What is the Strategy Field Study?

• The Strategy Field Study is a required course of the Masters of Business Administration Program of the Schulich School of Business
• It is the most comprehensive field based strategy study offered by an MBA program in Canada
• The Strategy Field Study gives students practical experience in strategic planning in the workplace
• It is a comprehensive analysis and report, by a team of graduate students, of a selected company's/organization's competitive position
• Over an 8 month period, the Strategy Field Study examines market and industry trends, technological change, domestic and foreign competition, examines company performance and management, and delivers a comprehensive stand alone report that identifies the company's key strategic issues, evaluates alternative courses of action to best address the issues, and recommends strategic direction complete with a detailed implementation plan to execute the recommendations.

Who is Eligible?

• Corporations and divisions of very large corporations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Government

Is my company or organization a good fit to participate in the Strategy Field Study?

The guidelines for participating organizations are:

Client Site Autonomy: It is essential that the client site has strategic autonomy; that is, the client site can select its own strategy, make investment decisions, and has the ability to implement strategic recommendations. Client sites cannot be branch plants of a larger organization in which they yield no strategic direction.

Access to Information / Contact with the Organization: It is imperative that the group and the client site CEO agree that full disclosure of confidential information be provided to the group, including all financial data. There must also be a willingness to allow reasonable personal contact between group members and employees. The study must have the support of senior management.

Availability of Data: Information regarding the market, competition, company, etc. must be accessible to the students. Much of the value of the Strategy Field Study is in bringing to the client site new strategic insights about the market, the competition, and the buying decision.

Size of Client site: The study is designed to demonstrate the integration of the various aspects or functions of an organization. Start-up situations are usually not useful as client sites. A general guideline for minimum size would be an organization with:

• a 5-year history,
• 50 employees and
• revenues of $10 million.

Non-profit organizations can have lower revenues but more employees and/or volunteers. Please note, however, that such criteria are often too arbitrary; exceptions in the past have produced excellent results.

Group Independence: It is important that no member of the group be in a situation where there is a likelihood of recent, current or future professional involvement with the client site that could influence and/or interfere with the objectivity of the report. The study of one's own family firm is an obvious example of potential conflict. Groups may not study an organization where one of the members is currently or recently employed; nor where a close relative is employed. Exceptions may be made where the employment was temporary or at a low level, but only after consultation with the faculty chair.

Who is involved?

• The Strategy Field Study involves your corporation and a team of graduate students who have completed an undergraduate degree and have an average of 5 years work experience
• Teams are comprised of 7 to 8 experienced, academically qualified graduate students
• The study is overseen by a team of 3 faculty advisors

The Strategy Field Study and Corporate Confidentiality

The study is not intended to be a theoretical exercise, but a dynamic and useful tool for the host organization – access to sensitive information is critical. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. All members of the Strategy Field Study, including the faculty advisory panel and the student teams, are bound by confidentiality agreements.

What Does it Cost?

There are no fees to the host organization. This program is an important component of a student's academic requirement for the MBA and MPA programs.

How Do You Get Involved?

Interested companies should contact the Strategy Field Study Office at 416.736.5082 or at mgmt6100@schulich.yorku.ca.