This introductory strategy course emphasizes the fundamentals of corporate and business level strategy formulation, while also evaluating inter-related aspects of strategy implementation (via strategic case analysis). Strategic management is a set of managerial decisions and actions that affect the long-run performance of the firm, in its business environment. It includes environmental scanning (internal and external), strategy formulation, strategy implementation and evaluation and control. To be successful in the long run the firm must not only be able to execute current activities in existing markets, it must also be able to adapt its activities to new and changing markets. This course will provide conceptual frameworks, tools and techniques to analyze, develop, and implement firm strategies, including discussion of the dynamics and evolution of industry structure, and the pattern of interaction among the competitors in the industry. The course will also discuss assessment of the organizational resources that form the basis for firm-specific capabilities (internal assessment) that can be leveraged to develop strong/superior competitive strategy in the marketplace. Aspects of strategy implementation and feedback/control will be briefly discussed alongside the strategy formulation and analysis aspects.

Most companies will proclaim that the people are their most important asset. Managing people effectively is an important element of organizational effectiveness and a base for the long-term, sustainable competitive advantage. Through this course, students will develop an understanding of how decisions related to managing human resource contribute to organizational effectiveness and a firm’s competitive advantage.

Organizational Behavior course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations and business situations. Great part of our lives we spend in organizations. As students in schools and universities, as adults in offices and factories, as consumers in leisure organizations like clubs and shops. We will view differently the organizations when we put to practice and reflection what we already know about structures that surround us. And we will possibly be better in acting within them as well as managing and directing them as leaders. As we start developing the conceptual framework, the in-depth case discussions, and skill-oriented activities will be applied to each topic. Covered topics will include motivation and attitudes, values and personality, group and team dynamics, leadership, communications, power, conflicts and negotiations, change management and organizational design.

This course will examine the framework of sustainable development in terms of economic development, social inclusion, governance & environmental stewardship. An overview of the world economy will be presented, exploring the concepts of population growth & demographics, poverty & income inequalities, environmental threats, social well-being, economic empowerment, urbanization & governance. The notions of convergence and divergence will be discussed with regard to income gaps & social inclusion. Participants will be encouraged to actively engage in discussions & exercises to measure and compare certain economic and social indicators in order to better grasp their meanings and applications.