COMMGMT 7027 - Strategic Management (M)

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 2 - 2021

This course focuses on providing emerging business leaders with relevant strategic management concepts, skills and abilities so they can contribute towards an organisation's capacity to create and capture value. Students will have the opportunity to utilise their learning to date and apply concepts of strategic management to critically analyse the internal and external environments in which businesses operate, assess the implications of forecast changes and develop options for implementation. The course is organised around case studies with the expectation that students come prepared to participate actively in the discussion. Assessment will focus on your ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical reasoning to creatively formulate and implement strategies to ensure an organisation's success in its industry. Authentic case studies will allow students to both practice and demonstrate their learning culminating in a final report that he report must cover the following a) analyses an organisation's current strategy, b) recommends alternative options for the organisation's future strategy and c) a plan to implement the recommended changes in strategy.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMMGMT 7027
    Course Strategic Management (M)
    Coordinating Unit Management
    Term Trimester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description This course focuses on providing emerging business leaders with relevant strategic management concepts, skills and abilities so they can contribute towards an organisation's capacity to create and capture value. Students will have the opportunity to utilise their learning to date and apply concepts of strategic management to critically analyse the internal and external environments in which businesses operate, assess the implications of forecast changes and develop options for implementation. The course is organised around case studies with the expectation that students come prepared to participate actively in the discussion. Assessment will focus on your ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical reasoning to creatively formulate and implement strategies to ensure an organisation's success in its industry. Authentic case studies will allow students to both practice and demonstrate their learning culminating in a final report that he report must cover the following a) analyses an organisation's current strategy, b) recommends alternative options for the organisation's future strategy and c) a plan to implement the recommended changes in strategy.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr John Knight

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Weekly Lectures and workshops begin in the first week of the teaching period
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1. Critically analyse the internal and external environments in which businesses operate and assess the implications of forecast changes.
    2. Apply understanding of the theories, concepts and tools that support strategic management in organizations.
    3. Individually and collaboratively evaluate and synthesise information and existing knowledge from numerous sources and experiences.
    4. Apply appropriate tools, theories and concepts to analyse strategic issues in organizationas and to develop options for implementation.
    5. Participate constructively in team situations to complete tasks and meet agreed deadlines.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 3, 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 3, 4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 3, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Grant R.M. (2019) Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 10th Edition, John Wiley and Sons: Australia

    Textbook: 9781119495727
    E-Text: 9781119495673

    Recommended Resources
    Harvard Business Review
    Journal of Strategic Management
    Long Range Planning
    Online Learning
    MyUni is used extensively in this course for announcements, assignment submission and assessment advice. Please ensure you have access to MyUni BEFORE lectures begin.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course delivers all critical material and an opportunity for students to explore concepts, theories, tools and models and to advance their understanding through questions, discussions and presentations in a weekly workshop starting in week one of the teaching period
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    At least 3 hours of study time is required for each lecture, over and above the contact hours of the lecture and tutorial/workshops in each intensive. This expectation is considered to provide the level of study required in order to achieve an effective understanding of the course material.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Teaching and Learning Activities Related Learning Outcomes
    Pre-reading of Text for Lecture  1 to 5
    Paticipation in Workshop discussions  1, 3, 5
    Group Work  3, 5
    Case Stidies  1 to 5
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Due Date/Week Weighting Learning Outcomes

    Individual Quizzes

    weekly from week one

    20%

    3, 4, 5

    Individual Test

    Week 7

    20%

    1, 2, 4

    Group Assignment

    Week 11

    30%

    1, 2, 5

    Final Examination

    During Examination Period

    30%

    1, 2, 3

    Total 100%


    Assessment Related Requirements
    To gain a pass for this course, a mark of at least 50% must be obtained in the individual components (i.e. individual quizzes, individual test and examination assessments) as well as an aggregate total for all assessments of at least 50%.
    • Students not achieving the minimum aggregate individual mark will be awarded a course mark of no more than 49%.
    • Students who receive an aggregate course mark between 45% and 49% may be offered a supplementary examination assessment. Your performance in the supplementary exam will determine whether you are awarded a Pass grade for the course with a maximum aggregate course mark of 50%.
    • Please note that to be eligible for Additional Assessment (previously referred to as Supplementary Examinations) in this course ALL required assessment tasks must be submitted.
    • Prepared participation in all workshops is expected and you should prepare for discussion of questions outlined in the workshop schedule.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1: Weekly Online Quizzes (20%)

