D4: This course

This information is proprietary to Dr. Tami Knotts. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is strictly prohibited.

MADM760 Org Strat & Policies

LSUS School of Business

Fall 2019 Syllabus

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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MADM760 Org Strat & Policies COURSE DESCRIPTION

An analytic approach to strategic decision-making pursued through lecture, readings, continuous participation in case analysis, problem-solving, and business opportunity recognition experiences. This course emphasizes the formulation and implementation of basic strategy and policy decisions.

COURSE INFORMATION

 Professor: Dr. Nathan Heller  Office Hours: Via email

Email is the primary and preferred mode of communicating in this class. When communicating directly with me, please use email and professional email protocol. For questions regarding grading and assignments, please contact your assigned Academic Coach.

 Email: [email protected]

COURSE MATERIALS

Selected Textbook:  Strategic Management: Theory and Practice (SMTP), Chapters 1-12

 Parnell, J.A. (2014). Strategic Management. New York, NY: Sage Publishing.  Click link for free ebook access:

http://sk.sagepub.com.ezproxy.lsus.edu/books/strategic-management-theory-and-practice- fourth-edition

CLASS STRUCTURE

MADM 760 is a 100% online course delivered via Moodle. The Module Weekly To-Do Items for each week describes required assignments and tasks (e.g., readings, exams, forums, etc.) and designated due dates. Remember to check the MADM 760 Moodle course daily for announcements. Online interactions in MADM 760 occur asynchronously. Each course module covers a specific time period, and assignments must be uploaded by the due date.

• Modules 1-7 begin on Monday at 1:00 a.m. CST and close on Sunday at 11:00 p.m. CST. • Module 8 begins & ends on Monday with a REQUIRED assessment. • Some due dates do NOT correspond with the end of each module. See class schedule on Page 6.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The fundamental outcomes of this course are: Given a business situation, the learner will 1. Effectively evaluate the general environment, industry, and company situation; 2. Identify the major problems faced by the company; 3. Identify and evaluate viable strategic alternatives that address the problems; and 4. Craft a recommended strategy and implementation plan for the company that will lead to or sustain a competitive advantage.

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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MEANS OF ASSESSMENT

Module Exams: Timed module exams occur weekly (30 minute time limit). Module exams may contain multiple-choice and true/false questions; each exam is worth 100 points. These exams assess student knowledge regarding module readings and required readings. These open book/notes exams assess student knowledge regarding module readings and Powerpoint (PPT) slides. Students may utilize notes and the textbook, but they must be accessed via the computer screen. If you use handwritten notes, scan them for use on the exam. The Proctorio settings allow students to open multiple screens (all screens are recorded) to gain access to your notes, PowerPoints, etc. Module exams are independent student assignments that will be proctored (see Proctorio guidelines in Moodle). Outside assistance from others of any kind and copying/sharing questions in any format are strictly prohibited and will be considered a violation of the LSUS Code of Student Conduct, MBA Honor Code, and copyright law. See Class Schedule on page 6 of this syllabus for module exam dates. Strategy in Action (SIA): Students are required to complete three (3) strategy in action assignments, which require you apply a specific concept or theory we have learned to a subject that is current in the ‘real’ world. Copying/sharing questions or answers in any format is strictly prohibited and will be considered a violation of the LSUS Code of Student Conduct, MBA Honor Code, and copyright law. See Class Schedule on page 6 of this syllabus for assignment due dates. Please read the requirements carefully for each SIA, I want you to do well.

Discussions: All students are expected to participate in class discussions, via the Moodle Forum in Weeks identified in the schedule below. Every student has unique knowledge/perspective related to our class and sharing this knowledge/perspective is important to the class. Participation is defined as reading, analyzing and responding to questions and issues posed by the instructor and your fellow students. Students should respond to the postings of their classmates thus creating an online discussion. The discussion board is our primary means of group communication and should be highly interactive with strong and substantive participation from each class member. Initial posts (minimum 500 words with references) are due on Wednesday with at least 2 substantive responses (minimum 150 words each) due by Friday. Only participate in your assigned discussion group. As they are group activities, Late discussions are not accepted for any reason.

Application Assignments (AA): During the Modules identified in the schedule, students are required to complete a reflection project assignment focused on personal experience, learning, and self-reflection. These Application Assignments allow students to participate in reflective and applied learning. Details are in Moodle for each assignment.

Turn It In – The threshold for Turn It In on the SIA & AA submissions is 25%. Assignments with a score above 25% will receive a 2% penalty for every 1% over 25%. For example, a score of 28% will receive a 6% penalty. Please submit early enough to receive a score and revise if necessary.

