Strategic

Management
Department: Accelerated MBA
Module Code: MOD003405
Level: 7
Academic Year: 2015/16
Globe Campuses: Peterborough and London
.

www.anglia.ac.uk

Module Guide

Contents
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.
3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
4.
4.1
4.2

4.3
4.4

5.

Key information, Introduction to the Module and Learning Outcomes

2
Key Information................................................................................................... 2
Introduction to the Module..................................................................................2
Learning Outcomes............................................................................................. 3
Employability Skills in this Module
3
Outline Delivery and Reading Lists @ Anglia 4
Delivery periods.................................................................................................. 4
Outline Delivery................................................................................................... 5
Reading List and Learning Resources..................................................................6
Essential Reading................................................................................................ 6
Recommended reading....................................................................................... 6
Assessment on this Module
6
Assessment Submission Dates............................................................................ 7
The Assignment................................................................................................... 7
4.2.1 Element 010 Assignment (weighting 50%) 7
4.2.2 Marking Criteria for Element 010 Assignment
8
The Exam............................................................................................................ 8
Re-assessment Information................................................................................. 9
4.4.1 The Topic for the Reassessment Assignment: 9
4.4.2 Resit Assignment Marking Criteria for Element 010 9
Links to Other Key Information 10

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Module Guide

1. Key information, Introduction to the Module and Learning Outcomes

1.1 Key Information
Module title: Strategic Management

Campus: Peterborough
Module Leader:
Email:
Module Tutors:

Campus: London
Module Leader: Mervyn Sookun
Email:
Mervyn.Sookun@lsclondon.uk
Module Tutors: Mervyn Sookun

Every module has a Module Definition Form (MDF) which is the officially validated
record of the module. You can access the MDF for this module in three ways via:

the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

the My.Anglia Module Catalogue at www.anglia.ac.uk/modulecatalogue
Anglia Ruskins module search engine facility at www.anglia.ac.uk/modules

All modules delivered by Anglia Ruskin University at its main campuses in the UK and at
Associate Colleges throughout the UK and overseas are governed by the Academic
Regulations. You can view these at www.anglia.ac.uk/academicregs. An extract of the
Academic Regulations, known as the Assessment Regulations, is available at this
website too (all new students will have received a printed copy as part of their welcome
pack).
In the unlikely event of any discrepancy between the Academic Regulations and any
other publication, including this module guide, the Academic Regulations, as the
definitive document, take precedence over all other publications and will be applied in
all cases.

1.2 Introduction to the Module

The module explores and provides students with a detailed critical framework for
understanding the concepts, techniques, role, and functions of strategic management,
strategic decision making and the formulation and application of strategy within
contemporary business organisations, cultures and contexts.
Discussion is aimed at enhancing and supporting the critical understanding of how, in
the formulation of corporate strategy for an organisation, differing discipline and
functional areas of business (e.g. accounting, finance, human resources, information
systems, marketing, operations management, cultural ownership, value and supply
chains, and contexts etc.) are required to be considered as part of an integrative
approach towards the formulation of strategy, decision making, and the application of
strategy.
The role of change management within an organisation and its function within
organisations as a driver of competitive advantage and organisational maturation and
development is explored as a part of the development, formulation and articulation of
strategy.
Examine the contribution which business organisations and contextual circumstances
make to strategic development and their inter-relationship, and discusses the
relationship and significance to customer service; the supply chain; provision of goods
and services; total systems approaches; value chains and value concepts; client and
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Module Guide

customer perceptions;
environments.

