Course Syllabus

International Strategy & Leadership.

Case Studies

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Semester & Location:

Summer Session 2022 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits

Study Tours: London
Major Disciplines:

Business, Management, Strategy, Marketing

Faculty Members:

Leif Rasmussen & Peter Friis-Mikkelsen
Program Contact:

Susanne Hougaard, sgh@dis.dk
Time & Place: See detailed syllabus under Files

 

 

Course Description

You will learn both classical strategy theories and contemporary implementation tools applied to a case study based on the well-known international company H&M. H&M is an interesting business strategy subject with regards to the impacts of the pandemic and the digital transformation of retail. Combining background information supplied in class and your own research, you will gain valuable insights to perform proper analyzes of the company’s market situation and international opportunities. Based on the analyzes and the theoretic toolsets you will create a strategy and implementation plan which can scale worldwide. By visiting the company in various locations and using specific tools, you will discuss and learn how to make plans for implementation of the strategy – including considerations about cultural differences.

Such a process cannot be successful without proper leadership. Consequently, we will focus on the management perspectives of developing and executing business strategies, and the introduction to management theory is supplemented with practical use of management tools in the case.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Analyze business models and strategies of a European company and based on these analyzes create proposals for new strategies based on Porter’s theories.
  • Understand how to transform strategies into implementation plans.
  • Understand the connections between strategy and motivation in a company.
  • Apply critical thinking in analyzing empirical/corporate information.
  • Engage in group projects in a structured and efficient manner.

Faculty

Leif Rasmussen

2018 -              CEO and Chairman of the Social Economic Company Munk & Rasmussen Aps

2008 -              CEO and owner of Trading company, Imexpo Nordic Aps Imexpo Germany Gmbh

1997 – 2007:   Sales and Marketing Director, Member of Executive Board, Royal Unibrew

1995 – 2007:   Member/Chairman of Supervisory Boards

1990 – 1996:   Marketing Director, Danish Brewery Group

1985 – 1989:   Marketing Manager, Faxe Brewery

1982 – 1984:   Consultant and Account Manager, Ted Bates Advertising Agency

1982:               Cand. Merc, Copenhagen Business School

1975 – 1982:   Product Manager, Irma

1975:               General Business Administration, Copenhagen Business School, N. Brock

Email: leif@ras.dk

 

Peter Friis-Mikkelsen

2012 –             CEO and owner of PerForM Consulting and Coaching Institute

2011 – 2012:  VP Europe, Medical Insight A/S

2008 – 2011:  VP Sales, ScanJour

1998 – 2008:  Acc. Mgr., Partner Group Manager, Business Manager SME, Microsoft Denmark &   

                       Iceland

1993 – 1998:  Large Acc. Mgr. Digital Equipment Corporation

1991 – 1993:  Consultant and team lead, Hafnia Insurance & Banking Group

2008:              Managing IT Strategically, Copenhagen Business School/SIMI

1991:              Master of Law, Copenhagen University

Email: pfmmail@me.com

Readings

  • Article: Fordham International Law Journal: Fifty years of European Integration: A remarkable achievement
  • Article: Michael E. Porter: The five competitive forces that shape Strategy
  • Article: Michael E. Porter: What is strategy
  • “Global Marketing and Advertising, Understanding Cultural Paradoxes” by Marieke de Mooij
  • Osterwalder, Alexander et.al. : “Business Model Generation”, 2009

 

Study Tour

5 days in London with business relevant visits, but also cultural visits and time on own. Finally we will visit the world famous university in Oxford and meet with international students from the university.

Approach to Teaching

The teaching style is highly interactive and experiential with a mix of theory/tools and their application in practice. The course will include in-class case work and simulations, in-class practicing of tools in pairs and in groups.

Expectations of the Students

You are expected to have an interest in exploring management in a business context – and to integrate the learning about strategy with the learning about management to help you execute the strategies and lead teams to achieve the strategic goals.

 

Evaluation

Grade components:

Assignment 1:  Approx. 6-page paper and a group presentation of analyzes and corresponding strategies counts for 20%.

Assignment 2:  Approx. 10-page paper and a group presentation of chosen strategy plus specific and detailed plans for implementation counts for 40%

Assignment 3:  Group presentation of the business impact of cultural differences. Counts for 15%

Engagement: This class requires a high level of motivation and active participation in class and during the Study Tour. Attendance is mandatory. The following is expected from students:

  • Active and constructive participation in class discussions
  • Having prepared properly for every class
  • Being able to address the readings critically during class, thus displaying a good understanding of the subject matter
  • Being able to collaborate well with your assigned team and delivering elaborate and analytical papers and presentations.

Engagement counts for 25%

 
Academic Regulations (Summer)

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 

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