BUSINESS POLICY COURSE OUTLINE 2023

Course name: BUSINESS POLICY

Course code: 3102

Level of course: 111 Semester II

Credit units: 4 CU

Course Instructor: Mr. Kaggwa Charles Richard – BHRM (NDU), MBA (UMU), MSc M&E
(UMU), PhD Student PhD BA – HR (UMU).

Course Type: It is a core course for all BBA students in the Faculty of Business Administration
and Management at Uganda Martyrs University, offered across its Campuses.

Brief course description

This course will enable students to put together what they have learnt from other subjects into
practical aspects when making different choices of decisions. Each manager is expected to make
decisions for the corporations that they manage on a daily basis.

Objectives

1) To understand the various management concepts used in strategic management.

2) Explore the meaning of organizational strategy and competitive strategies.

3) Investigate the process by strategies are formulated within the organization.

4) Measure organizational performance against set objectives and also in comparison to the
industry competition.

5) To understand the basis and functions of various strategic management models.

Learning outcomes

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

1) Describe the characteristics of strategic decisions.

2) Define what is meant by strategy and strategic management.

3) Explain how strategic priorities vary by level in terms of corporate, business and
operational.
 4) Identify key structural drivers of change and the different impact on organizations.

5) Describe the most important organizational processes, systems, performance targets and
the circumstances where they will be most appropriate.

7. RECOMMENDED REFERENCES

Gerry, J., and Kevan, S. (2002) Explaining corporate strategy. 6th edition. USA: Financial Times
Prentice Hall

Philippe, L. (2010) Global management. London: University of Greenwich.

Richard, L. (1997). Corporate strategy. 7th edition. USA: Prentice Hall

John, A. P., and Richard B. R J. (2004) Formulation, implementation and control of competitive
strategy. 11th edition. USA: Prentice Hall, Inc.

Rao, VSP and Hari Krishna, V (2008). Strategic Management: Text and Cases, Excel Books,
New Delhi.

David, Fred R (2011). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases, 13 th edition, Prentice Hall,
New Jersey.

Porter, M E (1980). Competitive Strategy. The Free Press, New York.

Kotler, P (2003). Marketing Management. Pearson, New Delhi.

Saloner, G et al (2001). Strategic Management, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Grant, R M (1999). Contemporary Strategy Analysis. Blackwell Publishers, Malden.

8. COURSE CONTENT, METHODS OF INSTRUCTION and TOOLS/EQUIPMENT

Topic Content Method of Tools /
instruction equipment
/Time needed
allocation
Topic 1: - Business Policy defined Interactive LCD Projector/
Introduction and - Evolution of Business Policy lecture White
Overview of Business - What is strategic management? board/white board
Policy - Definition of terms. Brainstormin markers
- Characteristics of Strategic g
managers and types of
businesses
- Strategic management VS Tutorial
management discussion/
presentations
 7 Hours

Topic 2: - Basic resources of strategic Interactive LCD Projector/

management lecture White board
Strategic Management
- Strategic planning and strategic /Markers
direction Brainstormin
- Corporate planning g
6 Hours
Topic 3: - Types of environments
The Corporate - Factor markets Interactive
Environment - Analysis methods commonly lecture
used:
Brainstorming
SWOT/PESTLED
analysis
LCD Projector/
White board
Tutorial /Markers
Handling discussions relating to the discussion/
topic presentations

Topic 4: - The decision making process. Interactive

lecture
Decision making - Challenges decision makers
encounter Brainstorming
LCD Projector/
- Flexibility in thinking White board
Tutorial /Markers
discussion/
- Types of decisions
presentations
Characteristics of strategic
decisions

7 Hours
Topic 5: Interactive
Strategy alternatives - Types of strategies lecture
- Combination strategies LCD Projector/
Brainstorming White board
- Alternatives and performance /Markers
Tutorial
discussion /
presentation

6 Hours
Topic 6: - Objectives LCD Projector/
Analyzing resources Interactive White board
and capabilities lecture
 - Research and development /Markers
Brainstormin
- Functional strategies g

6 Hours
Topic 7: - Decision making under Tutorial/ LCD Projector/
Evaluating and certainty discussions/ White board
choosing policy - Uncertainty and risk presentations /Markers
alternatives - Freewheeling opportunism
8 Hours
Topic 8: - Identifying competitors.
Competitor Analysis
- Assessing competitors Tutorial/ LCD Projector/
discussions/ White board
- Selecting competitors to presentations /Markers
attack and avoid
7 Hours
- Basic competitive strategies

Topic 9: LCD Projector/

Business Assessment - Identify non-functional aspects. Tutorial Chalk board
- Benchmark according to the discussion/ /Chalk//Cards/pin
competitive forces. presentation s
- Provide a general overview of
the corporate performance. 7 Hours

9. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED

 Lecture 30 hrs
 Tutorials presentations 30 hrs

10. COURSE ASSESSMENT

Requirements:
 Attendance of all class sessions and active participation in class discussions
 Reading assigned readings prior to the respective class session. Relevant reading materials
are to be availed prior to class session (as either hard or soft copies).
 Active participation in the preparation and presentation of class presentations during class
and tutorial sessions

1. Continuous assessment (including individual & group assignment, tests and presentations) 50 %

2. Written final exam/End of Semester Examination 50 %

End of Semester Written Examination
This will be 3-hour comprehensive exam at the end of the entire course. The exam will include a
question on student presentations and other questions, which require analytical thought and
knowledge of relevant facts.
To take this exam successfully, the candidate must have been in the lecture/tutorial/personal
presentations sessions for at least 75% of the contact hours, and must have passed continuous
assessment by 50% as guided by UMU policy.

END