What MGT499 is About:

The Business Policy course is taught, as it is at all distinguished Schools of Business, as the "capstone" course for business students, emphasizing integration and application of knowledge and methods from accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management to business problem-solving. The conceptual framework is that development of a firm’s relative competitive advantage is affected by the larger environment of economy and society, the structure of industry, and distinctive competencies of the firm. The course aims to develop the student’s synthesis of knowledge, use of judgment, and applied research skills through an extensive use of case analyses.

On satisfactory completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge gained from prior courses to solve complex, multi-faceted business problems, including:

a.        Use knowledge of economics to evaluate a business’s environment;
b.        Interpret and use financial data and common financial reports to identify a business’ strengths and weaknesses and to relate financial and stock information to the strategic decisions of a business;
c.        Use simple statistical tools to forecast the future state of the market using common economic indicators.
d.        Use basic marketing theories and concepts to assess product/service strategies
e.        Apply managerial theories and tools to evaluate governance, operational, and organizational problems and to propose solutions.

2. Recognize and evaluate key environmental forces, and be able to analyze the structure of an industry to explain how these forces shape the competitive pressures on a business and affect profitability.
3. Understand sources of a firm’s strengths and weaknesses, and be able to evaluate how these should be managed to create distinctive competencies to succeed.
4. Differentiate among corporate-level, business-unit, and functional-level management and describe how businesses compete at each level, and explain why these strategies defend against competitive pressures. This includes ability to:

a.        Describe how diversified corporations with businesses in multiple industries attempt to create value through coordination of business units;
b.        Analyze and explain why businesses pursue mergers and acquisitions or linkages with other firms;
c.        Identify the general strategy that a described business is executing and assess the advantages/disadvantages of the strategy;
d.        Prescribe production and functional organization to execute a strategy. 

5. Given information about a company and its market situation, construct a reasoned argument to support a recommended strategy.

Course Meets:

Dr. Makamson's Office Hours and Communications:

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:

Readings in Strategic Management, Thompson/Strickland (Eds.), 10^th Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-256-24146-51

Casebook Series, MGT499, Department of Management. Pearson Custom Publication

In addition to text materials the student is required to obtain an e-mail address. A hand calculator is required to perform simple mathematic functions for quizzes, tests, and cases.

GRADING:

The Mid-Term Grade:

           Your midterm will be calculated using the following weights:

5-Reading  Quizzes = 20%             1-Case Analysis = 40%                      

Participation = 10%                        2-Research Assignments = 20%     

Comprehensive Test = 10%             Total = 100%

The Mid-Term grade is a biased predictor of the course grade because the above weights distort the course weights, and the grade is based on work that may not be representative of course performance. If you are not passing at Mid-Term (or if your attendance is less than 75%) obtain an appointment with Dr. Makamson to develop a strategy for successful completion of the course.

The Course Grade:

The student will be required to use computer, internet, and e-mail extensively in the course. I provide assistance through my website, but I do not provide instruction on these technologies. You must know them or learn them.

COURSE POLICIES: For a detailed FAQ on my class policies, go to this page.

Class Decorum:

Dress Code is enforced. No hats or "du"'s.

If a student needs to depart class after it has started - ask. If a student departs without permission, readmission is at the professor's discretion.

Turn cell phone off. Do not come to class if you have competing, more important business.

Attendance:

Attendance is the participation grade. See syllabus for explanation.

If late to class, expect that you may not be counted present.

There are 3 "free" absences. Any absence beyond this should be documented and is excused at the professor's discretion.

Make-Up Work:

In general there is no "make-up" work, but if a student has an extraordinary rational to miss a reading test or assignment date, see the professor.

Grade Complaints:

A student may petition the professor re-examine a grade earned on any assignment, but the student must present thoughtful reasons and, if available, information to support the student's position that the grade is an error. Grades will not be reviewed because a student "needs" a higher grade,  may lose a scholarship or admission status, or any other "personal" reason. A request to review a grade that is not based on scholarship will result in a lower grade (half a letter) for the assignment.

Grades on written assignments or tests that have been returned to the student for more than 2 weeks will not be reviewed.

Posted course grades will be open for review and correction until Reading Day. At that time all course grades, except for the final test grade, are closed to permit calculation of the student's course grade.

The final test grade and course grade will be posted within 8 hours of sitting for the final test. Students will have 24 hours to request a review of the final test for purpose of auditing the grade.

The course grade is submitted to the Registrar after 24 hours of administration of the final test. Once grades are submitted they are final. To review a grade after this the student will petition the professor for an administrative review of grades, as grades are not normally changed after they are reported to the Registrar except as approved by the Provost.

Academic Honesty: 

Plagiarism of another's case analysis, assignments, or cheating on any test is serious enough violation of the Code of Conduct that the student will be ejected from the class and referred for judicial process.

Ensure that any group work that you participate in is honest. Members are individually and collectively responsible for any team assignment. A team paper that is dishonest will implicate all members.

TEST SCHEDULE:

Final exam is multiple choice and comprehensive. Bring a #2 pencil. Once exam begins, students may not leave the room until the exam is completed.