Strategic Management for Engineers

• Number of credits allocated

• Name of lecturer / lecturers :

ANASTASIA CONSTANTELOU

• Description :

The course begins with a set of key concepts and terms used in the field of strategic management. It then presents methods and tools for the strategic analysis of a company’s external environment, its internal resources and capabilities, and continues with tools for the exploration of a range of strategic problems, the creation of alternative strategic choices, and the shaping of plans for the implementation of the selected strategy. Indicative issues addressed during the course are how a company can understand the environment in which it operates, how it can better position itself towards market forces and competition, and how its can create and maintain unique skills necessary to achieve competitive advantage and maintain and improve its position in the market. Special reference is made to the components of a technology strategy, the key issues to follow and the considerations for a company when choosing among alternative technologies to invest.

• Prerequisites :

There are no prerequisites for this course

• Module Contents ( Syllabus) :

1. Introduction - Basic concepts, definitions and scope of Strategy
2. Analysis of a company’s external environment (macro-environment, industry analysis, Competitors, Buyers)
3. Analysis of the Internal Environment, Resources, capabilities & Skills
4. Bringing together the external and internal environment: Key strategic considerations
5. Competitive Advantage: Nature and Sources
6. Alternative Development Strategies: Creation, Evaluation, and Selection
7. Organizational Structures and roles in change management
8. Elements of Technology Strategy I: Understanding the course and development of industries and markets
   
   1. Industry Life Cycles and Evolution of Markets)
9. Elements of Technology Strategy II:
   
   1. Appropriating the returns of technological innovation:
   2. Technological standards and their economic importance
10. Technology Strategy in Practice

• Recommended Reading :

Α) Principal Reference :

Ø Β. Παπαδάκης (2007) Στρατηγική των Επιχειρήσεων: Ελληνική και Διεθνής Εμπειρία, Τόμος Α: Θεωρία, (Ε΄ Έκδοση), Αθήνα: Εκδόσεις Μπένου. (in Greek)

Ø Thompson, Arthur, Gamble, John and A. J. Strickland III (2010), Σχεδιασμός και Υλοποίησης Επιχειρησιακής Στρατηγικής – Η Αναζήτηση Ανταγωνιστικού Πλεονεκτήματος, 16^η Αμερικάνικη Έκδοση, Γενική Επιμέλεια- Πρόλογος: Γιάννης Πολλάλης, Αθήνα: Εκδόσεις Utopia. (in Greek)

Β) Additional References :

Ø Johnson, G., and Scholes, K. (2005). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Prentice Hall: Europe.

Ø Schilling, M. (2002). Strategic Management of Technological Innovation. McGraw Hill: Europe.

Ø Grant R.M. (2001), Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Concepts, Techniques Applications, Fourth Edition, Blackwell Business. (υπάρχει και πιο πρόσφατη έκδοση που μπορείτε να έχετε πρόσβαση)

Ø Margaret White and Gary Bruton (2010) Η Στρατηγική Διαχείριση της Τεχνολογίας και της Καινοτομίας, Γενική Επιμέλεια- Πρόλογος: Γ. Καλογήρου, Α. Πρωτόγερου, Α, Κωνσταντέλου, Αθήνα: ΚΡΙΤΙΚΗ. (in Greek)

• Teaching Methods :

Teaching methods for this course are based on lectures and presentation / discussion of case studies. Active student participation is essential and helps in understanding the basic concepts and tools of the course. Furthermore, the presentation of case studies from the Greek and international business scenes enables students to understand the complex processes that occur in business environments and contributes to the critical evaluation of the various methods and approaches proposed and implemented.

• Assessment Methods :

• Participation in class (10%)

· Two intermediate group work assignments, implemented by teams of 2-3 people (30%). The assignments will apply the conceptual tools and methods discussed in class to a company either selected by the students or proposed by the tutor. The work will be delivered in print and electronic form and will contain the following:

o Front Cover (cover page) with the title of the work, the names of the students, and the date of preparation

o Table of Contents

o List of References following the Harvard Referencing System

• A Final Exam (60%)

• Language of Instruction:

Greek

• Module Objective (preferably expressed in terms of learning outcomes and competences):

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Analyze the external environment of a company;
• Understand the concepts of resources and capabilities, how they are created and how they contribute to the conquest of a better market position;
• Identify the strategic choices for a company and suggest specific options (areas) where the business can expand its products or services, as well as the specific methods to achieve this expansion ( mergers, acquisitions, partnerships)
• Understand the concept of competitive advantage
• Recognize how to mobilize structures, systems and human resources within and outside the company in order to implement the chosen strategy
• Understand the course and development of industries and markets over time
• Recognize the importance of technology standards and their economic implications
• Understand the key components of a business technology strategy