Course Syllabus

Social and Political Environment of Business

(BA 4305-001)
Instructor: Brian Pinkham
Office: 4.102
e-mail: Please use WebCT
Office hours: TBA
Course Web-site is on WebCT
Fall, 2008

Course co-requisite and prerequisites

Co-requisite: BA 4371;
Prerequisites: BA 3341, BA 3351, BA 3352, BA 3361 and BA 3365

Course Description
The Social and Political Environment of Business course is a capstone course integrating
what you have learned in other classes, including finance, accounting, operations, MIS,
marketing, and organizational behavior. Students will use this knowledge to study the
strategic management of the firm as well as the responsibilities of a general manager.

The approach of the class is practical and problem oriented. The major part of the course will
involve applying concepts, analytic frameworks, and intuition to the strategic issues that real-
world companies face. The course will use case studies to present issues to build on round
simulation exercises. For the class to work well – and for you to benefit from it – attendance
and preparation for each class meeting is essential.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

By the end of this course, students must be able to do the following:

1. Students will be able to complete an external and internal analysis of a firm.

2. Students will be able to identify the strategic problems of a firm.

3. Students will be able to develop solutions to a firm’s strategic issues.

4. Students will be able to integrate skills acquired in finance, accounting, marketing, and
MIS courses to create a successful firm strategy.

This course requires extensive reading, writing, active discussions, and diligent attention to
the exercises. Each student will be expected to spend an average of 4 hours a week on this

Course Syllabus Page 1

course in addition to class time. This is particularly true at the beginning of the semester. If a
student cannot commit this amount of time and effort to this course, it may make it difficult
for the students to earn a good grade. Failure to fully prepare for class also limits class
discussion and is a detriment to other students. It is the student’s responsibility to thoroughly
read the syllabus, understand all the requirements, and keep track of all the important dates in
order to succeed.

Required Textbooks and Materials

The required texts of the course are:

• Gregory G. Dess, G. T. Lumpkin and Alan B. Eisner (2005): Strategic Management.

Creating competitive advantages (4th edition).
McGraw - Hill: Boston. ISBN-10: 0-07-338121-7

• Additionally, there is a reader for the course that contains the cases and exercises. There
reader is available to purchase from the bookstore.

• Capstone Business Simulation Management Simulation Inc. (http: //www.capsim.com/).

Please, note that to participate in this simulation exercise you will need to register at the
above web-site. When you register, you will need to purchase a registration number. With
questions regarding the simulation exercise please call the following toll free number during
working hours: 877-477-8787

Assignments & Academic Calendar

Session 1: August 25: Introduction
Simulation Exercise: Group formation

Session 2: August 27: Strategic Management: An overview

Simulation Exercise: The following homework is due prior to this class: (1) Read the
students’ guide; (2) Register for the simulation exercise; Go the getting started page and
do the following: (3) View the introductory lesson and complete the quiz; (4)Save the
Capstone.xls spreadsheet to your local computer (4) Down- load the capstone courier
(This is very important. You will need this version of the capstone currier for your
situation analysis; (5) Print out a copy of the capstone courier and bring this to class

Session 3: September 1: No class

Session 4: September 3: Analyzing the external environment of the firm – Dess Ch. 2
Simulation Exercise: Go through the start up page and read about the Capstone Courier.
Complete the situational analysis on the start up page.

Session 5: September 8: Case 1 – Nintendo: Power Play (A)

Session 6: September 10: Analyzing the internal environment of the firm – Dess Ch. 3

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Simulation Exercise: Complete a rehearsal exercise.

Session 7: September 15: Comparing different analysis tools: Which is best? Dess Chs. 2
and 3

Session 8: September 17: Case 2 – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Session 9: September 22: Exam 1

Simulation Exercise: Complete the group rehearsal exercise.

Session 10: September 24: Assessing intangible resources – Dess Ch. 4

Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 1 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 11: September 29: Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantages

Session 12: October 1: Case 3 – Wal*Mart

Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 2 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 13: October 6: International Strategy: Creating Value in Global Markets – Dess
Ch. 7

Session 14: October 8: Case 4 - Target

Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 3 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 15: October 13: Exam 2

Session 16: October 15: Creating value through diversification – Dess Ch. 6
Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 4 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 17: October 20: Case 5 – Southwest Airlines

Session 18: October 22: Strategic control and corporate governance – Dess Ch. 9
Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 5 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 19: October 27: Organizational structure and reward systems – Dess Ch. 10

Session 20: October 29: Leadership and the organization – Dess Ch. 11
Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 6 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 21: November 3: Organizational Ethics – Dess Ch. 11

Session 22: November 5: Case 6 – EcoLab

Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 7 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 23: November 10: Recognizing opportunities and creating new opportunities –
Dess Ch. 13

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Session 24: November 12: Managing innovation and corporate entrepreneurship – Dess
Ch. 12
Simulation Exercise: Formal Round 8 is due PRIOR TO CLASS

