Module BUSI42H15: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (ONLINE)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI42H15: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (ONLINE)

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To examine how companies attempt different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage.
• To give students an in-depth understanding at an advanced level of strategy formulation and implementation under conditions of changing industry competition, firm resources, and technology.
• To provide an in-depth understanding and critical evaluation of specialist techniques to aid analysis of the competitive and contextual environment.

Content

• Business and corporate strategy formulation and implementation: the process of developing strategy; making strategic choices; analysing the competitive and contextual environment; implementing strategy.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students should:
• Have a critical appreciation of the main strengths and weaknesses of various strategic actions such as diversification, internationalization, technological first-mover, and joint-venturing;
• Have an advanced understanding of many of the routinely-encountered difficulties in strategy implementation and have methods at hand to address those difficulties;

• By the end of this module, students should:
• Be able to think strategically and critically about a firm, as well as functionally;
• Be able to define a firm’s main capabilities, competencies and competitive advantages;
• Be able to critically analyse the non-market environment of business on firms, such as the strategic constraints and opportunities presented by social and political developments.
• Be able to conduct an in-depth industry analysis and gain advanced understanding of its strengths and limitations;
• Be able to develop and defend a cohesive organizational strategy;
• Be able to undertake critical appraisal of relevant strategic management literature and tools, and apply critical judgement and discrimination;
• Be aware of, and familiar with, methods employed in formulating and implementing corporate strategies;
• Be aware of, and familiar with, tools and techniques to analyse the competitive and contextual environment.

• Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.
Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is delivered via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and facilitate discussion board communication as well as being available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype).
• The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A written assignment of 1,500 words, or its multimedia equivalent, which may involve some group work.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University