SM9704 - Strategic Management

This module is delivered through a combination of online resources, directed learning, group learning and independent learning. The taught sessions will adopt a variety of approaches to learning and teaching including tutor-led input, group discussions, case study discussion, guest speaker input, and student-led presentations. Your learning will be underpinned by a ‘research-rich’ approach.
Selected pre-readings and activities will be made available prior to each of the taught sessions, providing the intellectual underpinning and case study information needed for the session activities. In addition, each module will be supported by online resources in the form of webcasts, videos, and guidance notes. Peer learning is an important part of an MBA and you are encouraged to engage in peer learning through both class-based and online-based discussions with your fellow students.

The module is delivered by an experienced teaching team and you are encouraged to discuss any issues related to the module directly with the module team either in class or outside of normal scheduled teaching by appointment or via the e-learning platform. At the start of the module, you will be provided with a Teaching and Learning Plan that outlines the requirements for the module and will include detail on the assessment for the module and an extensive reading list. The module is supported by an e-learning module site which includes the learning materials used in the module as well as additional resources such as podcasts, webcasts and suggestions for additional reading.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
On completion of this module you will be able to:
1.Critically discuss the different concepts, techniques, and schools of thought that make strategy as a field of practice;

2. Critically discuss the range of internal, external and competitive factors that impact organizational positioning and performance.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
On completion of this module you will be able to:
3. Think critically and make informed strategic decisions based on a critical analysis and interpretation of an appropriate range of internal and external data sources.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
On completion of this module you will be able to:
4. Demonstrate curiosity, originality, insight and ethical awareness to problem solve and make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.

Formative assessment: In each of the taught sessions you will complete a range of exercises and activities and take part in a number of presentations and debates. Formative feedback will be provided by your tutors and your peers and this feedback will assist you in developing the necessary knowledge and understanding and personal skills to enhance your performance on the module.

Summative assessment: The summative assessment for this module is made up of two components.
Component 1: A case-based group presentation which assesses module learning outcomes 1-3 and is weighted at 30%.
Component 2: A 3000 word individual case-based report which assesses all the module learning outcomes and is weighted at 70%.

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Strategic thinking, and ability to do effective strategy formulation and execution are key to businesses across industries. The need for and benefit of these skills is no longer limited to elite staff groups or top executives. Increasingly, companies expect their product managers, senior business analysts and mid-level executives in diverse functions to possess the ability to understand strategic contexts, and think and act strategically. Therefore, this module will focus on the craft, the opportunities and the challenges of developing strategies in these roles. As we do so, the most basic strategic question is: How do we best position and compete among significant uncertainty and ambiguity to maximize value created and profits made in a sustainable way?