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Module Handbook
2023/24
Strategic Management
School BOSE
Level 7
Semester 2
Credits 20
CRN 10392

Module Leader Garry Carr

Email Address [email protected]

Communication Protocol: module staff will reply to student questions within a

reasonable time, but this will normally be within office hours only. Students are
advised to check this handbook and also to see if there are any online/noticeboard
announcements or FAQ answers that deal with their enquiry before contacting staff.
Introduction from the Module Leader

Welcome to Strategic Management. This capstone module allows students to employ knowledge gained in
earlier modules in the context of a strategic perspective of business management. It assists the evaluation
of decisions that managers are faced with in complex and dynamic environments combining multiple
perspectives of business and management (leadership, creativity and human capital, finance and
environmental analytics, creativity and strategic thinking approaches).
Garry Carr
[email protected]

Module Aims
1 To provide students with a critical understanding of the main theories, techniques and debates
which inform contemporary approaches to business strategy.

2 To provide opportunities to interrogate the relevance of theoretical models and analytical

techniques in local and international contexts.

Module Learning Outcomes

1 Evaluate the assumptions underlying different approaches to the management of strategy to
inform strategic action within organisations.

2 Critically evaluate key theories underpinning the strategy process, including how organisations
analyse their environment and capabilities, and choose between potential strategic options and
suggest ways to overcome the challenges of implementation.

3 Critically evaluate the risks and ethical considerations involved in organisational decision-making,
including consideration of rationality in the decision-making process.

4 Directly apply strategic thinking and its impact on existing theory and practice.
Module Learning Activities

 The strategy process, strategic thinking. Approaches to strategic management.

 The external and internal environments of strategic management PESTEL analysis, 5 forces, RBV
and managing resources in achieving strategic goals, core competences and other relevant theories.
Organisational purpose.
 Business level strategies, generic strategies, the value chain and portfolio analysis.
 Corporate strategies and their choice – strategies for growth, retrenchment and turnaround.
Strategies for declining industries.
 Globalisation, global strategy of multinationals and current issues affecting strategy.
 The role of entrepreneurship and strategic leadership. Corporate social responsibility.
 Strategic evaluation
 Organisational structures, corporate parenting and networked organizations
 Managing corporate knowledge and innovation, critical perspectives of strategy, postmodern
perspectives.
 Strategic implementation and managing change in complex environments.

Communication

All module communication will be via MyBeckett.

You must notify your Course Administrator if you are absent for more than one day (for example for an
interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate leave). If you are going to apply for
mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence (see Extenuating
Circumstances and Mitigation for further information).
Contact Hours

Activity Number of Hours

Lectures 12

Seminars 24

Tutorials

Project Supervision

Demonstration

Practical Sessions

Supervised Studio/ Lab

Fieldwork

External Visits

Work Based Learning

Minimum Total Contact Hours 36

In-Module Placement

Guided Independent Study 164

Total Notional Hours 200

Key Resources to Support Learning

Please see Reading List and Weekly Content for Journal articles and other learning materials.

Disability Advice and Support

All disabled students requiring additional support or alternative arrangements must declare and provide
evidence of their disability to the Disability Advice Team as early as possible:
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/.
Weekly Schedule

Please see additional document on Mybeckett

Assessment

Assessment Summary

Assessment 1

Assessment Method: Re-assessment Method:

Exam Length / Word 1200 Exam Length / Word 1200
Count Count
Assessment Release Monday 12/02/24 Assessment Release Monday 12/02/24
Date: Date:
Assessment Deadline Tuesday 12/03/24 Reassessment Deadline 09/07/24
Date & Time: Date & Time: Flexible Deadline: 17/07/24

Feedback Method: Turnitin Feedback Method: Turnitin

Feedback Date: 4 Weeks from Submission Feedback Date: 4 weeks from submission

Type / Component Weighting: Coursework – 20%

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1,2

Assessment 2

Assessment Method: Re-assessment Method:

