Managing the Enterprise MGT 490 Syllabus Spring 2013

MGT 490-05Monday and Wednesday3:00pm to 4:15pm — Miriam Hall, Room 102

MGT 490-N1Monday and Wednesday4:30pm to 5:45pm — Miriam Hall, Room 102

Professor: Diane M. Sullivan, Ph.D. / Office Hours: By appointment
Office location: SBA, Miriam Hall room 702 / Website:
Phone: 937-229-3705
Email:

Objective

This course focuses on creating an understanding of how concepts and analytical tools learned in other business courses are integrated in practice to create a unified whole. Students learn how general and top managers gather and use information to influence organizational mission, goals, and strategies. Course typically relies heavily on cases and/or simulation. Further, this course seeks to align understanding managing the enterprise with the Mission of the UD SBA: The School of Business Administration is a learning community committed in the Marianist tradition to educating the whole person and to connecting learning and scholarship with leadership and service in an innovative business curriculum designed to prepare students for successful careers in the contemporary business environment.

Text:

Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson (2007). Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization- Concepts, 8th Ed., Thompson South-Western.

Other Materials:

Capstone® simulation registration (

Grades are comprised of:

Assignments / Point Value / Due Date
Individual Assignments
CapSim Quiz / 35 /
  • Monday, February 11, 2013

ETS Test / 35 /
  • TBD

Experiential/Networking Paper Assignment / 100 /
  • Within one week after student attends the session

Mid-term Exam (all material to mid-term, multiple choice format) / 100 /
  • Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Final Exam (all material from mid-term, multiple choice format) / 100 /
  • 3:00pm Class: Tuesday April 30th, 10:10am-12:00pm
  • 4:30pm Class: Monday, April 29th, 4:30pm-6:20pm

Team Assignments

Simulation Performance

/ 100 /
  • Determined after Round 8 of CapSim processes

CapSim Strategic Plan

/ 100 /
  • Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Final Presentation (100-pts) and Peer Evaluations (30-pts)

/ 130 /
  • Teams Andrews, Baldwin and Chester: Monday, April 15, 2013
  • Teams Digby, Erie and Ferris: Monday, April 22, 2013

Total Possible Points (individual & team): / 700

Grading

The plus/minus system will be used whereby grades will be distributed according to the following schedule:

Out of 700 Points:

Grade / High Range / Low Range / Percentage in Course / GPA
A / = / 700 / 658 / 94 – 100 % / 4.00
A- / = / 657 / 630 / 90 – 93 % / 3.67
B+ / = / 629 / 609 / 87 – 89 % / 3.34
B / = / 608 / 588 / 84 – 86 % / 3.00
B- / = / 587 / 560 / 80 – 83 % / 2.67
C+ / = / 559 / 539 / 77 – 79 % / 2.34
C / = / 538 / 518 / 74 – 76 % / 2.00
C- / = / 517 / 490 / 70 – 73 % / 1.67
D / = / 489 / 420 / 60 – 69 % / 1.00
F / = / 419 / 0 / < 60 % / 0.00

Performance Standard for Grading

Many of you have either already begun your transition period from being a student to a professional or you are planning to in the near future. As such, the quality of the work you complete should be that of a professional.

The following will be used in grading your work and in assigning your final grade for the course.

A = Outstanding: A student who consistently demonstrates a nuanced understanding of material, engages in high quality participation/preparedness, exhibits excellent team management abilities, generates deliverables that demonstrate superior abilities, etc.

B = Above Average: A student who consistently demonstrates above average understanding of the material, engages in participation demonstrating regular preparation, works well in groups, turns in thoughtful, well-prepared, high-quality deliverables, etc. May demonstrate sporadic “outstanding” work.

C = Average: A student who demonstrates an understanding of the material, comes to class most of the time and participates, is usually prepared, gets along in groups, provides a positive contribution to team assignments, and turns in deliverables of appropriate professional quality.

D = Below Average: A student who does not fully understand the material, misses class and/or fails to participate regularly, doesn’t prepare for class regularly, gets along in groups and does a fair share but the quality may not meet group members’ expectations, puts deliverables together at the last minute, etc.

F = Failure: A student who has an inadequate understanding of some or all of the material, misses class, does not participate, does not turn in all deliverables, and/or does not complete team assignments.

