The University of
Tennessee at Martin
College of Business and Public Affairs
Department of Management, Marketing and Political Science
Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics
Summer Semester,
2005
BASIC INFORMATION:
WEB PAGE: http://www.utm.edu/~mlemons/ http://www.utm.edu/~bputman
OFFICE HOURS: To be Announced To be announced
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
1) Dess, Gregory G., Lumpkin, G.T., and Taylor, M.L. 2004. Strategic
Management: Creating Competitive Advantages, 2e. McGraw-Hill-Irwin. New
York: ISBN Number 0-07-287290-X.
2) Stickney, C.P., Brown, P.R., and Wahlen, James M. 2004.
Financial Reporting and Statement Analysis: A Strategic Perspective.
Thomson-Southwestern. ISBN Number 0-324-18638-X.
3) Other Reference Materials:
The student should have availability to one or two good undergraduate texts to
use for reference during the initial class periods; (1) a Principles of
Management and Organization text and (2) a Financial Accounting and Reporting
text and 4) an Organization Theory and Behavior or Organization Design text.
Also, a handbook on effective writing skills (i.e., Effective Writing by
Andrew, May, and May; ISBN 0-13-759408-9 will be helpful.
5) Students should make a hard copy of all handouts from the
"Tentative Schedule" section of the web page.
COURSE PURPOSE, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: An advanced case study, integrating marketing, management,
accounting and finance, of selected problems encountered in the management of typical
organizations engaged in the production of goods and services. Problem
analysis and decision-making skills are emphasized in the context of the
existing international environment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is intended to provide the student with insight into theoretical constructs for contemporary strategic management. Included in this are
(1)
evaluation of internal and external conditions and forces impacting business
organizations,
(2) development of strategic, business level operational, and
functional strategies appropriate for these environmental conditions,
(3) develop the student's ability to analyze (qualitatively and quantitatively)
business conditions and problems and to suggest solutions to such conditions and
problems,
(4) prepare students to communicate results of their observations effectively to
interested audiences,
(5) develop leadership skills that include ethical aspects of doing business
with an awareness of cultural diversity necessary to succeed in our global
economy, and
(6) help the student develop implementation strategies and practices, including evaluation and control of the
organization.
(7) development of team-based skills through business situational analysis and
problem solving by teams of students.
In working to accomplish these objectives, it is intended that the student will develop an understanding and appreciation of the importance of the integration of finance, economics and accounting with strategic management and marketing concepts in order to attain organization success.
STUDENT OUTCOMES:
By taking this course the student should be able--
1.
to develop and utilize qualitative and quantitative abilities needed for strategic
decision-making, including conceptual abilities as well as quantitative
analytical skills.
2. to re-examine, integrate, and apply previous course material within the
context of the strategic management concept.
3. to enhance skills in communicating ideas and conclusions, verbally, and
in written form.
4. and, to develop and/or enhance skills in leading class discussions
pertaining to theoretical constructs as well as case analysis situations.
RELATIONSHIP TO GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
In this course the instructors place a great deal of emphasis on contemporary business problem solving skills, both quantitative and qualitative in nature, and communication skills that transfer and validate such solutions to their peers. Also corporate culture, including ethical and moral business actions and consequential social outcomes, are evaluated in the course.
Accordingly, one needs quantitative skills (math, physics, statistics) as well as qualitative skills (social studies, human relations, psychology) in order to be a good problem solver. Additionally, good communication skills (English, speech, writing) are necessary for the student to effectively transmit problem solutions to various audiences. Studies in Religion and Ethics present students the background necessary to evaluate ethical and moral policies and actions of their assigned capstone case companies.
RELATIONSHIP TO MAJOR FIELD GOALS:
This is the capstone course that brings it all together in your MBA/MAc program. It is an interdisciplinary, team-taught course that strives to integrate all of your knowledge gained from your studies of each discipline available in the College of Business and Public Affairs throughout your program. Accordingly, this course integrates all of the disciplines into a business problem solving construct by teams of students. Working with your team is of the utmost importance to your success in this course.
