Module: Strategy, Leadership & Transformation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Strategy, Leadership & Transformation
Module Code	MNA1105 (ITS: MT5130)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module forms one of the capstone elements in the DCU MBA, and along with the modules on Personal Leadership Skills and the Consultancy Project helps to give the final phase of the programme a distinctive 'leadership' signature. The more specific aims of this Strategy, Leadership & Transformation module are: (i) to help participants gain insight into, and perspective on, the special challenges involved in strategic leadership, change and transformation, building on the analytical foundations already established in the Business Strategy Module (MT589); (ii) To provide a framework and a forum for integrating the discipline-based material provided in the rest of the MBA programme within an overarching general management perspective that is the distinctive feature of the MBA qualification

Learning Outcomes

1. Critique the relevant literatures and evaluate the applicability of different perspectives on institutional leadership and strategic management to a range of strategic challenges in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate strategy in the multi-business firm, strategy innovation, and the leadership of institutional change and renewal.
2. Critique the prevailing change management literature and be able to synthesise and defend coherent and persuasive arguments for the adoption of particular change management strategies
3. Synthesise and defend coherent persuasive arguments for the adoption of particular approaches to a range of strategic and institutional leadership challenges
4. Carry out a strategic analysis of their company or a strategic challenge facing their business unit

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	48	Participating in scheduled classes
Independent Study	134	Reading the preassigned readings, cases and articles and preparing to contribute in class
Independent Study	48	Researching and writing reports for the group and individual projects
Independent Study	20	Preparing and revising for the written examination
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20747	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Melrona Kirrane	Module Teacher	Brian Harney, Nuala Lonergan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	Strategic analysis project (individual)	45%	As required
Project	Change management project (Team)	25%	Sem 2 End
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	30%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

The Strategy, Leadership and Transformation module will cover the overall subject area under the following themes:

Theme 1: Introduction to Strategy, Leadership & Transformation

Theme 2: Business & Society and Emerging Markets

Theme 3: Top Leadership

Theme 4: Strategy and Leadership in the Multi-Business Firm

Theme 5: Strategic Processes - Innovation and Renewal

Theme 6: Understanding the Challenge of Organisational Change

Theme 7: Leading Change - Diagnosis, Action and Follow-through

Indicative Reading List

Books:

J. Hayes: 2010, The Theory and Practice of Change Management, 3rd, Palgrave (Macmillan),

Articles:

0: Selected readings on strategy, leadership and transformation from leading management journals, 30944, 1
Selected readings on leadership from the public policy and other non-business literatures: 30945, 1,
30946: 1, 0, Selected cases sourced through the European Case Clearing House,

Other Resources

None