Students

BUS 845 – Strategic Management

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and convenor
Erik Lundmark
Contact via Email
Please view consultation hours via iLearn - https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(4cp in ACCG or ACST or BUS or ECON or MKTG units at 600 level) or HSYP801
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will equip students with the ability to analyse complex business problems from the cross-functional and multi-dimensional perspective required by general managers. The unit examines the process of formulating competitive strategy at the business level based on systematic analysis of a firm's internal resources and capabilities in conjunction with a structured examination of the various dimensions of its environment. On the basis of this analysis, appropriate strategies with which to pursue sustainable competitive advantage and strategic congruence can be developed. Topics addressed include business-level and corporate-level strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and dynamic strategy and game theory.

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:

  • To understand the nature and scope of the strategic management process and how strategy is dependendent on stakeholders and group processes
  • To be able to evaluate an organisation, its strategy, and its environment in terms of congruence or strategic fit
  • To be able to apply the key strategic management tools and models

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Case Study 60% No Week 7 and 12
Final examination 40% No University Examination Period

Case Study

Due: Week 7 and 12
Weighting: 60%

Task Description

The assignment will focus on a detailed case analysis and will include the application of many of the concepts covered in lectures. It will require extensive collaboration between group members.

The assessment submission will be in the form of:

  1. Initial individual response to specific questions relating to the case study. It will require a thorough written response to specific questions. This part is assessed individually and carries 30% of the overall unit mark (50% of the Case Study).
  2. A draft of the report and a plan for its completion;
  3. A moderate sized detailed written report and;
  4. A short presentation of the key findings to the class;
  5. Active participation in class discussions from week 4 through 13.

In week 13, all students will have the option of submitting a peer assessment. These will be used to moderate marks within the group if group contributions have not been equal.

Type of Collaboration Group Submission Please Submit Via Turnitin Link on iLearn Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Late essays must also be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% deduction). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time. 

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.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To understand the nature and scope of the strategic management process and how strategy is dependendent on stakeholders and group processes
  • To be able to evaluate an organisation, its strategy, and its environment in terms of congruence or strategic fit
  • To be able to apply the key strategic management tools and models

Final examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

Final Examination Assessment Summary Task Description A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that the product belongs to the student and the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam. Type of Collaboration Individual Submission You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. Format The exam is closed book, with specified materials permitted. Please refer to the iLearn Unit page for details. Length 3 Hours with 10 minutes reading time Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Please see  Assessment Policy Schedule 4. The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time in the University Examination Timetable is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for special consideration.

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.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To understand the nature and scope of the strategic management process and how strategy is dependendent on stakeholders and group processes
  • To be able to evaluate an organisation, its strategy, and its environment in terms of congruence or strategic fit
  • To be able to apply the key strategic management tools and models

Delivery and Resources

Required text
  • The textbook used in this unit is: Johnson, G., Whittington, R. & Scholes, K., Angwin, D., & Regnér, P. (2017) Exploring Strategy (11th Edition). Harlow England: Pearson Education, ISBN: 9781292145174.
Unit web page The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Technology Used and Required Access to a personal computer is required to access iLearn; students are required to use word processing and Turnitin for submitting assignments. You will need to bring a WiFi enabled device to every class to use in student centred, problem based learning activities and for access to online analytical tools. The web page for this unit can be found at: iLearn http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Delivery Format and Other Details
  • Number and length of classes: 3-hour block seminar unless indicated otherwise in the lecture schedule. Classes may vary due to public holiday(s)
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Recommended readings

Additional required readings will be available via iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Weekly Curriculum Bus845

This table is only indicative. Topics may vary depending on public holidays and the order of topics and topics themselves may shift to better fit assignments and cases for each semester.

Week

Topic Name

1

 

Introductions

Who, Why, What, Overview.

2

 

Strategic Fit

Congruence Model, Evaluating Strategy, Environment

3

 

External Environment

Environment, Industry Analysis.

4

 

Business Strategies

Strategic Business Units, Competitive Strategies.

5

 

Resources and Capabilities

Resource based view, sustainable competitive advantage.

6

 

Dynamic Strategies and Game Theory

Interactive Strategies, Cooperation, Game Theory.

7

 

Innovation

Types of innovation, first and second mover advantages.

 

Mid-Semester Break

8

Case Study Overview

 

9

Corporate Strategies

Scope & Diversification.

10

Inside the organisation

Overview of internal aspects of the organisation.

11

 

Entrepreneurship

The most important lessons from entrepreneurship for strategy students.

12

 

Case Presentation

 

13

 

Review and Evaluation

Learning and Teaching Activities

Active learning

This unit is taught using lectures and a combination of student presentations, video presentations and discussions. Students are expected to read prescribed text chapters before lectures, attend lectures, join in discussions and complete all assessments. Reflection is crucial to integrating unit material. Therefore active participation in discussions and exercises is of great importance not only to the participating student but to the whole class.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To understand the nature and scope of the strategic management process and how strategy is dependendent on stakeholders and group processes
  • To be able to evaluate an organisation, its strategy, and its environment in terms of congruence or strategic fit
  • To be able to apply the key strategic management tools and models

Assessment tasks

  • Case Study
  • Final examination

Learning and teaching activities

  • This unit is taught using lectures and a combination of student presentations, video presentations and discussions. Students are expected to read prescribed text chapters before lectures, attend lectures, join in discussions and complete all assessments. Reflection is crucial to integrating unit material. Therefore active participation in discussions and exercises is of great importance not only to the participating student but to the whole class.

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To understand the nature and scope of the strategic management process and how strategy is dependendent on stakeholders and group processes
  • To be able to evaluate an organisation, its strategy, and its environment in terms of congruence or strategic fit
  • To be able to apply the key strategic management tools and models

Assessment tasks

  • Case Study
  • Final examination

Learning and teaching activities

  • This unit is taught using lectures and a combination of student presentations, video presentations and discussions. Students are expected to read prescribed text chapters before lectures, attend lectures, join in discussions and complete all assessments. Reflection is crucial to integrating unit material. Therefore active participation in discussions and exercises is of great importance not only to the participating student but to the whole class.

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • To be able to evaluate an organisation, its strategy, and its environment in terms of congruence or strategic fit

Assessment task

  • Case Study

Learning and teaching activity

  • This unit is taught using lectures and a combination of student presentations, video presentations and discussions. Students are expected to read prescribed text chapters before lectures, attend lectures, join in discussions and complete all assessments. Reflection is crucial to integrating unit material. Therefore active participation in discussions and exercises is of great importance not only to the participating student but to the whole class.

Changes from Previous Offering

No changes since last offering – both the prior version of the textbook and the most recent one can be used.

Global Contexts & Sustainability

In an ever more globalised and interconnected world, the sustainability of organisational practice is increasingly important. The concepts and frameworks introduced in this unit will help students analyse and make sense of some of the complexities underlying sustainable organisational practice.

Research and Practice

The assignments requires students to conduct original research, which involves the collection and analysis of information from a range of sources. This unit uses research from external sources as listed in the references lists on iLearn.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
18/02/2019 Added unit schedule.