MG106: Strategic Management

In today’s dynamic and international business landscape, organisations can only thrive if they employ an effective business strategy which allows them to continually innovate and disrupt their industry. Apple, Coca-Cola and Toyota are all examples of brands which have remained competitive in a global marketplace using dynamic business strategies.

This course provides students with a deep understanding of how firms develop and sustain a competitive edge. By engaging with real-world case studies, students will learn the key concepts and theories in the field and how they can be used to interpret and evaluate business situations. Paying special attention to the factors that explain why some firms perform better, students will understand the drivers of competitive advantage both in the short and long term.

The “resource-based view” of the firm will be used as a cornerstone of discussion, complemented by contributions from microeconomic theory, game theory and organisational theory. At the end of the course, you will be able to apply the theories learned in class to formulate and implement successful strategies that give competitive advantage to a firm.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. However, if you have completed at least one year of microeconomics, you should consider applying for MG220: Corporate and Organisational Strategy which provides a more advanced understanding of the subject. 

Level: 100 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One written examination and one project on strategy identification

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This course is suitable if you want to develop the critical-thinking skills to make strategic business decisions, especially if you are targeting a role in consulting or business management. The course emphasises critical-thinking with intensive use of analytical reasoning. It is rigorous in its approach, but does not require any previous knowledge of economics, mathematics, management or business so is open to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds.

If you are already familiar with some strategic management concepts you may also benefit from the applied nature of the course, although you should keep in mind that the course is an introduction to the field. As a result you may wish to consider MG220 which provides a more advanced understanding of the subject.

• Structure a competitive situation efficiently from an excess of data
• Use analytical reasoning to assess competitive scenarios
• Evaluate strategic alternatives for a firm
• Recognise competitive patterns among firms in the global economy

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.