Course Syllabus

LEAD-400 ONLINE – Leading Strategic Initiatives (Capstone) - Spring 2 2019

 

Meets ONLINE on Canvas

Instructor:  Marcus Goncalves Office:  Davis 106 Phone:  508-213-2429 Email:  marcus.goncalves@nichols.edu

Office Hours: Thursday:  9:15 am - 10:30 am Friday:  8:00 am - 9:30 am AND 10:45 am – 12:30 pm or by appointment

 

Course Description

LEAD 400(H): Leading Strategic Initiatives provides seniors the opportunity to apply their proficiency in the business core knowledge learned during four years of study at Nichols College. Students are expected to look at their roles in business as applied to local, corporate, and international level strategies. Students will demonstrate business and leadership knowledge through an intensive case study pedagogy designed to assess and reinforce key intellectual disciplines and leadership skills. Team teaching (flipped classroom) will be used extensively throughout this course.  LEAD 400 has been designated as a pilot, Honors (H) course, focused on the refinement of pedagogy for the BSBA senior capstone. 3 Hours, 1 Semester

Prerequisites – MGMT 226, MGMT 365, LEAD 100, ACCT 338, ACCT 239, ACCT 240, ECON 222, FIN 203, ITM 309, LSB 227, MATH 215, MKTG 202 and PSCI 315

Nichols College Educational Goals

1. Communication
2. Critical Thinking & Quantitative Analysis

• Ethics & Personal Accountability

1. Civic & Social Engagement
2. Leadership and Teamwork

Course Objectives, Learning Outcomes & Assessment Methods

Objectives / BSBA Outcomes	Assessment	Related College Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:	Student achievement of these outcomes will be measured by:	These activities fulfill the following:
Create and present effective oral and written forms of professional communications.	Routine classroom presentations. Every class. Team teaching of assigned case studies.	Linked to NC1
Critically evaluate, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative information in an integrated manner to solve problems and make business decisions.	In the News. 10-page research paper of Fortune 500 company. Business Strategy Game (BSG). Website development of Fortune 500 Analysis.	Linked to NC2
Describe and explain the legal & ethical obligations and responsibilities of business and apply personal decisions that demonstrate a willingness to act responsibly in both environments.	Case Study Analyses	Linked to NC3
Describe the global environment of business and the cultural differences that impact business in multicultural environments.	Case Study analyses. In the News. 10-page research paper of Fortune 500 company. Business Strategy Game (BSG). Website development of Fortune 500 Analysis.	Linked to NC4
Demonstrate the fundamentals of effective leadership and team dynamics in a business environment.	Team teaching of assigned case studies.	Linked to NC5
Explain and apply knowledge of the major business concepts in the areas of accounting, marketing, economics, finance, and management.	Case Study analyses. Business Strategy Game (BSG).	Linked to NC2

 

Instruction Format

LEAD 400 is a 3-credit course and requires 37.5 contact hours. This does not include time spent on homework or studying. A traditional full-semester course fulfills this requirement by meeting in class for 2.5 – 3.5 hours per week. Students should expect to dedicate an additional 6 hours per week to homework and studying for a 15-week course. (NEASC requirements).  We will include a variety of teaching styles and learning opportunities in our class. Small group discussions, simulations, case studies, team briefings, conference calls, email, and library and internet research will be combined with lectures to enhance your learning.

 

Required Course Materials

Several shorter cases studies and reports from HBS, as listed throughout the course agenda/calendar. Purchase and download course pack, including simulation, here: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/import/591863 and http://sim.cesim.com/register/591863.  Cost $95.24, including simulation.

 

List of Cases & Simulation:

1. Strategic Management for Competitive Advantage
2. Which Strategy When?
3. Diagnosing a Firm's Internal Environment for Corporate Entrepreneurship
4. Corporate Strategy: The Quest for Parenting Advantage
5. Reinventing Your Personal Brand
6. Apple Watch: Managing Innovation Resistance
7. The Perils and Pitfalls of Leading Change: A Young Manager's Turnaround Journey
8. Corporate Governance at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia: Not "A Good Thing"
9. Red Bull
10. The Rise and Fall of BlackBerry

Cesim SimFirm: General Business Management Simulation

 

Canvas

Throughout this class, we will use Canvas. All course information (for example, the explanatory assignment appendices to this syllabus) is resident on Canvas. Become comfortable with Canvas. Check this site at least once prior to every class: https://nichols.instructure.com/courses/1601

 

Attendance

You are expected to be in class, as I want to ensure that you comprehend the material and count on your insightful comments to be shared with the rest of us.  If you absolutely cannot make a class, I will permit 2 absences as long as we discuss them PRIOR to the class meeting.  Other absences may affect your final grade.  You are must catch up on materials covered during classes missed. IMPORTANT: You are required to share the course’s topics related news every time we meet as I check for attendance. If you are not in class by the time your name is called you will not be allowed to share the news that day and, therefore forfeiting potential points you could earn that day. Beware, I will randomly run attendance in alphabetical ascending or descending order. While you are allowed to check for news in your smart devices, you MUST be ready for sharing by the time your name is called, or you won’t be able to share that day.

