As a result of various political, social, economic, and technological changes the external environment of organizations, both in the public and private sectors, is becoming more complex, dynamic, and increasingly uncertain. This course will equip students with an understanding of strategy concept and process, and will provide some practical tools to develop strategies at functional and organizational levels.

Required Work:Constructive participation, thoughtful completion of all assigned reading, and active respectful and considerate speech during the class, homework assignments, and a final exam.

Required TextsThere is one mandatory book for this courseStrategic Management – Dess, Lumpkin, Eisner, McNamara 7e McGraw-Hill 2014 There are also a few other useful books as further readingEssentials of Strategic Management - Hill, Jones 3e Cengage 2012 Strategic Management Concepts and Cases - David 13e Pearson 2011

Reading the textbook:While my lectures are fairly all-inclusive, time constraints do not allow us to go into all of the detail necessary for this course. Therefore, reading the textbook is an excellent preparation and learning tool. There will be times when my lecture material deviates somewhat from the textbook (e.g., definitions, the way in which subjects are covered, sequencing, etc.).

Class Lectures:Just as reading the textbook will help you to learn the material directly from the authors, attending class provides an opportunity for you to gain a different perspective; both from the instructor and your fellow classmates. In addition, valuable information about homework assignments, exams, and updates to the syllabus will be announced in class.

Grading:Final exam (multiple choice) 50%, presentation #1 20%, presentation #2 20%, constructive participation and discussion in class 10%.

Assignment #1Present the mission statement of an organization of your choice and review and analyze it. Note: 1-2 pages, deadline Oct 2, 2014

Presentation #2 - slideshow presentation - individual - 20-30 minutesSelect an organization and evaluate its current strategies. Discuss the effectiveness of the strategies in terms of predetermined criteria (e.g., administrative feasibility, political correctness, legal and ethical defensibility, value creation for stakeholders, strategic problem solving, accomplishing organizational goals). The evaluation will be data-driven (not driven by your personal opinions or impressions). Students must be able to offer some new strategies if their evaluation reveals significant problems with current strategies.Note: 6 students/day, deadlines Oct 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 20, 2014

Final Exam Nov 05, 2014