MANG3008
Strategic Management
2024-25 Module Handbook
Module Aims
Strategic management is central to the operation of a variety of businesses in different sectors and environments. In a competitive global environment, understanding strategic principles and tools for analysis are of great importance to managers, to assist them in enhancing firm performance. This module will provide you with an overview of issues relevant to strategic management. It aims to introduce concepts and techniques of strategic analysis, strategy formulation, strategic actions/choices and strategy implementation. Students are encouraged to analyse and think critically as well as apply concepts and tools. An intellectual application of these theories together with the self-development of your own ideas will be utilised to demonstrate transferability of skills via a series of practical case applications.
Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding. Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to understand:
A1. the key dimensions of strategic management - Analysis, Evaluation, Choice & Implementation;
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A2. diagnostic, practical and creative skills to analyse and evaluate a range of business solutions in differing business contexts;
A3. organisations’ ability to implement chosen strategies and identify the areas requiring change.
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B. Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills. Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1. develop skills in generating alternative solutions to complex problem areas, underpinning each with a supportive and well researched rationale in order to achieve critical success;
B2. evaluate these solutions, analysing the impact of potential outcomes on the various stakeholder groups;
B3. analyse alternative strategies for business development in differing operating contexts; B4. assess the importance of structure, design, culture and working environment to effective strategic management;
B5. assess the contribution of strategic leadership to managing the process of strategic change.
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C. Transferable and Generic Skills. Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1. obtain, analyse and apply information from a variety of sources in the public domain; C2. embrace new ideas and awareness of alternatives which should be evaluated;
C3. work collectively as an effective and efficient group member, including, where appropriate, organising, guiding and motivating others;
C4. plan and enact the successful completion of a personal workload; communicate and justify arguments within reports.
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Recent improvements to this module
The following improvements have been made to this module in response to feedback from previous students: Some new case study analysis has been added. The lectures will be supported by additional online materials. The groupwork assessment has been removed. The individual assessment is now replaced by an exam.
Module Overview
Strategic management is central to the operation of a variety of businesses in different sectors and environments. The creation of a strategy and the management of its implementation are important in developing businesses that can create and sustain a competitive advantage. In a competitive global environment, understanding strategic principles, tools for analysis and techniques for implementation are of great importance to managers, to assist them in enhancing firm performance. This module will provide you with an overview of issues relevant to corporate and business strategy. It aims to introduce and evaluate major concepts and techniques of strategic analysis, strategy formulation, strategic actions/choices and strategy implementation. Students are encouraged to analyse and think critically as well as apply some of the introduced concepts and tools. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of strategic management by gaining an intellectual appreciation and understanding of the differing schools of strategic thought, which will in turn underpin subject understanding. An intellectual application of these theories together with the self- development of your own ideas will be utilised to demonstrate transferability of skills via a series of practical case applications.
Indicative syllabus
Topics covered in this module will include.
• Business Environment
• Strategic Capability
• Expectations and Purposes
• Business level Strategy and Corporate Strategy
• Innovation
• M&A and alliances
• Strategic choices and evaluation
• Organising for success
Learning and Teaching Strategy
Summary of Learning and Teaching methods.
Lectures, classes, guided reading, videos, case study, private study.
Teaching Approach
Lectures: 24 hours (12 weeks x 2 hours)
Classes: 10 hours (10 weeks x 1 hour)
You should check the online timetable regularly for updates to times and places of teaching sessions.
Recommended Reading/ Resources
Essential
Thompson, A., Peteraf, M., Gamble, J., and Strickland III, A.J. (2022) Crafting & executing strategy: The quest for competitive advantage, concepts and cases. 23e Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
MANG3008 - Strategic Management | University of Southampton (talis.com)
Module Outline
The table below indicates how the syllabus will be covered. This schedule is subject to change depending on the needs of the group.
Week No.
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Date: Week Beginning
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Lecture Topic/ Lecturer
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Class topic
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1
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30th
September (Dr Peprah)
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Introduction to Strategic Management
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2
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7th October (Dr Peprah)
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Evaluating a Company’s External Environment
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First Case Study: Strategic Position
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3
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14th October (Dr Peprah)
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Evaluating a Company’s
Resources, Capabilities and Competitiveness
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First Case Study: Strategic Options
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4
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21st October (Dr Peprah)
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Competitor Analysis and Generic Strategies
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Second Case Study: Strategic Position
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5
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28th
October
(Prof. Nayak)
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Strategic Decisions: Offensive, defensive and vertical
integration
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Second Case Study: Strategic Options
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6
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4th
November (Dr Hillier)
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Strategic Decisions:
International Strategy
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Third Case Study: Strategic Position
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7
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11th
November
(Prof. Nayak)
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Strategic Decisions: Corporate Strategy and Diversification
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Third Case Study: Strategic Options
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8
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18th
November
(Prof. Nayak)
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Ethics, CSR and Environmental Sustainability
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Fourth Case Study: Strategic Position
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9
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25th
November
(Prof. Nayak)
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Strategy Execution: Structure
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Fourth Case Study: Strategic Options
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10
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2nd
December
(Prof. Nayak)
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Strategy Execution: Leadership
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Exam Tutorials - Putting it all together
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11
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9th
December
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Exam Tutorials - Putting it all together
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12
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6th January
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Exam
The exam is based upon acase-study analysis that you will be given at the start of the Christmas Vacation. There will be two questions to answer in essay format. The exam accounts for 100% of your marks for this module.