Strategic Management: From Insight to Decision from edX

Learn how to (re)position your organization, orchestrate strategic alliances and assess strategic options from an ethical perspective. This advanced strategic management course helps you translate strategic insights into smart strategic decisions on positioning, partnering and being socially responsible:

Positioning the Firm

How can strategy portfolios guide corporate strategy and help decision-makers scope the activities of their organization?
How can general strategies help organizations gain competitive advantages in their industries?
How can organizations create uncontested market space?

Orchestrating Strategic Alliances

What is the case for cooperative strategy? When should we move from a competitive to a cooperative mindset?
What are strategic alliances and what is their payoff?
How can firms build and orchestrate collaborative ecosystems to enhance their (innovative) performance?

Embracing Social Responsibility

What is the role of business in society?
To whom are organizations responsible and for what?
How to encourage ethical behavior and reconcile responsibility and profitability?

All key ideas from the online lectures are illustrated through a real-life case study on Tesla and its role in the technological transformation of the global automotive industry to help you better prepare for real-life situations in your company.

After completing this course you will improve your career qualifications as Business Development Manager , Sales Manager or Consultant. Professionals from the industries of Automotive , IT , Finance , Health Care , Telecommunication and the Energy sector have already completed the course.

This course is part of the "Managing Technology & Innovation: How to deal with disruptive change" MicroMasters program designed to teach the critical skills needed to be successful in this exciting field. In order to qualify for the MicroMasters Credential, you will need to earn a Verified Certificate in each of the six courses of the RWTHx MicroMasters program.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Position your organization in times of transition
Orchestrate strategic alliances and broader innovation networks

Assess strategic options not just from an economic, but also from an ethical perspective

Position your organization in times of transition
Orchestrate strategic alliances and broader innovation networks
Assess strategic options not just from an economic, but also from an ethical perspective

Syllabus

THEME 1: POSITIONING THE FIRM

Week 1: Red Ocean Strategy

Corporate Strategy : Explore the tools that help to decide on the scope of the business.

Generic Strategy I : Become familiar with cost leadership strategies.

Generic Strategy II : Become familiar with differentiation strategies.

Week 2: Blue Ocean Strategy

Blue Ocean Strategy : Understand how to create uncontested market space and make competition irrelevant.

THEME 2: ORCHESTRATING STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Week 3: Strategic Alliances

Alliance Purpose : Explore the concept and different types of strategic alliances.

Alliance Pay-Off : Reflect upon the opportunities and risks of strategic alliances.

Week 4: Collaborative Networks

Ecosystems : Uncover the key elements of effective ecosystem orchestration.

Open Innovation : Learn about open innovation as a collaborative approach to new product development.

THEME 3: EMBRACING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Week 5: Social Responsibility

Business and Society : Reflect upon the role of business in society and identify its contributions to the public good.

Corporate Social Responsibility : Unpack organizations’ broader social responsibilities

Week 6: Business Ethics

Ethics Foundations : Review philosophical approaches that help inform ethical decision making.

Ethics Applications : Discuss ethical decision making in the context of business practice.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of business development, including the ethical dimensions

Fits those who want to add more strategic tools and models to their business strategic thinking

Taught by Torsten Oliver Salge, whose work in technology and innovation is recognized in industry and academia

Covers some innovative management techniques that may add color to other courses and subjects

Fits those who want an introduction to business development management

Requires students to come in with extensive background knowledge and experience in business strategy

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategic Management: From Insight to Decision with these activities:

Create a study guide based on course materials

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Reinforce your understanding of course concepts and prepare for assessments by creating a comprehensive study guide.

Browse courses on Study Skills

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Review all lecture notes, readings, and other course materials
Identify key concepts, definitions, and formulas
Organize the information into a logical and accessible format
Include practice questions and exercises to test your understanding

Compile a list of resources on ethics in business

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Gather a comprehensive collection of resources to deepen your understanding of ethical considerations in business practices.

Browse courses on Business Ethics

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Conduct research to identify relevant articles, books, and online resources
Organize the resources into categories based on key ethical topics
Create an annotated bibliography or summary of each resource

Review 'Good Strategy/Bad Strategy'

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Gain insights into the principles of effective strategy formulation and execution to enhance your decision-making.

View The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly and take notes
Identify key concepts and frameworks presented in the book
Reflect on the implications of the book's ideas for your own organization's strategy

Five other activities

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Create an organizational strategy map

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Create a visual representation of your organization's strategy to enhance understanding and alignment.

