Overview
Today’s businesses, corporations, organisations and institutions are fundamentally oriented towards growth, development, and sustainable enterprise. These entities rely on competent managers to secure distinctive strategic capabilities under circumstances of increasing complexity and uncertainty. The challenges are not insignificant across the range of profit and not-for-profit organisations. In exploring the magnitude of such challenges, key conceptual tools, methods and techniques intrinsic to strategic business management are applied within the competitive structure of an industry or related industries across regional, national, and international contexts. Case studies, business simulations, and theoretical frameworks stimulate in-class and on-line treatment of the subject matter for the unit. If you have successfully completed the unit MGMT20112 you should not enrol in this unit.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: A minimum of 48 credit points at postgraduate level
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 - 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 Postgraduate 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 feedback
offer more simulation practice details
help video and manual attached to moodle site
- critically evaluate and discuss theoretical concepts and principles of strategic business management
- apply the tools and techniques of business thought, analysis, and evaluation to support the formulation and implementation of strategy in profit and not-for-profit organisations
- compare and contrast key differences in professional and ethical standards, catering for cultural diversity, and environmental sustainablity in strategic business management
- evaluate the different levels of strategic business management involving authentic case studies and realistic simluations
- integrate prior learning, knowledge, and experience through leadership and teamwork processes and demonstrate professional competencies and practices aligned to other prostgraduate coursework.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - 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 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||
| 3 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
This unit will use readings and material placed on the moodle unit site
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.
d.h.pearson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Chapter
To read: Introduction,
View the Introductory lecture that I have prepared for you (see slides: Introduction to the Simulation).
The unit will also include a pre-recorded introductory lecture available to all students through Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
You will participate in a
business simulation where
you will join a team to
manage a company. To
succeed, you will need to
consider
• Your company profile
• Your competitors’ profiles
• The industry
• The market
• Strategic choices
• Funding
You will be working in a
management team of your
fellow class mates and
competing with other teams
also made up of your class
mates. You can edit your
decisions as you go and you
must choose a team leader
who will sign-off the team’s
decisions.
Group formation and
introduction to the simulation
Module/Topic
Industry Analysis & Competitive Advantage: Forces, Entry Costs, Exit Barriers- using porter's model effectively
Industry & Competitive Analysis: Competitive Dynamics
Analysis of Initial Situation and discussion on strategy
Decision making: First decision
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Business Resources, Capabilities & Stakeholder Analysis
Using tools in strategic choice
Organisation Structure, Technology & Innovation-the role marketing in strategy
Competitive Advantage & Sustainability
Strategic Change, Adaptation & Supply Chain Management-operations management in strategy
Decision making: Second decision
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Competitive advantage and Technology, Innovation: Value Creation & Capture
Decision making: third decision
Vertical Integration & Global Strategy
Decision making: decision four
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
assignment 1 is due
Practical and Written Assessment Due: Week 4 Friday (4 Aug 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 2 is due (WEDNESDAY)
Strategic Direction Team Report Due: Week 6 Wednesday (23 Aug 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
External Growth Strategies:
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances Decision making: sixth decision
Chapter
Reading list on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Strategic Management Trends,
Decision making: decision seven
Chapter
support materials on moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Final Decision Run
Developing presentation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unit final presentation week . All Groups-in class or flex students online
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Presentations in class with slides and recording submitted on line
Assignment 3 is due
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Practical and Written Assessment
Due week 4
30% weighting of overall grade
1000 words maximum
Assessment format and description
Team Roles -The simulation program requires you to form teams and assign roles to team members. A role must be specified for each team member. This assessment is a short report assigning roles, role description. This team is your firm and its employees. If you are doing this assignment individually you need to assume you are the firm and all the roles.
Your specified role involves interdependence within the team. As aspiring business managers your function after each simulation round is to reflect upon and critique decisions that your team has made. This first assessment will require you to negotiate and assign roles as a group and submit a document based on your process and choices. Your choice of role is to be specified from a selection elaborated in the unit assessment block.
it is important that you discuss, document and design tasks that include the following:
- meeting attendance
- levels of contribution per meeting/task
- decision making process and governance
- actions to be taken by whom
- standard of work completed by each member
- Mission and vision of your firm and organisational hierarchy.
The assignment marking criteria and rubric can be found on Moodle in the assessment block
Week 4 Friday (4 Aug 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (25 Aug 2017)
The assessment criteria for this task comprise:
- Role definition (30%)
- Role responsibilities and minimum expectations for each role (25%)
- Contingencies (time management, work flow, and commitment to outcomes) (25%)
- Written communication and referencing standards (20%)
The criteria are applied in accordance with the University's assessment grading requirements which necessarily include the award of a numerical grade within a range of values specific to the categories of: FAIL, PASS, CREDIT, DISTINCTION, & HIGH DISTINCTION.
