IB3D8-15 Corporate Strategy Part A
Introductory description
The module provides students with a sound basis for understanding corporate strategy. The managerial perspective may be of use for students intending to work in the corporate world, and provides frameworks for business analysis and strategy. The module also provides multiple perspectives upon corporate strategy which broadens perceptions of the scope of the academic subject.
Module aims
The module aims to:
Develop an understanding of the nature of the changing business environment.
Build awareness of strategy choices within various business situations.
Establish the foundations for strategic decisions based upon the concept of strategic advantage.
Develop skills in structuring and analysing strategic management situations.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The module focuses on the analysis of business strategy by starting with key issues and drivers for change in the broader business environment. The module then moves on to consider competitive strategy at the industry level, the corporate level and at the level of the individual business unit. A sub-text of the module, which is amplified in Corporate Strategy Part B, is a broader conception of strategy and the company as a human (i.e. not just economic and ‘rational’) concern, operating with a number of limitations that need to be taken into account, and within societies or communities that present a number of often disparate ‘stakeholders’.
- What is Strategy?
- Introduction – The External Environments
- Generic Strategies and Competitor Analysis
- Analysis of Strategic Capability
- Formulating a Corporate Strategy
- Strategic Alliances
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Global Sourcing and Ethical Issues
- Risk Uncertainty and Strategy
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Critically analyse a company's strategic situation.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of the changing business environment and carry out comparative analysis of strategy choices within various business situations.
- Think strategically i.e. not be limited to functional myopia but be capable of perceiving a wider and picture and begin to tackle functional and intra-organisational tensions.
Indicative reading list
Grant, R. 2016. Contemporary Strategy Analysis (9th edition). John Wiley & Sons.
Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Scholes, K., Angwin, D., Regner, P. 2013. Exploring Strategy (10th edition). Pearson Education Ltd.
Subject specific skills
Demonstrate skills in structuring and analysing strategic management situations.
Link multiple levels of analysis.
Recognise process effect.
Transferable skills
Work in teams to analyse and evaluate strategic situations.
Present orally and in writing the results of strategic analysis.
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Lectures | 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%) |
Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
Private study | 49 hours (33%) |
Assessment | 74 hours (49%) |
Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private Study.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
Individual Assignment (15 CATS) | 100% | 74 hours | Yes (extension) |
Reassessment component is the same |
Feedback on assessment
A percentage mark (using the UG 20 point scale) plus individual feedback and developmental comments on assignment coversheet.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of UIOA-VEU Undergraduate EU Visiting
- Year 4 of UGEA-RN21 Undergraduate German and Business Studies
-
UIOA-VOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
- Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
- Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting