Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Specialization Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This specialization provides a comprehensive understanding of competitive strategy and organizational design, combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications. The course is divided into four core modules and a capstone project, totaling approximately 51 hours of learning. Learners will explore strategic decision-making, advanced competitive dynamics, and organizational structures, culminating in a real-world project applying key concepts. With flexible pacing, professionals can complete the specialization at their own speed while gaining valuable strategic and organizational insights.
Module 1: Competitive Strategy
Estimated time: 18 hours
- Strategic decision-making in interdependent environments
- Introduction to game theory and strategic interactions
- Understanding Nash Equilibrium and its applications
- Analyzing competitive moves and countermoves
Module 2: Advanced Competitive Strategy
Estimated time: 11 hours
- Customer lock-in strategies and their implications
- Network effects in competitive markets
- Strategic alliances and partnerships
- Mergers and acquisitions: strategic considerations
Module 3: Strategic Organization Design
Estimated time: 14 hours
- Organizational structures and their strategic alignment
- Coordination mechanisms within firms
- Internal decision-making processes
- Designing organizations for adaptability and growth
Module 4: Organizational Structure and External Interactions
Estimated time: 8 hours
- How internal design affects external competitiveness
- Interactions with partners and competitors
- Aligning structure with market dynamics
Module 5: Customer Base Development
Estimated time: 8 hours
- Building customer loyalty through differentiation
- Pricing strategies for competitive advantage
- Sustaining long-term customer relationships
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 8 hours
- Conduct in-depth research on a real business challenge
- Apply strategic and organizational concepts to a partner company
- Deliver a comprehensive report with strategic recommendations
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic business principles
- Understanding of management fundamentals
- Some exposure to strategy or organizational behavior preferred
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Analyze competitive situations using game theory
- Design effective organizational structures aligned with strategy
- Develop strategies for customer retention and market positioning
- Evaluate strategic alliances, mergers, and network effects
- Solve real-world business problems through strategic insight