- critically evaluate and discuss theoretical concepts and principles of strategic business management
- apply the tools and techniques of business thought, analysis, and evaluation to support the formulation and implementation of strategy in profit and not-for-profit organisations
- compare and contrast key differences in professional and ethical standards, catering for cultural diversity, and environmental sustainablity in strategic business management
- evaluate the different levels of strategic business management involving authentic case studies and realistic simluations
- integrate prior learning, knowledge, and experience through leadership and teamwork processes and demonstrate professional competencies and practices aligned to other prostgraduate coursework.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
2 Written Assessment
This assessment relates to identifying and justifying your strategy for your firm moving forward. Word count maximum 1500 words
Developing a strategy for your firm is a key part of success in the simulation environment and in real life business operations. Your strategy will serve as your firm’s “roadmap” throughout the simulation. A strategy consists of an integrated set of choices.
Most strategic plans focus on one or two such elements, often leaving large gaps in the overall strategy. Ensure you look at your strategy as a whole. You are required to consider the following elements in your assignment 2 in an environmental scan and analysis of your firm using the tools in the unit. You need to complete the following
1. analyse your simulation firm
2. use at least TWO of analytical tools to further analyse the environment
3. identify and summarise the gaps in the firm
4. build objectives for your firm and all functional areas
5. formulate a strategy for all functional areas and business level strategy
6. offer options and then decide on a recommendation for the future.
Be specific and offer .your contingencies
Title page, executive summary, references , tables, figures and diagrams do not count in your word limit
Week 6 Wednesday (23 Aug 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Friday (8 Sept 2017)
The assessment criteria for this item comprises of :
- Assessment of the internal and external market environment (20%) SWOT Porters and other tools
- application of themes and theories related to and including the use of literature to justify strategic direction and choice using the strategic diamond (20%)
- Application and justification of relevant strategic choice and direction for the future (20%)
- Evaluation of constraints and limits to strategy (20%)
- Calibre of argument and critical insight to defend or justify the decision (10%)
- Written communication and referencing standards (10%)
The criteria are applied in accordance with the university's assessment grading requirements which necessarily include the award of a numerical grade within a range of values specific to the categories of: FAIL, PASS, CREDIT, DISTINCTION, & HIGH DISTINCTION.
- critically evaluate and discuss theoretical concepts and principles of strategic business management
- apply the tools and techniques of business thought, analysis, and evaluation to support the formulation and implementation of strategy in profit and not-for-profit organisations
- compare and contrast key differences in professional and ethical standards, catering for cultural diversity, and environmental sustainablity in strategic business management
- evaluate the different levels of strategic business management involving authentic case studies and realistic simluations
- integrate prior learning, knowledge, and experience through leadership and teamwork processes and demonstrate professional competencies and practices aligned to other prostgraduate coursework.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
3 Presentation and Written Assessment
Weighting 40 % of total grade. Due date of presentation in final class session and then submitted copy to moodle
This assessment comprises a presentation to the board of directors, a written set of slides and narrative
Approximately 15 minute presentation 15 slides, a narrative of script notes/or recorded presentation
The strategic presentation the entire simulation. A key aspect of each business management decision is evaluation. Marks are awarded based on your team’s ability to discuss, assess, and critique the management decisions
Success with this assessment is contingent upon team members interacting at peer-to-peer level, and applying concepts and theories and principal sources to demonstrate applied strategic thinking from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
You must be prepared to defend your decision based on your best assessment of the circumstances.
Careful consideration of concepts and theory covered in the unit. Make use of the source materials to succeed in submitting a concise but coherent team report by the due date.
Further details and guidance available in Moodle assessment block
Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Class presentations will be held from week 11 , online students will submit a presentation online
Exam Week Friday (20 Oct 2017)
grades will be awarded with final grade
The assessment criteria for this item comprise:
- Interpretation and analysis of problem specific to all rounds(15%)
- Critique of content; use of literature (15%)
- Application of relevant strategy ethical standard, concepts, and frameworks (15%)
- Evaluation of constraints and limits to strategy (20%)
- Calibre of argument and critical insight to defend or justify the decision (20%)
- Written communication and referencing standards (15%)
The criteria are applied in accordance with the university's assessment grading requirements which necessarily include the award of a numerical grade within a range of values specific to the categories of: FAIL, PASS, CREDIT, DISTINCTION, & HIGH DISTINCTION.
- critically evaluate and discuss theoretical concepts and principles of strategic business management
- apply the tools and techniques of business thought, analysis, and evaluation to support the formulation and implementation of strategy in profit and not-for-profit organisations
- compare and contrast key differences in professional and ethical standards, catering for cultural diversity, and environmental sustainablity in strategic business management
- evaluate the different levels of strategic business management involving authentic case studies and realistic simluations
- integrate prior learning, knowledge, and experience through leadership and teamwork processes and demonstrate professional competencies and practices aligned to other prostgraduate coursework.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
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?
