In this course you will learn how organizations create, capture, and maintain value, and how it is fundamental for sustainable competitive advantage. You will be able to better understand value creation and capture, and learn the tools to analyze both competition and cooperation from a variety of perspectives, including the industry level (e.g., five forces analysis), and the firm level (e.g., business models and strategic positioning).
This course is part of the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization
Business Strategy
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About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
83%
started a new career after completing these courses
45%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
25%
got a pay increase or promotion
Skills you will gain
Strategic ManagementBusiness ModelStrategic ThinkingBusiness Strategy
Learner Career Outcomes
83%
started a new career after completing these courses
45%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
25%
got a pay increase or promotion
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Approx. 17 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.
Start working towards your Master's degree
This course is part of the 100% online Master of Business Administration (iMBA) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
If you are admitted to the full program, your courses count towards your degree learning.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
2 hours to complete
2 videos (Total 11 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
5 readings
Syllabus20m
About the Discussion Forums10m
Glossary10m
Description of Organizations and Brands10m
Updating Your Profile10m
1 practice exercise
Orientation Quiz30m
5 hours to complete
Module 1: Leading Strategically
The Leading Strategically module will lay the foundation of business strategy course. You will learn about mission, vision and values and their role in overall strategy landscape. You will learn about the VARS framework for analyzing business models and SWOT framework for understanding the fit and coherence of business strategy.
5 hours to complete
14 videos (Total 88 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
14 videos
Executive Interviews Introduction1m
1-1.1: Mission, Vision & Values6m
Executive Expert Introductions5m
Executive Expertise: Mission and Values6m
Mission and Values: Role of Leadership7m
1-2.1: Introduction to Business Models8m
1-2.2: The V.A.R.S. Framework, Part 112m
1-2.3: The V.A.R.S. Framework, Part 210m
Executive Expertise: Business Models7m
1-3.1: Coherence, Fit and SWOT6m
Case Introduction – Uber6m
Uber Case Study Summary5m
Like this course? Learn more with the iMBA! (optional)1m
4 readings
Module 1 Overview10m
Module 1 Readings10m
Instructions for Case Study Analysis – Uber10m
Module 1 Discussions10m
1 practice exercise
Module 1 Quiz30m
3 hours to complete
Module 2: External Analysis
The Environmental Analysis module will focus on a key aspect of business strategy – analyzing and understanding the external environment of a firm. You will learn about the macro-environment of firms and the PESTEL framework for macro-environmental analysis. You will also learn about firms’ industry environment and understand how to predict industry profitability by using the 5-forces framework.
3 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 83 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
9 videos
2-1.1 The PESTEL Framework9m
Executive Expertise: The External Environment6m
2-2.1 Structure, Conduct and Performance15m
2-2.2 Introducing the 5 Forces Framework16m
2-2.3 Applying the 5 Forces Framework5m
2-3.1 Dynamic Industry Analysis12m
Case Introduction – The Soft Drink Industry8m
The Soft Drink Industry Case Study Summary4m
4 readings
Module 2 Overview10m
Module 2 Readings10m
Module 2 Discussions10m
Instructions for Case Study Analysis – The Soft Drink Industry10m
1 practice exercise
Module 2 Quiz10m
3 hours to complete
Module 3: Internal Analysis and Competitive Advantage
The module on Internal Analysis and Competitive Advantage will provide an in-depth understanding of the origins of unique company strengths and how they can produce a competitive advantage. You will learn about the origins and consequences of fundamental internal differences among firms using the analytical viewpoints of activities, resources, and capabilities. You will be introduced to the strategic tools of value chains, value networks, and the V-R-I framework to help you analyze the implications of these within-firm differences for (sustained) competitive advantage.
3 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 64 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
8 videos
3-1.1 Competitive Advantage & Firm Performance9m
3-2.1 Activities of the Firm11m
3-2.2 Resources and Capabilities10m
3-3.1 Sustained Competitive Advantage10m
Executive Expertise: Competitive Advantage8m
Case Introduction – Starbucks Corporation7m
Starbucks Case Study Summary2m
4 readings
Module 3 Overview10m
Module 3 Readings10m
Instructions for Case Study Analysis – Starbucks10m
Module 3 Discussions10m
1 practice exercise
Module 3 Quiz30m
4 hours to complete
Module 4: Strategic Positioning and Strategic Renewal
The Strategic Positioning and Strategic Renewal module brings together the internal and external aspects of strategic analysis to formulate an overall strategy for the firm. You will learn about the two main “generic strategies” that businesses can pursue, which can be complemented by broad or narrow scope to yield four key types of strategic positioning. You will also learn about “dual” strategies and why and how a firm's strategy must be adapted to strategically renew its positioning.
4 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 68 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
10 videos
4-1.1 Generic Business Strategies12m
Executive Expertise: Strategic Positioning8m
4-2.1 Dual Strategies9m
4-3.1 Strategic Renewal8m
Executive Expertise: Strategic Renewal6m
4-4 The Manager’s Journey: Advice from Our Experts9m
Course Conclusion2m
Case Introduction – Lego Group4m
Lego Case Study Summary2m
4 readings
Module 4 Overview10m
Module 4 Readings10m
Module 4 Discussions10m
Instructions for Case Study Analysis – Lego10m
1 practice exercise
Module 4 Quiz10m
4.8
162 ReviewsTop reviews from Business Strategy
I am really honored to review this course. The course and the Professor was really having a high practical approach. 4th Module was little bit confusion although it was a great time doing the course.
I really enjoyed the case studies in this course and the education on various frameworks felt like I could immediately use the material in real world scenarios. Highly recommended course materials.
About the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization
Enhance leadership and business skills for immediate impact. Practice everyday leadership, manage people, learn and apply concepts and techniques to effectively manage organizations through organizational design, and formulate and implement strategy.
Through the courses in this specialization, you will learn the fundamentals to effectively lead people and teams, manage organizations as well as tools to analyze business situations and develop strategies. The Specialization covers the strategic, human resource, and organizational foundations for creating and capturing value for sustainable competitive advantage – including how to manage people and organizations, analyze the competition, and develop strategies both within a business and across a portfolio of businesses.
The capstone is a strategic leadership and management plan where you’ll apply what you will learn to an actual business situation with participation by one or more focal companies. The deliverable will be designed to create value from the perspective of potential employers while achieving pedagogical and experiential goals for learners.
This Specialization is part of the University of Illinois Masters of Business Administration degree program, the iMBA. Learn more about the admission into the program here and how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into the program. You can also start with for-credit courses within the Illinois iMBA degree program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
