STANBUL BILGI UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
A Strategy Odyssey: Capstone®; ( Business Simulation - BUS 492)
LECTURER: Asst. Prof.Dr. Ufuk Çakmakçi ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Co-LECTURER: Kerim Paker ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Content
The course brings together various fields to help participants develop a unified understanding of business planning and strategy. Also, it bridges the gulf between theoretical class work and the business world. In that respect, the participant will apply theories and concepts that have been learned in previous classes to a 'real-world' situation.
Today's manager operate in an environment, where a wide range of technical and social relationships affect on his/her decision making, and must match the cost, quality and time considerations in his/her area of responsibility. The web-based computer simulation Capstone®; (www.capsim.com) will allow us to operate a company in a competitive environment, bringing out the complexities of real-life situations. In doing so, Capstone®; will empower us to
Aims
The aim of the course is to combine several dimensions of the business with an emphasis on its complexities. More specifically, it has a number of objectives, which are to:
Course Format
The course comprises a series of two-hour lectures and result reviews. The lectures will cover key theoretical issues and aim to improve our understanding of Capstone®; . In some weeks, there will not be formal lectures. In some others, lectures will be held just to review results or lecturers will act as executive board members and participants will be asked to give presentations.
The indispensable part of the course is teamwork. Team meetings will be held outside the classroom. As each decision in the real business world is taken in consultation with colleagues and executives in an environment of discussion (goodwill or else), each participant will have the opportunity to select his/her team. The teams will require ample time to make decisions on the various aspects of a simulated company for a period of simulated time. Although the web-based Capstone®; enables better tools for effective team communication, teams must meet regularly to analyse the strategic position of their company and to discuss issues and problems. The results of each company will be available to the management team of that company.
At the start of the simulation, each team will be required to:
Assessment:
Mission Statement and Long-Term Business Plan: 10%
Simulation Performance (Company Standing): 30%
2 Strategy Presentations to the Board of Directors: 25% each
Peer Evaluation: 10%
Company standings translate as follows (based on selected success measures):
Rank 1: 100%
Rank 2: 90%
Rank 3: 80%
Rank 4: 70%
Rank 5: 60%
Rank 6: 50%
Any company that ends the simulation with a loss will receive 30% for company standing.
There are a number of ways a successful team in company standing will fail. These are:
The Board presentations and reports must involve, at a minimum:
The contributions of each individual within the team will be determined by his/her peer evaluation reports, website visits, contribution to classroom discussions, bonus question answers and final team presentation to the board of directors. Participants are invited to exchange their views in the class and this will be rewarded.
In peer evaluations, each member of the team will evaluate teammates' performance on a five-point scale by attendance at team meetings, willingness to co-operate and importance of contributions. Peer evaluation will be conducted before the final presentation to the board of directors. If significant problems are detected, the instructors will use discretion in grading.
Important note: A passing grade for the team does not mean a passing grade for an individual in that team.
Reading Material
Suggested Reading:
Morgan, G. (1997). Images of Organisation, SAGE.
Porter, M. (1985). Competitive Advantage, The Free Press.
Porter, M. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Macmillan.
Montgomery, C.A. and M. Porter (1991). Strategy: Seeking and Securing Competitive
Advantage, Harvard Business Review.
Any other strategic management book.
Timetable
Lectures: Thursdays, 15:30-17:20 (KS5)
Week 1
22 February
Meeting and Introduction
Capstone®; Introduction (slide show)
Formation of Teams
Team Organisation
Week 2
1 March
Completion of Tutorial 1&2 by Participants
Situation Analysis Slide Show + SWOT
Capstone®; Software
Downloading Initial/Results Conditions
Uploading Decisions
Setting Deadlines for Practice Run Rounds 1 & 2
Week 3
15 March
Practice Run 1 Deadline: 13 March by 23:59
Review of Practice Run Round 1
Strategy Slide Show
Ratio Analysis Slide Show
Week 4
22 March
Practice Run 2 Deadline: 20 March by 23:59
Review of Practice Run Round 2 -- Practice Run Ends
Evaluation of Strategies and Implementation
Development of Mission Statement & Business Strategy
Adaptation of Functional and Product Strategies
Presentation of Results
Determining Success Factors (instructors)
Week 5
29 March
Round 1 Deadline: 27 March by 23:59
Deadline for Submission of Missions/Strategies
Review of Capstone®; Round 1
Week 6
5 April
Round 2 Deadline: 3 April by 23:59
Review of Capstone®; Round 2
Week 7
12 April
Bonus Question 1 Deadline: 6 April by 23:59
Round 3 Deadline: 10 April by 23:59
Review of Capstone®; Round 3
Week 8
19 April
Round 4 Deadline: 17 April by 23:59
Review of Capstone®; Round 4
Discussion: Structure of Board Presentations & Reports
Week 9
26 April
Deadline for Submission of Reports: 24 April by noon
Board Presentations for Industry 1
Week 10
3 May
Deadline for Submission of Reports: 1 May by noon
Board Presentations for Industry 2
Week 11
10 May
Round 5 Deadline: 8 May by 23:59
Review of Capstone®; Round 5
Week 12
17 May
Round 6 Deadline: 15 May by 23:59
Review of Capstone®; Round 6
Week 13
24 May
Bonus Question 2 Deadline: 18 May by 23:59
Round 7 Deadline: 22 May by 23:59
Review of Capstone®; Round 7
Week 14
31 May
Deadline for Submission of Reports: 29 May by noon
Deadline for Submission of Peer Evals: 29 May by noon (all teams)
Board Presentations for Industry 2
Week 15
7 June
Deadline for Submission of Reports: 5 June by noon
Board Presentations for Industry