Academic Honesty Policy

Nichols College’s Academic Honesty Policy will be strictly enforced in this class.  All academic work must be the student’s own; plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with harshly.  Don’t do it.  All papers and cases will be checked on TurnItIn.com!  Please make sure to review the Academic Honesty Policy on the myNichols portal under the following link: https://my.nichols.edu/administration/policies/Documents/Academic%20Honesty%20Policy.pdf

 

Learning Accommodations Statement

Students with documented learning differences and/or physical limitations in need of accommodations should contact the Assistant Dean for Learning Services. The statement can be found on the myNichols portal by using the following link:

• Learning Services – Portal information – need to login to myNichols
• https://my.nichols.edu/supportservices/academicsupportservices/learningservices/Pages/default.aspx
• See Catalog (need to download the catalog to see the page numbers)
• http://www.nichols.edu/academics/course-catalog
  • Absences – p 36
  • Grading System – p 39
  • Academic Honesty Policy – Pp 41-43

 

Grading Policy

Your semester grade will be based on your total points earned.

 

A          93 +

A-         90 - 92

B+        87 - 89

B          83 - 86

B-         80 - 82

C+        77 - 79

C          73 - 76

C-         70 - 72

D+        67 - 69

D          63 - 66

D-         60 - 62

F          below 60

 

Please Note: As in business, spelling, grammar, and punctuation matter and will be reflective in the grading.   All assignments must be submitted no later than midnight of the due date.

 

Course Activities and Evaluation

• Critical Analysis and Opinions from selected papers/articles (10x3)                                    30 points
• Online Case Discussions (see rubric: at least 1 original posting & 2 feedback per = 10x3) 30 points
• Mid-Term Exam on the first four cases analyzed/discussed                                                 25 points
• Team SimFirm Simulation Game Final Results Report                                                        08 points
• Peregrine (5pts for taking it, 2 extra pts for scoring at least 40%)                                        07 points

• Total Grade                                                                                                                        100 points

 

Course Evaluation Explained

• Critical Analysis and Opinions from selected cases/papers – 10 case, 3pts each, a total of 30 points. Students will submit a “critical opinion” for each of the 10 cases listed in the course calendar, by the designated deadlines, containing a minimum of 1,000 words  As in the real world, spelling and formatting counts.  Late write-ups will not be accepted, as it would be past forum discussion date for each case (any exception I grant will carry a 30% grade reduction).
• Forum Discussions (at least 1 original and relevant posting and 2 feedback to classmates = 10x3) – 30 points. Every student is expected to contribute to forum discussions, by the deadline, with at least one relevant original posting and two feedback to classmates (these may include arguments, counterarguments, additional external sources, etc.) regarding the case being analyzed/discussed (See rubric for maximum performance). These discussions are a major component of your final grade, become acquainted with the rubric, watch the deadlines! Discussions WILL CLOSE after the deadline, you won’t be able to post to them!
• Mid-Term Exam – 25 points. The mid-term exam has the objective of assessing the knowledge and understanding of concepts learned through the cases and discussed at the forum. It will cover the first four cases discussed. While you are free to consult the cases, and the Internet, your major challenge will be TIME to take the exam. Unless you’ve read the cases and participated in the discussions, you likely won’t perform well in the exam. Make sure to prepare it in advance!!
• Team SimFirm Simulation Game Final Results – 8 points. In groups, students will be participating in an international trade simulation throughout the semester. The team will present at the end of the semester a final result report, according to the rubric provided (see a sample report on Canvas).
  • How to register to Cesim simulation: 
    1. Once you purchase the course pack, make sure to scroll down the browser page to its bottom and locate Cesim (last item in the page)
    2. Click on Manage Simulation on the right side of the browser
    3. Register for the simulation. You will be added to a group automatically. Although the groups allow up to three students per group, there will be 10 groups of 2 students and two groups of three students. So, I’ll then adjust the groups, by moving students to another group to conform to the configuration. In an online setting, it is best the groups are smaller so you will need to interact with only another student, or two.
    4. From within your group, feel free to email your team member, get to know him/her, and begin to strategize. 
    5. Please, read the three documents available on Canvas, under Simulation Files, which will provide you with information about a. Your company; b. How to make decisions in the simulation; and c. Your final deliverable for the simulation, a report to your “shareholders” about the results of your “fiscal year.”
    6. The total points for this simulation (8 points) will be a result of your participation in the simulation (each of you MUST make decisions during all five weeks), and the final report your team produced explaining the reasons for the results you attained, good or bad (see sample on Canvas). You are NOT going to be graded on the results, so relax! But as the instructions for the simulation will convey to you, all your team members must make decisions about the round they are in, and then you as a team must decide which team member decision will be selected for that round. NOTE: I can see all teams and all decisions for each student from my interface, so each of you MUST participate.
• Peregrine Exam (5 points, plus 2 extra points if scoring at least 40%) – 7 points. Follow instructions on Canvas. Once you have completed your assessment, a completion certificate will be automatically e-mailed to you at the same e-mail address you used upon self-registration. You will also have the option to download the completion certificate at the end of the exam. 

