Strategy
| Module title | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEM3089 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Strategy may be defined as “determination of the long term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals.” (Alfred Chandler, 1962).
Building upon foundational knowledge developed in earlier parts of your degree prgoramme, the Strategy module offers a deeper perspective on the multifaceted nature of strategy implementation processes. This will give you the opportunity to explore in more detail some of the core and emerging issues facing organisations today.
This module addresses common strategic challenges by helping students to develop an understanding of how organisations arrive at strategies for competitive advantage and how they address issues relating to firm growth and development. The module takes a holistic view of the strategic management process and explores key concepts, theories, frameworks, and issues of relevance to each of its dimensions (i) strategic analysis, (ii) strategic formulation, and (iii) strategic implementation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to achieve three key objectives:
- Insights and Perspectives: The module provides participants with insights into a range of strategy-related perspectives, issues, and trends. These topics are currently receiving attention from scholars and practitioners alike.
- Application to Real-World Cases: The module emphasizes the practical relevance of these insights and perspectives by relating them to real-world business cases and scenarios.
- Critical Evaluation and Understanding: Students are encouraged to critically evaluate and deeply understand the practical application of the concepts and ideas presented in the module.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. critically evaluate the different models and approaches to strategic management in the light of global challenges and complexities.
- 2. evaluate models that drive innovation and facilitate strategic adaptation and sustained long-term firm performance.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. analyse an organisations competitive environment, evaluate competitive positions, and identify core competences using various tools and models of strategy.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. analyse and critically evaluate real-life company situations and business cases
- 5. undertake independent research and produce written material suitable for a business audience
Syllabus plan
Indicative content includes:
- the “Strategic Management Process” and its key components.
- the concepts of strategy and competitive advantage,
- the importance of understanding the competitive landscape
- change management
- stakeholder influence, corporate vision and mission.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 20 | Lectures & workshops |
| Guided independent study | 50 | Reading prior to and following classroom activities |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Research, revision and preparing for assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop discussion | 6 x 1 hour | 1-5 | Oral feedback from instructor/tutor |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 100 | 2 hours | 1-5 | Written/oral feedback from instructor/tutor |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam (2 hours) (100%) | Written exam (2 hours) (100%) | 1-5 | Relevant reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Some classes will be based on specific chapters from Thompson, J L., Scott, J M., & Martin, F. (2023). Strategic Management: Awareness and Change. Cengage (10th Edition). London: Cengage Learning.
- For other classes there will not be a set text. Students are required to take responsibility for any reading recommended in lectures. Any additional recommended reading lists specific to a particular topic will be provided in class.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE based online pre-recorded lectures, links to internet resources and other resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BEM1023 OR BEM1028 This module cannot be taken if you are taking or have previously studied BEM3065. |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 24/05/2024 |
| Last revision date | 18/08/2025 |
