Question 1

WEEK 1 | Welcome to MGMT 608

Accepted Answer

Welcome to the Online Course Platform for MGMT 608:
The Doctoral Course in Strategic Management
 
This section provides information about the course outline, resources, requirements and grading system. Please read this carefully before proceeding.
 
1. Course Outline: We will be covering six carefully selected chapters. These six pre-selected consecutive chapters are comprehensive in representing the core of the strategic management domain.T o view the course outline, please click HERE.
 
3. Resources: The main resource for this course is the textbook: 'Strategy: An International Perspective' 6th eds. by Bob de Wit. Although an electronic copy of the textbook can be found on the MGMT608 main course page, click on the image or link below for quick and convenient access.
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

The focal text book  was deliberately designed to be very well suited to doctoral courses on strategic management. This is because, unlike conventional textbooks, every chapter in this text, represents one of the core streams of strategic management research and is structured to have two parts: a conceptual part and a scientific part. In other words, every chapter begins with a conceptual discussion of the most salient concepts and paradoxes of the specific topic and ends with a presentation of a minimum of three seminal research papers from the body of research that shaped thought within that domain.
 
3. Course and Assessment Structure: Following the structure of the text, this course is organized in a way that gives students the opportunity to interact with core domain concepts as well as the seminal scientific papers which helped shape each of the domains. This provides a great approach to simultaneously introduce students to the concept of strategic management while exposing them in an orderly and guided fashion to seminal scientific  research in the field of strategic management.

Requirements: You will be required to attend weekly lectures, take a midterm exam, complete a group presentation, and jointly produce a research term paper.
 
3. Grading System: In light of the above, the new grading system is now as follows:

(a) Midterm Exams: 30% 
(b) Group Presentations: 20%
(c) Final Group Term Paper and Presentation: 50%

To begin, click on the 'WEEK 2' section tab below this section.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me via email- lawrenceemeagwali@gau.edu.tr if you have any questions

Question 2

WEEK 2 | Chpt 1 Understanding the Nature of Strategy

Accepted Answer

Understanding the Nature of Strategy
 
The topic for this week is 'understanding the nature of strategy'. This topic succinctly covered in chapter 1 of the assigned text aims at providing an introduction to the field of strategic management and instead of restricting the reader to one strict conceptualization of strategy, it tries to do this through the lens of multiple strategy and management theories, providing the reader with an array of perspectives and insights which reflects the true nature of strategy as a discipline. 
 
Readings: This week, you are required to read chapter 1 of the text. This chapter as with all other chapters is divided into two parts: the conceptual discussions part and the scientific research part containing three seminal research papers. The most important set of readings is the fist part (the conceptual part) as the seminal research papers presented in the second (scientific)  part of the chapter are only provided as a reference and for indepth understanding of concepts explained in the conceptual part of the chapter. Never-the-less you are required to at the very least skim and scan through all three seminal chapters in preparation for the summaries and assignments. For easy access, click on the image to access both the text and the chapter reading:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Requirements:
 
Week 1 Summary: You are required to read and provide a 2-page summary of the concepts in no more than 750 words.
 
Week 1 Assignment: Using Google scholar, search for two recent  articles (between 2017 and 2020) on the nature of strategy or strategic management and discuss how the findings from these studies align or diverge from the concepts discussed in this chapter.
 
Please submit your week 1 summary and assignment no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday the 21 of December, 2021.
 
SUBMITTING YOUR SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENT 
To submit your summary and assignments,enrol into the MGMT 608 course on the e-learning platform and submit the following three sets of deliverables:(a) your chapter 1 summary, (b) your assignment and (c) the two research papers you downloaded from the Google Scholar database.
Please do not send the word files directly to my email as our official email addresses have very limited storage. ONLY send assignments through the GAU e-learning platform.

Question 3

WEEK 3 | Chpt 2 Strategizing (Strategic Thinking)

Accepted Answer

Strategizing (Strategic Thinking)
 
This week, we will be focusing on the topic: 'Strategizing or Strategic Thinking'. This topic comprehensively covered in chapter 2 of the assigned text aims at providing a scientific and practical overview of the cognitive processes involved in the development of strategy especially the paradox of ogic and intuition.
 
