Unit information: Strategic Management in 2014/15

Unit name	Strategic Management
Unit code	ECON30083
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Humphrey Bourne
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Principles of Management ECON22650 or Fundamentals of Organisation Theory ECON22651 or International Business Management EFIM20003
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Economics, Finance and Management
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

Strategic management is concerned with the future direction and scope of an organisation, developed from thorough understanding of their external and internal environments and of their goals and aspirations. Within the unit, theories and concepts of strategy and of strategic management are explored through a programme of lectures and tutorials. Lectures introduce theoretical concepts and ideas that inform the subject, fully illustrated with examples and stories from the world of business and management. The tutorials involve readings, exercises and case studies which encourage involvement and help students to think and act strategically through practice. Additional reading is designed to develop a depth of understanding of a subject that appears both deceptively simple and annoyingly complex.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe a range of issues relevant to strategic management
• Explain and discuss theoretical approaches to strategic management
• Analyse and appraise practice through the application of relevant theory
• Critically evaluate the theory and practice of strategic management
• Conduct independent research using a range of sources and gain awareness of the relevance and credibility
• Demonstrate developing group working and presentational skills

Teaching Information

Lectures introduce theoretical concepts and ideas that inform the subject. Tutorials include readings, exercises and case studies. Additional reading designed to develop a depth of understanding.

Assessment Information

Formative assessments

1. 1500-word essay which prepares students to:

• Identify and describe a range of issues relevant to strategic management
• Explain and discuss theoretical approaches to strategic management
• Critically evaluate the theory and practice of strategic management
• Conduct independent research using a range of sources and gain awareness of the relevance and credibility

2. Formative group assignment

Working in groups of 4-6, students select an actual organisation and analyse its current situation within its markets, and assess the likely threats and opportunities in its environments and make recommendations. An oral presentation and short report follows. This prepares students to:

• Identify and describe a range of issues relevant to strategic management
• Analyse and appraise practice through the application of relevant theory
• Critically evaluate the theory and practice of strategic management
• Conduct independent research using a range of sources and gain awareness of the relevance and credibility
• Demonstrate developing group working and presentational skills

Summative assessment

3 Hour unseen exam, which tests students’ ability to:

• Identify and describe a range of issues relevant to strategic management
• Explain and discuss theoretical approaches to strategic management
• Analyse and appraise practice through the application of relevant theory
• Critically evaluate the theory and practice of strategic management
• Conduct independent research using a range of sources and gain awareness of the relevance and credibility.

Reading and References

• Grant, R. (2013) Contemporary Strategic Analysis (8th Edition) Chichester: Wiley

• Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2011) Exploring Strategy (9th Edition) Harlow: Prentice-Hall

• Clegg, S., Carter, C. Kornberger, M. & Schweitzer, J (2011) Strategy: Theory and Practice, London: Sage Publications

Useful Journals

• Strategic Management Journal

• Harvard Business Review

• Organization Studies