Strategy and Management

A strategy is a commitment to coherent, mutually reinforcing policies or behaviors aimed at achieving a specific goal.

In the strategy and management major, students learn the processes involved in setting a strategic direction and what motivates people to follow strategic goals, whether they stem from profit-maximizing motives, the desire to contribute to make the world a better place, or simply fulfilling an assignment on behalf of citizens.

We want to stimulate the students to think carefully about why some firms perform better than others and explore in-depth how the performance differences can be understood and acted upon by managers, advisors, entrepreneurs, investors or anyone else that needs this insight.

Performance differences are not simply about making decisions, nor is it entirely about managing processes and people. It is about both - and the interaction between them.

Many corporations face major challenges due to fundamental shifts in the environment. This includes technological shifts such as digitalization, artificial intelligence and big data; shifting political regimes and new regulations, changing consumer preferences and not least an increased attention to climate change. Although day to day survival is important, businesses also need to think about how to survive tomorrow.

Businesses therefore need to balance exploitation and exploration by developing dynamic capabilities for the future.

Strategic decision-making and implementation involve interacting with other people. Our aim is to engage the students to figure out how to motivate the employees for common goals and steer the organization through major change, find new solutions, solve conflicts, and reflect on ethical dilemmas.

About the programme

ECTS Credits
120
Degree
MSc in Economics and Business administration
  • Subject areas

    Subject areas

    The Strategy and Management specialization combines strategic analysis, leadership development, team dynamics, and technological advancements to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and lead in the complex business landscape of the 21st century. You will get tools and knowledge that help you understand both the micro and macro-level forces that shape an organization’s success and enhance its competitive edge.

    The program starts with a deep dive into strategic analysis, where you will learn about the purpose of firms, market dynamics, competitive advantage, and strategic interactions. You will also explore leadership from a personal perspective, engaging with exercises, simulations, and case studies that will develop your skills and provide you with strategies to build a team equipped to handle organizational challenges.

    Sustainability and ethics are integral to this programme. You will discover the impact of sustainability on companies’ strategies, business models, and governance practices, as well as the strategic and normative side of corporate social responsibility (CSR). This includes learning how to navigate situations where shareholder and stakeholder interests’ conflict and understanding the role of corporations in society, such as in relation to environmental, social and other grand challenges.

    In addition to learning how to draw on research-based evidence and knowledge, you will be trained in qualitative and quantitative methods for business research, which is key for writing a master’s thesis, but also important in consultancy and corporate analysis work.

    The program includes many exciting options for elective courses.

    You can select courses on team dynamics and leadership, where you will get insights into the challenges of team leadership and conflict resolution. You can also learn about strategic human resource management, and how changes in technology (such as AI), globalization, and sustainability requirements impact HR strategies.

    Change management and innovation are other electives in this program where you will explore strategies for implementing radical change and innovation in established firms, and how to balance current business delivery with innovation and renewal.

    Entrepreneurship is another elective in the program, where you will learn about the principles and practices of Lean Entrepreneurship, a methodology that emphasizes efficiency, customer-centricity, and rapid iteration. You will also explore strategic entrepreneurship, including how to build a well-functioning organization and mobilize necessary resources.

    Furthermore, you can select courses where you learn about digitalization and how digital technology shapes the way companies create value, compete, and deliver products or services. This includes understanding the potential of digital technology and how digital solutions are developed and established. You can also gain insights into consumer psychology and how it relates to the adoption of new technologies and services.

    Practical skills in programming and data analysis are offered. You will be introduced to popular programming languages and statistical techniques, enabling you to extract insights from data and make informed business decisions.

  • Structure and recommended tracks

    Structure and recommended tracks

    The strategy major consists of four building blocks; Mandatory courses, specialization, exchange/electives, and the master thesis.

    There are three mandatory courses in the major. These courses provide the theoretical and methodological foundation for all other courses in STR profile. Students are free to choose among the electives to put together their own personalized course portfolio.