    You are expected to attempt an online quiz each week for twelve weeks. The quizzes aim to facilitate your learning, and the questions are randomly drawn from a bank of Multiple Choice and True/False questions relating to the topic explored that week. The best ten (10) quiz scores you achieve will contribute to 20% of your total course mark.

    Assessment 2: Mid-Semester Online Test (20%)

    You are expected to attempt an online Test in week 7. The test is made up of Multiple Choice and Short Essay questions randomly drawn from material covered in weeks 1-5. The test aims to provide a formative self-assessment of your learning to date. The score you achieve will contribute to 20% of your total course mark.

    Assessment 3: Group Report (30%)

    This assessment is worth a 100 marks and contributes 30% to your overall course mark. This assessment aims to develop your ability to make sense of strategic issues through applying concepts learned in this course. This assessment also aims to test your ability to work in a team and to write in an academic writing style (including referencing).

    Students will be allocated into groups of 5 maximum within their workshop. Your group will be required to analyse and interpret a case study. While there are often multiple ways to analyse and interpret a case study, this assessment requires you to problem solve and make decisions about specific and potentialy complex and ambiguous aspects about a well known organisation. Further assignment details for the group report will become accessible via MyUni.

    Before attempting this assessment you should be familiar with at least the first seven topics of the course content. You are also expected to use material provided from the case material to support your analysis and responses. Each group will be required to produce a professional looking (Times New Roman 12pt or equivalent and 1.5 line spacing) academic report. A key aspect of your grade will be related to how well your group responds to the challenge of:

    1) including all the relevant information in a well-written, concise maximum 2000 word academic report,
    2) skilfully applying the appropriate theories and frameworks covered in class, and
    3) formulating and presenting arguments which are convincing and supported by case evidence.

    Once your group report is completed, one group member will submit ONE group assignment file electronically on the MyUni course website. By submitting an assignment via MyUni all students in the group students are deemed to have agreed to the University of Adelaide's Academic Honesty Policy Statement which gives permission for any assessed assignments to be reproduced and submitted to other academic staff for the purposes of assessment and to be copied, submitted and retained in a form suitable for electronic checking of plagiarism. Turnitin similarity software will be utilised to indicate potential plagiarism.

    Each student will also be required to submit a confidential evaluation (online peer assessment) of the group work effectiveness of each member of their group. Each student’s group work effectiveness score will be compared to that of their group. Individuals who have an average group work effectiveness score greater than that of their group may have their individual group mark increased. Conversely, students who have an average effectiveness score lower than that of their group may have their individualll mark decreased. Criteria to assess an individual’s group work effectiveness is generally based on the following questions (from strongly agree to strongly disagree):

    • The group member communicated effectively with other members in the group.
    • The group member completed their fair share of the group's work in a timely manner.
    • The group member was punctual and regularly attended meetings and other group activities.
    • The group member was well prepared for group activities.
    • The group member genuinely considered and (where relevant) took on board other members' perspectives.

    Assessment 4: Final Exam (30%)

    More information will become available via the MyUni course website.

    The purpose of the final exam is to assess your knowledge and understanding of the concepts covered in this course. Specifically, how analysis and synthesis underpin the sound long-term direction, scope and performance of an organisation and how strategic success is contingent on the fit between the organisation and the relevant environmental dynamics.

    The exam will be 3 hours in length and conducted during the scheduled examination period. While the focus on the assessment will be on topics 6 onwards, all topics covered in this course will be assessable. The timing of the exam will be known when the appropriate examination timetable is released by the University.

    Please note that to be eligible for Additional Assessment (previously referred to as Supplementary Examinations) in this course ALL required assessment tasks must be submitted.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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