Corporate Strategy

This course deals with understanding the values of managing multiple lines of businesses under the ownership of one corporate umbrella (that is, a diversified firm). The goal is to anticipate the problems in managing a firm's diverse businesses, and in appraising its likely performance in the future. The detection, development, and deployment of resources across diverse businesses play a key role in corporate strategy formulation. Limits to firm growth are recognized, specifying boundary conditions of corporate strategy. Business portfolio techniques are applied as necessary analytical tools to define strategic business units, to determine their corporate development roles, to allocate resources among them, and to influence their development. The importance of business ethics and the role of corporate governance to generate corporate reputation are covered as pressing contemporary issues in corporate strategy. (4 credits)

Prerequisite(s): Proof of English proficiency is required of students whose native language is not English.