    • STR404 Strategic Analysis
    • STR456 Leadership and Leader Psychology
    • STR402A Business Research Methods

    Electives

    • STR437 Team and Team Management
    • STR425 Negotiations
    • STR435 Personnel Economics
    • STR445 Human Capital, Mobility, and Diversity in Firms
    • STR447 Strategic HR
    • STR421 Competitive Strategy
    • STR460 Managing Change and Innovation  
    • STR463 Strategy and Technology
    • STR452 Strategy with Finance
    • STR461 Strategic and Political Communication
    •  STR446 Business Process Management
    • STR453 Digitalization
    • STR459 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics  
    • STR462 Applied Digitalization
    • STR463 Strategy and Technology
    • BAN401 Applied Programming and Data Analysis for Business  
    • NBD405 Entrepreneurship and Business Model Design
    • NBD406 Strategic Entrepreneurship
    • NBD413 Technology Adoption and Consumer Psychology
  • Learning outcomes

    Learning outcomes

    KNOWLEDGE

    Upon completion of the major, the students have acquired the following:

    K1: Have extensive, updated knowledge about and an overview of theory and research on strategy and management

    K2: Have sound knowledge of empirical methods for strategy and management research and ethics, responsibility, and sustainability aspects involved

    SKILLS

    Upon completion of the major, the students have acquired the following:

    S1: Are able to keep up to date with and making use of new knowledge in the field throughout their professional career S2: Have acquired good analytical and methodological skills

    S3: Are able to work independently and in collaboration with others on advanced problems in the field of either strategy, organisation or management

    GENERAL COMPETENCE

    Upon completion of the major, the students have acquired the following:

    G1: Are able to communicate and cooperate with both specialists and others on questions relating to strategy and management

    G2: Are able to reflect on and take account of sustainability, responsibility, and ethical issues in connection with strategy, organisation and management

    G3: Are able to use research-based knowledge about strategy, organisation and management to develop organisations and contribute to original thinking and innovation

  • Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS)

    Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS)

    You are required to take at least 7.5 ECTS in Ethics, Social Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS). You can choose any course at NHH’s list of ERS courses. You can choose whether to fulfill the ERS requirement within your major, or as part of your minor, or as one of your elective courses.     

    The following courses are approved as ERS courses within this major:

    • ETI450 Corporate Social Responsibility 
    • BUS446 Sustainable Business Models

    See list of all ERS courses

  • Sustainability

    Sustainability

    Sustainability is a central theme in all our courses. We typically discuss how companies can be more sustainable, which may also lead to a competitive advantage. Sustainability is important in leadership, strategy formulation, organizational design, governance, business models, innovation, technology, etc., which are all central themes in the strategy and management profile.

  • International opportunities

    International opportunities

    As an NHH student you have excellent opportunities to gain valuable international experience during your studies through semester exchange, the Double Degree program, CEMS, Engage.EU, Intern Abroad, and summer courses.

    Read more about international opportunities

  • Career

    Career

    With the Strategy and Management profile graduate, you have numerous career possibilities. We find that our students work as Consultants, managers, advisors, entrepreneurs, HR managers, or leaders.

    Read more 

  • Minor

    Minor

    COURSES IN STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT MINOR

    To take Strategy and Management as a minor, you need two mandatory courses and one elective course (22,5 ECTS) Mandatory courses:

    • STR404 Strategic Analysis
    • STR456 Leadership and Leader Psychology

    Electives - choose one

    • STR437 Team and Team Management  
    • STR425 Negotiations
    • STR435 Personnel Economics
    • STR445 Human Capital, Mobility, and Diversity in Firms
    • STR447 Strategic HR
    • STR421 Competitive Strategy
    • STR460 Managing Change and Innovation
    • STR463 Strategy and Technology
    • STR452 Strategy with Finance
    • STR461 Strategic and Political Communication
    • STR446 Business Process Management
    • STR453 Digitalization
    • STR459 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics  
    • STR462 Applied Digitalization
    • STR463 Strategy and Technology
    • BAN401 Applied Programming and Data Analysis for Business  
    • NBD405 Entrepreneurship and Business Model Design
    • NBD406 Strategic Entrepreneurship
    • NBD413 Technology Adoption and Consumer Psychology