ADMS 1000 Course Outline

YORK UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES SCHOOL OF ADMINISTRATIVE STUDIES

COURSE SYLLABUS, Winter 2014 ADMS 1000 - INTRODUCTION TO ADMINISTRATIVE STUDIES: THE CONTEXT OF BUSINESS

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COURSE DESCRIPTION This course offers an examination of the external context of business and the challenges of managing in the Canadian business environment. Our exploration of the external context of business includes consideration of such key areas as economic, competitive, labour, technological, societal, global, and political issues. The broad aim is to provide insight into current challenges and opportunities that play a dramatic role in the business landscape and affect business strategy.

COURSE GOALS 1. To identify the key factors which comprise the external environment of business. 2. To understand the potential impact of these external factors on business. 3. To obtain an understanding of the challenges & opportunities present in the Canadian business context. 4. To encourage critical thinking regarding the external challenges that must be addressed as part of successful business strategy.

Prerequisite: None

REQUIRED TEXT Karakowsky, L. (2013). Exploring The Canadian Business Environment, SECOND EDITION. Pearson: Toronto

COURSE CONTENT AND SCHEDULE

SESSION 1: The Context of Business: A Framework Learning Goal: To consider why the most logical starting point to undertaking studies in business is to look “outside” the walls of business and see the bigger picture. We will identify and examine the major external contexts within which all businesses operate. Reading: Chapter 1 Case: Facebook: when your friends are worth a billion. (p. 24-26)

SESSION 2: Societal Context Learning Goal: To recognize the nature of business’s role in society. We identify the notion of corporate social responsibility and examine its nature and significance. Reading: Chapter 8 p.201-216 only Case: The new blood diamond: cell phones. (p.225-227)

SESSION 3: Economic Context Learning Goal: To obtain an overview of the economic issues influencing the nature of business activity. This will include an introduction to key economic indicators and the nature of the Canadian market economy. Reading: Chapter 2 Case: NONE 2

SESSION 4: Understanding Industries: Business Strategy Learning Goal: To identify the forces that shape industry structure and consider how they influence business and corporate level strategies. We will examine several major strategic business models and develop an understanding of strategic management and its relationship to the external environment. Reading: Chapter 9 Case: Lululemon: for the love of yoga. (p. 252-254)

SESSION 5: Competitive Context & Technological Context Learning Goal: To develop an understanding of industry life cycles and competitive behaviour. We will consider the stages through which all industries pass and identify the implications of each of these stages on competition. The role of technology in industry evolution will also be examined. Reading: Chapter 3, Chapter 4 p.83-88 only Case: Has soda lost its fizz? (p. 80-82)

SESSION 6 MIDTERM EXAM: (during class time, 2.5 hours, CLOSED-BOOK EXAM)

SESSION 7: Global Context I Learning Goal: To address the significance of globalization for business in Canada, as well as in other parts of the world. We will identify the forces driving globalization and consider major actors in this phenomenon such as multinational corporations. The implications of foreign ownership and trade will also be addressed. Reading: Chapter 6 Case: Beijing and the Calgary oil sands. (p.163-165)

SESSION 8: Global Context II Learning Goal: Our exploration of globalization continues with a consideration of the role and impact of trade on Canadian business. We will also consider the topical issues that arise as a result of the power of globalization to impact societies. Reading: Chapter 8 p. 217-224 only Case: no case assigned

SESSION 9: Political Context Learning Goal: To analyze the nature of the relationship between government & business. We will discuss the impact of government actions on business with special attention given to issues such as government subsidies and regulation. We will also explore the trends toward deregulation & privatization. Reading: Chapter 7 Case: The wireless service industry in Canada. (p.198-200)

SESSION 10: Labour Context Learning Goal: To examine the labour relationship, with a particular emphasis on the perspectives that shape debates about how that relationship should be governed. Should businesses and workers be free to negotiate conditions of work, or should the government closely monitor and influence those conditions? What explains the high volume of government regulation targeting the labour relationship in Canada? Reading: Chapter 5 Case: Immigrants unsure about labour rights. (p. 128-130)

SESSION 11: Confronting Changing Contexts Learning Goal: To consider how business confronts the challenges of adapting to changes in its external environment. We will identify the fundamental challenges of achieving successful organizational change. Issues such as organizational learning will be addressed. 3

Reading: Chapter 10 Case: When good companies go bad: the case of Kodak. (p. 279-281)

SESSION 11: REVIEW

FINAL EXAM: HELD DURING EXAM WEEK – DATE & LOCATION T.B.A. (3 hours, closed book exam) WORTH 60% OF GRADE. NON-CUMULATIVE.

GRADE BREAK-DOWN Midterm Exam 40% Final Exam 60%

Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution profiles.

NB: This outline may be subject to in-class changes as deemed necessary.

Final examinations could take place in a different room and on a different day from the regularly scheduled class. Check the published Examination Schedule for a complete list of days and times.

RELEVANT UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

Deferred standing may be granted to students who are unable to write their final examination at the scheduled time or to submit their outstanding course work on the last day of classes. In order to apply for deferred standing, students must register at http://apps.eso.yorku.ca/apps/adms/deferredexams.nsf. Followed by handing in a completed DSA form and supporting documentation directly to the main office of the School of Administrative Studies (282 Atkinson) and add your ticket number to the DSA form. The DSA and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than five (5) business days from the date of the exam. These requests will be considered on their merit and decisions will be made available by logging into the following link http://apps.eso.yorku.ca/apps/adms/deferredexams.nsf. No individualized communication will be sent by the School to the students (no letter or e-mails).

Students with approved DSA will be able to write their deferred examination during the School's deferred examination period. No further extensions of deferred exams shall be granted. The format and covered content of the deferred examination may be different from that of the originally scheduled examination. The deferred exam may be closed book, cumulative and comprehensive and may include all subjects/topics of the textbook whether they have been covered in class or not. Any request for deferred standing on medical grounds must include an Attending Physician's Statement form; a “Doctor’s Note” will not be accepted.

DSA Form: http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/pdf/deferred_standing_agreement.pdf Attending Physician's Statement form: http://www.yorku.ca/laps/council/students/documents/APS.pdf

Late Withdrawal from the Course In the event that the graded mid-term exams are not returned to students until after the formal drop-date, students who wish to drop the course can do so after the drop-date by completing a petition form for late withdrawal (available through the Registrar's Office). This form should be submitted to the Office immediately after receiving the mid-term grade.