The central themes are strategic planning, internal and external analysis, formulation of business strategies, strategies in various contexts, and strategy implementation. Corporate social responsibility and the role of innovation in strategy are discussed as special topics.

This course provides the students with a basic theoretical tool bag in business strategy: knowledge of central concepts and models. The students will apply these concepts and models to analyze the external and internal environment of an organization, to formulate and choose between appropriate strategy alternatives and to discuss organizational designs for strategy implementation based on the analysis. The students will develop an interest in strategy and appreciate the importance of strategic thinking in various societal contexts.

The students are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the theory before each lecture in order to participate in discussions and exercises in the classroom. The literature for each lecture is given in the lecture plan. The students apply the theories on cases also in small groups and present the results at case-seminars.

The students will receive feedback at the case-seminars.

Robert M. Grant and Judith Jordan. Foundations of Strategy. 2015 (2nd ed.). Wiley. Articles. Lecture notes.

AOS120, AOS130, BUS100. It is expected that the participants are able to read text book, cases and articles in English. 

Two mandatory assignments (two case analysis assignments and presentation of those assignments at two case-seminars) that are graded passed/ failed and must be passed before the student can participate in the final exam. Participation in the seminars is compulsory, please follow the instructions posted at Fronter and given during the first lecture. The mandatory activities are valid only for one semester and at the following retake exam. 

Term paper in small groups (40% of the final grade) and written individual three-hours exam (60% of the final garade). Term paper and the exam must be passed during the same semester. A retake exam (60% of the final grade) is organized in the following semester for those students who passed the term paper assignment, but failed the individual written exam or with a legitimate reason (illness) for absence at the written exam. Both exam and the term pasper must be passed to pass the course. The grade for the term paper is valid only for the semester when the assignment was written and at the following retake exam. 

300 hours.

Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)

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3-4 hours lectures and seminars per week. In addition group work related to cases.

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An external examiner will assess the curriculum and questions for the exam, and principles for evaluation.