MG4B1 Half Unit
Corporate Strategy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Yulu Tang
Availability
This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM), Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange, MSc in Management (1 Year Programme) and MSc in Management and Strategy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply:
Places on oversubscribed courses will be allocated via a random ballot process with priority given to students with the course in their Programme Regulations, followed by other Department of Management students, then students from elsewhere in the school. Providing you apply before the Department deadline of 10am on Monday 29 September 2025, the time you applied will not be taken into account. Please be aware that places on high demand courses cannot be guaranteed. By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student’s chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
For further information and updates on course availability during Week 1, please see the Department of Management Electives Moodle page.
Deadline for application:
Please apply by 10am on Monday 29 September 2025 with your first course choices. No allocations are made before this date and time.
For queries contact:
Please view the Department of Management Electives page for contact emails.
This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Students will need to have some understanding of microeconomics and knowledge of basic statistical methods would be an advantage.
Course content
This course is an introduction to the strategic management of modern diversified firms. It studies how the firm’s portfolio of products and its internal organisation can be designed to maximise corporate performance.
The course addresses the following questions facing modern managers: what products and activities should the firm focus on? Which tasks should be outsourced versus kept in-house? How should the firm be structured to coordinate and motivate employees, managers and other stakeholders? How should the firm’s scope and internal organisation adapt to changes in the environment? In addition, what new strategic decisions do firms make in the digital economy and with the rise of AI?
Teaching
3 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
30 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.
Formative assessment
Students will be required to undertake the analysis of two Corporate Strategy problems which will be marked and handed back with feedback.
Indicative reading
Corporate Strategy, Tools for Analysis and Decision-Making, Phanish Puranam and Bart Vanneste, First Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2016.
Assessment
Exam (80%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Course participation (20%)
Key facts
Department: Management
Course Study Period: Winter and Spring Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 25
Average class size 2024/25: 25
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.