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 1 - 2021
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 Workshop attendance.
Due to the time difference, international students doing this unit online have found it difficult to attend 9 am workshops.
This difficulty will be addressed by allocating afternoon workshops for the students doing this unit from overseas.
Feedback from Unit coordinator's experience.
International students used chatbox to communicate during 9 am workshops. Discussion on concepts and issues and group presentation were not very useful
This will be addressed by providing an option for the submission of weekly journals and group presentation for students doing this unit online from overseas.
Feedback from Quality of individual and group assessments.
Poor referencing and use of limited literature resources.
Relevant recent articles, reports, and cases will be posted on the Moodle site to assist students with individual argumentative essay and for writing a strategic plan. Special sessions to discuss assessment guidelines will be provided.
Feedback from Impacts on unit grade.
Allocation of 60% of total marks for group assessments is too high.
Allocation of 40% marks for the group assessments will be considered.
Feedback from Student performance.
Assessment of learning outcomes based on two group reports does not allow to assess a student's individual performance.
Marks for the individual argumentative essay will be increased to 60%.
Feedback from Student activity on Moodle.
Limited Moodle site engagement.
Special zoom session and phone conversation with students who have poor Moodle site engagement and do not respond to follow-up emails will be considered.
- 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
Exploring Strategy, Text and Cases
Edition: 12th ed. (2019)
Authors: Whittington, R., Regnér, P., Angwin, D., Johnson, G., & Scholes, K.
Pearson Education
Harlow Harlow , Essex , United Kingdon
ISBN: 9781292282459
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Paper copies can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
shahid.khan@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Globalisation and strategic change in the 21st Century
Chapter
1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Macro-environmental factors affecting organisational strategy
Chapter
2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Industry and sector analysis
Chapter
3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Resources and capabilities analysis
Chapter
4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Business level strategies and models
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
VACATION WEEK
Chapter
VACATION WEEK
Events and Submissions/Topic
VACATION WEEK
Module/Topic
Corporate strategy and mode of diversification
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
International strategy
Chapter
9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Mergers, acquisitions and alliances
Chapter
11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Evaluating strategies
Chapter
12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Strategy development processes
Chapter
13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Diagnosing the strategic change situation
Leadership and Strategic Change
Chapter
15
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The practice of strategy
Chapter
16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Case Study
Assessment Task:
Discuss the importance of external environmental factors (PESTLE factors), industry forces (Porter's five forces model), and value chain analysis in assessing the nature of competition in an industry. Critically analyse when does a business should pursue a differentiation strategy?
The assessment involves the application of strategic management theories, concepts and tools covered in the unit to analyse a case. The aim of this assessment is to evaluate if students are able to understand important strategic management issues from a given set of information. It is important that the case analysis report is limited to case information only (i.e. no additional research about the company or the industry is necessary). The objective is to analyse the case from the strategic management's point of view, given the information they had at a particular point in time.
Title of the case: H&M in fast fashion: continued success? (the case can only be accessed through unit's Moodle page)
You are required to have a good understanding of the microenvironment and industry-related factors that influence a business to devise new strategies.
It is important to recognise that internal resource and capability assessment is vital for a company before taking any new strategic initiative.
You are required to explain how a value chain analysis helps a business to identify the areas of competitive advantage and sources of threats.
A comprehensive understanding of three generic business-level strategies will give a better analytical framework to discuss why and how a business should pursue a differentiation strategy. You need to focus on the competitive benefits of a differentiation strategy.
This is an individual assessment with a maximum of 1500-words to be written in a business report format. Your submission should use a combination of at least 10 (post-2010) academic journal and textbook references. Please upload the assessment through the appropriate Moodle link.
Any assessment with a high ‘Turnitin’ score 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.
Detailed assessment criteria will be posted on the Moodle site in week 2.
Submission checklist for Assessment 1:
· Cover page with name and ID (use the cover page provided in Moodle)
· 1.5 line spacing and 12 size font in Times New Roman
· Maximum of 1500-WORDs
· Submissions should be made in .doc or .docx format
· Note that if you are using Mac, you may need to change to the acceptable format before final submission.
· Submit online through Assessment 1 submission link in Moodle
Please Note: Assessment 1 is an individual task. The objective of the individual assessment is to enable you to conduct a scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities in an organisation, assess how organisations use strategy in the change management process and analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at an organisational, functional and individual level. It is expected that you will be attending lectures regularly and work on this assessment individually in class with guidance from the local lecturer. Therefore, regular attendance is required in order to do well in this assessment.
Week 6 Friday (23 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Penalties apply for late submission (5% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 1 per day (or part of the day) unless an approved extension has been granted)
Week 8 Friday (7 May 2021)
As per University policy, assessment tasks will be returned to students within two University scheduled weeks.
1. Brief introduction of the company (10% Marks)
2. Critically analyse the external environmental forces (PESTLE factors) influencing the company (20% Marks)
3. Critically analyse the industry forces (Porter's five forces model) to identify the core competencies of the company and its competitive advantages (20% Marks)
4. Critically analyse the strategies followed by the company (20% Marks)
5. Analyse (through value chain analysis) whether the company's capabilities and competencies are sufficient to cope with the future challenges faced by the company (20% Marks)
6. Referencing - including proper in-text citations and reference list using APA - 7th edition referencing style (10% Marks)
- 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 Task:
This is a group assignment that involves a 15-minute student-led presentation and a 2500-words (+/-10%) Business Report on the same topic. This assessment item accounts for 60% of your final grade for this unit and must be completed by students as a group.
This assessment consists of two parts:
1) A business report addressing your chosen topic (30%);
2) An in-class group presentation (30%).
Assessment 2 is about formulating future strategic plan (maximum 2500-Words) for a company. You need to choose only one company from the five options listed for this assessment (see below).
1. Foxtel Australia (https://www.foxtel.com.au)
2. Jetstar Airways (https://www.jetstar.com)
3. Origin Energy (https://www.originenergy.com.au)
4. Ampol Limited (https://www.ampol.com.au)
5. BHP Limited (https://www.bhp.com)
Each group is required to write a critical and analytical strategic management plan using contemporary concepts, theories, and models. The students (as a group) will have to use their cognitive knowledge and understanding in analysing various strategies (joint venture, strategic alliance, franchising etc.) for one of the recommended cases.
The students are required to use between 10 (post-2010) quality academic references (Academic texts, journals, reports, books etc.).
In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications and demonstrate a willingness to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals, and studies that reflect an ability to conceptualise key strategy and change management concepts and theories. A professionally written assignment using the APA (7th edition) referencing style.
See Moodle for more detailed assessment rubric.
Late submission and academic misconduct penalties apply as per the university regulations
Total Weighting 60%
Presentation 30 Marks (15 minutes) in the class (Exam Week)
Written assignment 30 Marks
Word limit: 2500-Words.
Submission checklist for Assessment 2:
· Cover page with the name( s) and ID(s) (use the cover page provided in Moodle)
· 1.5 line spacing and 12 size font in Times New Roman
· Maximum of 2500-Words
· The written report should be submitted in .doc or .docx format
· Note that if you are using Mac, you may need to change to the acceptable format before final submission.
· Submit the file online through Assessment 2 submission link in Moodle. Only one person needs to submit on behalf of the other group members.
Any assessment with a high ‘Turnitin’ score 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.
Please Note: Assessment 2 is a group/team task. Your campus lecturer/tutor will help organise you in a team of 3-5 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. Only one person from the group is required to submit the report in Moodle.
Review/Exam Week Thursday (10 June 2021) 9:00 am 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)
Students will not be able to see the marks before the grades are finalised by the Faculty Academic Board.
- 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?
