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.
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.
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Below are the Management Competencies addressed by this course. To the right are descriptions of how outcomes are assessed in this course. |
How Assessed |
Read 10 articles in strategy and write/discuss in class. |
1 Test - assess basic economics, finance, and management understanding. |
1 Research short paper to demonstrate basic business research and use of financial skills. |
1 Research short paper to demonstrate basic economic and statistical skills |
1 Research short paper to test a theory in strategy regarding M&A |
2 formal case analyses as collaborative assignments. |
1 comprehensive test at end of course covering management, finance, economics, marketing. |
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Student Competencies Developed by this Course: |
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Course Weight for each Assessment: |
10% |
10% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
45% |
10% |
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G1-1.1. Management Theories, Concepts and Practice: Understand the discipline of Management including major theories and concepts that define the field |
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G1-1.2. Management Theories, Concepts and Practice: Know the essential components of areas of Management including Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Policy and Strategy, International Business and Business Law. |
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G1-1.3. Management Theories, Concepts and Practice: Effectively practice management skills |
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G-1-2.1. Demonstrate concepts and theories of leadership: Show acquisition of terminology and basic concepts that typify management’s construction of leadership, group dynamics, individual contributions, and conflict. |
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G-1-2.2. Demonstrate appreciation of cultural diversity, conflict management and negotiation: Through group participation exhibit the ability to practice these concepts. |
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G1-3. Demonstrate an understanding of differing ethical and value systems and their consequences: Recognize individual and societal differences in ethical values and how these differences influence behavior and decisions. |
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G2-1. Critical thinking: Demonstrate problem solving skills by evaluating and analyzing a business problem |
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G2-2. Global perspective: Recognize basic managerial concepts related to globalization of business. |
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G2-3. Global perspective: Show a basic understanding of how the changing political, legal, social, technological, demographic and physical environments affect management. |
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G2-4. Perform basic mathematical calculations to understand and apply statistical measures. |
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G2-5. Research: Complete a research project to test hypotheses. |
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G2-6. Apply concepts and theories from various business disciplines to critically analyze and solve business problems |
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G3-1.1. Demonstrate effective oral communication in presentations, interpersonal skills and conflict resolution. |
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G3-1.2. Produce effective written communication in essays, papers and reports. |
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G3-1.3. Conduct research, write research report and compile a management journal. |
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G3-2.1. Use of Technology: Use the computer and business-related software for spreadsheets, word processing and presentations. |
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G3-2.2. Use of Technology: Use the computer to accomplish research using the Internet. |
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G4-1. Professional Development: Prepare for entry into diverse management careers and advanced graduate study. |
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Course Meets:
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SECTION |
DAYS |
TIMES |
CLASSROOM |
INSTRUCTOR |
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MGT 499-02 |
MWF |
1:00-1:50 pm |
BU-207 |
Makamson |
Dr. Makamson's Office Hours and Communications:
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PROFESSOR |
OFFICES |
OFFICE HOURS |
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Dr. Lee Makamson |
Buckman 211 Office Tel.: 727-2153 Home Office Tel.: 838-1597 Residence Tel.: 827-4738 |
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E-mail: emakamson@cox.net Website: http://www.mgmtguru.com |
REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:
Hampton University, School of Business, Business Policy and Strategy, MGT499, Readings. HBS Publishing.
Hampton University, School of Business, Business Strategy Cases, MGT499, The Custom Casebook. HBS Publishing. (Before you buy, make sure that the casebook and readings are those for this semester- see last page of syllabus.)
Note: Individual articles and cases are available directly from http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu. Articles are about $6.50 each and cases are $6.95 each. These are downloadable PDF files. A credit card is required for purchase. While the readings text is likely cheaper through HU Bookstore, unless you wish to see all the cases it will be cheaper to purchase your 2 cases on-line. The articles used in the course are mainly from Harvard Business Review, available also in the HU library.
The Mid-Term Grade:
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The Course Grade:
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Requirement |
Value |
Explanation of the Requirement and How it is Graded |
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1. Individual Assignments |
55% |
Individual assignments explain most of the variability of student grades; that is, they explain failing the course and earning higher than average grades. |
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a. Participation |
10% |
Class format is lecture and dialectic (question-response/ issue- discussion). Participation is required and is graded by attendance. The grade is simply a % of a student's attendance to total classes for which roll is taken, beginning with the first class. Do not ask for an “excused absence” unless you have a very exceptional rationale. |
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b. Articles |
10% |
There are 15 assigned articles. Students are required to read and submit a 1-page summary of 10 articles. Each is 1-point. Do not plagiarize or quote the author. Simply summarize the article and discuss it in class. |
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c. Tests |
20% |
There are 2 comprehensive tests; one is near Mid-Term (10%) and one is a required final test (10%). |
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d. Research Assignments |
15% |
There are 3 structured, applied research assignments in which the student must use sources, interpret raw data, and apply basic analytic methods. This is graded on the basis of completion and accuracy of content from 0-5 points - or 5% of the course grade. |
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2. Group Assignments |
45% |
Collaboration skills are developed through managing 2 major assignments with a group. Working with especially bright students in groups will help, but is not sufficient for high performance. |
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a. Case Analyses |
20+25% |
Teams will conduct 2 written case analyses and present the case analyses in class. No paper can be submitted late. Cases are graded using a rubric that can be found at www.mgmtguru.com. First case = 20%; second case=25%. |
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3. Other |
The student will be required to use Excel 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. All papers submitted for a grade must be printed, not manuscript. |
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The student will be required to use Excel 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.
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.
For tests- absolutely no communicating device is permitted, even if it is used as a calculator.
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Mid-Term Exam: |
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Final Exams: |
Graduating |
Continuing |
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499-02 |
Feb 19 |
499-02 |
Apr 26 , 3:10-5:00PM, H-H |
May 3, 8-10:00AM, BU-207 |
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.