Overview
Strategy and Change is a capstone unit in the Bachelor of Business. Organisational strategy and change is increasingly becoming important in a highly competitive business environment. In this capstone unit, you will explore the process used in strategy formulation and implementation and consider how decisions are made to effectively implement change. You will assess how internal and external pressures influence decision making and the subsequent formulation and implementation of strategy and change in a range of different types of organisations. The unit examines how organisations align resources in setting strategy and mechanisms deployed to review performance. You will also gain insights on the importance of risk management in strategy implementation and change process.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Completion of 48 credit points in first year of study
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 2 - 2018
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 Have your say survey
Have three assessment items instead of two assessment items.
The merit of designing three assessments could be discussed at the M&I discipline level after consultation with the discipline leader.
Feedback from Have your say survey
Assessment feedback
A feedback summary document can be prepared and uploaded to Moodle at the release time of assessment grades.
- Analyse strategy, planning and decision making processes in organisations
- Evaluate and identify internal and external pressures that inform strategy and change to the business model
- Undertake scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities
- Assess how organisations use strategy in change management process
- Analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at organisational, functional and individual level.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 - Case Study - 40% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Strategic Management: Awareness and Change
Edition: 8th (2017)
Authors: John Thompson, Jonathan M. Scott, Frank Martin
Cengage Learning EMEA
Andover Andover , Hampshire , United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781473726338
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
An ebook version of the text can be purchased from Cengage Australia website: https://www.cengagebrain.com.au/shop/isbn/9781473726338
If you prefer a hard copy, they are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
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.
s.sadeque@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
What is strategy and who is involved?
Chapter
Chapter 1 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The business model and the revenue model
Chapter
Chapter 2 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Strategic purpose: Vision and mission of the organisation
Chapter
Chapter 3 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
External analysis of the organisation
Chapter
Chapter 4 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Internal analysis of the organisation
Chapter
Chapter 5 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
VACATION WEEK
Chapter
VACATION WEEK
Events and Submissions/Topic
VACATION WEEK
Module/Topic
The dynamics of competition
Chapter
Chapter 6 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Creating and formulating strategy
Chapter
Chapter 8 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Strategic planning
Chapter
Chapter 9 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Strategic control and measuring success
Chapter
Chapter 11 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Strategy implementation and structure
Chapter
Chapter 14 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Culture and values of the organisation
Chapter
Chapter 7 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Leading and managing change
Chapter
Chapter 15 Thompson, Scott & Martin; & online resources
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Case Study
The assessment involves the application of strategic management theories, concepts and tools to analyse a case. It is important that the case analysis is limited to case information only. The objective is to analyse the case from the management's point of view, given the information they had at a particular point in time. This is an individual assessment with a maximum of 1500 words. Your submission should use a combination of at least 10 (ten) academic journal and textbook references. Please upload the assessment through the appropriate Moodle link. Assessment must be uploaded as a .doc or .docx file (word file).
Any assessment with a ‘Turnitin’ score of more than 25% will be checked by the marker and unit coordinator for potential plagiarism issue although it may not necessarily mean that you have plagiarised. If there is a substantial similarity score in the ‘Turnitin’ report, your assessment could be forwarded to an appropriate office/authority.
Week 6 Friday (24 Aug 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Penalties apply for late submission (5% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 1 per day unless an approved extension has been granted)
Week 8 Friday (7 Sept 2018)
Provide an executive summary of the case analysis (2 marks)
Provide a brief introduction of the company (2 marks)
Critically analyse the external environmental forces influencing the company (10 marks)
Critically analyse the capabilities and competencies of the company (10 marks)
Analyse whether the company's capabilities and competencies are sufficient to cope with the future challenges faced by the company (10 marks)
Integrate findings from theoretical and empirical research including proper in-text citations and reference list using APA referencing style (4 marks)
Report format and writing (2 marks)
Penalties apply for exceeding word limit (1% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 1 for every 100 words over the allowed 1500 +10% word limit)
- Undertake scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities
- Assess how organisations use strategy in change management process
- Analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at organisational, functional and individual level.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
Assessment 2 is about formulating future strategic plan (maximum 2000 words) for a company. This assessment has two parts - (1) writing the strategic plan and (2) presenting key points of the strategic plan.
You will have to choose one company from the five options listed for this assessment (see below).
1. Holden
2. Lorna Jane
3. Stan
4. The Smith Family
5. Your choice of a company (this option needs unit coordinator’s approval)
Your submission should use a combination of at least 10 (ten) academic journal and textbook references. Please upload the assessment through the appropriate Moodle link. The written part of the assessment must be uploaded as a .doc or .docx file (word file). The presentation part must be uploaded as .ppt or .pptx with voice over.
Any assessment with a ‘Turnitin’ score of more than 25% will be checked by the marker and unit coordinator for potential plagiarism issue although it may not necessarily mean that you have plagiarised. If there is a substantial similarity score in the ‘Turnitin’ report, your assessment could be forwarded to an appropriate office/authority.
For students enrolled in the local campuses: This assessment will be a team effort. Your campus lecturer/tutor will help organise you in a team of 3 members (max.) by Week 4. The objectives of the team-based assessment are to enable you to develop your communication and interpersonal skills, achieve cross-cultural understanding, strengthen your critical and rational thinking abilities and learning and enjoy different perspectives on the same topic. It is expected that you will be attending lectures regularly and work on this assessment in your group in class with guidance from the local lecturer. Therefore, regular attendance is required in order to do well in this assessment. Your group is required to prepare PowerPoint slides (12 slides maximum) with voiceover (6 minutes maximum) in addition to the written report. Only one person from the group is required to submit both the report and the presentation in Moodle. For hints on how to convert a PowerPoint slide to a presentation with voice over, please view the link given. Adding Voice Over to PowerPoint Presentations in 5 Easy Steps: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/12/add-voice-over-to-powerpoint-presentations-in-5-easy-steps/
For students enrolled in distance mode (Flex) students: You can complete this assessment either individually or in a group (not more than 3 members). You can use the Moodle forum to find group members. Please inform the Unit Co-ordinator of your group membership by the end of Week 4. You are required to prepare PowerPoint slides (12 slides maximum) with voiceover (6 minutes maximum) in addition to the written report. If working in a group, then only one person from the group is required to submit both the report and the presentation in Moodle. For hints on how to convert a PowerPoint slide to a presentation with voice over, please view the link given. Adding Voice Over to PowerPoint Presentations in 5 Easy Steps: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/12/add-voice-over-to-powerpoint-presentations-in-5-easy-steps/
Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Penalties apply for late submission (5% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 2 per day unless an approved extension has been granted)
The return of graded submissions and feedback occurs after the certification of grade day.
Written part will be assessed as follows:
- Executive summary of the report (2 marks)
- Brief introduction to the company (2 marks)
- Demonstrates an understanding and application of strategic management concepts for external audit (10 marks)
- Demonstrates an understanding and application of strategic management concepts for internal audit (10 marks)
- Ability to identify and justify the key strategic issues facing the company (5 marks)
- Ability to develop a sound strategic plan that addresses the key strategic issues (15 marks)
- Integrate findings from theoretical and empirical research including proper in-text citations and reference list using APA referencing style (4 marks)
- Report format and writing (2 marks)
Presentation part will be assessed as follows:
- Presentation content (5 mark)
- Presentation delivery (5 mark)
Penalties apply for exceeding word limit in the written part (1% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 2 for every 100 words over the allowed 2000 +10% word limit)
- Analyse strategy, planning and decision making processes in organisations
- Evaluate and identify internal and external pressures that inform strategy and change to the business model
- Undertake scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities
- Analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at organisational, functional and individual level.
- 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?