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Define your organization's mission, vision, and values
Identify your organization's key objectives and goals
Determine the key initiatives that will help you achieve your goals
Map out the relationships between your objectives, goals, and initiatives

Follow tutorials on agile and lean methodologies

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Gain practical knowledge of agile and lean methodologies to enhance project delivery efficiency and product quality.

Browse courses on Agile

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Research and identify reputable tutorials on agile and lean methodologies
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key concepts and techniques
Apply the concepts learned to your own work or projects

Develop a strategic alliance proposal

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Create a comprehensive plan for a strategic alliance to foster innovation and enhance competitive advantage.

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Identify a potential partner that aligns with your organization's strategic goals
Define the scope and objectives of the proposed alliance
Outline the benefits and potential risks of the alliance
Develop a governance structure and operating model for the alliance
Present your proposal to key stakeholders for feedback and approval

Volunteer at a non-profit organization

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Gain practical experience in applying ethical principles and making a positive impact on society.

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Research and identify non-profit organizations that align with your interests
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Participate in volunteer activities and contribute your skills and knowledge

Participate in a case competition on strategic management

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Test your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities in a simulated business environment.

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Find a case competition that aligns with your interests and skills
Prepare for the competition by researching the case and developing your analysis
Present your case solution to a panel of judges

Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Management: From Insight to Decision will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Business Strategy Consultant

As a Business Strategy Consultant, you will conduct deep analyses of companies to determine their competitive strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. This course may be helpful in giving you the skills to assess a business's competitive landscape, internal capabilities, and make recommendations on potential areas of strategic development. You may learn about tools that can help you conduct a thorough assessment of a company's strategy, as well as emerging trends in strategic management. Finally, this course can help you develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Strategy Consultant

Corporate Strategy Manager

Corporate Strategy Managers develop and implement long-term strategic plans for their organizations. This course may be useful in teaching you how to analyze market trends, develop competitive strategies, and make decisions that will drive the future growth of your organization. You could take this course to learn about the latest trends in strategic management and gain insights into how to position your organization for success in the ever-changing business landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Strategy Manager

Strategic Planning Analyst

Strategic Planning Analysts are responsible for developing and analyzing strategic plans for their organizations. This course could help you learn about the different frameworks and tools used in strategic planning, and gain insights into how to assess the competitive landscape and make recommendations for future growth. You may also learn about the importance of considering ethical implications when making strategic decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategic Planning Analyst

Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers are responsible for leading and managing innovation initiatives within their organizations. This course may be useful in developing the skills you need to identify and evaluate new opportunities, build and manage collaborative teams, and bring new products or services to market. You will learn about frameworks and tools for assessing the potential of new ideas, as well as how to create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for their organizations. This course can help you gain the skills you need to analyze market trends, identify potential partners, and negotiate and close deals. You will learn about different strategies for business development, as well as how to build and manage relationships with key stakeholders.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products or services. This course may provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand customer needs, develop product roadmaps, and bring new products to market. You may also learn about the importance of considering ethical implications when making product decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for their organizations. This course may help you gain the skills you need to understand customer behavior, develop marketing strategies, and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns. You may also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams to achieve revenue goals. This course may provide you with the skills you need to develop and execute sales strategies, motivate and manage sales teams, and close deals. You may also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in sales.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the day-to-day operations of their organizations. This course may help you gain the skills you need to understand business processes, improve efficiency, and ensure that your organization meets its goals. You may also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations on investment decisions. This course may help you gain the skills you need to understand financial statements, analyze market trends, and make sound investment decisions. You may also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in financial analysis.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a wide range of management issues. This course may provide you with the skills you need to understand business problems, develop solutions, and help organizations achieve their goals. You may also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in management consulting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and run their own businesses. This course may be helpful in providing you with the skills you need to identify business opportunities, develop a business plan, and launch your own venture. You will learn about the different challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, as well as the importance of ethical considerations in business.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers are responsible for leading and managing nonprofit organizations. This course may provide you with the skills you need to understand the unique challenges and opportunities of nonprofit management, develop and implement effective programs, and ensure that your organization achieves its mission. You will also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in nonprofit management.

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Public Administrator

Public Administrators are responsible for managing and implementing government programs. This course may be useful in providing you with the skills you need to understand the public policy process, develop and implement effective programs, and ensure that your organization meets its goals. You will also learn about the importance of ethical considerations in public administration.

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Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs are individuals who use their business skills to solve social problems. This course may be helpful in providing you with the skills you need to identify social problems, develop innovative solutions, and launch your own social venture. You will learn about the different challenges and rewards of social entrepreneurship, as well as the importance of ethical considerations in business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur