Advanced Corporate Strategy

This course is offered for students who seek advanced exposure to corporate strategy. It builds on IIMBx course “Strategic Management” which dealt with strategies for single business firms. The principal focus of this course will be the strategic issues that are faced by firms operating in more complex, multi-dimensional environments.

The course deals with:

(a) Theoretical roots of corporate strategy

(b) The impact of context on corporate strategy of businesses

(c) Exploration of the boundaries of firm

(d) Formulation of corporate strategy and appreciation of its limits.

This course provides students with the requisite combination of analytical and conceptual skills needed to grapple with the complex problems of development and execution of corporate strategy for firms that operate across industries and across national boundaries.

Week 1: Corporate Advantage

This module covers corporate advantage, synergies of a multi-business firm, costs of a multi-business firm, managing a portfolio of businesses and role of Corporate Office.

Week 2: Product Diversification

This module covers product diversification, different types of diversification, the varying motives for diversification, the performance effects of diversification and diversification in emerging economies.

Week 3: Vertical Integration

This module covers vertical integration, different types of vertical integration, the underlying motives for vertical integration, the performance effects of vertical integration and vertical integration in emerging economies.

Week 4: Geographic Diversification

This module covers geographic diversification, broad trends in geographic diversification and globalization, the underlying motives for geographic diversification, how to manage a globally diversified firm and the performance effects of geographic diversification. We will conclude with a discussion on the special issues that arise when firms from emerging economies engage in geographic diversification.

Week 5: Modes of Diversification

This module covers various modes of diversification including alliances, joint ventures, outsourcing, M&A/divestitures and internationalization.