The Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership core field harnesses the expertise, knowledge and diversity of two institutes – the Institute for Higher Education Management (IHM) and the Institute for Strategic Management (ISM). IHM performs a leading, coordinating function. IHM is led by Univ. Prof. Dr. Barbara Sporn, professor at WU, who brings to the course portfolio 13 years of extensive leadership experience as former vice-rector of WU. ISM is headed by Univ. Prof. Dr. Werner Hoffmann, professor at WU, and Managing Partner at Contrast EY Management Consulting. ISM contributes a wealth of consulting experience to the course portfolio. Due to this close collaboration, students have the opportunity to learn about fundamental theories and concepts of strategy and leadership as applied to different organizational contexts.

After completing the Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership core field, students will be able to:

• Explain the role of strategy, strategic management, and strategic leadership in an organization

• Describe different types of business strategies, understand their differences and their implications for strategic leaders

• Distinguish between different types of leadership and understand how top executives can influence organizational processes and firm performance

• Identify and analyze the external and internal factors that affect firm performance and apply various tools to evaluate a firm’s competitive advantage

• Assess the drivers that shape a firm’s strategy and their implications for strategic leaders

• Recognize the importance of leadership training and development in organizations

In an interactive class format that combines lectures with group work, case studies, video materials, and discussions, students will gain an understanding of why a solid strategy coupled with effective leadership is essential for surviving in today’s fast-paced business environment. Building on a solid foundation regarding the key issues of strategic management and strategic leadership, the courses further explore tools and concepts of external and internal strategic analysis and reflect on the importance of strategic leadership and its linkage to organizational outcomes. In addition, students will hone their communication and presentation skills through interactive group assignments. After completing this core field, students will be able to systematically apply concepts and theories of strategic management and strategic leadership through in-depth analysis of case studies. Finally, students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge to recommend solutions to problems related to strategy and leadership and assess their impact on firm performance. Through hands-on work on real case scenarios, students will be able to understand the application of theory to practice.

To ensure a meaningful and stimulating learning experience, students are expected to have an interest in the field of strategy and leadership. Students that want to enroll in the Advanced Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership course are strongly encouraged to first take the Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership course. Students that want to enroll in the Project Seminar on Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership are required to successfully complete both courses, i.e. Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership plus Advanced Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership.

1. Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership:
   In this course, students have the opportunity to learn about the fundamental theories and concepts of strategy and leadership.

2. Advanced Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership:
   Students have the opportunity to choose between 2 courses offered as part of the Advanced Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership course portfolio. One course focuses more on advanced strategic leadership aspects of managing organizations and is taught by the Institute for Higher Education Management. The second course looks more in-depth at strategic management aspects of leading organizations. This course is offered by the Institute for Strategic Management.

3. Project Seminar on Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership:
   In this course, students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the previous 2 courses (Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership; Advanced Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership) to a company case or a project paper. This course enables students to carry out their own project work and apply theoretical concepts to real cases.

 

The team responsible for the Strategic Management and Strategic Leadership core field welcomes interest from students who would like to write their thesis under our supervision. In case you are interested, please contact the academic lead, Univ. Prof. Dr. Barbara Sporn, or the respective course instructors directly to make an appointment for a meeting.

We try to make the format of our courses as interactive as possible. To enhance the practical dimension of our courses, we collaborate with guest lecturers and practitioners and enable students to work on real case scenarios.

Academic Lead: Univ. Prof. Dr. Barbara Sporn, Institute for Higher Education Management

Contact: email: barbara.sporn@wu.ac.at; phone number: +43 1 31336 5522

Course Instructors:

Prof. Barbara Sporn, Director, Institute for Higher Education Management

Ana Godonoga, MSc, Teaching and Research Associate, Institute for Higher Education Management

Bernhard Böhm, MSc, Teaching and Research Associate, Institute for Higher Education Management

Dr. Thomas Maidorfer, Lecturer, Institute for Strategic Management, Director of Vienna Strategy Summit and Managing Director of Vienna Strategy Hub

Ann-Kathrin Herfeld, MSc, Teaching and Research Associate, Institute for Strategic Management

Sebastian Priestersberger, MSc, Teaching and Research Associate, Institute for Strategic Management