Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Student is able to
- gain competence on how strategic business decisions affect the success of the company operating in global markets
- operate in a highly competitive business and understands cause-effect learning through decisions
- work in a virtual and international team as a company management team
-analyze external data: customers, markets, competitors, business environment trends
-analyze internal data: production, warehouse, R&D, marketing, logistics, finance
-form the strategy and implement it through operative decisions

Implementation and methods of teaching

The students can utilize their studies on various business areas in running an international company via a strategy & business management simulation (Cesim Global Challenge). The target of the course is that the students gain comprehensive understanding on how strategic business decisions in areas like marketing, pricing, investments etc. affect the success of the company operating in global markets.

The course takes also into account management's requirements towards the responsible business operations of companies, especially from the perspectives of financial and environmental responsibility as well as sustainable development and carbon footprint.

Introduction to the course via practice rounds and result analysis. Virtually played decision-making rounds in student teams. Final seminar with results and analysis. The course materials can be found on Moodle, and the course lectures and coaching are done via Zoom.

Timing and attendance

All the participating students must be present at the first lecture to register to the simulation. Those who miss the first session have no chance to register later and they are dropped out. The final seminar of the course is also mandatory to attend or has to be done in addition to the substitute writing assignment.

Learning material and recommended literature

Based on the used business simulation (Cesim) software system, to be delivered in the beginning of the course. The course materials can be found in the Moodle.

Learning environment

Introduction lectures, virtually played business simulation rounds, investor deck / pitching session, report presentations, final seminar via Zoom sessions.

All the participating students have to be present at the first lecture to register to the simulation. Those who miss the first session have no chance to register later and they are dropped out.

Contents

Introduction lectures, virtually played business simulation rounds (decision-making rounds in student teams), investor deck / pitching session, report presentations, final seminar via Zoom sessions.

All the participating students have to be present (online and via Zoom) at the first lecture to register to the simulation. Those who miss the first session have no chance to register later and they are dropped out.

Assessment criteria

Team assignments and active participation in the decision-making process in every round, presence required in the introductory lectures in the beginning of the course as well as in the pitching session, final round's lectures and in the final seminar. Grading is based both on the success in the game and the analysis made via the final report.

Assessment scale

1-5

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

Presence in all compulsory sessions. All the documents of the required learning activities submitted within the given deadlines. The final report and presentation describes all the required dimensions only superficially or one of the dimensions is missing. The success in game is bad, and the reasons for failure are not analyzed.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Presence in all compulsory sessions. All the documents of the required learning activities submitted within the given deadlines. The final report and presentation describes all the required dimensions analytically. The success in game is average, and the reasons for the company performance are described.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

Presence in all compulsory sessions. All the documents of the required learning activities submitted within the given deadlines. The final report and presentation describes all the required dimensions in detail logically and analytically. The success in game is very good, and the reasons for success are analyzed and described informatively.