Advance your strategic analysis skills in this follow-up to Foundations of Business Strategy. In this course, you'll learn the tools to analyze strategy across time (competitive dynamics), industries ( corporate strategy), geographies (international strategy), and institutions (non-market strategy). We'll introduce the tools you need to complete a comprehensive evaluation and understand the strategy dynamics of an industry: Competitive Lifecycle, Internationalization and Stakeholder Analyses, and Diversification Matrices. We'll apply these tools in case studies of industry leaders Disney, Orascom Telecom Holding, Sony, and GE Healthcare India.
This course is part of the Business Strategy Specialization
Advanced Business Strategy
Offered By
About this Course
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What you will learn
The dynamics of competition, the competitive life cycle, and strategies to survive and thrive through industry disruption
Internationalization strategies, how, where, and when to enter foreign markets, and foreign direct investment
How businesses compete across industries, the value of being in different markets, and the right degree of diversification
Stakeholder management and how engaging with non-capital stakeholders can create value
Skills you will gain
Strategic ManagementStrategic ThinkingBusiness Strategybusiness competition
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
Dynamic Strategy
Studebaker, Remington, Sears, Kodak. Companies that were leaders in their time but failed to adapt to change. In this module, we'll explore the impact of disruptive innovations and how companies can navigate these changes, evolve over time, and avoid the pitfalls of the competitive life cycle. By the end of this module, you will be able to complete a competitive life cycle analysis and apply this tool in a case study of Sony. Let's get started.
9 videos (Total 58 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
9 videos
The Dynamic Capabilities Perspective6m
Introduction to the Competitive Life Cycle8m
Competitive Life Cycle: Common Patterns9m
Why Incumbent Firms Fail or Survive8m
Competitive Life Cycle Analysis7m
Module Lessons1m
Strategist's Toolkit: Competitive Life Cycle Analysis3m
Sony PlayStation 4 Case Debrief8m
5 readings
Course Overview10m
Course Requirements10m
Get to Know Your Classmates10m
Using the Discussion Forums10m
Sony PlayStation 4: Aim and Fire20m
1 practice exercise
Dynamic Strategy40m
Week
22 hours to complete
International Strategy
Welcome! Industry and firm globalization has taken off in the past few decades. Firms can realize great gains by moving into foreign markets, but they only do so if they act strategically. In this module, we'll discuss the rise of globalization and explore two primary strategic questions: Where to compete and how to enter that market. We'll consider the pros and cons of strategic options for entering foreign markets. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete an internationalization analysis and apply this tool to a case study about Orascom Telecom.
10 videos (Total 60 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
10 videos
Patterns of Internationalization7m
Where to Compete4m
Entering Foreign Markets: Exporting5m
Entering Foreign Markets: Licensing and Alliances5m
Entering Foreign Markets: Foreign Direct Investment4m
Foreign Direct Investment: Entry Mode5m
Module Lessons4m
Strategist's Toolkit: Internationalization Analysis8m
Orascom Telecom Holding Case Debrief6m
1 reading
Orascom Telecom Holding: Wind and Weather20m
1 practice exercise
International Strategy40m
Week
32 hours to complete
Diversification Strategy
Corporate strategy is often a question of diversification. How can firms leverage their current position across markets to build profits? In this module, we'll discuss firm scope and the financial, operational, and strategic reasons to expand and diversify. We'll explore the theory of the firm--or why firms exist and how this relates to their scope. By the end of this module, you'll be able to develop a diversification matrix and apply this tool in a case study about Disney.
10 videos (Total 51 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
10 videos
Financial Reasons to Diversify5m
Operational Reasons to Diversify4m
Strategic Reasons to Diversify6m
Why Firms Exist: Theory of the Firm7m
Limits on Firm Scope4m
The Right Degree of Diversification2m
Module Lessons1m
Strategist's Toolkit: Diversification Matrices3m
Walt Disney Co Case Debrief9m
1 reading
Walt Disney Co: Mickey Mouse or Media Mammoth?6m
1 practice exercise
Diversification Strategy40m
Week
46 hours to complete
Stakeholder Strategy
How can a firm's values add value to the firm? Stakeholder management is a way of thinking about ethical considerations impacting an organization's strategy. In this module, we'll discuss how effective business strategy considers the impact of a firm's decisions and actions on various stakeholders, both primary and secondary, and uses that knowledge to guide strategic actions. By the end of this module, you'll be able to complete a stakeholder analysis and apply this tool in a case study about GE Healthcare.
9 videos (Total 58 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes
9 videos
Creating Value for Stakeholders5m
Aligning Key Stakeholders5m
Aligning Secondary Stakeholders6m
Sources of Institutional Pressure9m
Value Creation and Your Values3m
Module Lessons3m
Strategist's Toolkit: Stakeholder Analysis4m
GE Healthcare India Case Debrief15m
2 readings
GE Healthcare in India: An (Ultra)Sound Strategy?15m
Assignment Overview20m
2 practice exercises
Stakeholder Strategy40m
Practice Reviewing an Assignment30m
4.7
102 Reviews40%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
22%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top reviews from Advanced Business Strategy
Great Course and excellent insight about strategy approach for any business. Its has really given a full overview about business strategy approach.\n\nThanks for professors to design such module.
Really advanced thinking in strategy, excellent work by Darden Business School. Particular appreciation for Prof. Jared D. Harris and Mike Lenox for their competency in the subject matter.
Instructors
Michael Lenox
Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy OfficerDarden School of Business
Jared Harris
Samuel L. Slover Research Chair in Business AdministrationDarden School of Business
About University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
About the Business Strategy Specialization
This Specialization covers both the dynamics and the global aspects of strategic management. With cases drawn from leading companies like Disney, Microsoft and Zappos, you'll learn how to evaluate industry evolution, build and sustain competitive advantage, formulate and assess business strategies, and align efforts to organizational strategy. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply your skills by creating a comprehensive Strategic Analysis for an existing business or a venture of your own.
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.