Strategy Perspectives

Introduction

This course advances your knowledge of central theories and topics within the strategy field, building on the first specializations course (Foundations of Strategy and Entrepreneurship DRE 3004). Key theoretical persepctives and topics within the strategy field will be presented and discussed. 

This course is mandatory for students in the PhD specialization strategy, entrepreneurship and innovation and a prerequisite for all students planning to take Entrepreneurship and Innovation Perspectives (DRE 3003).

Course content

The course is taught primarily as a set of research seminars, where students and faculty interact in a combination of presentations and discussions of key contributions by outstanding scholars in the field. Each session focuses on one key theory and its application to key topics within strategic management and includes 5-7 key contributions selected by the faculty member responsible for that session. 3-5 articles are required, the other 2-4 articles are recommended. For students wanting to continue doing research within a specific topic, the recommended articles are a good starting point.

The course covers main streams of research in strategic management and organizational structure and processes. These include, but are not limited to:

• Economic Organization Theory 
• Resources and Capabilities 
• the Network Perspective 
• Legitimacy and Status
• Industrial Organization
• the Activities Perspective
• Organization Perspectives
• Institutional Theory

The theoretical perspectives will be discussed related to key topics within strategic management. These include, but are not limited to:

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Collaborative strategies
• Internationalization
• Corporate strategies
• Competitive strategies
• Leadership and Governance
• Organizational flexibility

The primary lecturers will be Randi Lunnan and Birgitte Grøgaard with selective contributions by BI faculty members, with different academic specialties.

Required articles are listed in a detailed syllabus and are mostly available from the library. Book chapters and articles not available from the library will be provided on It's Learning or in a reader. Recommended readings can be acquired from the library or online sources. Students will be informed about who the other participants are and recommended to collaborate on collecting and distributing copies of the articles. Detailed reading list will be available from the course coordinator.