Strategic Leadership

Administration

last revised Feb 19, 2006

Sessions

Tuesdays 9:00 - 11:00 am                        

Room W31-301,  M.I.T. 
77 Massachusetts Ave 
Cambridge, MA 02139

Staff

Text

Michael E. Porter, Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance, New York, NY: The Free Press, 1998 [ISBN: 0-684-84146-0], hardbound.   At MIT or Harvard COOP or Amazon

Web Sites

http://web.mit.edu/1.46/www/            -    Public information, calendar, assignments

BuildingVision Library     -    Public documents and supplemental readings

Course Packet/
Handouts:

Course packet available at the Copy Technology Center, 11-004. 
Handouts available in class periodically. 
Course Packet charge: To be determined

Assignments

One 5 page paper.

Grading

The course is taught on a case study basis, relying also on texts and current articles. The class meets weekly.  Grading is based on class participation and on papers and problem sets, with no final exam. There are no prerequisite courses. 

50% Class Participation,   50% Paper

Guidelines
for Papers

1. Papers are due at the beginning of class on the days indicated in the course outline. 

2. Papers are to be physically handed in, printed and collated, and not submitted electronically.
3. Papers may not exceed the indicated length including text and exhibits. Typed, double spaced. 
4. Charts and exhibits using the models are strongly encouraged. 
5. Charts can be drawn by hand. 
6. Papers will be graded on the quality of your analysis of the case situation.

Guidelines for
Class Participation

1. Prepare the material and come to class ready to talk about the strategic issues which you see. 
2. We learn from each other; active participation is encouraged. 
3. Any question or comment is acceptable in this low-risk learning environment. 
4. Comments which advance the discussion or provide new insights are encouraged. 
5. You may challenge the instructor all you want, with no penalty. 

6. The Class Participation grade is a subjective judgment based on how much your overall participation furthers the learning process and collective experience of the class.  Speak up: often a seemingly basic question or a highly contrary opinion do a great deal to enhance the overall experience.

7. These business problems are difficult and there seldom is a single right or wrong answer.