Readings: This week, you are required to read chapter 2 of the text. This chapter as with all other chapters is divided into two parts: the conceptual discussions part and the scientific research part containing three seminal research papers. The most important set of readings is the first part (the conceptual part) as the seminal research papers presented in the second (scientific)  part of the chapter are only provided as a reference and for indepth understanding of concepts explained in the conceptual part of the chapter. Never-the-less you are required to at the very least skim and scan through all three seminal chapters in preparation for the summaries and assignments. For easy access, click on the textbook's image in the WEEK 1 tab, to access both the text and the chapter reading:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined
 
Requirements:
 
Week 2 Summary: You are required to read and provide a 2-page summary of the concepts with special emphasis on the focal paradox, in no more than 500 words.
 
Week 2 Assignment: Using Google scholar, search for two recent  articles (between 2017 and 2020) on strategizing or strategic thinking and discuss how the findings from these studies align or diverge from the core concepts and paradoxes discussed in this chapter.
 
Please submit your week 2 summary and assignment no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday the 28th of December, 2021.
 
SUBMITTING YOUR SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENT 
To submit your summary and assignments,enrol into the MGMT 608 course on the e-learning platform and submit the following three sets of deliverables:(a) your chapter 2 summary, (b) your assignment and (c) the two research papers you downloaded from the Google Scholar database.
Please do not send the word files directly to my email as our official email addresses have very limited storage. ONLY send assignments through the GAU e-learning platform.

Question 4

WEEK 4 | Chpt 3 Missioning & Visioning

Accepted Answer

Missioning & Visioning: The art of setting strategic direction
 
This week, we turn our attention on the art of setting strategic directions for organizations and the intricate tensions associated with it. This is the focus of chapter 3 of the assigned text and again it aims at providing a scientific and practical overview of the different approaches typically used in developing corporate mission and visions and the inherent tensions involved in particular, the paradox of profitability and responsibility.
 
Readings: As usual, you are required to read chapter 3 of the text. This chapter as with all other chapters is divided into two parts: the conceptual discussions part and the scientific research part containing three seminal research papers. The most important set of readings is the fist part (the conceptual part) as the seminal research papers presented in the second (scientific)  part of the chapter are only provided as a reference and for indepth understanding of concepts explained in the conceptual part of the chapter. Never-the-less you are required to at the very least skim and scan through all three seminal chapters in preparation for the summaries and assignments. For easy access, click on the textbook's image in the WEEK 1 tab, to access both the text and the chapter reading:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined
 
Requirements:
 
Week 3 Summary: You are required to read and provide a 2-page summary of the concepts with special emphasis on the focal paradox, in no more than 500 words.
 
Week 3 Assignment: Using Google scholar, search for two recent  articles (between 2017 and 2020) on CorporateMissions and Visions and discuss how the findings from these studies align with or diverge from the core concepts and paradoxes discussed in this chapter.
 
Please submit your week 2 summary and assignment no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday the 4th of January, 2022.
 
SUBMITTING YOUR SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENT 
To submit your summary and assignments,enrol into the MGMT 608 course on the e-learning platform and submit the following three sets of deliverables:(a) your chapter 3 summary, (b) your assignment and (c) the two research papers you downloaded from the Google Scholar database.
Please do not send the word files directly to my email as our official email addresses have very limited storage. ONLYsend assignments through theGAU e-learning platform.

Question 5

WEEK 5 | Chpt 4 Business Level Strategy

Accepted Answer

Business Level Strategy
 
The alignment of forces within firms with forces outside of firms has never been as crucial to strategic success as it is in today's business increasingly dynamic business environment.  Chapter 4 concerns itself with the debates and paradoxes inherent in the pursuit of strategic alignment between active and trending forces in the external environment and activeforces within the internal environment. As usual, the chapter provides a scientific and practical overview of the different positions and the inherent paradox of  the inside-out and outside-in approaches to business level strategy.
 