Attendance and Class Participation

Attendance, advanced preparation, active preparation and contribution are vital to your career success. It is also vital to an effective learning environment. No set weight is allocated to this component of the course. However, your instructor, at her discretion, will use this component to revise your overall grade for this course—this may raise or lower your grade. Pop quizzes may periodically be given to help in assessing preparation.

Throughout the semester I will evaluate the adequacy your individual class participation. Evaluations will primarily be based on the frequency and quality of your contributions to in-class discussions as well as your contributions during in-class exercises (both individual and team-based). If individual class contributions are not deemed adequate (e.g., if you never speak up in class) or value-adding to the class discussions and in-class projects (e.g., your contributions must be meaningful to the topics under discussion), your overall final grade can be increased or decreased. These evaluations will occur on an ongoing basis and a final evaluation regarding each student’s semester-long participation quality will be made at the end of the semester.

A few notes on class contributions: The assessment of contribution will be based first on the qualityand second on thequantity of your participation. Further, the extent of both attributes will be solely determined by the instructor. While much of the focus of class discussions is the application of analytical frameworks/tools to guide strategic decisions, any comments adding to the classes’ understanding of the issues, cases, firms, strategic topics, etc. are encouraged. Comments reflecting thorough preparation which extend the class discussion can positively affect your grade. Conversely, “off-the-cuff” and non-value adding contributions will negatively affect your grade.

What is a contribution?

Raising and answering substantive and relevant questions

Sharing relevant ideas, observations, and personal experiences

Generating potential solutions

Relating/synthesizing ideas of others to increase everyone’s understanding of a concept

Pointing out relationships to earlier discussions

Please note that criticism of others’ ideas/comments without substantive recommendations or alternatives is not considered a contribution

Other Policies

Electronic Devices

  1. No electronic devices are to be used in the classroom (e.g., cell phones, PDAs, laptops, etc.).
  2. Throughout the semester, there may be certain designated in-class work days where a laptop may be used in class. These days will be announced in class.

Students with Disabilities

  1. I would like us to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in this course. If you feel you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Formal disability-related accommodations are determined through the Learning Teaching Center’s Office of Student Learning Services (SLS). It is very important that you be registered with SLS and notify me of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations with a signed SLS Self-Identification Form. We can then plan how best to coordinate your accommodations. For more information, please contact SLS at 937-229-2066, by email at r stop by the SLS office in LTC 023.

Academic Integrity

  1. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. This is a policy that I take very seriously. If cheating, plagiarism, or academic dishonesty of any kind occurs, the offender will be automatically dismissed from the course with a failing grade.
  2. The University Bulletin specifies what constitutes academic dishonesty, so I suggest that you read it. For example, beyond those types of dishonesty discussed in point one in this section, academic dishonesty also involves enabling others to cheat. That is, if you “lend an assignment” to someone, and they copy it (or just portions of it), you will receive the same penalty as they do. It doesn’t matter if you tell them not to copy, if they do so anyway, you share liability with them. If it is a group assignment, I use my judgment to decide what to do, but everyone within the group can receive the same grade.
  3. With regard to citing references that you have used within the body of your work, you must cite all sources. Anything that is cut and pasted should be included in quotes and cited in your bibliography. Do not excessively use direct quotes, either. Be sure to paraphrase if direct quoting seems excessive. If you are unclear of what to cite or not, contact me for clarification before the assignment is due.
  4. For any emails sent during the semester, I will use the University’s Gmail email system and the corresponding email addresses for the members of the class.

Classroom Professionalism

  1. Always be respectful of others in the class (professor and students); their opinions and comments.
  2. Respect extends beyond the classroom. The content of any emails, group meetings, online chat meetings, etc., should be carefully thought out. Please be respectful of each other and the professor, including your electronic transmittals. This is a formal business course and I expect you to conduct yourselves as business people inside and outside of the classroom, including correspondence.
  3. The professor reserves the right to alter the syllabus, itinerary, or class assignments at any time.
  4. Any behavior deemed by the professor as unprofessional, disrespectful, inappropriate, and/or rude will result in up to a 20% reduction in your final grade.

Managing the Enterprise MGT 490

Course Outline for Spring 2013

Readings and assignments are due on the day noted on this itinerary. Please come prepared to discuss the readings assigned and with the downloaded slides from the course website. Changes can occur to maximize learning.