COURSE CONTENT: Presented as a separate schedule (See Tentative Schedule)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Attendance and Participation: Students are required to attend and participate in all
scheduled class activities. Your participation is expected in each class
and will be considered an important part of your final grade.
Excused absences will be at the discretion of your instructor(s).
2.
Outside Reading: You will be responsible for classroom discussion of
selected articles from the outside readings listed in Appendix A. Your grade on this
portion of the course will be determined primarily by your willingness to enter
into the
discussion of the article when it is covered in the classroom. This may be accomplished by posing
questions related to the articles, addition of related material from other
articles and publications which you may have observed in your own particular
experiences, and general discussion of the articles. Sufficient articles
will be discussed in class to allow every student to participate in the process.
Copies of all of the readings can be found on line at the Paul Meek
Library. Go to the Library Web Site, click on catalog, then course
reserves, and the course or faculty member. A password that will be given
to you during the third meeting (June 21) will be needed at this point. These articles will be selected from the readings list in Appendix A.
Even though the articles may be viewed on line from The Paul Meek Library, you may retrieve the articles yourself from the Internet or your local
Library. It is recommended that you read all of the articles from the
readings list even though they may not be discussed in class.
3.
Individual Case reports: Individual case reports based on business
problems are required. Students are responsible for preparing and
submitting all written assignments in a professional manner. This includes
both (1) content and (2) appearance. With respect to content, both breadth
and depth of analysis are major components of case grades. With respect to
appearance, all written work is expected to be error-free, logically and
well-organized, and coherent. Avoid rambling discussion and verbosity.
Consider your written work as “Reports to Management,” such as you might
submit to a client if a management consultant, or your employer who assigned you
responsibility for a complete staff report. You should not
plagiarize in any form or fashion in your written assignments. In
the past your professors have returned written cases to students with zero
grades when plagiarism is evident. Your case assignments will be made
during the progression of the course to allow sufficient time for completion and
submission.
Written
work is due when announced. Late papers will be marked down one letter
grade per class period late unless you have a valid excuse for the tardiness.
4.
Capstone Project: This is designed as a culminating experience and will
require oral and written presentation by teams. This project will be
prepared according to guidelines presented in the initial class meeting and is
due at the conclusion of the last regular class meeting which is the week before
final exams. The oral presentation will be given during the last class.
Since this is a team project, each team member must be a part of the oral
presentation.
Grades
are based on a point system as follows:
Dr. Lemons
Dr. Putman
Class
Participation
50 points 50 points
Individual case
100 points 50 points
Discussion
of Articles
50 points
Group
Project
100 points
100 points (See note below)
Group
Project presentation 25 points
25 points
Total
points possible
275 points 275 points
90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% =D,59% or below = F
Important: You
must make a B or better in this course in lieu of taking a comprehensive exam.
The student must bring at least a 3.0 GPA into this course.
Notes and Additional Information - Capstone Project:
There
will be teams established during your first session with Dr. Lemons. Each
team will then be assigned a company as its project. The team will be
responsible for researching and analyzing the company as to various successes
and failures in attaining its objectives. You should begin working on your
project immediately following your first class meeting and continue to work in
teams on the project throughout the semester. A written report will be
prepared and submitted to your instructor at the close of your last regular
class meeting. You will need to submit a copy to each professor and a
third copy (that includes a CD Rom of your presentation) for the graduate office records. The team will also present an
oral report that night which will involve each team member. The oral
presentation should last from 30-35 minutes for each team. Each team
member will receive the same grade on the written report adjusted by the results
of his (her) peer evaluation (100 of the total 125
points), so it is imperative that you work together and successfully integrate
your part of the report.
Dr. Lemons will have previous
reports at your first meeting so you can observe the necessary content and form to
receive a good grade on the report. However, you should use these
reports only as a starting point for your capstone case. Any other interesting
information and observations concerning your company will enhance your report.
Current events discussed by the Media relating to your company should be
included as an important part of your capstone project.
CRITICAL EVENTS:
Last day to add this course: June 6, 2005
Last day to drop this course with a grade of "W": July 5, 2005
Capstone
presentation: August 2, 2005
Other Information: Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation from P.A.C.E. or Student Academic Support Center within the first two weeks of the semester.