Business Strategy
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.
2021 teaching periods
Swinburne Online
| Teaching Period 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Hawthorn
| Winter | ||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
50 Credit Points from a Postgraduate CourseAims and objectives
Pre 2020 unit code BUS80005
This unit aims to guide students with skills and practice of strategic management and critical thinking techniques in
turbulent environments. In addition, the unit develops skills in using strategic and foresight tools and critical evaluation of
strategic alternatives in the context of small to medium enterprises involved in single industry, as well as strategic
business units of large corporations. Its main focus is not only the generation of viable strategic alternatives to gain
competitive advantage but also developing a viable implementation plan.
turbulent environments. In addition, the unit develops skills in using strategic and foresight tools and critical evaluation of
strategic alternatives in the context of small to medium enterprises involved in single industry, as well as strategic
business units of large corporations. Its main focus is not only the generation of viable strategic alternatives to gain
competitive advantage but also developing a viable implementation plan.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the complexity of the business environment.
2. Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of strategic planning and foresight to refresh strategic thinking and manage complex problems.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and apply knowledge to address strategic issues across a range of audiences.
4. Communicate proficiently and in a professional manner, as a member or leader of a diverse team.
2. Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of strategic planning and foresight to refresh strategic thinking and manage complex problems.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and apply knowledge to address strategic issues across a range of audiences.
4. Communicate proficiently and in a professional manner, as a member or leader of a diverse team.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
Face to Face Mode:
Seminars (12 x 3 hours)
Seminars (12 x 3 hours)
Online Mode (SOL):
Engaging with online content and discussions
Student workload:
For all teaching and learning structures (both face to face and online), students are expected to spend an average of
150 hours per unit in total over the duration of the study period
This includes all:
• Scheduled teaching and learning events and activities (contact hours timetabled in a face-to-face teaching
space) and scheduled online learning events (contact hours scheduled in an online teaching space), and
• Non-scheduled learning events and activities (including directed online learning activities, assessments,
independent study, student group meetings, and research)
To be successful, students should:
• Read all prescribed materials and/or view videos in preparation for each class
• Attend and engage in all scheduled classes (face to face or online)
• Start assessment tasks well ahead of the due date, and submit assessments promptly
• Read / listen to all feedback carefully, and consider it for future assessment
• Engage with fellow students and teaching staff (don’t hesitate to ask questions)
Assessment
1. Assignment (Individual) 40-60%
2. Presentation (Group) 20-30%
3. Report (Individual) 20-30%
2. Presentation (Group) 20-30%
3. Report (Individual) 20-30%
General skills outcomes
• Teamwork skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
• Problem solving skills
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
Content
• The future of strategy and relevance of non-linear reality in entrepreneurship, innovation, and its implication on
competitive advantage – external environment analysis
• Creative destruction versus new business creation – identification and evaluation of business opportunity
• Evaluating and managing the internal environment
• Sorting the Strategy Tool Box
• Developing strategic alternatives and selection of viable strategy
• Implementing the strategy – allocation of requisite resources
• Strategy review, evaluation and control
Study resources
- Text books.
Text books
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.