Session 25: November 17: Case 7 – Starbucks and conservation

Session 26: November 19: Exam 3

Session 27: November 24: Group Presentations from Capstone Exercise DUE

Session 28: November 26: Case Discussion - GameStop

Session 29: November 30: No class

Session 30: December 1: Case Discussion – GameStop, Cases Due, Review

Session 31: December 3: Exam 4

Session 32: December 11: COMP-XM DUE

Grading, Course and Instructor Policies

The breakdown for grading is as follows:

Individual exams 40%

Group simulation 15%
Individual simulation 15%
Class participation 10%
Written case analysis 20%

Final grades will be given in letter form with +/- where applicable, but for on-going
grading purposes all grades given during the term will be in numerical form according to
the following scale:

98 – 100 A+
94 – 97 A
90 – 93 A–
87 – 89 B+
84 – 86 B
80 – 83 B–
77 – 79 C+
74 – 76 C
70 – 73 C–
69 – below F

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Individual Class Participation and Attendance (10%)

This course will be taught under the Socratic method, meaning that students will be
asked, at random, to contribute to the class discussion. Class participation will be based
on the quantity and quality of contributions to the case discussion during the class. With
regard to quality, some of the following criteria normally applied are:

• Are the points that have been made relevant to the discussion?
• Are the points simple recitations of case facts, or have new implications been drawn?
• Is there evidence of analysis rather than mere expression of opinions?
• Are the comments linked to those of others?
• Did the contribution further the class’ understanding of the issue?

Class discussion will be 5% of the final grade.

At the beginning of each class there will be a simple question/quiz that will count toward
this grade. The score will be 1 or 0. Students who clearly do not understand the question
or fail to answer the question will receive a 0. Therefore, Students who arrive late to class
will not be allowed to submit an answer and will receive a 0. Daily attendance will be
5% of the final grade.

Written case analysis (20%)

In preparation for discussing the case that is scheduled for a given class students are
expected to write a brief (around 1 - 2 page) case analysis. This will include a problem
statement, a framework and the best option for the firm. The students will use these for
class discussion and then turn them in on the day of discussion in place of the daily quiz.

Students will choose two (2) cases to write during the semester. These case write- ups are
due before BEFORE class discussion and will include:

1. Introduction (10 pts) – a statement of the issue or issues and the student’s
response
2. Structured analysis (35 pts) – Choose a framework discussed in class. Apply the
framework.
3. Discuss (25 pts) – Explain how the framework applies to the issue. Offer 2 – 3 of
the BEST options for the firm.
4. Conclusion (25 pts) – State the best choice for the firm and support it with three
statements. Give a time sequence for implementing this option: First … Second
… Finally …
5. Citations (5 pts) – MLA citations for all external sources used including a citation
for the case.

The two individual, long case write-ups turned in during the semester will be 10% of the
final grade.

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There will be a final case write up on GAMESTOP. This will require a financial analysis
in addition to the requirements for the long case write-ups. This will be 10% of the final
grade.

Students will give proper citations and credit in all cases. Students will need to consult
external sources to support some of their positions. Any papers using WIKIPEDIA as
a citation will receive an automatic ZERO (0), no exceptions!!

No handwritten case analysis will be accepted!

Group Simulation Exercise (15%)

The group simulation exercise will allow students to practice some of the key concepts
and theories learned in the course while managing in a competitive business environment.
There will be eight formal rounds in this simulation exercise. Each round is equivalent to
a calendar year of the business. Students are expected to have carefully read the manual.

When possible, class time will be given to the simulation exercise, but in addition to this
time, students are expected to meet outside of the class time to prepare weekly simulation
decisions. To be effective team members, students should prepare for the team meetings
by analyzing data in their particular area of responsibilities and prepare the various types
of documents for presentation to the team. Group decisions should be up- loaded to the
simulation web-site by no later then 3am on the day of the class. Groups can review the
results of each round after the above deadline is passed.

The group grade for this simulation exercise will be based on the following:
· Group Simulation Performance (10%)
· Summary and Written or Oral Presentation (5%)

The reports should describe the original strategy of the company, the rationale behind this
strategy, the change in the company’s strategy over-time, the result of the simulation
exercise and what the group learned from the exercise. The written report should be at
maximum six pages long (double spaced) and will be due in hardcopy form at the
beginning of class. Any late or electronically delivered presentations will receive a zero
(0).

All groups will prepare a presentation for the class about their experience. This
presentation is best based on the written report so groups do not have to duplicate work.
On the day group projects are due, groups will be given the option of giving a
presentation for the grade, in place of a grade based on the written report. If no groups
take this option, all groups will present the essentials of their experience with no impact
on their written grade.

The group members will receive a grade based on a fair share of work policy in the
simulation exercise. The contribution of the team members to the group effort will be
evaluated by each team member within the team and students who are consistently

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evaluated by other team members as those who failed to make a fair contribution to the
team effort will receive a lesser grade than those who contributed fairly.

