Welcome to the course Strategic Management at Chalmers University of Technology. We look forward to seeing you and discussing the facets of strategy.

The purpose of this course is to train students in strategy analysis. Strategy analysis deals with the identification of problems, options, and solutions that improve firm performance. The course will discuss fundamental strategy theories/models and illustrate their use through case discussions. 

In line with the teaching in this course, we follow case seminars structure. We would like to remind you to buy the the course book ASAP – you will need it first week of classes. Grant, R.M. (2024/2025). Contemporary Strategy Analysis. Wiley, 12th edition. It is a new edition that came out. 

Looking forward to meet with you,

Best regards,

Kamilla Kohn Rådberg and Anmar Kamalaldin

 

Course code: TEK 017

Level: Advanced

Credits: 7.5 ECTS

Period: LP2, Fall semester 2025

 

Department: Department of Technology Management and Economics

Course Leader: Kamilla Kohn Rådberg (kamilla@chalmers.se)

Responsible teachers: Anmar Kamalaldin (anmar.kamalaldin@chalmers.se); Kamilla Kohn Rådberg (kamilla@chalmers.se)

 

Scheduled sessions: Block schedule A - Mondays and Wednesdays starting 2025-11-03. Check the schedule for exact hours (and Canvas for updates and changes). 

Scheduled contact hours: Contact hours are provided, see Project work

Office hours: Please approach us directly after class sessions and during scheduled contact hours.

 

Purpose and course overview

The purpose of this course is to train students in strategy analysis. Strategy analysis deals with the identification of problems, options and solutions that improve firm performance. The course is concerned with decisions and actions that shape the future of firms by establishing, sustaining and enhancing the basis for their competitive advantage. The course will discuss fundamental strategy theories/models and illustrate their use through case discussions. The ultimate aim of the course is to help students work more effectively and successfully in their professional careers.

 

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should be able to

• Apply tools and theories of strategy analysis
• Analyze and devise plans for how business units create and sustain competitive advantage (i.e., business strategy)
• Analyze and define the scope of the firm (i.e., corporate strategy)
• Participate in strategic decision-making
• Convey insights from strategy analysis

 

Organization

The course is delivered with both synchronous and asynchronous elements. The course consists of individual preparations, study group sessions, class sessions, supervision sessions and project work focusing on the learning outcomes. The individual preparation is based on readings, and a set of case questions. You will work in a study group (self-selective groups of 5 students - sign-up on Canvas), where you will discuss and prepare for the class sessions. These groups will also function as project groups (hence, the same group constellations) for the project assignment.

 

Literature

Grant, R.M. (2024/2025). Contemporary Strategy Analysis. Wiley, 12th edition.

The book is available at Chalmers Store. Please make sure that you have the correct edition (i.e., 12th). Other editions do not include all/updated cases.

Additional reading may be added throughout the course

 

Examination

The examination consists of (a) a written closed book exam, (b) written project work and participation at the final presentations, (c) individual preparation, and (d) participation in the class sessions.

 

Written final exam (max. 100 points):

2025-01-15. The exam will be a closed-book exam. To pass, students must acquire at least 40 points on the written final exam as well as pass on the team project. For re-exams where there are 5 or fewer students, the final exam may be an oral exam. Registered students will be informed. 

 

Project work (pass/fail):

Project work to be completed in groups of 5 students (study group). Information can be found in: Project work

 

Individual preparation:

Students must have conducted all the mini-case assignments. For detailed information, see the Canvas session pages.

 

Class session participation:

Class session attendance is mandatory. In brief:

• We follow a "grace policy" and allow students to miss up to two case seminars without penalty. If you miss more, you will need to do compensation task(s). It is the student's responsibility to contact the course leader (Kamilla) regarding this.
• You are NOT allowed to miss session 7 (final presentations). If you miss it, 2 points will be deducted from your score. If you have a valid reason for absence, send proof (e.g., doctor’s note) to the course leader (Kamilla) and you will be assigned a compensation task.

 

Grades:

Grades are allocated in the following way:

5: total number of points ≥ 80

4: total number of points ≥60 and < 80

3: total number of points ≥40 and < 60

Fail: total number of points < 40

 

Class sessions

The class sessions are focused on literature and cases. Information about literature and cases is provided in the Canvas Modules, and summarized in the below table.

 

Individual preparation:

Before each case seminar (1-6), the student must conduct an individual case preparation. The student selects one question per case and writes half a page to one page of text to address the question. Hand-in through Canvas the day before class at 23.59PM at the latest – no exceptions. See the modules for information on which case is discussed in which class session, together with the case questions. All cases are found in the course book.

 

Study group preparation:

The study group discusses all the questions provided for the case. This is a scheduled activity before the class session. Alternatively, the study group plans and discusses the questions at another time, but before the class session.

 

House rules for class sessions:
- Be on time
- Be prepared
- Be active

 

Academic honesty

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with Chalmers’ guidelines for academic honesty and integrity and adhere to them. Information can be found: https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/your-studies/rights-and-obligations/academic-integrity-and-honesty/ 

 

A summary of class sessions and required readings

Class session	Reading	Case
Introduction to the course and the concept of strategy	Chapter 1 – The Concept of Strategy
1. Case seminar: Goals, values and performance	Chapter 2 – Goals, Values, and Performance	Case 2 – Kering S.A.: Probing the Performance Gap with LVMH
2. Case seminar: Industry analysis	Chapter 3 – Industry Analysis: The Fundamentals Chapter 4 – Industry Analysis: Dynamics of Industry and Competition	Case 4 – The Lithium-Ion Battery Industry
3. Case seminar: Resources and capabilities	Chapter 5 – Analyzing Resources and Capabilities	Case 5 – Streaming Wars: Netflix Versus Disney
4. Case seminar: Competitive advantage	Chapter 7 – The Sources and Dimensions of Competitive Advantage	Case 7 – Starbucks Corporation: Sustaining Competitive Advantage
5. Case seminar: Vertical integration	Chapter 10 – Vertical Integration and the Scope of the Firm Appendix in Chapter 13 (pp. 303-308) – External Growth Strategies: Mergers, Acquisitions, Alliances	Case 10 – Zara: Agility Through Vertical Integration
6. Case seminar: Diversification	Chapter 12 – Diversification Strategy Chapter 13 – Implementing Corporate Strategy: Managing the Multibusiness Firm	Case 12 – Google Is Now Alphabet – But What’s the Corporate Strategy?
7. Final presentations
8. Summary