Weekly Forum Discussions Detailed Rubric

1. Individual Discussions/ Online Participation (2 cases per week, 3 points per case)

Given the accelerated pace of this course, there will be five weekly discussions due at the end of each week (for us the week starts on Monday zero hour and end on Sunday midnight!) covering two cases at a time (see calendar below).  These are a series of questions or points to consider regarding the cases being analyzed that week.  Discussion questions can be found in each week within the Discussion Forum.

Each student is expected to provide an original post at least once per case and provide at least two feedbacks to his/her classmate’s original postings. To earn full credit for the discussion component of the grade, students will be expected to complete the following during weeks 2 through 6 of the course:

1. Respond to the discussion topic each week by end of day Thursday (midnight EST), to allow enough time for classmates’ feedback. These responses should consist of a minimum of 300 words and include your own insights into the topics. Any relevant external sources used within the post should be cited appropriately. This initial posting is worth up to 1 point.
2. Post (at least) 2 other substantive responses to other students’ comments each week by Sunday (midnight EST). These posts should be responses to the discussion topic posts of classmates and contain a minimum of 150 words.  The assumption is that you will read through the posts of your classmates to enhance your learning; respond to those of your choice, based upon your own experiences and insights. Each response is worth up to 1 point (total of 2 points).

 

Keep in mind that these postings to the Discussions forum will be as rich as we make them; having no access to a traditional classroom in which to discuss topics, we can have some interesting discussions and share our experiences during the 7 weeks of this online course. They are required to encourage you to share your knowledge and ideas while gaining from the experiences of your peers as well.

 

Evaluation: 

Each of the five weeks’ students is required to post an original response to one discussion question by Thursday, and two substantive replies to the posts of others required by Sunday midnight.  Up to 3 points may be earned per each case:

Maximum raw points earned for each on-time original response: 1 point each.

• Answers all questions asked: .25 points
• Includes shared industry experiences and/or relates concepts to the topic notes and readings as appropriate: .25 points
• Grammar/format/sources noted as appropriate: .25 points
• Sufficient detail - original responses are requested to be 300 words: .25 points
• Late submissions are not accepted.

 

• Maximum points earned for each on-time substantive response: 2 points each.
• Substantive (beyond an "I agree" post, see detailed rubric below) with follow-on points or questions to extend the conversation: 1 point
• Grammar/format/sources noted as appropriate: 1 point

0 points earned for late replies.

 

