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GMBA8011 – Be Competitive

2024 – Coursera term 3, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ralf Wilden
ralf.wilden@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
5
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GMBA or GradCertGlobalBusPrac
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The ability to generate strategic insights is an expectation for the "future of work" but what does this actually mean? Are there universal principles of strategic thinking that can help us become more effective at developing insights? And how can these strategic insights help an organisation become more competitive? This unit examines the basic elements of strategy through a set of rich and nuanced business models. It covers classic strategic questions and topics with an emphasis on diverse and emergent themes, such as open innovation and strategy, networks, platforms and other business model innovations, and the processes and practices of strategy, and their effects. Students apply the tools and techniques of contemporary strategic analysis and also reflect on the doing of strategy in the context of their own business or workplace, and other real cases. In parallel, students are encouraged to develop a reflective and critical perspective on the implications and impacts of taken-for-granted strategy thinking, concepts and tools, and conversely are asked to consider the future of strategy, centred on how strategic management can provide solutions for pressing sustainability-related societal-level challenges.

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: Critically consider the forces that shape competition for economic exchanges.
  • ULO2: Analyse the sources of value in company offerings and how markets are segmented based on differences in perceived value.
  • ULO3: Evaluate and develop strategic options that are suitable, feasible, and acceptable.
  • ULO4: Effectively communicate a strategy in a way that is relevant, concise, and actionable

General Assessment Information

 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Strategy Analysis 40% No Week 4 May 20, 08:00 AM AEST
Strategic Analysis - Group 60% No Week 7 Jun 10, 08:00 AM AEST

Strategy Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 4 May 20, 08:00 AM AEST
Weighting: 40%

 

Length: 1,000 words Format: Individual written report Task: In this written report, you will be asked to conduct a strategic analysis of a company. Please refer to the section Course Resources - Assessment information your online unit for detailed information on this assignment as well as the marking criteria. You will be asked to submit your completed task via the Assessment submission link in your online unit

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically consider the forces that shape competition for economic exchanges.
  • Analyse the sources of value in company offerings and how markets are segmented based on differences in perceived value.
  • Evaluate and develop strategic options that are suitable, feasible, and acceptable.
  • Effectively communicate a strategy in a way that is relevant, concise, and actionable

Strategic Analysis - Group

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Week 7 Jun 10, 08:00 AM AEST
Weighting: 60%

 

Length: 2-3 slides including presenter notes for individual submission; max. 20 minutes (10-12 slides) for team submission Format: Multimedia group presentation Task: For this assignment, you will work within a team and develop comprehensive strategic analysis and derive strategy recommendations for a major organisation. For detailed information and the marking criteria, please refer to the section Course Resources - Assessment Information in your online unit. You will submit your completed task via the Assignment submission link in your online unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically consider the forces that shape competition for economic exchanges.
  • Analyse the sources of value in company offerings and how markets are segmented based on differences in perceived value.
  • Evaluate and develop strategic options that are suitable, feasible, and acceptable.
  • Effectively communicate a strategy in a way that is relevant, concise, and actionable

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

See Coursera for more details. 

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2024.01R of the Handbook