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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Strategic Management
Module Code MT528P (ITS) / MNA1166 (Banner)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinatorCaroline McGroary
Module TeachersCaroline Mcmullan, Raja Clouse, Rhea George
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Array
Description

This module aims to give students a thorough grounding in the nature of business strategy, the tools and techniques of business strategy, the broad approaches to strategy-making, and strategy in the context of the digital age, emerging markets and sustainable business practices. The module is delivered as a series of lectures together with exercises, case studies, student presentations, industry engagement and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss firm purpose and the nature of strategic thinking in a business context
2. Use the major strategic analysis tools and techniques at macroeconomic, industry and company level
3. Appreciate the nature of strategic choice (generic strategy, growth and diversification, and competitive approach)
4. Discuss the implications of strategy implementation including social and ethical aspects of strategy making
5. Apply lessons learned back into the student's own practice



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture44Lectures (11 x 4 hour lectures)
Independent Study206Students are expected to study the recommended textbooks and journal articles, and are encouraged to read further around the topics in each module. Such private study will include preparation for specific classes, study related to assignments and the business simulation, preparation for the oral exam or to consolidate the material from lectures.
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Purpose
Crafting and formulating strategy: Purpose - vision, mission, values, objectives, crafting strategy, drift, business model, balanced scorecard.

Analysis
Analysis: (a) Macro-environment: PESTLE, driving forces, scenario planning. (b) Industry: Five Forces, Strategic Groups, Competitor analysis, Key Success Factors. (c) Company: current strategy, SWOT, resources and competencies, value chain, financial analysis, strategic issues.

Choice
Choice: Generic strategies: low cost, differentiation, focus; industry life cycle; industry position, offensive and defensive; growth strategies: international, horizontal and vertical integration, multi-business.

Execution
Implementing sustainable strategy: Strategic approaches (positioning, resources and competencies, innovation: value/disruptive/network). Implementation - organisation and structure, systems, reward, culture, leadership, governance, stakeholders, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethical considerations.

Business Simulation
The Airline simulation requires students to take over and run a fledgling regional airline. Teams must decide how best to position their airline and develop an operational and financial plan to support that strategy to maintain positive cash flow and make a profit for their company (supports interconnection between modules e.g. accounting and strategy)

Case Discussions
Case study reviews and discussions will be held on organizations such as Aramco, Apple, Twitter, Yahoo, Lego and Disney etc.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentCase Study Assignment (Individual 30%)30%Week 7
AssignmentBusiness Simulation - Simulation and report (Group 30%) and presentation (Individual 10%)40%Week 10
AssignmentInfographic and Presentation in Class - Week 13 (Individual 15%)15%Sem 1 End
ParticipationParticipation in class (5% - Ongoing) and oral exam (10% - Week 14) (Individual 15%)15%Other
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Huff, A. W., Floyd, S. W., Sherman, H. D., & Terjesen, S. A. 2008,: 0, Strategic management: thought and action., John Wiley & Sons Inc.,
  • Johnson, Scholes & Whittington: 0, Corporate Strategy,
  • Porter: 0, Competitive Advantage, Free Press,
  • Christensen: 0, The Innovator's Solution, Harvard Business School Press,
  • Hamel & Prahalad: 0, The Core Competence of the Corporation, Harvard Business School Press,
  • Kotter: 0, Leading Change: Why transformation efforts fail,
Other Resources

None

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