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363-0393-00L 3 Credits MSC , NDS D-MTEC
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Corporate Strategy

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Shiko Ben-Menahem
Due to didactic considerations, the number of participants for this course is limited to 45. Please register through myStudies to enroll for the course. Slots are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis (in the order of the registration date on myStudies). We will confirm your registration by e-mail. If you have any inquiries about the course, please contact the course assistant.
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Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:18

Abstract

This course focuses on the challenges in managing multi-business corporations, and covers topics related to the vertical and horizontal scope of business activities.

Objective

The course is a combination of lectures about concepts/methods, guest lectures, case studies, and individual assignments.

Content

Large- and medium-sized corporations play a central role in the economic activity of most developed and developing countries. Many of these organizations perform multiple business activities in multiple markets. In the face of increasing international competition, globalization, technological development, deregulation, and the emergence of new markets and industries, operating such a portfolio of business activities poses important managerial challenges forcing corporations to continuously re-consider their vertical and horizontal scope and boundaries. The course Corporate Strategy draws from a wide range of theories and methods to develop an understanding of the conceptual frameworks, debates, and developments concerning decisions associated with the management of multi-business corporations. We will cover the key questions driving a firm's corporate strategy, including: - In what markets to compete with which businesses? - Which activities should be performed by the firm and which should be outsourced (i.e. "make" or "buy" decisions)? - What are the most appropriate approaches to growth and divestiture? - How do institutional forces impact corporate strategy? Specifically, we will examine how organizations manage their portfolio of business activities and markets to achieve competitive advantage through vertical integration, cooperative strategies such as strategic alliances and joint ventures, corporate diversification, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and globalization/international strategies, and strategic renewal. The course homepage can be found at: http://www.smi.ethz.ch/education/corporate-strategy.html

Resources

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 90 minutes
Aids
Wörterbuch Englisch-Muttersprache
This course comprises a compulsory continuous performance assessment that takes the form of an individual assignment.The assignment will be due during the teaching semester. Students may self-assign to a topic on a first-come first-serve basis.The individual assignment must be passed on its own and counts proportionally towards the total course unit grade; the assignment is graded (grades of 4.0 and above signify a pass; grades below 4.0 signify failure). Therefore, to pass the course the assignment needs to be successfully passed. The final grade is composed of the written examination (70%) and the individual assignment (30%).

Registration & Places

Max Places
45
Signup End
08.10.2025

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Corporate Strategy
Block course
  • 13.10 Date 09:15-17:00 (HG F 26.3)
  • 14.10 Date 09:15-17:00 (HG F 26.3)
  • 15.10 Date 09:15-17:00 (HG F 26.3)
21 h semesterly

Offered In