15.928 Strategic Management and Consulting Proseminar: Theoretical Foundations, Spring 2003

Abstract

Provides students with strategic frameworks and a broad exposure to business matters that affect strategic management and the consulting industry. To fulfill that objective, the Proseminar invites distinguished executives from businesses and consulting firms. The Proseminar is organized according to the themes that represent the primary challenges that managers are facing today. The themes were identified after an extensive survey of top executives in the U.S. and abroad. The faculty in charge of the seminar provide a continuous briefing of the subjects being discussed to assure the continuity of the learning process. From the course home page: Course Description 15.928, Proseminar in Strategic Management and Consulting: Theoretical Foundations, provides students with strategic frameworks and a broad exposure to business matters that affect strategic management and the consulting industry. To fulfill that objective, the Proseminar invites distinguished executives from businesses and consulting firms. Fifty top executives from the U.S. and abroad were interviewed to identify the major issues that they were facing in today's world. From this survey six themes emerged as the leading subjects of strategic importance. We have organized the Proseminar accordingly. These themes are: * Theme 1. Restoring Credibility and Winning Stakeholders Trust. * Theme 2. Focus on Short-Term Efficiency - Cost Containment and Implementation. * Theme 3. Largest Destruction of Shareholder Value - How Could It Happen? * Theme 4. Structuring the Organization for Unstable Markets. * Theme 5. Motivating Employees in a Turbulent Environment - Becoming an Employer of Choice. * Theme 6. Globalization - The Question of Fairness.