the

manufacturing

and

operations

plan,

and

global

1.3 Learning Outcomes

This module, like all modules at Anglia Ruskin, is taught on the basis of achieving
intended learning outcomes. On successful completion of the module, the student will
be expected to be able to demonstrate the following:
Knowledg
LO 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts, contexts,
e
and
techniques, critical thinking, theory, and functional areas which may
understan
contribute to the formulation of strategy, strategic thinking, and
ding
decision making, and the role and importance of strategy within
organisations and in differing situations, contexts, societies and
cultures
LO 2. Critically analyse and evaluate the ways in which strategy and
strategic decision making are justified, identified, and implemented
in organisations and in different cultures, sectors, and international
contexts
LO 3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of research and cross
disciplinary thinking in the evolution of strategic management and
strategic decision making
Intellectua
l,
LO 4. Evaluate and develop the ability to analyse and identify strategic
practical,
issues, models and courses of action and design appropriate
affective
solutions for organisations, cultural contexts stakeholders and
and
situations.
transferab
le skills
The assessment is based on meeting these learning outcomes, shown explicitly in
section 4, where the assessment task is linked to these learning outcomes.

2. Employability Skills in this Module

It is important that we help you develop employability skills throughout your course
which will assist you in securing employment and supporting you in your future career.
During your course you will acquire a wide range of key skills. In this module, you will
develop those identified below:

Skill

Skills acquired in this

module

Communication (oral)
Communication (written)

Commercial Awareness

x
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Module Guide

Cultural sensitivity
Customer focus

Data Handling
Decision making

Enterprising

Flexibility

Initiative

Interpersonal Skills
Leadership/Management of others

Networking

Organisational adaptability

Project Management

Problem Solving and analytical

skills

Responsibility

Team working
Time Management

Other

3. Outline Delivery and Reading Lists @ Anglia

3.1 Delivery periods
These modules will be delivered several times during the year. Ensure that you
understand which trimester you will join:
Trimester
2016

Trimester Dates

Delivery
Campus

TRG 4 February
TRG 5 April

Feb-May 16
April July 16

TRG
TRG
TRG
TRG

June Sept 16
Aug- Oct 16
Oct 16 Jan 17
Nov 16 Mar 16

London
Peterborough
London
London
Peterborough
London
Peterborough

6
1
2
3

June
August
October
November

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Module Guide

3.2 Outline Delivery

The table below indicates how the module will be delivered. However, this schedule is
indicative and may be subject to change.

Wk
1

Lecture

Student-managed
learning

Introduction to the schools of strategy: prescriptive and

descriptive- origins of strategy :
Key themes: origin of strategy, diversity of contributors and
thoughts, classification of strategy, overview of influences on
strategy process.
Schools of strategy (Mintzberg)

Whittingtons classification of strategy

De Wit & Meyer (2010),

chs 1, 2, 5,6
Johnson, G., Scholes, K.
& Whittington, R. (2007),
ch1,2 &3
Mastering Strategy ch.1,
2, 3, 4
Mintzberg,
et
al
(2004).1,2 &3

De Wit and Meyer: strategy process, content and context

Key themes: prescriptive approach, comparison of
Whittington and Mintzberg, strategy paradox and resolution.
Prescriptive and descriptive schools combined
Key elements of prescriptive model: vision, mission,
objectives including CSR, environmental and competitive
analysis, internal analysis, strategic options and evaluation
and implementation
2

Environmental and Competitive Analysis

Key themes: 5 forces, strategic group mapping, pricing

dynamics, quantity dynamics, game theory, demand and
supply curve analysis.

Environmental and Competitive Analysis II

Key themes: 5 forces, strategic group mapping, pricing

dynamics, quantity dynamics, game theory, demand and
supply curve analysis

Internal Audit: I
7 S, BCG, PLC,
Internal Audit: II
accounting techniques, Kaplan and Nortons balanced score
card

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De
Wit
&
Meyer
(2010),chs.5,6 & 8
Johnson, G., Scholes, K.
& Whittington, R. (2007),
chs. 2,3,4 + 5
Mastering Strategy ch.2
=3
Mintzberg, et al (2004).,
ch. 2

Module Guide

Strategic development and selection models:

