The course aims at analyzing business strategic decisions within an industry context, and within the rigorous framework provided by the economic theory.

 This implies that we need to:

1. Discuss basic concepts and theories: This is going to be developed through classroom sessions and additional readings.

2. Work out problems and practical exercises to reinforce the understanding of previously discussed concepts: Practice sessions will be carried out in the classroom.

3. Apply concepts to analyze specific real problems: This will be done through case studies and other examples from economic newsmedia.

For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively in support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction or translations and the preparation of debates. For activities with exercises, two documents will be requested: one without AI intervention and another with the help of AI. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how they have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency of the use of AI in this assessable activity willbe considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

 The proposed teaching methodology may undergo some modification depending on the dynamics of the group. In the course we will use flipped classrooms and gamification as innovative teaching methodologies. The subject places great importance on face-to-face learning and active student participation.

The course assessment will consist of:

A final exam (please consult the School's academic calendar). In this exam the student will be assessed on the basis of all the concepts discussed throughout the course. This exam is essentially envisaged as a filtering device to pass the course, with a minimum mark of 3.0 (three point). In case that the mark obtained in the exam is 3.0 (three point) or more, the examination mark will count as much as 40% of the course final mark. The remaining 60% will be based on the student's performance during the course.

If the mark of the final exam is lower than 3.0 (three point), this is the course final mark.

The course is passed when the final mark is equal or higher than 5.0 (five).

Student's performance during the course. A good performance throughout the course requires: i) class attendance and student active participation. Class attendance will be monitored and is expected to be no less than 80%; (ii) programmed exercises and activities that consist of (ii.1) a collection of problems that covers the main topics of the subject with a maximum weight of 15%. These problem sets can be solved by a group of 2 or 3 students and (ii.2) the Activity: create your own exercise, is compulsory although its maximum weight is 15%. Important: this activity is mandatory and it is not possible to pass the course if the Activity: create your own exercise is not submitted. In the event the Activity:create your own exercise is not submitted, the course final grade will be 3.0 and the course will be failed. This is an individual activity. The students show what they have learned and how it can be used as a tool for analyzing the industry reality and the competitive advantage among firms. Finally, (iii) a partial examination (midterm) with a maximum weight of 30%.

All these aspects (i) class attendance, (ii) the delivery of programmed exercises and activities and (ii) the midterm exam, will be supervised during the course and result in a mark, which count for as much as 60% (15%+15%+30%) of the course final mark.

Anyone who does not appear for any evaluable test will be considered as "non-evaluable". Therefore, anyone who does any continuous assessment component will no longer be able to receive a "non-evaluable".

At the end of the course the final mark will be disclosed. The student final mark is the result of weighting the three aspects object of evaluation: the final exam (minimum mark of 3.0 and course mark in the case of a lower mark); the midterm exam and the collection of problem sets and the mandatory activity (create your own exercise). The weight of the exam is 40% and the weight of the collection of problems, the midterm exam and the activity is the remaining 60%.

A re-evaluation will be held for those students who, having not passed the course, have obtained a course final mark between 3.5 and 4.9.

The re-evaluation will consist of doing another final exam, comprising all the concepts developed during the course. The student's performance during the course will not be re-evaluated. The final mark of the re-evaluation process is only given by the re-evaluation exam.

As a result of the re-evaluation the maximum course mark will be 5.0 (five).

This subject does not include a unique evaluation system.

Calendar of evaluation activities

The dates of the evaluation activities (exercises in the classroom, assignments, ...) will be announced well in advance during the semester. The date of the final exam is scheduled in the assessment calendar of the Faculty. "The dates of evaluation activities cannot be modified, unless there is an exceptional and duly justified reason why an evaluation activity cannot be carried out. In this case, the degree coordinator will contact both the teaching staff and the affected student, and a new date will be scheduled within the same academic period to make up for the missed evaluation activity." Section 1 of Article 115. Calendar of evaluation activities (Academic Regulations UAB). Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, who in accordance with the previous paragraph need to change an evaluation activity date must process the request by filling out an Application for exams' reschedule Exam rescheduling request - e-Formularis

The completion of assessment activities is subject to the provisions set out in this course guide and in the "Policy of the School of Economics and Business on the Detection of Irregularities during Assessment Activities", which regulates the conditions under which assessment tasks are conducted and the procedures applicable in cases where indications of irregularities are detected. Students are encouraged to consult the policy.

Grade revision process

After all marking activities have ended,students will be informed of the date and way in which the course marks will be published. Students will be also informed of the procedure, place, date and time of grade revision following university regulations.

Retake Process

"To be eligible to participate in the retake process, it is required for students to have been previously been evaluated for at least two thirds of the total evaluation activities of the subject." Section 3 of Article 112 ter. The recovery (UAB Academic Regulations). Additionally, it is required that the student to have achieved an average grade of the subject between 3.5 and 4.9.

The date of the retake exam will be posted in the calendar of evaluation activities of the Faculty. Students who take this exam and pass, will get a grade of 5 for the subject. If the student does not pass the retake, the grade will remain unchanged, and hence, student will fail the course.

Irregularities in evaluation activities

In spite of other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, "in the case that the student makes any irregularity that could lead to a significant variation in the grade of an evaluation activity, it will be graded with a 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that can be instructed. In case of various irregularities occur in the evaluation ofthe same subject, the final grade of this subject will be 0". Section 10 of Article 116. Results of the evaluation. (UAB Academic Regulations).

The proposed evaluation activities may undergo some changes according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses.