Foundations of Strategy - 5 ECTS - HYBRID

Course Coordinator: Francesco Di Lorenzo

Faculty

Associate Professor Francesco Di Lorenzo
Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI), CBS

Professor Hans Christian Kongsted
Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI), CBS

Professor Johannes Luger
Universität Zürich

Professor Keld Laursen
Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI), CBS

Professor Michael Mol
Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI), CBS

Assistant Professor Julia Bodner
Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI), CBS

Assistant Professor Thomaz Teodorovicz 
Department of Strategy and Innovation SI), CBS

Prerequisites
No prerequisite

Format
Hybrid (yet, it is strongly recommended to be at CBS in person for at least 50% of the seminar)

Aim

The aim of this course is to offer an introduction to the theoretical foundation in the field of Strategy, as well as an overview of the primary topics in Strategy-related research. In addition, quantitative methods typical in Strategy research will be discussed.

Course content and structure
The course provides an overview on the most relevant theoretical traditions and topics and as well as more recent empirical developments used in the research field of Strategic Management. The aim is to offer students: i) comprehensive understanding about the foundations, assumptions and implications of economic and organizational theoretical perspectives, ii) overview of the areas of research iii) introduction about empirical methodologies. Ideally, at the end of the course students are able to engage in theory-building activities, selecting and employing theoretical approaches more appropriately linked to the economic and organizational foundations of the field of Strategy. In addition, students are able to identify suitable empirical methods and approaches in line with those more familiarly used in Strategy, and specific to the primary topic of interest. The course aims to be a balanced combination of Organizational Theory and Topics in Strategy.

More specifically, these are 3 main areas developed during the course:

1.     Economic and Organizational Theories in Strategic Management
2.     Topics in Strategy Research
3.     Methodologies


The structure of the course is based on 2 main activities and related objectives:

  1. Lecture. In session, papers-based discussion supported/guided by lecturing.
  2. Reading. Preparation of the mandatory readings for each session to come.

The course includes 9 lecture-based sessions of 3 hours each. The sessions will be highly interactive, involving students in leading discussions on the assigned readings.

The course is based on a high level of student involvement. Students are expected to be thoroughly prepared and actively participate in the material's presentation and discussion. Given the high content-to-time ratio, teaching is based on lectures, illustrations, and discussions, and its success is also based on interactive student involvement.

Assessment
To obtain the course certificates the participants are expected to show a high level of preparation and class participation. 

The delivery can be either of these options:

1.     A research proposal on a specific topic in Strategy covered during the course, highlighting the research gap/opportunity, arguing what would be an ideal theoretical foundation for such study and why, and describing the possible methodology and explaining the reasons of the choice.

2.     A reflection on current ongoing research (chapter of the thesis, working paper, thesis proposal section, etc…) revisited from either a theoretical perspective or from a methodological perspective. It is not relevant, in this case, that the topic of discussion falls into the primary topics discussed during the course.

Format: max 5 pages (all included), 1-inch margin all around, Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 interline space.

Schedule
This course is offered in a hybrid format. Students can participate in all sessions either in person on campus or online. Please indicate in your registration whether you attend on campus, online or a mix of both. 

Session 

Area

Topics

Faculty

Date

Time

1
TBA

Theories in Strategy

Economic and Organizational Theories I

Johannes Luger

28th Jan

13-17

2
TBA

Theories in Strategy

Economic and Organizational Theories II

Johannes Luger

29th Jan

9-12

3
TBA

Theories in Strategy

Economic and Organizational Theories III

Johannes Luger

30th Jan

9-12

4
TBA

Topics in Strategy

Innovation Strategy

Keld Laursen

2nd Feb

9-12

5
TBA

Topics in Strategy

Strategic Human Capital

Thomaz Teodorovicz

3rd Feb

9-12

6
TBA

Topics in Strategy

International Business Strategy

Michael Mol

4th Feb

9-12

7
TBA

Methods in Strategy

Corporate Strategy

Julia Bodner

5th Feb

9-12

8 & 9
TBA

Methods in Strategy

Quantitative Methods I & II

HC Kongsted

6th Feb

9-17

Lunches and coffee breaks will be included during the duration of the seminar, as well as welcome dinner.

Registration Deadline and Conditions
The registration deadline is 18 December 2025. If you wish to cancel your registration, it must be done by this date. By this deadline, we determine whether there are enough registrations to run the course or decide who should be offered a seat if we have received too many registrations.

If seats are still available, we will extend the registration deadline to fill the remaining spots. Once you receive our acceptance/welcome letter, your registration becomes binding, and no course fee refunds will be issued. The binding registration date is the deadline mentioned above.
 
Payment Methods
Ensure you choose the correct payment method when finalizing your registration:
 
CBS students:
Select the payment method CBS PhD students. The course fee will be deducted from your PhD course budget.
 
Students from Other Danish Universities: 
Select the payment method Danish Electronic Invoice (EAN). Provide your EAN number, attention, and any relevant purchase (project) order number.
If you do not pay via EAN number, select Invoice to pay via electronic bank payment (+71).
 
Students from Foreign Universities:
Select the payment method Payment Card. If you are unable to pay by credit card, choose Invoice International to pay via bank transfer.
 

Information about the Event

Date and time Wednesday 28 January 2026 at 13:00 to Friday 6 February 2026 at 20:00

Registration Deadline Thursday 18 December 2025 at 23:55

Location TBA
To be confirmed
Frederiksberg
DK-2000

Organizer

Nina Iversen, CBS PhD School
Phone +45 3815 2475
ni.research@cbs.dk

About CBS PhD School

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About CBS PhD School