Readings: Please read chapter 4 of the text. Again, this chapter as with all other chapters is divided into two parts: the conceptual discussions part and the scientific research part containing three seminal research papers. The most important set of readings is the fist part (the conceptual part) as the seminal research papers presented in the second (scientific)  part of the chapter are only provided as a reference and for indepth understanding of concepts explained in the conceptual part of the chapter. Never-the-less you are required to at the very least skim and scan through all three seminal chapters in preparation for the summaries and assignments. For easy access, click on the textbook's image in the WEEK 1 tab, to access both the text and the chapter reading:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Requirements:
 
Chapter 4 Summary: You are required to read and provide a 2-page summary of the concepts with special emphasis on the focal paradox, in no more than 500 words.
 
Chapter 4 Assignment: Using Google scholar, search for two recent  articles (between 2017 and 2020) on  and discuss how the findings from these studies align with or diverge from the core concepts and paradoxes discussed in this chapter.
 
Please submit your Chapter 4 summary and assignment no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday the 11th of January, 2022.
 
SUBMITTING YOUR SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENT 
To submit your summary and assignments,enrol into the MGMT 608 course on the e-learning platform and submit the following three sets of deliverables:(a) your chapter 3 summary, (b) your assignment and (c) the two research papers you downloaded from the Google Scholar database.
Please do not send the word files directly to my email as our official email addresses have very limited storage. ONLYsend assignments through theGAU e-learning platform.

Question 6

WEEK 6 | Chpt 5 Corporate Level Strategy

Accepted Answer

Corporate Level Strategy
 
One of the key questions corporations must address on their journey towards growth is how to optimize their portfolio of businesses. Key questions such as the need to enage in corporate configuration activities to generate the optimal corporate fit for all of the firm's businesses and in general, the need to diversify or retrench. Chapter 5 highlights the core debates and paradox regarding the need for responsivenes and synergy during the the corporate configuration process.
 
Readings: As usual, you are required to read chapter 5 of the text. This chapter as with all other chapters is divided into two parts: the conceptual discussions part and the scientific research part containing three seminal research papers. The most important set of readings is the fist part (the conceptual part) as the seminal research papers presented in the second (scientific)  part of the chapter are only provided as a reference and for indepth understanding of concepts explained in the conceptual part of the chapter. Never-the-less you are required to at the very least skim and scan through all three seminal chapters in preparation for the summaries and assignments. For easy access, click on the textbook's image in the WEEK 1 tab, to access both the text and the chapter reading:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Requirements:
 
Chapter 5 Summary: You are required to read and provide a 2-page summary of the concepts with special emphasis on the focal paradox, in no more than 500 words.
 
Chapter 5 Assignment: Using Google scholar, search for two recent  articles (between 2017 and 2020) on CorporateLevel Strategy and discuss how the findings from these studies align with or diverge from the core concepts and paradoxes discussed in this chapter.
 
Please submit your week 2 summary and assignment no later than 11:59 PM on 18th January 2022.
 
SUBMITTING YOUR SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENT 
To submit your summary and assignments,enrol into the MGMT 608 course on the e-learning platform and submit the following three sets of deliverables:(a) your chapter 3 summary, (b) your assignment and (c) the two research papers you downloaded from the Google Scholar database.
Please do not send the word files directly to my email as our official email addresses have very limited storage. ONLYsend assignments through theGAU e-learning platform.

Question 7

WEEK 9 | Chpt 7 Strategy Formation

Accepted Answer

Perhaps one of the most important phases of the strategy development process is the 'strategy formation' or formulation phase. Although both terminologies used in describing this stage sound similar and are sometimes used interchangeably, the mean two different things conceptually, and represent the core debate within this stream of strategy research. These debates pertain to the deliberate or intended design of strategy (formulation) on the one hand, and the non-deliberate, unintended or realized emergence of strategy (formation). Chapter 7 concentrates on exploring this paradox especially the position of proponent and opponents as well as complementarity of both terms. 
 