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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GRADING FORMAT

The course grading scale is: 90-100% A; 80-89.99% B; 70-79.99% C; 60-69.99% D; below 60% F. Grades are based on a total of 100 points from the following items:

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT

This course will require a personal computer, webcam with microphone (internal or USB), Internet connectivity, knowledge of the internet, and knowledge of email. Additional information about the specific technical requirements necessary for online learning at LSUS is available in the Getting Started section of Moodle. For non-PC users, it is your responsibility to ensure that all files submitted are PC compatible so that they can be accessed for grading. Computer, power, ISP, or related failures not directly caused by Moodle will not be accepted as excuses for missed exams, late assignments, or other neglected activities. Because technology failures are not uncommon, it is strongly recommended that you submit assignments well in advance of the deadline, allowing yourself time to correct technology and other failures without missing a deadline. Technical support issues with Moodle should be directed to Information Technology Services. ITS can be reached by phone at 318-797-5221 or by email at [email protected].

RESEARCH REQUIREMENT

This graduate course requires you to conduct research. LSU Shreveport’s Noel Memorial Library offers numerous electronic databases, permitting students to conduct searches and read journal articles remotely. These databases are available to students, but access requires a user name and password. If you encounter difficulties gaining access or have other questions concerning resources, forward these inquiries directly to the Noel Memorial Library's Help Desk at 318-797-5069 or at [email protected].

POLICY ON LATE ASSIGNMENTS AND MAKEUPS

Late submissions continue to be a serious problem with students. Not fully enforcing deadlines is unfair to those students who sacrifice to meet deadlines. Because unexpected personal emergencies arise, technology fails, and other delays occur, students should make every effort to submit their work well in advance of any deadline. You will earn ZERO points for late work. All forum postings and assignment submissions must be submitted to the designated area. To reiterate, late postings and submissions will NOT be accepted. Computer problems, work issues, last minute illnesses, and other such reasons do not qualify as valid excuses – this is LSUS MBA Policy.

Exams are delivered online using Moodle and involve a defined completion/submission window. As such,

Assignments Percent of Final Grade

Exams (6) 25%

Strategy In Action (3) 30%

Discussions (4) 25%

Application Assignments (3) 20%

Total 100%

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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makeups are not permitted unless the student can document a personal medical emergency incapacitating oneself for the ENTIRE DURATION of the noted completion/submission window. Makeups are not permitted for any other reason.

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

As this is an online course, weekly contribution takes the place of attendance and will be monitored closely by the instructor. Students are expected to participate each week. A student who does not participate in the class and complete requirements on time will find it difficult to fulfill his/her course obligations. Student online activity is monitored. Moodle automatically maintains a log of when students open documents and when they post to discussion boards. It maintains the full text of all postings.

ProctorU Auto ProctorU is a live online proctoring service that allows you to take your exam from the comfort of your home. ProctorU is available 24/7. Creating a ProctorU account is simple. You can do so by clicking here. In order to use ProctorU, you will need a high-speed internet connection, a webcam (internal or external), a Windows or Apple operating system, and a government issued photo ID. ProctorU recommends that you visit https://test-it-out.proctoru.com/ prior to your proctoring session to test your equipment. We recommend you click on the button that says “connect to a live person” to fully test out your equipment. Please make sure that you are using the current version of your browser and have downloaded the ProctorU extension available at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/proctoru/goobgennebinldhonaajgafidboenlkl or https://www.proctoru.com/firefox. Additionally, please visit and review the test-taker resource center here. You should expect the start up process with the proctor to take about 10-15 minutes. However, this time will not affect your exam time. Please feel free to direct any questions to the test taker support team via the live chat within your account. Proctoring The MBA program at LSUS has partnered with ProctorU for the 2019-2020 academic year. Below is an explanation of proctoring requirements and expectations. Test Entry: ProctorU requires a live ID check and live room scan. Students must have a government issued form of identification with a picture. If their appearance has changed, the student may be asked to supply a second form of picture identification. Starting in Fall 2019, the first time a student begins a ProctorU exam in the MBA program, the student will be asked to authenticate themselves by answering general questions from public data. This initial authentication process will occur during the first Proctoring Pretest the student takes in any MBA course. The authentication process for subsequent exams will only require the live ID check and live room scan.

• ProctorU provides proctoring services to students every ten minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Therefore, when you contact ProctorU, you may be required to wait up to 10 minutes to be served.

• The initial authentication process can take as long as 20 minutes after you are connected to a service representative.