Class Date

/

Day

/

Topics

/
Assignments Due
January 14 / Monday / *Classes Begin*
  • Course Introduction
  • Assignment Discussion

January 16 / Wednesday /
  • CapSim: Introduction and Teams Formed
/
  • CapSim Manual
  • CapSim Tutorial “Introductory Lesson”

January 21 / Monday / ** No Class, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day **
January 23 / Wednesday /
  • CapSim: Introduction (Continued)
/
  • CapSim Tutorial “Introductory Lesson”
  • Individual Assignment: CapSim registration to be completed by today

January 28 / Monday /
  • CapSim: Introduction (Continued)
/
  • CapSim Tutorial “Introductory Lesson”
  • CapSim Practice Round #1 processes

January 30 / Wednesday /
  • Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness
/
  • Chapter 1

February 4 / Monday /
  • The External Environment: General Environment
/
  • Chapter 2
  • CapSim Practice Round #2 processes

February 6 / Wednesday /
  • The External Environment: Industry Environment Day #1
/
  • Chapter 2

February 11 / Monday /
  • The External Environment: Industry Environment Day #2
/
  • Chapter 2
  • Individual Assignment: CapSim Quiz (70-points)
  • CapSim Practice Round #3 processes

February 13 / Wednesday /
  • The Internal Environment Day #1
/
  • Chapter 3

February 18 / Monday /
  • The Internal Environment Day #2
/
  • Chapter 3
  • CapSim Practice Round #4 processes

February 20 / Wednesday /
  • Business-level Strategy Day #1
/
  • Chapter 4

February 25 / Monday /
  • In-class Team Meetings
/
  • CapSim Graded Round #1 processes

February 27 / Wednesday /
  • Business-level Strategy Day #2
/
  • Chapter 4

March 4 / Monday /
  • Mid-Term Exam Review
/
  • CapSim Graded Round #2 processes

March 6 / Wednesday / Mid-term Exam (100-points)
(Chapters 1-4) /
  • Individual Assignment: Mid-term exam (100-points)

March 11 / Monday /
  • In-class Strategic Plan Team Workshop Day
/
  • CapSim Graded Round #3 processes

March 13 / Wednesday /
  • Competitive Rivalry and Competitive Dynamics
/
  • Chapter 5
  • Team Assignment: Strategic Plan Due (100-points)

March 18 / Monday /
  • Corporate-level Strategy, Day #1
/
  • Chapter 6
  • CapSim Graded Round #4 processes

March 20 / Wednesday /
  • Corporate-level Strategy, Day #2
/
  • Chapter 6

March 25 / Monday /

Acquisition and Restructuring Strategies Day #1

/
  • Chapter 7
  • CapSim Graded Round #5 processes

March 27 / Wednesday /
  • International Strategy Day #
/
  • Chapter 8

April 1 / Monday / ** No Class, Easter Recess ** /
  • CapSim Graded Round #6 processes

April 3 / Wednesday /
  • International Strategy Day #2
/
  • Chapter 8

April 8 / Monday /
  • Presentation Prep Day (team meetings, teams Andrews, Baldwin and Chester)
/
  • CapSim Graded Round #7 processes

April 10 / Wednesday /

Presentation Prep Day (team meetings, teams Digby, Erie and Ferris)

/
  • CapSim Graded Round #8 processes

April 15 / Monday /

Final Presentations Teams

Andrews, Baldwin and Chester

/
  • Team Assignment: Feasibility Analysis Presentations (100-pts)
  • Peer Evaluations Due: (complete them on the CapSim website under homework link) (30-pts)

April 17 / Wednesday / ** No Class, Stander Symposium **
April 22 / Monday /

Final Presentations Teams

Digby, Erie and Ferris

/
  • Team Assignment: Feasibility Analysis Presentations (100-pts)
  • Peer Evaluations Due: (complete them on the CapSim website under homework link) (30-pts)

April 24 / Wednesday /

*Last Day of Class*

/
  • Final Exam Review

Final Exam (100-points)

(Chapters 5-8) /
  • 3:00pm Class: Tuesday April 30th, 10:10am-12:00pm
  • 4:30pm Class: Monday, April 29th, 4:30pm-6:20pm