Readings: Once more, you are required to read chapter 7 of the text. The chapter as with all other chapters is divided into two parts: the conceptual discussions part and the scientific research part containing three seminal research papers. The most important set of readings is the fist part (the conceptual part) as the seminal research papers presented in the second (scientific)  part of the chapter are only provided as a reference and for indepth understanding of concepts explained in the conceptual part of the chapter. Never-the-less you are required to at the very least skim and scan through all three seminal chapters in preparation for the summaries and assignments. For easy access, click on the textbook's image in the WEEK 1 tab, to access both the text and the chapter reading:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Requirements:
 
Chapter 7 Summary: You are required to read and provide a 2-page summary of the concepts with special emphasis on the focal paradox, in no more than 500 words.
Chapter 7 Assignment: Using Google scholar, search for two recent  articles (between 2017 and 2020) on  and discuss how the findings from these studies align with or diverge from the core concepts and paradoxes discussed in this chapter.
 
Please submit your week 2 summary and assignment no later than 11:59 PM on the 25th January, 2022. 
 
SUBMITTING YOUR SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENT 
To submit your summary and assignments,enrol into the MGMT 608 course on the e-learning platform and submit the following three sets of deliverables:(a) your chapter 3 summary, (b) your assignment and (c) the two research papers you downloaded from the Google Scholar database.
Please do not send the word files directly to my email as our official email addresses have very limited storage. ONLYsend assignments through theGAU e-learning platform.

Question 8

Final Group Term-Paper

Accepted Answer

You will be required as a group, to submit a term paper reviewing recent literature (2017-2020) on your assigned topic in no more than 800 words, and not exceeding 4 pages. The deadline for submitting the term paper is the 1st of February, 2022
 
In addition, your paper should be typed using the Times New Roman font, 12pt and double spaced. Should contain in-text citations and end-text referencing using the APA format. Your paper should contain the following three sections:
 
(1 page long) 
(1.5 pages long)
(1.5 pages long)
 
Please note that all assigned topics are linked to at least one end of chapter article in the textbook. This is to allow you begin your review process from the related chapter reading before searching recent literature for more on the same topic. In essence, you are required to review all that has been published about your assigned topic within the past three years (2017-2020 inclusive) and in the findings and conclusions section of your paper, you are required to shed some light into how the stream of research has evolved or developed over time,(from when the seminal article contained in the text was written till date (especially the past three years)
 
To search for scientific articles on your assigned topic, you can use the 'Web of Science' database or the 'Google Scholar' database. While I prefer you use the Web of Science database, I acknowledge the fact that depending on your location or your ability to access a university's electronic database, most of you may not  be able to access WOS. Therefore GoogleScholar might be your only option. However irrespective of the platform you choose to or are able to search, it is important that you ensure that only papers published in journals included in the 'Social Sciences Citation Index' (SSCI) are use for your paper. This is because such papers are among the most highly recognized in the social sciences. To find out if a journal is included in the SSCI, please visit the following link:

In the search bar, type in the name of the journal you wish to check, and search. The name of the journal and its active indexations will be revealed. An example has been done for you below:
 
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Also, if you are unable to download certain articles irrespective of the platform you use, try retrieving the DOI number or url of the paper and insert it into DOI search platforms such as SciHub. While this method is frowned upon, it may be the only way out for some students.
 
ASSIGNED TOPICS & GROUPS 
 
[Date of submission Date: 1st February, 2022/ Presentations: 2nd February, 2022)
 
Dynamic Capabilities  (related end-of-chapter article readings: chapters 2 & 4) 
(1) Ahmad Elokaili (ahmad.elokaili@gmail.com)
(2) Zaid Megdad (zaidmgdad23@yahoo.com)
 
Shared Value (related end-of-chapter article readings: chapters 3) 
(1) Kenechukwu ThankGod Okpezune (deblessedtk@gmail.com)
(2) Olatunji Ola (olatunji.ola@std.gau.edu.tr)
 
Resource Based View of Strategy(related end-of-chapter article readings: chapters 4) 
(1) Temitope Ayodeji Atoyebi (temitopeatoyebi002@gmail.com)
(2) Nyota Madhy Mwamba (gbengadan@yahoo.com)
 
Core competence of Corporations (related end-of-chapter article readings: chapters 5) 
(1) Baraa Alkhatib (baraa_ju@yahoo.com)
(2) Mohamad Ezzeddine (ezzeddine.mohamad@live.com)
 
Organizational Ambidexterity(related end-of-chapter article readings: chapter 7) 
(1) Tamara Al-Sharkas

By Prof. Dr. Lawrence Emeagwali