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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Last Access vs. Close Time: The last time students will be allowed to login to access and take an exam with ProctorU in Moodle is based on the length of the exam plus 30 minutes. The last access time allows students time to complete the live ID check and live room scan and then have the full amount of time to complete the exam. ProctorU will prevent entry into an exam after the last time to enter (length of the exam plus 30 minutes). Below are examples of last access times for exams:

• For our class, this will be 1 hour before the exam ends. In other words, you must login NO LATER then 10PM on the due date.

The close time for the exam indicates a final time the exam must be completed in Moodle. The close time is NOT the same as the last access time. At the designated close time for the exam (final time to complete the exam), Moodle will submit any open exams and close the exam at that point in time. Students are responsible for understanding the difference between the last access time and the close time of each exam in the MBA program. Test Preparation and Instructions ProctorU is available 24/7. In order to use ProctorU, students will need a computer/laptop, high-speed internet connection, a webcam (internal or external), a Windows or Apple operating system, and a government issued photo ID. Students should expect the start up process with the proctor to take about 10-15 minutes. However, this time will not affect the allotted exam time. Direct any questions to the test taker support team via the live chat within the student account.

• Create a ProctorU student account by clicking here • Visit https://test-it-out.proctoru.com/ and click on the button that says “connect to a live person” to test

out your equipment prior to the exam. • Download the ProctorU Chrome extension at

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/proctoru/goobgennebinldhonaajgafidboenlkl • Or download the ProctorU Firefox extension at https://www.proctoru.com/firefox • Visit and review the test-taker resource center by clicking here

NETIQUETTE POLICY

Students are responsible for everything presented and discussed online. Therefore, each student should follow these guidelines:

• Pay attention to what is said and how it is said; be courteous and respectful to everyone. • Adhere to formal spelling, punctuation, and grammar rules and avoid writing in "text language‟. • Utilize complete sentence; avoid the use of all upper case letters as it indicates "shouting‟.

DISABILITY SERVICES

LSUS is committed to making students with disabilities full participants in its programs, services, and activities. University policy calls for reasonable accommodations to be made for students with disabilities on an individual and flexible basis. However, it is the responsibility of the student to make their needs known. If you have a documented disability that impacts your academic work and for which you require accommodations, please contact the Coordinator of Services to Students with Disabilities (ADM 227, Phone 797-5365) so that such accommodations may be arranged.

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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STUDENT CONDUCT

LSUS has the responsibility to protect its educational purposes and the health and safety of the university community through the setting of standards of scholarship and conduct for its students. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with the provisions of the LSUS Code of Student Conduct, particularly those pertaining to plagiarism and academic dishonesty. (Refer to the LSUS Student Handbook.)

All instances of academic misconduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism) must be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. If a student is found guilty of academic misconduct, he or she could face loss of credit for the work and/or the course involved, probation, and/or separation from the university as determined by the Student Conduct Board. See the current Student Handbook for the complete LSUS Code of Student Conduct. All students at LSUS are required to have a copy of Understanding Plagiarism, the university guide to defining, understanding, and avoiding plagiarism. This booklet is available at the LSUS Bookstore.

Syllabus is Subject to Change: This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced via email and/or Moodle. Each student should check his/her LSUS email/Moodle for updates, as he/she is held responsible for all changes.

This information is proprietary to Dr. Nathan A. Heller. Scanning, copying, website posting, or reproducing and sharing in any form is prohibited.

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Course Schedule: **All assignments are due by 11:00 PM on date identified**

**All assignments are due by 11:00 PM on date identified**

Reading Assignments & Due Date: Module 1 9/2 - 9/8

SMTP Chapters 1 & 2

Discussion 1 – 9/4 & 9/6 Exam Chapters 1 & 2 – 9/8 Register for ProctorU – 9/3 (recommended)

Module 2 9/9 - 9/15

SMTP Chapters 3 & 4 Exams Chapters 3 & 4 – 9/15 Discussion 2 – 9/11 & 9/13 SIA1 – 9/15

Module 3 9/16 - 9/22

SMTP Chapters 5 & 6 Exam Chapters 5 & 6 – 9/22 AA1 – 9/22

Module 4 9/23 - 9/29

SMTP Chapters 7 & 8

Exam Chapters 7 & 8 – 9/29 Discussion 3 – 9/25 & 9/27 SIA2 – 9/29

Module 5 9/30 - 10/6

SMTP Chapters 9 & 10 Exam Chapter 9 & 10 – 10/6 AA2 – 10/6

Module 6 10/7 - 10/13

SMTP Chapters 11 & 12 SIA3 – 10/13 AA3 – 10/13

Module 7 10/14 - 10/20

SMTP Chapters 11 & 12 (con’t)

Exam Chapters 11 & 12 – 10/19 (Due on Saturday) Discussion 4 – 10/16 & 10/18

Module 8 10/21

Assessment due 10/21