W410 – Competitive Strategy

Module
Competitive Strategy
Competitive Strategy
Module number
W410 [IB-BA P10]
Version: 1
Faculty
Business Administration
Level
Bachelor
Duration
1 Semester
Semester
Summer semester
Module supervisor

Prof. Dr. Gerard Lewis
gerard.lewis(at)htw-dresden.de
Lecturer(s)

Prof. Dr. Gerard Lewis
gerard.lewis(at)htw-dresden.de
Course language(s)

English
in "Competitive Strategy - P10"
ECTS credits

5.00 credits

Workload

150 hours

Courses

4.00 SCH (3.00 SCH Lecture | 1.00 SCH Seminar)
Self-study time

105.00 hours
105.00 hours Self-study - Competitive Strategy - P10
Pre-examination(s)
None
Examination(s)

Written examination
Examination time: 90 min | Weighting: 60%
in "Competitive Strategy - P10"

Alternative examination - Presentation
Examination time: 20 min | Weighting: 40%
in "Competitive Strategy - P10"
Form of teaching
The use of E-Learning is ca. 40 %


Directed Study:

Lectures

The basic principles, concepts and theories will be presented during lectures. Occasionally handouts will be distributed covering specific topics.



Case Studies

Students will be asked questions on the case contents and expected to present their arguments and reasoning.


Self Study:

Case Studies

Students should prepare the case study prior to the scheduled case discussion.



Readings

For each topic area a number of chapters from the main textbooks and a number of readings support the concepts presented in the lectures.



Project

Student teams will be required to work on a project. The project teams are expected to organise their own data gathering.



Project Presentation

Student teams make a 20 minute presentation on the project's findings and recommendations.
Media type
No information
Instruction content/structure
Directed Study: The module lectures will cover the following main areas: Understanding the Business Context Understanding Industries The resource based view The Value Chain Competitive advantage Competitor Strategy
Self Study: Readings and case studies are assigned which complement the lecture material.
Qualification objectives
The aim of the module is to provide a conceptual understanding of the frameworks and tools which help practicing managers to develop competitive strategies and competitive advantage.
After successfully completing the module the student will be able to: 1. systematically analyse an organisation's international strategic context, 2. understand the basis for competitive advantage, 3. develop and assess a firm's competitive strategy.
Social and personal skills
Key skills
Special admission requirements
No information
Recommended prerequisites

Language: B2, TOEFL 550 or equivalent
Competitive Strategy is a capstone module and requires the application of many areas from the first three semesters of the degree programme.
Continuation options
No information
Literature
Directed Study: The following textbooks are recommended for supporting and complementing the module lectures. Limited copies of these books are available in the HTW library. Please be sensible about their use and availability:
Exploring Corporate Strategy Gerry Johnson, Kevan Scholes & Richard Whittington Prentice Hall, London
Contemporary Strategy Analysis Robert M. Grant Blackwell, London
Also recommended are the following books which will go into more breadth and depth about a number of topics presented during the module:
Porter, M.E.; Competitive Strategy Techniques for Analysing Industries and Competition, Free Press, 1980.
Porter M.E., Competitive Advantage, Free Press, 1985.
Valuable lists of additional annotated references and key readings can be found at the end of the chapters in the Johnson, Scholes & Whittington book.
Self Study: Students are expected to do research in the library and on the internet in order to provide the necessary academic and practitioner sources for their project.
Current teaching resources
No information
Notes
The module is completely taught in English.
The module is multi-disciplinary and can be applied to the competitive strategy of business units in almost any market and industry. It also requires students to take a more holistic view of business in an international context. The module is especially relevant for those who wish to make a career in strategy / general management.
Lectures are supported and complemented with case studies.
Link to course/learning resources in OPAL
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