UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, BOTHELL
BBUS 470: Business Policy and Strategic Management
Autumn 2006
Dr. Kevin Laverty Kristen Spangler, MBA
Email: laverty@u.washington.edu
Office: UWB2-325
Phone: 425.352.5338 Email: kspangler@uwb.edu
Office: UWB1-380
Phone: 425.352.3664
Office Hours:
TU & TH Noon.-1pm
TU & TH 8-9 pm (by appointment only)
Or by appointment Office Hours:
TU & TH 9:30am-1pm
TU & TH 3:30pm-5:30pm
Or by appointment
Text: Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, Strategic Management, 7th edition
Case Packet: Available at the Bookstore
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course we will learn about a firm business policy *ƒ²*ƒ”€š from how it chooses
strategies to achieve its objectives. In particular, we will work to understand how
organizational competencies can lead to sustainable competitive advantages, how industry
competitive dynamics erode those advantages, and the integrative nature of policy
decisions.
In this course, you will deal with a real business situation. The strategic problems will be
amorphous and will contend with other problems for your attention. Having a neatly
prescribed problem will be unusual; having to decide which among a host of problems
requiring response will be more typical. This course mirrors the real world of business in
that you will determine what the problems are, which are important and which are not. You
will choose what theory and methods you have learned in this and other courses to resolve
specific problems. You will assess which of many possible approaches to a situation will
be best for a particular firm.
The course is demanding. Rigor and clarity are required. You will need to learn strategic
theories; draw on what you have learned in other business courses; conduct both
quantitative and qualitative analyses; apply book knowledge to real-world phenomena;
think critically, logically and integratively; and communicate well.
COURSE DESIGN
The main learning tools for the course will be:
” Textbook and lectures: explain theory and tools for business policy;
” Case studies: force you to make sense of complex, multidimensional strategic situations
and apply theoretical frameworks to them;
” Group project: provide application of strategic thinking to a real company;
” Exams: evaluate your understanding of the complexities in the business policy; and
” Participation: gives you practice listening, raising questions, applying analytical
frameworks, explaining and supporting your position, and changing your position when
appropriate.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
Group Project: Detailed guidelines are attached.
First project
10% paper, Due November 2
5% presentation *ƒ²*ƒ”€š 15 minutes
Final project
20% paper, Internal Report due December 5, Final due December 12
15% presentation *ƒ²*ƒ”€š 15 minutes; “Dry Run”“ on December 5, Final on December 12
Grading of Group Project
Grade sheets will be provided for both projects before they are due.
In grading group projects, the instructors will assign a team grade. This grade will be
