Basic Strategy in Context

Although Prof. Neil Thomson has been Professor of International Business at the University of Applied Sciences, Nrnberg, Germany since 1999 and lived in Germany from the early 1980s, he is British by birth. He has a PhD from City University in London, MBA from Cornell University, USA, and a BSc from Bradford University, GB. He has extensive industrial experience in the oil industry and consulting, as well as a spell working for the US Government as a financial controller. He has several articles published in the LRP journal. Prof. Charles Baden-Fuller is Centenary Professor of Strategic Management at the Cass Business School, City University London. He is Editor-in-Chief of the LRP journal and a member of the European Academy of Management EURAM. He is author of many influential journal articles and co-author of Rejuvenating the Mature Business and Strategic Innovation.

Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.2 For the student: how to use the book 1.3 For the lecturer: resources 1.4 Introductory case: learning goals and objectives 1.5 Preliminary concepts 1.6 Trial case: Abrakebabra 1.7 Keyed links between case and example answers Chapter 2 What is Strategy? 2.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 2.2 Preliminary concepts including a working definition of business strategy 2.3 Mini case: Mannesmann 2.4 Discussion of mini case 2.5 Main case: Fionia Bank a regional savings bank from Denmark 2.6 Case analysis and theory section 2.7 Further student tasks and example answers Chapter 3 Analysing the Internal Environment 3.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 3.2 Preliminary concepts 3.3 Mini case: Railtrack Plc 3.4 Discussion of mini case 3.5 Main case: Carlo Gavazzi Space 3.6 Case analysis and theory section 3.7 Further student task and example answer Chapter 4 The External Environment 4.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 4.2 Preliminary concepts 4.3 Mini case: Jos Bov French resistance against malbouffe 4.4 Discussion of mini case 4.5 Main case: Your Cup of Tea in Budapest 4.6 Case analysis and theory section 4.7 Further student tasks and example answers Chapter 5 Stakeholders and Corporate Governance 5.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 5.2 Preliminary concepts 5.3 Mini case: Shell Brent Spar 5.4 Discussion of mini case 5.5 Main case: the DaimlerChrysler takeover 5.6 Case analysis and theory section 5.7 Further student tasks Chapter 6 Ethics 6.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 6.2 Preliminary concepts 6.3 Mini case: Marta Andreasen EU whistleblower 6.4 Discussion of mini case 6.5 Main case: Shell shock why do good companies do bad things? 6.6 Case analysis and theory 6.7 Further student tasks Chapter 7 Strategic Direction 7.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 7.2 Preliminary concepts 7.3 Mini case: Samsung Motors Inc. 7.4 Discussion of mini case 7.5 Main case: GKN 7.6 Case analysis and theory section 7.7 Further student tasks Chapter 8 Focus Differentiation or Low Cost 8.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 8.2 Preliminary concepts 8.3 Mini case: Swatch 8.4 Discussion of mini case 8.5 Main case: Ryanair the low fares airline 8.6 Case analysis and theory section 8.7 Further student tasks Chapter 9 Change 9.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 9.2 Preliminary concepts 9.3 Mini case: PUMA 9.4 Discussion of mini case 9.5 Main case: Chiquita Bananas (CBI) 9.6 Case analysis and theory section 9.7 Further student tasks Chapter 10 Mergers and Acquisitions 10.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 10.2 Preliminary concepts 10.3 Mini case: Singcontrol 10.4 Discussion of mini case 10.5 Main case: Santander is coming to town the acquisition of Abbey National by Grupo Santander 10.6 Case analysis and theory section 10.7 Further student tasks Chapter 11 Control 11.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 11.2 Preliminary concepts 11.3 Mini case: Nick Leeson 11.4 Discussion of mini case 11.5 Main case: Abrakebabra from Ireland 11.6 Case analysis and theory section 11.7 Further student tasks Chapter 12 Knowledge and the Learning Organisation 12.1 Learning goals and objectives 12.2 Introduction 12.3 Mini case: the Beer Game 12.4 Discussion of mini case 12.5 Main case: Siemens ShareNet five steps to creating a global knowledge-sharing system 12.6 Case analysis and theory section 12.7 Further student tasks Chapter 13 Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship 13.1 Introduction, learning goals and objectives 13.2 Preliminary concepts 13.3 Mini case: Unilever Liquid Gold innovation on a European scale 13.4 Discussion of mini case 13.5 Main case: UniBrew how do established companies d