MGMT8107 · Management and Organization

Competitive Strategy

Carroll School of Management

Competitive Strategy is an elective course in business-level competitive strategy. It is recommended for participants pursuing careers requiring the analysis and formulation of strategic directions for firms (e.g., general management, business development, consulting) or the assessment of long-term profit opportunities in an industry (e.g., investment banking, venture capital, private equity). The course focuses on how to develop and change strategy to achieve above-normal returns in a dynamic competitive context. The strategy core course introduced several concepts and frameworks for strategic diagnosis of the current competitive environment (e.g., five forces analysis, competitive advantage, value chain). The Competitive Strategy course goes beyond those core concepts to help identify and evaluate strategic moves in dynamic competitive environments, such as those facing new competitors, technological disruptions, industry restructuring, or intense rivalry. Those situations entail gazing into an uncertain future to foresee changes in the industry and competitive environment, and often require a reassessment of strategic direction and actions and the design of the new business models. Because of substantial uncertainty, strategic decisions in dynamic competitive environments also entail taking risks. The course presents principles and tools for balancing strategic opportunities and risks.