Competitive and Organizational Strategy (STR)

(5 courses)

The Competitive and Organizational Strategy concentration builds on the economic fundamentals introduced in STR 401 and STR 403. Its cross-functional and integrative curriculum provides a sound basis for the evaluation and implementation of a broad range of business strategies and policies. Topics included are: policies internal to the firm such as compensation, performance evaluation, job design and aspects of hiring; strategic interaction among industry competitors, including pricing and advertising; and the influence of external factors such as the regulatory and macroeconomic environments.

Skills offered by the STR curriculum will develop the student’s ability to identify the root causes of business problems and sources of new opportunities. The student will respond to these problems and opportunities with innovative solutions and strategies based upon the School’s economics-based approach to management. The concentration holds particular interest to those seeking careers in consulting, general management or industry analysis, as well as those seeking an integrative complement to concentrations in other functional areas. Particular emphasis goes to developing the student’s capacity to deal with unstructured business situations.

Required core courses, plus five other courses. At least three must be selected from this list:

• STR 421.         Economics of Competitive Strategy
• STR 422.         Strategic Decision Making: Theory and Practice
• STR 423.         Pricing Policies (MKT 414)     
• STR 424.         Managing Human Resources
• STR 431.         Practicum on Competitive Strategy
• STR 440.         Organizational Governance and Control

The other two may be selected from this list:

• ACC 411.        Financial Statement Analysis
• BPP 426.         Macroeconomics
• BPP 440.         Evolving Medical Markets (HSM 440)
• BPP 442.         International Economics and Finance (FIN 422)
• CIS 413.          The Economics of Information Management
• CIS 415.          Business Process Analysis and Design (ECM 415)
• FIN 413.          Corporate Finance
• FIN 423.          Corporate Financial Policy and Control
• FIN 433.          Cases in Finance
• MKT 435.         Distribution Channels and Sales Force Management
• MKT 441.         Brand Management Workshop
• MKT 449.         Global Marketing Strategy
• OMG 412.        Service Management
• OMG 413.        International Manufacturing and Service Strategy
• STR 425.         Organization of Industry and Markets
• STR 426.         Property Rights and the Law
• STR 427.         Organizational Behavior
• STR 430.         Health Sciences Management and Strategy (HSM 430)
• STR 441.         Executive Strategy Seminar