Individual simulation exercise (15%)

Along with the group simulation grade you will also receive an individual simulation
grade based on your Comp-XM, the Capstone Competency Exam score. You will
complete this exam individually on your own time as a take home exam.

In addition to the base score on this exam, there will be an added score based on the
student’s ‘practice’ times. This will be the raw number of times a student entered the
system to practice before the Comp-XM. Typically, students who practice the simulation
outperform the national average.

Individual Exams (40%)

There will be four (4) total examinations given. Each exam will be noncumulative.
Students are required to take only three of the four exams. For this reason, there will be
no make-up or replacement exams.

Exam 1 (13 1/3 %)

Exam 2 (13 1/3 %)
Exam 3 (13 1/3 %)

Students may opt to take the fourth exam to replace a previous exam grade. The student
will sign an acknowledgment of replacement before taking the fourth exam, essentially
dropping the previous exam from the record entirely.

Seniors and Graduating Students

In the second meeting for the course all graduating students will turn in a 1 sheet
statement that they intend to graduate. The professor will give all grades back in a timely
manner, but may give graduating students a faster turn around on final grades. This will
be announced to the class. All students are subject to the same grade distribution, and
graduating students will receive no grading preference or benefits from receiving grades
before the non- graduating.

Final Grade

Following the university’s guideline for grade distribution, the final grade of a student
will be based on the relative standing of his or her total credit points accumulated from all
the requirements as compared with the rest of the class.

In compliance with the university’s policy of confidentiality, no grade information will be

transmitted via phone or e-mail.

See details of grading and evaluations at the end of the syllabus.

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Technical Support

If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

Field Trip Policies

Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and
University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information
regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is
available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-
related activity associated with this course.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations
for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and
each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern
student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained
in the UTD printed publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each
academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and
Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, and in Title V,
Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391) and online at
http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

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 The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because
the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the
student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual
honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic Dishonesty, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to
discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a
student or the attempt to commit such acts.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other
source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see
general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the
web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Copyright Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and software.
Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may infringe the copyright
owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as
criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such material is only appropriate when that
usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright Act. As a UT Dallas student, you are required to
follow the institution’s copyright policy (Policy Memorandum 84-I.3-46). For more information
about the fair use exemption, see http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses.
These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures
must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any
class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork
to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the
class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

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 Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities,
of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments
of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to
resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the
grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain
primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at
that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the
respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the
respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not
resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic
Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic
appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at
the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade
must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the
required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the
specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
disabilityservice@utdallas.edu

If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with the
Coordinator of Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss ways to ensure your
full participation in the course. If you determine that formal, disability-related accommodations
are necessary, it is very important that you be registered with Disability Services to notify them of
your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to
coordinate your accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members
to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

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Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding
the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to
take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period
equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the
instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a
failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or
his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative
intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

Important Notes

Throughout the semester, each student is expected to follow the university’s

guideline on student conduct with regard to cheating and other dishonorable
behaviors. Severe consequences can occur if such rules are not followed.
The instructor also reserves the right to deduct from a student’s individual
class participation credit if the student has shown severe non-constructive
behavior in class (such as disrupting the class or abusing another individual),
in addition to other disciplinary actions.

If a student is absent or late to a class meeting, it will be his or her respon-

sibility to catch up with all the missed materials including to learn of any
announcement made while the student was absent. No make- up exams or
lectures will be given. It will also be the students’ responsibility to accept
any consequences that may result from absences. No late assignments will
be accepted.

Finally, it is a student’s responsibility to read the syllabus thoroughly and

regularly and keep track of all the important dates and requirements every
week. Experience shows that the answer for most questions that students
ask can in fact be found in the syllabus.

Rubrics

This course will use two (2) rubrics. The first is for individual assignments, the second is
for the group projects.

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Characteristic Assessed Excellent Good Fair Missing
Introduction 10 8 6 0

Structured Analysis 35 30 25 0

Discussion 25 20 15 0

Conclusion 25 20 15 0

Citations 5 5 5 0
Total 100 83 66 0

Presentations Excellent Good Fair Missing

Introduction 5 4 3 0

Statement of Group Strategy 10 8 6 0

What Went Right 15 13 10 0

What Went Wrong 15 13 10 0

What the Group Learned 50 40 36 0

Citations 5 5 5 0
Total 100 83 70 0

Tables for Financial Analysis

Case Firm Current Year Prior Year % Change

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Table 1. Change in Financials

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 Case Firm % Closest Competitor %
Income Statement
Sales 100% 100%

Balance Sheet
Total Assets 100% 100%

Table 2. Common Size Statements of Case firm and closest competitor for 20__

Case Firm Closest Competitor

Ratio
Current Ratio
Quick Ratio
Debt-to-equity Ratio
Debt-to-total Assets Ratio
Inventory Turnover
Total Asset Turnover
Gross Profit Margin
Net Profit Margin
Return on Assets
Return on Equity

Table 3. Financial Ratios for Case firm and closest competitor for 20__

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus Page 13