Online Case Analysis and Discussion Grading Criteria

Score (grading points)	The length of the initial posting contribution to the discussion’s topic should be at least 300 words. Actively responding to another student's initial comments/inputs/analysis means proving at least one feedback to at least two initial contributions. Short responses such as "I agree," will not be counted as a valid response. You must provide the rationale as to why you agree or disagree with another student's comments/analysis/contributions, which should contain at least 150 words each.
3.00	Exceptional Participation – Met all these conditions: Provided own initial contribution for each case analysis forum discussion, Actively responded to several other students during forum discussions for each case and did so in an engaging and frequent manner. High quality of comments/feedback — Student explored others' comments and built on others' insights. The contributions are outstanding and represent a high-value added discussion which brings in new insights, material, and references. Students build on discussions of others and has several high-level contributions during the week. The student with Exceptional Participation is in the top 25% of the class for the week.
2.50	High-Level Participation – Met all these conditions: Provided own initial contribution for each case analysis forum discussion, Actively responded to several other students during forum discussions for each case and did so in an engaging and frequent manner. High quality of comments—Student explored others' comments and built on others' insights. The contributions are outstanding and represent a high-value-added discussion which brings in new insights, material, and references. Students build on discussions of others and have several high-level contributions during the week. The student with Exceptional Participation is in the top 60% of the class for the week.
2.00	Low-Level (Minimal) Participation – Met all these conditions: Provided own initial contribution for each case analysis forum discussion, but was not engaged in classmates’ contributions. Limited responses to other student’s forum discussions (less than two feedbacks. Would be considered to be generally below the average contributions of the class. Tends to offer opinion rather than new material of a value-added nature. Low quality of comments—Student has been active in forum discussions during week and made some valuable contributions, building on and enhancing others' comments by providing contributions which include references and citations to works of others on the topic.
Max 1.50	Minimal Participation Provided own initial contribution for forum discussion topic and either of the following: Did not respond to another student's contribution/feedback at all And/or Low quality of comments Minimal quality of comments—Students have been participating in forum discussions during the week but tends to repeat others or make opinion-related statements. Quite below average postings..
0.00	Inadequate Participation No participation or participation without contribution or recognition of others and would be considered failing level work. Minimal quality of comments—Students are not active in forum discussions, or contributions are of a personal nature, not relevant or do not contribute to the knowledge of the course. Contributions/feedback in forum discussions is well below average as they merely restate or provide individual opinions.

 

 

Tentative Calendar – Agenda & Assignments¹

Week of		Read –	Activities
During week March 25		·       Intro, logistics, orientation, simulation, groups ·       Case 1. Strategic Management for Competitive Advantage ·       Case 2. Which Strategy When?	·       Familiarize w/ course & deadlines ·       Analyze Cases 1 & 2 ·       Read and contribute to the forum ·       Practice Simulation (aka Round 1)
By March 31, DUE			·       Case 1 & 2 forum discussions ·       Cases 1 & 2 analysis ·       Sim practice 1 (Round 1)
During week April 01		·       Case 3. Diagnosing a Firm's Internal Environment for Corporate Entrepreneurship ·       Case 4. Corporate Strategy: The Quest for Parenting Advantage	·       Analyze Cases 3 & 4 ·       Read and contribute to the forum ·       Practice Simulation (aka Round 2) ·       Drop / Add date – April 1st
By April 07, DUE			·       Case 3 & 4 forum discussions ·       Cases 3 & 4 analysis ·       Sim Round 2
During week April 08		·       Case 5. Reinventing Your Personal Brand ·       Case 6. Apple Watch: Managing Innovation Resistance	·       Analyze Cases 5 & 6 ·       Read and contribute to the forum ·       Practice Simulation (aka Round 3)
By April 14, DUE			·       Case 5 & 6 forum discussions ·       Cases 5 & 6 analysis ·       Sim Round 3 ·       Midterm Exam
During week April 15		·       Case 7. The Perils and Pitfalls of Leading Change: A Young Manager's Turnaround Journey ·       Case 8. Corporate Governance at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia: Not "A Good Thing"	·       Analyze Cases 7 & 8 ·       Read and contribute to the forum ·       Sim Round 4 Last Day to Withdraw with a “W” – April 19th
By April 21, DUE			·       Case 7 & 8 forum discussions ·       Cases 7 & 8 analysis ·       Sim Round 4
During week April 22		·       Case 9. Red Bull ·       Case 10. The Rise and Fall of BlackBerry ·       Peregrine Exam Instructions	·       Analyze Cases 9 & 10 ·       Read and contribute to the forum ·       Sim Round 5 (Last Round!)
By April 28, DUE			·       Case 9 & 10 forum discussions ·       Cases 9 & 10 analysis ·       Sim Round 5 Last Round
During week April 29		·       Results of your simulation ·       Peregrine Exam Instruction	·       Prepare Simulation Final Report with team ·       Take Peregrine Exam ·       Sim Round 4
By May 05, DUE			·       Submit Final Simulation Report ·       Last call for Taking Peregrine Exam
During week May 06			·       Extra time to prepare Simulation Final Report with team ·       Take Peregrine Exam
By May 11, DUE			·       Submit Final Simulation Report ·       Last call for Taking Peregrine Exam

[1] The instructor reserves the right to adjust dates and/or assignments to accommodate circumstances both within and outside of his control.