Exam Length / Word 4800 Exam Length / Word 4800
Count Count
Assessment Release Monday 12/02/24 Assessment Release Monday 12/02/24
Date: Date:
Assessment Deadline 07/05/24 Reassessment Deadline 09/07/24
Date & Time: Flexible Deadline:14/05/24 Date & Time: Flexible Deadline: 17/07/24

Feedback Method: Turnitin Feedback Method: Turnitin

Feedback Date: 4 Weeks from Submission Feedback Date: 4 Weeks from Submission

Type / Component Weighting: Coursework – 80%

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1,2,3,3
Assessment Details
Coursework

Assessment 1
Component 1 of the module assessment is to Conduct a Macro-environmental analysis of a selected
organisation. Based on this analysis you are to identify the key strategic issues that your organisation is
facing.
A number of academic references are provided for you to use as a starting point for you to start your
research. These are located in week 2 of the module materials. All students should read chapter’s 1, 2 and
4 of the recommended textbook prior to starting the assessment. Lecture 2 should also be reviewed as
well. A recording of this is available on MyBeckett.

The core models to use are PESTLE OR VUCA analysis. A template for both models are available for you to
use in your assessment. These are located in the assessment folder. (Approx. 1200 words)

In order to conduct their research students must make use of Statista, Marketline, Mintel, Mergent, Fame
and academic journals that are available via the University Library. Students must reference their sources
carefully. Students should also use Company Reports.

The organisation that you choose in this assessment will also be the same organisation that you use for
component 2.

Assignment 2
Coursework Brief:

Following on from your work for assessment 1 you must now use your macro-environmental analysis to
complete a Strategic management report which has the following subsections.

Tasks

1. Industry Analysis

Conduct an Industry analysis of your organisation. Based on this analysis, identify the key strategic
issues that your organisation is facing. A template for your Industry analysis is available which
students must use. (Approx. 700 words)
 2. Internal Analysis

Conduct a resource-based analysis of your organisation using relevant concepts and frameworks.
Drawing on this analysis, provide appropriate recommendations on how your organisations
resources and its strategy should be developed. A template for your Resource Based Analysis which
students must use. (Approx. 1200 words)

3. Business Models

Critically analyse your selected organisation’s business model. A template for the Business Model
Canvas is provided although students are free to use other appropriate models to evaluate the
Business Model. (Approx. 750 words).

4. Sustainable Value

All students must consider and apply Hart, S.L. and Milstein, M.B., (2003) Sustainable Value
Framework to their organisation. All students must do this as part of their assignment using the
resources provided. (Approx. 750 words)

5. Strategic options.

Recommendation of some strategic options for the organisation to maintain or enhance

competitiveness in the future. These must be related to the potential impacts of macro /
competitive forces as identified in component 1 and Section 1. Please also note you should make
recommendations within the context of the organisation. Some evaluation of risk and ethical issues
is also important here. (Approx.1300 Words)

Please note that in doing your assignment you may want to consider other core issues such as Culture,
CSR, Organisational Structure, and any other issues you think are relevant to the analysis

This needs to be written in the form of a business report. The limit of 4800 words excludes appendices
which should not be excessive in length and should not include material that would be more properly
included in the body of the report.

Consider all the relevant models, tools and concepts which have been covered in this module: if you think
they apply to your case study organisation, and tell you something useful about its strategy, then apply
them, and tell us about what you have found out by doing so. One approach to including this material is to
put such models and analysis tools in clearly numbered and labelled appendices – but this is not the only
approach
An alternative approach is to integrate the application of such specific tools and models within the body of
the report and don’t bother to include any appendices
The assessment tests strategic thinking skills and the ability to apply module concepts to understand
situations facing your organisation, developing insights in the process and then using these insights to offer
your own perspective on what your organisation should do and why. You are expected to draw explicitly
on the models, concepts and theories to support your analysis conclusions and recommendations.

