MGMT 871: Advanced Global Strategy

Q2, Fall 2019

Professor Exequiel Hernandez

Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Assistant Professor

exequiel@wharton.upenn.edu

as the rise of firms from emerging markets, the global distribution of talent and innovation, digitization and

automation—what will determine the fate of firms and organizations is inherently international. This

require managers to think, innovate, and organize with a global mindset.

The course is structured around three themes:

1. The formulation of global strategy: How do we win when competition is global?

2. The execution of global strategy: How do we manage people and structure the organization

when our activities are geographically dispersed?

prerequisite for MGMT 871

NOTE: This syllabus is subject to change. The main approach and topics are set, but some of the specific

assignments (readings, papers/projects) are still in flux.

Assignments and Grades

Based on pedagogical research and my own experience as a teacher, I’m convinced that we learn best

• A book review 20 points

• Team project 20 points

Pre-class preparation: There will be a quiz due 1 hour before class every day (taken via Canvas), based

on the readings for that day. The quiz will ask you to certify that you read the articles and cases for that

day, and ask a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions that I will use to set up the discussion

for class. Each quiz is worth 2 points. You are allowed to skip 2 quizzes during the course without

penalty, which means you must submit 12 quizzes, for a total of 24 points.

are well prepared and in class, you will naturally speak up and contribute to a lively discussion without

feeling the need to speak up just to get points.

Op-eds about global current events: During this class, we will naturally be discussing several current

events (e.g. protectionism, nationalism, IP rights, immigration, and more). You are required to write two

brief (200-300 words) “op-eds” about how firms should deal with those issues, using at least one

framework from class. Instructions on how to write an op-ed can be found on Canvas. You can select

your own current event or choose one from among a list available on Canvas.

Book review: The purpose of the book review is to give you the chance to conduct independent reading

Team project: You and your team will identify an international business opportunity and develop a global

strategy to exploit that opportunity. You must cover the following points:

• A quantitative analysis of the opportunity, based on a DCF (or similar) methodology

• A discussion of how the opportunity will create value for the firm (e.g. increase revenue, lower

costs, reduce global competition)

• A description of the kind of strategy (e.g. adapt, aggregate, arbitrate) and the entry mode (e.g.

build, borrow, buy) appropriate to execute the strategy

• A description of how you would manage the people and structure the organization to exploit the

maximum!). I will approve or disapprove the proposal (and offer brief comments). More instructions about

the project can be found on Canvas.

Course Schedule