Module ASB-3009:
Strategic Management

Run by Bangor Business School

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Azhdar Karami

The primary objective of this module is to provide students with a holistic understanding of the processes of strategic management.

• To introduce students to the concepts of strategic management in the context of a rapidly changing organisational environment.
• To explore the key frameworks in strategic management, the external environment, internal environment, strategy formulation, implementation and control.

The content of this course may include but will not be limited to the following topics:

Introducing strategy and strategic management elements; The environmental analysis tools and frameworks: PESTEL framework, Five forces framework, strategic capability, critical success factors, competences, SWOT analysis; Corporate-level strategy: the corporate parent, the corporate rationale, the corporate portfolio, corporate diversity. - Business-level strategy: bases of competitive advantage, sustaining competitive advantage, competitive strategy Strategic options. Strategic methods: Directions for strategy development, product/market development, diversification, methods of strategy development, internal development, mergers and acquisitions, joint developments, success criteria. International strategy: motive and drivers for internationalisation, international markets, entry modes to the international markets. Evaluating strategy: strategic controls, SAFe criteria. Strategy and structure: structural types, processes, relationships and boundaries, strategic planning, strategic control, managing the resources, integrating resources. Managing strategic change, levers for managing strategic change and strategic leadership. Course review.

threshold

Third Class D- to D+ Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, operational issues and practice in strategic management subject field.

Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements.

Pursue a sustained piece of independent work requiring subject-specific and transferable skills.

good

Upper Second Class B- to B+

Demonstrate a critical and evaluative understanding and knowledge of theories, concepts, operational issues and practice in strategic management.

Show appraising and evaluative insights, creativity and judgement in developing a sustained piece of work.

Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills. Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed.

Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements of strategy in corporate and business levels.

excellent

First class A- to A*

Demonstrate a critical and evaluative understanding and knowledge of theories, concepts, operational issues and practice in strategic management.

Show appraising and evaluative insights, creativity and evidence based judgement as well as a capacity to innovative and challenge assumptions from an informed perspective across all components of the assessment.

Adopt an autonomous approach to learning and continuing professional development across the whole module.

Excellent integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

C- to C+

Lower Second Class C- to C+

Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of theories, concepts, operational issues and practice in strategic management.

demonstrate ability to compare different approaches in strategic management.

Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

Some of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed.

Basic grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements of strategy in corporate and business levels.

1. Demonstrate an ability to place organisational processes in the context of strategic management.

2. Analyse systematically an organisation’s strengths and weaknesses and the environmental opportunities and threats.

3. Undertake a holistic view of the organisation and its environment.

4. Discuss the evaluation and implementation of strategy

5. Appreciate the role of strategy in managing complexity and competition.

6. Discuss the strategic choices in corporate and business levels.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
ESSAY	Coursework	This is an assignment on a selected topic in strategic management. The word limit is 2000 words excluding references and bibliography. It is expected that the students discuss theories and practical issues related to the essay question.	50
EXAM	End of the semester Exam	A two-hour closed book written examination	50

		Hours
Private study	Private study It is expected the students engage in studying reading materials including the core text book, case studies and research outputs (journal articles) during private study.	170
Lecture	The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, case studies and seminars. Given the nature of strategic management, use will be made of case studies to allow students to examine the practical application of strategic management concepts and to analyse the strategic issues facing different types of organisations and industries in more depth. It is expected that students will undertake a case study assessment each week to understand the main concepts of strategic management.	20
Seminar	There will be seminar sessions (1 hour per week over 10 weeks). These sessions will be used for case studies.	10

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• People management: to include communications, team building, leadership and motivating others.
• Problem solving and critical analysis: analysing facts and circumstances to determine the cause of a problem and identifying and selecting appropriate solutions.
• Research: the ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, which includes the need for strong digital literacy, and to use that research for evidence-based decision-making.
• Commercial acumen: based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success, causes of failure and the importance of providing customer satisfaction and building customer loyalty.
• Innovation, creativity and enterprise: the ability to act entrepreneurially to generate, develop and communicate ideas, manage and exploit intellectual property, gain support, and deliver successful outcomes.
• Networking: an awareness of the interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation and their use in generating business contacts.
• Ability to work collaboratively both internally and with external customers and an awareness of mutual interdependence.
• Articulating and effectively explaining information.
• Communication and listening including the ability to produce clear, structured business communications in a variety of media.
• Emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
• Self-management: a readiness to accept responsibility and flexibility, to be resilient, self-starting and appropriately assertive, to plan, organise and manage time.
• Self reflection: self-analysis and an awareness/sensitivity to diversity in terms of people and cultures. This includes a continuing appetite for development.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/asb-3009.html

Reading list

RECOMMENDED READING

Core text

Johnson, G.,Whittington, J., Scholes, K., Angwin, D., Regner, P. (2017) Exploring Strategy, Text and Cases 11th edition, Hemel Hempstead: Pearson.

