2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS3070 Strategic Management

20 creditsClass Size: 218

Module manager: Matthew Mount
Email: m.p.mount@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is mutually exclusive with

LUBS2660	Principles of Corporate Strategy
LUBS3080	Business Strategy

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Strategy is the cornerstone of every business; it provides an overall direction to the organisation, whilst defines its relationship with both the internal and the external environment. How effectively and efficiently the organisation’s corporate strategy is implemented and how well it is aligned to its general context are undoubtedly the most crucial elements linked to firm’s performance. The module is designed to help you develop an overall appreciation of the importance of strategy for businesses and the skill-set required when competing globally. It is focused on the information, analyses, organizational processes and skills and business judgment managers must use to devise strategies, position their businesses, define firm boundaries and maximize long-term profits in the face of uncertainty and competition.

Objectives

This module focuses on identifying and understanding the sources of superior firm performance. This module aims to introduce key theoretical concepts, tools and frameworks useful for analysing the external and internal environment of the firm, and guiding the formulation and execution of different types of strategies. It is also concerned with managerial decisions and actions that affect the performance and survival of businesses in today’s global and volatile competitive environment.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to interpret and outline:
- the integrative role of strategic management, its differing and often conflicting theories, approaches and views, which reflect the richness of debate in the field research
- contemporary applied theory and alternative perspectives and styles in strategy and strategic management
- structure, design, culture and working environment to effective strategic management and the importance it holds
- the resources and capabilities of the firm in terms of their ability to develop sustainable competitive advantage

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:

Transferable:
- Obtain, analyse and apply information from a variety of sources in the public domain
- Develop skills of argument development and persuasion
- Be able to apply management and decision making tools for evaluating the external and internal environment (e.g. 5 forces, PLESTE, SWOT, TOWS, etc.) of a company.
- Develop team-working skills

Subject specific:
- Analyse dynamics in competitive rivalry and make appropriate recommendations for action
- Utilise various analytical frameworks, skills and tools to identify central issues and problems in complex business situations
- Distinguish between different levels of strategies, identify their role on firm performance, and recommend appropriate actions for real-world scenarios
- Analyse the main structural features of an industry and develop strategies that position the firm most favourably in relation to competition and influence industry structure to enhance industry attractiveness

Syllabus

Indicative content:
- Outline, introduction and basic concepts;
- The Strategic Context: the internal and external environment; configuration; purpose and preferences;
- Dynamic Capabilities and Innovation;
- Business Strategy and Competitive Advantage;
- Corporate Strategy and diversification, internationalisation and entry strategies;
- The Strategy Process: Critique of the rational approach to strategic planning and contemporary issues
- Strategy Implementation
- Business failure and strategies for turnaround;
- Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
- Current and future trends on strategic management

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	6	1.00	6.00
Private study hours			174.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Lectures 80 hours (4 hours reading per lecture)
- Classes 18 hours (3 hours reading per seminar class)
- Revision & Examination 25 hours.
- The module runs a series of Multiple Choice Questions, which will be available on the VLE throughout the year. The MCQs are updated with the topics of each month of the module delivery. This will be purely formative and students can trial themselves on the questions as many times as they like. This format will give an indication of how well they are understanding the key concepts delivered.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

This module will provide students with formative feedback on the more novel aspects of the module's assessment regime, i.e. on multiple choice questions. In addition to the formal methods of delivering feedback, informal feedback is provided by students self-assessment and evaluation of the discussion and contribution to each case study class session. Such reflection is important in developing your skills as an independent learner.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	3 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Resit by 3 hour written paper

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/01/2016

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