In order to conduct their research students must make use of Statista, Marketline, Mintel, Mergent, Fame,
Corporate Websites and academic journals that are available via the University Library.

All students must demonstrate that they have engaged with the module materials. This should include the
suggested readings and the recommended textbooks. Students must not base their research around
Google Searches, and sources which are not considered to be authoritative. The tutorial activities will
support your learning through examples and applications of the core models and frameworks. Guides to
using the major research databases such as Statista have been provided in Tutorials 2 – 5. Students are
encouraged to engage with the formative feedback available through Tutorials and through the ability to
submit drafts to Turnitin.

Hart, S.L. and Milstein, M.B., 2003. Creating sustainable value. Academy of Management
Perspectives, 17(2), pp.56-67.

Hart, S.L., 1997. Beyond greening: strategies for a sustainable world. Harvard business review, 75(1), pp.66-
77.

Student Instructions for Submission of Coursework

This module requires you to submit your work online.
You MUST submit your work through MyBeckett using the link set up by the tutor. Receipt of your work
will be recorded.
Your "Turnitin assignments" in MyBeckett can be set up so that you can check your assignment yourself as
you submit it. This checking is done by creating a "Similarity Report". If this report shows that there are
some problems with your work, such as un-cited quotations, you should be able to make corrections and
re-submit the work again before the due date. More information about Turnitin is available online here:
https://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/it_support/mybeckett/turnitin
Please note: Tutors will follow up any suspected breach of academic integrity found after the submission
date as per University policy. Late penalties will apply as per University Regulations.
Please note: Tutors will follow up any suspected breach of academic integrity found after the submission
date as per University policy. Late penalties will apply as per University Regulations.
Feedback on Your Assessments
Feedback forms a large part of your learning experience and is vital to your personal and professional
development.
Whatever your academic level, building on your feedback is vital. Noting and acting on feedback is key to
independent learning, continued progress and long-term success.
https://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/skills-for-learning/building-on-feedback

Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities

Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation

If you are experiencing problems which are adversely affecting your ability to study (called 'extenuating
circumstances'), then you can apply for mitigation. You can find full details of how to apply for mitigation
at: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/exams-assessments-and-awards/mitigation-and-
extenuating-circumstances/.
For students requiring 5-day extensions on coursework submissions, you do not have to apply for this.
Instead, you will be permitted to submit up to 5 working days after the deadline without incurring a late
penalty. This will be called the flexible submission period. Full details of this policy can be found here.
The University operates a fit to sit/fit to submit approach to extenuating circumstances which means
students who take their assessment are declaring themselves fit to do so. More information is available at
the above link and here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/exams-assessments-and-
awards/examinations/

Late Submission
Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed
work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available at
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations/.

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle within the University and is strongly linked to good academic
practice. All assessments must be submitted with due attention to issues of academic integrity, expression,
and good academic practice, including clarity in grammar, semantics and syntax.
Any suspected breach of academic integrity will be investigated by the University and could have serious
consequences on your studies. Breaches of academic integrity include (but are not limited to) plagiarism,
self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. Definitions and the potential consequences of an admitted
or found breach of academic integrity are detailed in the Academic Regulations at:
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations/.
There are a range of resources available to help you understand what is and what is not permitted and
how to use other people’s ideas in your assessed work. These include the LBU Academic Integrity tutorial,
which is available on Academic Integrity Tutorial for 2023/24 and the Skills for Learning website which you
can access here https://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/skills-for-learning/. An Academic Integrity Factsheet
for Students is available to view at: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/academic-skills-
and-advice/academic-integrity/.
Your Feedback on the Module
A mid-module review will be timetabled into your module by week 7. This is an opportunity to resolve
modular issues promptly early on in the module. In addition, you will have the opportunity to provide
feedback formally at the end of your module-. These comments will be reviewed by your course team and
some may be considered via the course monitoring and enhancement process, in which your Course
Representative is involved.