Introduction As discussed in the introduction to Week 1, Part Two, of this cours

Introduction
As discussed in the introduction to Week 1, Part Two, of this course will take the foundational concepts learned in Part One and apply them to case studies of real business situations. There is an important structure to the business applications presented in Part Two. The structure is called frame of reference analysis. The basis of this analysis is that most situations, whether oriented to business or not, consists multiple disciplines or frames of reference. This analysis calls for studying subjects and situations through the lens or ‘frames’ of certain disciplines. In this course, the frames of references used to view strategic choices will be: (1) the structural frame of reference, (2) the economic/business frame, (3) the political/cultural frame, and (4) the human resources frame. Each week, during Part Two a case study will be presented that examines a real business situation through the frame of reference of one of the above viewpoints. The final week of the course will be an integration exercise where the role of leadership will be examined.
One additional remark should be made. Because the case studies involve real business events you will see elements all the frames of references in each story. This can be confusing at times. The cases have been selected not because they only apply to one frame, but rather, they have been presented as cases where one frame stands out from the others.
This week’s frame of reference is the structural frame. In other words, how does organizational structure (whether formal or informal) affect strategic choices? Strategic Management, as in prior weeks, provides the overview. This week the class will address its first case study. Please read the case study closely, with a focus on how informal groups within an organization can provide a structure to that organization.
Reading Assignment
As mentioned in this week’s introduction, Strategic Management provides the overview and Biocon India Group is this week’s case study.
Strategic Management, by N. Ritson, pages 98-112. Available directly from the course homepage.
Leadership Skills, by MTD Training, pages 16-20. Available directly from the course homepage.
Biocon India Group, a case study by Kalegaonkar, A., Locke, R., & Lehrich, J., pages 1-11. Available as a free download directly from the course homepage.
Discussion Assignment
After studying the Biocon India case study, describe the strategic choices facing Biocon. What are the key factors to that decision?
Written Assignment
After reading the case study and other available information carefully, prepare a two page (double-spaced) essay addressing the following questions. When composing your essay, do not simply list the question and provide an answer, but rather compose a narrative essay that responds to the questions.
What are the strategic choices available?
Who are the key groups involved?
Describe the relationships between the groups.
What are the rewards available to expanding or growing Biocon India’s business?
What are the risks?
What is the primary structure (or lack thereof) that makes Biocon India distinctive?
What threatens this structure?
What is your recommendation to Biocon India?
Cite references to material that you use in preparing the essay.
Learning Journal
The Learning Journal is a space where you should reflect upon what was learned during the week and how it applies to your daily life and will help you with your life (career) goals. For this week’s reflection, please write an essay of complete and well composed paragraphs (200 word minimum for the entire essay) where you identify a workplace or social organization you are familiar with and describe the key groups, structure, and relationships between the groups. How does the structure of the organization affect the way it makes decisions?