Overview
The unit provides final year undergraduate students with a capstone experience that further develops their investigative skills and integrates learning that has taken place throughout the degree. The unit requires students to critically evaluate issues specific to strategy development and effective implementation.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: 96 units of credit
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation
Too much content, Information overload, text, readings, lectures, lecture notes, video recordings, convoluted explanation, not clear or straightforward; difficult to integrate the volume of information
Reduce clutter, revamp to a simpler layout for ease of navigation, specify teaching plan and instructional delivery for each week
Feedback from Student evaluation
Assignment return was returned too close to the exam, and provided only generic feedback which was not helpful in preparing for the exam.
Ensure the timely return of major assessments in line with policy provisions.Revamp the marking rubric and marking criteria template.
Feedback from Student evaluation
Clarity of assessment requirements
Provide a preamble, audio or video briefing, formative assessment that contributes to summative assessment requirements, and follow-up with news items or forum discussion.
Feedback from Learning and Teaching reveiw
The unit title "Business Integration" is inconsistent with the unit's content impacting student expectations. The conceptual and theoretical material deals exclusively with business strategy
Change unit title to "Business Strategy"
- Define and investigate inputs to strategy, including the external and internal environment, mission, and strategic intent across diverse business contexts.
- Critically assess strategic inputs and alternate scenarios.
- Design a strategic plan and realistic implementation schedule.
- Analyse and apply relevant measures of business success.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Strategic Management: Thinking, Analysis, Action
5th Edition (2015)
Authors: Hubbard, G. Rice, J. & Galvin, P.
Pearson Australia
Melbourne Melbourne , Australia
ISBN: 9781486010806
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
To avoid shipping delays and your budget, purchase the vital source (web and cross platform apps) eText direct from Pearson (ISBN: 9781486012428)!
However, if you prefer a paper copy, they are still available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- zoom.us (client)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.n.johnson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
MODULE 1: BUSINESS STRATEGY
(Where are we now?)
Business strategy:
Overview of the unit and a focus on core concepts of strategy.
Chapter
Ch.1 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015 & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Workshop: Welcome to the unit
Module/Topic
From rhetoric to reality:
Unpack the value proposition and underlying business model.
Chapter
Ch. 2 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Environmental scan:
Analyse the industry and markets, and develop strategic scenarios.
Chapter
Ch. 3 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Workshop: Discussion of Assessment #1
Module/Topic
Internal capabilities:
Evaluate the organisation's internal capability to create and sustain competitive advantage.
Chapter
Ch. 4 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
MODULE 2: FORMULATING STRATEGY
(Where do we want to be?)
Clarify ambitions and abilities:
Analyse gaps between strategic opportunity and capacity to execute
Chapter
Chs. 5 & 6 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Scale and Scope:
Evaluate similarities and differences in strategic decision making for different organisations.
Chapter
Chs. 7 & 9 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Workshop: Discussion of Assessment #2
Module/Topic
MODULE 3: IMPLEMENTING STRATEGY
(How do we get there?)
Leadership and management:
Distinguish between a vision shared and a shared vision as the catalyst for successful implementation.
Chapter
Ch. 13 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Operational capital:
Focus on the systems, structure and financial capacity that support implementation.
Chapter
Ch. 9 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cultural capital:
Determine whether strategic change is incremental, transformational, or punctuated.
Chapter
Ch. 13 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Human capital:
Create the conditions for alignment and engagement of people in strategic change.
Chapter
Ch. 14 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
MODULE 4: EVALUATION & CONTROL
(How do we measure success?)
Performance tracking:
Determine critical success factors and core KPIs.
Chapter
Ch. 5 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Workshop: Pre-submission discussion of Assessment #2
Module/Topic
Dynamic adjustments:
Understand the strategic, tactical, and operational levers to improve strategic outcomes.
Chapter
Ch. 8 Hubbard, Rice, & Galvin 2015
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
To contact the Unit Coordinator:
Dr Malcolm Johnson
Email: MGMT19128-admin@cqu.edu.au
If sending an email, please:
1. Include the Unit code in the Subject line
2. Ensure your questions are succinct.
Phone: 07-40374731
Please leave a message: clearly state the unit code, your name, your question, and then a contact number (please repeat your contact number S-L-O-W-L-Y at the end of the message).