Recommended additional reading

Tajvidi, M., and Karami, A., (2015) Product Development Strategy Innovation Capacity and Entrepreneurial Firm Performance in High-Tech SMEs, Palgrave Macmillan, UK.

Karami, A. (2007) Strategy formulation in entrepreneurial firms, Ashgate, UK Karami, A., and Analoui, F. (2003) Strategic Management in Small and Medium Enterprises, London: Thomson.

Hill, C. W. L., and Jones, G. R. (2004) Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach, 6th edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company

Lynch, R. (2003) Corporate Strategy, (3rd ed), Essex: FT Prentice Hall.

Mintzberg, H., Quinn J. B., andGhosal, S. (1998) The Strategy Process, European Edition, Hemel Hempstead: Prentice Hall Int.

Pettinger, R. (2004) Contemporary Strategic Management, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Porter M.E. (1985) Competitive Advantage, New York: Free Press.

Wheelen, T. L., and Hunger, D.J. (2002) Strategic Management and Business Policy (9thed), Essex: Prentice Hall.

Compulsory in courses:

• NN15: BA Business Studies and Marketing year 3 (BA/BSM)
• 8N60: BA Business Studies and Marketing (with International Exp) year 4 (BA/BSMIE)
• NM11: BA Business and Law year 3 (BA/BUSALAW)
• N1T1: BA Business Studies and Chinese year 4 (BA/BUSCH)
• NM1B: BA Business and Law (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/BUSLAW1)
• N100: BA Business Studies year 3 (BA/BUSS)
• NR1C: BA Business Studies/French year 4 (BA/BUSSF)
• NR1F: BA Business Studies and German year 4 (BA/BUSSG)
• NR1H: BA Business Studies and Italian year 4 (BA/BUSSI)
• N102: BA Business Studies (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/BUSSIE)
• NR1K: BA Business Studies and Spanish year 4 (BA/BUSSS)
• R1NC: BA French with Business Studies year 4 (BA/FBS)
• R2NC: BA German with Business Studies year 4 (BA/GBS)
• R4N1: BA Spanish with Business Studies year 4 (BA/SPBS)
• N105: BSc Business Studies (Bangor International College) year 3 (BSC/BICBS)
• N106: BSc Business Stud & Finance (Bangor International College) year 3 (BSC/BICBSF)
• NN24: BSc Management with Account (Bangor International College) year 3 (BSC/BICMNA)
• N101: BSc Business Studies year 3 (BSC/BS)
• N10B: BSc Business Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BSC/BS1)
• NN1H: BSc Business Studies and Finance year 3 (BSC/BSFIN)
• NN1J: BSc Business Studies and Finance (4 year with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/BSFIN1)
• IN00: BSc Computer Information Systems for Business year 3 (BSC/CISB)
• IN0B: BSc Computer Information Sys for Bus (4 year w Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/CISB1)
• GN41: BSC Computer Science for Business year 3 (BSC/CSFB)
• GN4B: BSc Computer Science for Business (4 year with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/CSFB1)
• N2NK: BSc Management with Accounting year 3 (BSC/MWACC)
• N2NL: BSc Management with Accounting (4 year with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/MWACC1)
• 2R87: BSc Psychology with Business year 3 (BSC/PWB)
• C82B: BSc Psychology with Business (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 3 (BSC/PWB1)
• 2R88: BSc Psychology with Business with International Experience year 4 (BSC/PWBIE)
• C6N1: BSc Sport Science & Business Manage (Subject to Validation) year 3 (BSC/SSB)
• M1N1: LLB Law with Business Studies year 3 (LLB/LBS)
• MN1B: LLB Law with Business (4year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (LLB/LBS1)

Optional in courses:

• L190: BSc Business Economics year 3 (BSC/BEC)
• L19B: BSc Business Economics (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BSC/BEC1)
• L191: BSc Business Economics with International Experience year 3 (BSC/BECIE)
• L192: BSc Business Economics (Bangor International College) year 3 (BSC/BICBE)