GRA 6716 Managing in Business Networks
APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013
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GRA 6716 Managing in Business Networks Responsible for the course Debbie Harrison, Lena Bygballe Department Department of Strategy and Logistics Term According to study plan ECTS Credits 6 Language of instruction English Introduction Managing in business networks is a complex and challenging task. The objective of the course is to develop an understanding of this complexity by focusing on key issues, challenges and opportunities involved in managing in business networks. The students will learn some of the basic frameworks and concepts used by the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) Group. The IMP group focuses on interaction between and across companies and how management is concerned with the creation of actor bonds, activity links and resource ties in business relationships. The frameworks, concepts and key themes will be illustrated using examples from European companies. The course is offered to all MSc in Business and Economics students and it is particularly relevant for students specialising in Logistics, Strategy or Marketing. Learning outcome Acquired knowledge (i) To understand how companies can manage in business networks. (ii) To gain knowledge of concepts and tools to analyse and manage in business networks; e.g. Interaction model, ARA-model, 4-Resource model. (iii) To understand and appreciate the differences in the relationship and network levels on both the supplier and customer sides. Acquired skills (i) To be able to explain the substance, function, role and position of relationships and networks. (ii) To be able to compare and critique key business network models. (iii) To be able to identify and analyse network connections. Reflection (i) To understand and appreciate how business networks influence and are influenced by political, scientific, and environmental issues. (ii) To be able to be a reflexive manager in business networks. Prerequisites A bachelor degree qualifying for admission to the MSc Programme Compulsory reading Articles: The articles to be used on the course will be taken from journals such as Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Business Research and Research Policy. Further detailed information will be provided in the course outline Other: During the course there may be hand-outs and other material on additional topics relevant for the course and the examination. Recommended reading Books: Håkansson, Håkan ... [et al.]. 2009. Business in networks. Wiley. All. Recommended literature Course outline The themes to be covered include: * Managing in Business Networks and limits to managing in business networks * Life cycles: Initiating, developing and ending business relationships * Network dynamics * Managing in supplier networks * Managing in customer networks * The non-business actor in business networks * Managing change and development * Resourcing logistics in networks * Managing in project-based networks Computer-based tools It's learning Learning process and workload A course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of 160-180 hours. Students are expected to participate actively during the lectures. Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all courses, it is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class that is not included on the course homepage/It's learning or text book
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