Campus Lecturers:
Rockhampton: Jim Jensen (j.jensen@cqu.edu.au)
Brisbane: Ashley Orth (a.orth@cq.edu.au)
Sydney: Richard Poi (r.poi@cqu.edu.au)
Melbourne: Robin Neeson (r.neeson1@cqu.edu.au)
1 Practical and Written Assessment
This is an applied assessment and may be undertaken individually or as a group (not exceeding three people). If you prepare a group submission you must advise the course coordinator by email (MGMT19128-admin@cqu.edu.au) no later than the end of Week 2
You have the option of analysing the business strategy of Capricorn Coastguard (material provided in Moodle) OR an organisation you either work for or are targeting to do so. The analysis should incorporate frameworks and perspectives in material up to and including Week 4.
In preparing your business report, your approach as a 'consultant' to the organisation will succinctly answer "where is the organisation now?"
Guidelines:
- Business report format
- 1500- 2000 words (including appendices)
- APA referencing
- Minimum eight (8) citations from relevant research journals
- If you undertake an analysis of Capricorn Coast Guard, you are to rely on material provided or publicly available. Please do not to contact Capricorn Coast Guard for further information.
Week 5 Friday (7 Apr 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Monday (17 Apr 2017)
Results will be listed in the grade book.
Assessment criteria:
- Analyse the organisation's underlying business model (5 Marks)
- Articulate the key challenges and strategic issues the organisation is confronting. (5 Marks)
- Apply relevant strategic frameworks to ascertain the current impact of the challenges on the organisation's internal ability to deliver services to its target clients. (10 Marks)
- Project current situation two years ahead if no changes take place. Provide alternative scenarios if key strategic challenges are addressed. (10 Marks)
- Quality of submission (Adheres to Business Report format; Clear flow of ideas; Incorporates at least eight (8) journal papers using APA format; Satisfies word length, written expression, and grammatical standards). (10 Marks)
- Penalties apply for late submission and exceeding word limit.
- Total out of 40 Marks
- Define and investigate inputs to strategy, including the external and internal environment, mission, and strategic intent across diverse business contexts.
- Critically assess strategic inputs and alternate scenarios.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
This second assessment is a continuation of the strategic evaluation of the organisation you chose to analyse in the first assessment. It is to be completed individually.
Succinctly answer three strategic questions:
- Where could/should the organisation head? (Topic 2: Formulating Strategy)
- How might it get there? (Topic 3: Implementing Strategy)
- How might the organisation best measure success? (Topic 4: Evaluation and Control)
Support:
This is a major piece of assessment due late in the Term. To reduce the risk of writing 'off-track', you are welcome to submit a draft of your work. Your facilitator or Unit Coordinator will not mark this work but will provide constructive comment where necessary. Please allow one week for the feedback.
Guidelines:
- Individual preparation and submission (no group work)
- Business Report format
- 3000 words (including appendices)
- APA referencing
- Minimum 12 citations from relevant research journals (not included in the word count)
Review/Exam Week Friday (9 June 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (16 June 2017)
Assessment criteria:
- Perform a gap analysis to identify what needs to be changed for the organisation to execute on its business mode.l (10 Marks)
- What changes, if any, does the organisation need to make to leverage support from its strategic resources? (10 Marks)
- What critical success factors underwrite your recommendations above? (5 Marks)
- How do you define strategic success and what Key Performance Indicators will progressively measure this? (5 Marks)
- What strategic, tactical and operational levers have you identified to dynamically recalibrate their implementation efforts? (10 Marks)
- Quality of submission (Adheres to Business Report format; Clear flow of ideas; Incorporates at least 12 journal papers using APA format; Satisfies word length, written expression, and grammatical standards). (20 Marks)
- Penalties apply for late submission and exceeding word limit.
- Design a strategic plan and realistic implementation schedule.
- Analyse and apply relevant measures of business success.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
