Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module BUSI4K920: Strategic Management (Online)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4K920: Strategic Management (Online)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to N1T717

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Strategic Management (Taught) BUSI 4L020

Aims

  • To develop students understanding of the strategic management of organisations and the impact of the wider external environment.
  • To examine how companies attempt different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain 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.
  • To understand the interaction and implications of different strategies and the business models adopted by organisations.
  • To understand the linkages between strategic management and the other core business disciplines including finance and accounting, marketing, operations and supply chain management, human resource management and organisational development.
  • To explore contemporary debates in strategic management research.

Content

  • Business and corporate strategy formulation and implementation
  • The process of developing strategy
  • Making strategic choices
  • Analysing the competitive and contextual environment
  • Implementing strategy: developing business models, business cases and business plans
  • Contemporary debates in strategic management research

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students should have:
  • a specialist knowledge of the nature of strategic leadership and management to include the relationship with other core business areas, key debates within contemporary research, what influences and supports decision-making and the implications of strategic choices
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students should:
  • apply relevant tools and techniques to undertake an analysis of an organisation’s environment
  • critically examine key debates within contemporary strategic management
  • analyse a range of strategic approaches and choices
  • produce a cohesive organisational strategy using methodologies such as the business model canvas and business horizons
Key Skills:
  • Influencing and communication skills; planning and organisation; problem-solving, critical thinking, self-reflection, analytical and interpreting skills.

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, reflective activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within tutor-facilitated activites.
  • The formative assessment serves to encourage students to study regularly and to monitor their learning progress. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and video call).
  • The summative assessment comprises assessments which serve to support students’ continuous engagement in the development of their knowledge and skills throughout the module. The final written assignment will enable students to further develop their understanding and skills. It will test students’ acquisition and articulation of their knowledge and understanding and their ability to apply what they have learned in a particular context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Video content, tutor-facilitated discussion, directed reading, reflective activities and guidance for further independent study. 200
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
One Written Assignment 2,000 words max 100% same
Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Regular assessments 1000 words (or equivalent) 100% Online assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students undertake a series of activities aligned to the module content, receiving ongoing feedback on the theoretical knowledge and how it is applied.


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