Managing the Enterprise: Individual Assignments

Assignment Name: CapSim Quiz
Assignment Type: Individual Assignment
Points: 35-points
Due Date: February 11, 2013, Monday
Overview
It is imperative that each and every student understand how the simulation works. To help you to learn the specifics of the simulation, there will be a mandatory CapSim quiz. The better you understand how the simulation works, what parameters can be altered, and how performance is measured, the more successful your team will be and the more you will learn. This quiz will cover information in the required reading in Capstone Business Simulation: Student Guide. You are also strongly advised to take advantage of the tutorials available at CapSim’s web site.
Assignment Name: Experiential/Networking Paper Assignment
Assignment Type:Individual Assignment
Points: 100-points
Due Date: Within one week after student attends the session
Overview
Over the semester, you will have the opportunity to attend events with business professionals and peers aimed at increasing your understanding about how course concepts are applied in practice. These include UD Walk the Talk sessions. 100-points of your course grade will be based on your attendance and completion of a written assignment for one of the Walk the Talk events. Dates and time for the Walk the Talk events scheduled for spring 2013are below. You will sign-up for a Walk the Talk event in class, during the first week of classes. After the first week of class to schedule or reschedule a date, you will need to contact Kaitlin O’Brien().

  • Tuesday, February 5th
  • Wednesday, February 13th
  • Friday, March 22nd
  • Wednesday, April 3rd
  • Tuesday, April 23rd
Topics may include ethical aspects of business, planning, competition, or other related topics. Advance registration is required and space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Following the session, you are to provide a one page write-up explicitly addressing the following six elements:
  1. Identification of the event attended (name and date) and the MGT490 chapters and topics to which it relates. This should be more than a simple mention of the chapter or case. I’m looking for why and how the material relates and to what chapters that material corresponds. This is a critical part of the assignment.
  2. A brief summary of the presentation or different views expressed.
  3. A summary of the alternatives the teams discussed for resolving the issue proposed at the Walk the Talk event.
  4. The specific course of action that you would recommend for resolving the issue at the Walk the Talk event.
  5. Your reaction to the presentation or discussion.
  6. The key learning points from the event.
Format/Write-up Details
  • The write-up may not exceed one (1) single spaced page.
  • The written assignment is due no later than one week following the session.
  • Use 10- or 12-point Times New Roman font; Use 1” margins
  • Single space the paper; write in complete sentences
  • Be cautious of your writing skills. Proofread the paper to ensure there are no problems with writing skills.
  • Late papers will NOT be accepted.

Assignment Name: / ETS Test
Assignment Type: / Individual Assignment
Points: / 35-points
Due Date: / See schedule below
Business Knowledge Test (ETS)
MGT490 is the capstone SBA course. One of our course objectives is to integrate concepts and models from previous core SBA courses required of all majors (e.g., Acc, Mkt, Dsc, Eco, etc.). This test serves to demonstrate that you have basic background knowledge in business areas. It is an important input to our continuing recognition and accreditation by others and thus a good thing for all of us. You must take the test within the first two weeks of March, outside of your class time (about 2 hours set aside, with most finishing in 1.5 hrs).
Dates and times that the test will be given are listed below. It is administered through the SBA Dean’s Office and you will register online. A registration website link will be provided at the end of January to everyone. You’ll find that registration is easy. You’ll get a confirmation e-mail once you’re registered and a reminder two days before your session. Below you’ll see an array of times you could choose from. You don’t need to choose times now, but will do so via the link we provide later in January.
Date / Day / Time / Location
Mar 4, 2013 / Mon / 11:00 am - 1:00 / KU 222
Mar 4, 2013 / Mon / 2:00 – 4:00 / KU 222
Mar 5, 2013 / Tues / 10:00am – Noon / KU 207
Mar 5, 2013 / Tues / 1:00 – 3:00 / KU 207
Mar 7, 2013 / Thur / 1:00 – 3:00 / KU 207
Mar 7, 2013 / Thur / 3:00 – 5:00 / KU 207
Mar 11, 2013 / Mon / 1:00 – 3:00 / KU 222
Mar 12, 2013 / Tues / 9:30 – 11:30 / KU 331
Mar 13, 2013 / Wed / 1:00 - 3:00 / KU 222
Please keep the following in mind:
  • Our collective performance is a factor that feeds into UD’s reputation and accreditation, so we do ask you to take this seriously and will provide an environment where this will happen
  • There is no preparation that you need to do for the exam, but if you want to familiarize yourself with the test, here is ETS website (this is optional):

  • Here’s the quick rundown: the test is multiple choice, there’s no penalty for guessing, and it’s timed – you’ve got two hours (most finish in about 1.5 hrs). You don’t need to bring anything to the exam – please just show up on time.

Managing the Enterprise: Team Assignments