FTMBA

Strategy

The strategy curriculum develops the student's ability to think constructively about the pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage through the systematic identification, evaluation, and creation of attractive business and corporate opportunities. The strategy field argues that it is the essential responsibility of management to discover and implement sources of sustainable performance.

Four broad issues are central to the curriculum:

How can a firm develop and sustain competitive advantage in a given market by exploiting specific market positions and / or its unique history and resources.
What are the optimal boundaries of the firm, and what are the advantages and disadvantages associated with the integration of a chain of activities.
How can firms create and capture value in competitive environments that change rapidly. How should managers assemble and organize resources to optimize their innovative output.
How do business strategies interact when a firm competes in several markets. How can a firm create competitive advantage through the configuration and coordination of activities across multiple markets.

Major requirements

12.0 hours in total

Choose from all Strategy electives

Option: 4.5 hours max. of Leadership electives

Minor requirements

6.0 hours in total

Choose from all Strategy electives

Option: 1.5 hours max. of Leadership electives

Course offerings

Elective courses

M&L 7213 - Innovation Practice
MHR 7412 - Competitive Analysis (Applied Strategic Mgt. and Value Creation)
MHR 7413 - Advanced Competitive Analysis (Dynamics, Uncertainty and Value Capture)
MHR 7414 - Vertical Integration, Outsourcing and Firm Performance
MHR 7415 - Corporate Diversification
MHR 7420 - Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Development
MHR 7421 - Intopia: Applied Competitive Strategy (3.0 credit hours)
MHR 7461 - Technology and Innovation Strategy
MHR 7665 - Innovation Field Studies (3.0 credit hours)

Employers

The strategy major is appropriate for students who plan to pursue careers in competitive analysis, general management, management consulting, new venture management, venture capital, corporate planning, and the mergers and acquisitions side of investment banking.

It complements particularly well majors in marketing, finance, and operations for students who plan careers in those functional areas. Historically, the Strategic Management major has offered above average salaries for analytically oriented MBA graduates with strong problem solving and communication skills.

Here is a sample list of recruiters who have hired Fisher MBAs:

Accenture
Deloitte
Boston Consulting Group
Mercer
Owens Corning

Solectron
Emerson
Limited Brands
American Electric Power

Action-based learning

Fisher Board Fellows (FBF) is a student-run organization within Fisher College of Business that brings together the Columbus community and the college by selecting Fisher MBA candidates and placing them on boards of area non-profits as non-voting members for 18 month terms.

Fellows, mentored by a board member and with the full support of the non-profit executive director and board chair, contribute to their non-profit organizations by attending all board and assigned committee meetings. In addition, fellows complete a strategic, board-level project that harnesses their business expertise and adds long-term value to the partner organization.

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