Students

ACCG8143 – Strategic Business Leader II

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Charles Koh
Contact via Dialogue in iLearn
4ER 223
Refer to iLearn
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACCG926 or ACCG8126
Corequisites Corequisites
ACCG941 or ACCG8141
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit, part 2 of the strategic business leader series, aims to provide knowledge regarding the external forces (behaviour of customers, initiatives of competitors, emergence of new laws and regulations) that shape the environment of an organisation. The unit is also concerned with the internal ambitions and concerns (desire for growth, design of processes, competency of employees, financial resources) that exist within an organisation. Specifically, the unit considers the factors relevant in establishing the strategic position of an organisation in the present and as predicted in the future using relevant forecasting techniques. It is primarily concerned with the impact of the external environment on an organisation, its internal capabilities and expectations, and how the organisation positions itself subject to these constraints.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Apply leadership skills using organisation perspective in developing and delivering value-creating strategy
  • ULO2: Evaluate strategic options and making strategic choices considering the external environment and the availability of internal resources
  • ULO3: Select and apply appropriate information technologies and data analytics to identify strategic opportunities and implement strategic options
  • ULO4: Assess and advise on the strategic aspects of innovation, performance excellence, and change management
  • ULO5: Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of an organisation’s strategy and the financial consequences of implementing strategic decisions

General Assessment Information

Late assessment (for the Written Assignment) must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% penalty). Late submissions will not be accepted after solutions have been discussed and/or made available.   This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessed coursework 20% No Throughout
Written Assignment 20% No See iLearn
Online Final Exam 60% No University Exam Period

Assessed coursework

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 49 hours
Due: Throughout
Weighting: 20%

 

Homework exercises form a critical part in the study process, as they serve to reinforce concepts that are covered in class or online. Students will be required to attend seminars with their weekly homework. The teaching staff will check that these are satisfactorily attempted. The teaching staff will assess weekly homework on six (6) occasions without prior notice. Marks are awarded for the original effort, completeness and evidence that corrections are made as appropriate. The homework component will be worth 15%, with each assessed submission counting for 2.5%. The remaining 5% will be based on the quality and frequency of the student's seminar participation. Students should be prepared to engage constructively in open discussions on relevant topical issues.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply leadership skills using organisation perspective in developing and delivering value-creating strategy
  • Evaluate strategic options and making strategic choices considering the external environment and the availability of internal resources
  • Select and apply appropriate information technologies and data analytics to identify strategic opportunities and implement strategic options
  • Assess and advise on the strategic aspects of innovation, performance excellence, and change management
  • Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of an organisation’s strategy and the financial consequences of implementing strategic decisions

Written Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of the professional assignment is to allow students to put business analysis and strategic management concepts into practice in a real life setting and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge on a group and individual basis. The assignment should help students reflect on their learning and link concepts learned in the unit to professional practice. In addition to a written assignment of approximately 1 500 words (10%), there is a group-based presentation (10%) based on the assignment in which students are marked individually. This is a formative assessment designed to prepare students for the final exam.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply leadership skills using organisation perspective in developing and delivering value-creating strategy
  • Evaluate strategic options and making strategic choices considering the external environment and the availability of internal resources
  • Select and apply appropriate information technologies and data analytics to identify strategic opportunities and implement strategic options
  • Assess and advise on the strategic aspects of innovation, performance excellence, and change management

Online Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 60%

 

A two-hour online examination will be held during the University examination period. The final exam is a summative assessment designed to let students demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have attained in the previous three assessments.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply leadership skills using organisation perspective in developing and delivering value-creating strategy
  • Evaluate strategic options and making strategic choices considering the external environment and the availability of internal resources
  • Select and apply appropriate information technologies and data analytics to identify strategic opportunities and implement strategic options
  • Assess and advise on the strategic aspects of innovation, performance excellence, and change management
  • Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of an organisation’s strategy and the financial consequences of implementing strategic decisions

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

 

Required Text:

 

Students are to refer to the following two textbooks (hardcopy and/or eBook) published by BPP Learning Media:

• ACCA Strategic Business Leader Workbook Sept 2021 to June 2022 

• ACCA Strategic Business Leader Practice & Revision Kit Sept 2021 to June 2022 

 

Unit Web Page:

 

Students are required to access a computer and the internet at various times in completing this unit, to download course material available on the learning management system (iLearn) and to complete assessment tasks.

 

Technology Used and Required:

 

Please refer to iLearn.

 

Delivery Format and Other Details:

 

Classes

 

  • This unit includes 13 weekly seminars and a number of activities as detailed in this unit guide.
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
  • Seminar attendance for this unit is compulsory.
  • Students are required to get involved in seminar discussion.

Seminars may be offered either face-to-face or online via Zoom (refer to eStudent for class availability). However, please do not attend face-to-face tutorials if you feel unwell. Instead, please attend the online alternative, making yourself known to the seminar leader. If you are unable to attend an online seminar, please contact your seminar leader. You will not be penalised for ensuring other students and staff are safe. Teaching staff will also ensure they do not attend classes when feeling unwell, so class arrangements may change at short notice on health and/or safety grounds. Please monitor iLearn regularly, and before attending any face-to-face classes, to check for any changes or updates to face-to-face classes.  

 

Recommended Readings:

Additional materials will be provided at the beginning of the unit and under each of the weekly headings in ilearn. Students must read the relevant materials before coming to class and in completing the assessment tasks as well as undertake their own further research. Direction will be provided by the unit convenor on additional research materials.

 

Other Course Materials:

 

Please refer to iLearn.

Unit Schedule

 

Week

 

Topic

 

1

 

Strategy, leadership and culture

 

2

 

The external environment

 

3

 

Strategic capability

 

4

 

Competitive advantage and strategic choice

 

5

 

Financial analysis I

 

6

 

Financial analysis II

 

7

 

Application of IT

 

8       

 

E-business                                                    

 

9

 

Enabling success and strategic change I

 

10

 

Enabling success and strategic change II

 

11

 

Process redesign

 

12

 

Project management

 

13

 

Revision

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook