Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Master in business engineering (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course emphasizes the specificities of the elaboration and the implementation of a strategy and on its impact on performance management expressed in terms of obtained results and of risks to control in international firms, either in their structure (multinational companies MNCs) or in rtheir activities (highly exporting firms and highly culturally-diversified firms).
It combines a theoretical phase and a practical one based on an in-depth study of 2 real cases, with the support of international consulting firms :
In the first theoretical phase of the course, different paradoxes linked to the elaboration of the strategy in an international context, to its content (business level strategy, corporate level strategy, network level strategy) and to its implementation are considered, notably based on the discussion of fundamental scientific papers linked to each of these paradoxes and published in high-ranked peer-reviewed journals. Then, the fundamental elements and concepts linked to Business Process Management in an international context are presented and illustrated by a real case of an international listed firm.
In a second more practical phase, a real case of a firm largely international both in its activities and in its governance is submitted to a critical analysis by the students, who are asked to diagnose the fundamental performancea and risks/controls problems present in the firm, to identify their root causes and to suggest operational recommandations based on an in-depth analysis of risks and controls present in some key business processes.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Strategy : establish a strategy in order to optimize the Global Value Chain of an international firm
* based on an analysis of its economic and financial context
* based on its scientific and technological context
* based on a critical and scientific mind
Implementation : undertstand the implementation process of the strategy and the daily management of an international firm
* by paying attention to its scientific, technological and entrepreneurial dimensions
* by paying attention to the specificities of its environment, notably its digital aspects and constraints
* by developing a critical attitude and thinking when considering its managerial practices
* by using effectively the main tools and techniques linked to Business Process Management (BPM) and to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
Control : implement performance and quality control in an international firm based on an in-depth causal analysis and on the choice of adequate analytical tools.
Communication : communicate effectviely about an international firm, externally
* in English
* by taking into account the specificities of a multicultural and international environment
Adaptability : adapt its managerial practices to the needs of an internationally continuously evolving environment,based on creativity and scientific accuracy on the one hand, autonomy and continuous critical perspective on the other hand
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The fundamentals of Strategy must be acquired
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical part (4 sessions) :
- Synthetic presentation of a chapter from the reference book and of a scientific paper linked to the theme developed in the chapter
- Instant critical analysis and discussion of the presentation made by an other group of students
- Integration of the key principles linked to business process management, to risk modeling and process controls in highly international firms
- General understanding of the strategic and operational context of 2 real highly-international firms
- General understanding of operational processes implemented daily in these firms
- Analysis of the business processes, the risks and weaknesses of these operational processes and proposal of recommandations adapted to the highly-international and multi-cultural context of this firm
- Defence of these proposals in front of a panel of international consultants
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Presentations made by students for the 4 first sessions.
Work in groups with the support of a group of international consultants for the general understanding and the analysis of the real case (6 sessions as a minimum, presence is COMPULSORY and absence may lead to the exclusion out ot the course).
Recommended or required readings
De Wit B., Meyer R. (2014) : Strategy : An international perspective, Cengage Learning EMEA; Édition : 5th Revised edition
Assessment methods and criteria
- Synthesis of a chapter from the reference book : Individual - 15 points
- Instant critical analysis of a presentation made by an other group - Individual - 5 points
- Presentation and defence of recommandations linked to optimization of business processes in front of members of the firm - Goup & Individual - 20 points
- Presentation and defence of recommandations linked to risk identification and control in front of a panel of international consultants : Group & Individual - 30 points (50/50)
- Oral discussion at the end of the course (pitch) : Individual - 30 points
Individual evaluation : 75 %
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
Teacher :
Prof. D. Van Caillie : d.vancaillie@ulg.ac.be