Ansoffs Product-market vector

Porters generic strategies

Kim and Maubourgne: value creation in knowledge economy

Williamson and Coase: hierarchies and markets; Turnaround

and renewal strategies

Global strategies

Quantitative and qualitative models:

Marginal costing, sensitivity analysis, DCF, decision trees,

CBA, Johnson and Scholes: suitability and feasibility

Strategy Implementation: Functional strategies

De
Wit
&
Meyer
(2010),chs. 10
Johnson, G., Scholes, K.
&
Whittington,
R.
(2007),chs.8, 11
Mintzberg,
et
al
(2004).,chs.3,7, 9
Owmans strategy clock
De
Wit
&
Meyer
(2010),chs. 10
Johnson, G., Scholes, K.
&
Whittington,
R.
(2007),chs.12
De Wit & Meyer (2010),
ch.4
Johnson, G., Scholes, K.
&
Whittington,
R.
(2007),chs.10,13 & 14

Management of change: Leadership; Culture; Control

3.3 Reading List and Learning Resources

3.4 Essential Reading
Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, (2014), Exploring Corporate Strategy,
Prentice Hall.
Greasley, A (2009) Operations Management (2nd edn).Chichester, UK: John
Wiley.
Mintzberg H, Quinn J. and Ghoshal S (2004) The Strategy Process (European
Edition), Prentice Hall, UK, 4th edn

3.5 Recommended reading

De Wit and Mayer (2010) Strategy CENGAGE Learning Business Press; 4th
Revised edition
Lynch R. (2015) Strategic Management, (7th edn) Pitman Publishing, London
Rosen R (2006) Strategic Management: An Introduction, Pitman, UK
Stacey R. (2007) Strategic Management and Organisational Dynamics, (5th
edn) Pitman, UK
Christopher.M., (2005), Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Strategies
for Reducing Cost and Improving Service, (3rd edn). London: Pearson
Education.
Bozarth, C and Handfield, R (2008). Introduction to Operations and Supply
Chain Management. (2nd edn.). London: Pearson Education.

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Module Guide

4. Assessment on this Module

The assessment for this module consists of two elements. Final submission dates for
elements of assessment vary.
Eleme
nt

Type of assessment

010

Assignment

Word
or
time
limit
4000

% of
Total
Mark

Submission method

50%
TurnitinUK Grademark

011

Examination

2
hours

50%

N/A

All forms of assessment must be submitted by the published deadline which is detailed
above. It is your responsibility to know when work is due to be submitted ignorance
of the deadline date will not be accepted as a reason for late or non-submission. Any
late work will NOT be considered and a mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment
task in question.
You are requested to keep a copy of your work (excluding exams).

4.1 Assessment Submission Dates

Trimester
2016

Trimester Dates

Delivery
Campus

Submission Date

TRG 4 February
TRG 5 April

Feb-May 16
April July 16

TRG 6 June
TRG 1 August
TRG 2 October
TRG
3
November

June Sept 16
Aug- Oct 16
Oct 16 Jan 17
Nov 16 Mar 16

London
18 Apr 16
Peterborough & 22 June 16
London
London
22 Aug 16
Peterborough
17 Oct 16
London
19 Dec 16
Peterborough
27 Feb 17

4.2 The Assignment

4.2.1 Element 010 Assignment (weighting 50%)
You are required to conduct research on the business strategy, implemented in the last
five years, of a company of your choice. Drawing on relevant models, concepts and
theories covered in this module and those gathered from your extensive research
attempt the tasks below:
Task 1
Critically evaluate companys approach to business strategy development and
implementation. Identify the outcomes of the selected strategy. (30 marks)
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Module Guide

Task 2
Identify and discuss the possible strategic direction that the selected company could
follow in the future for sustainable competitive advantage. (40 marks)
Task 3
Discuss the implementation challenges which may be required in the company and
make your recommendations upon how the needed changes could be achieved. (20
marks)
Report presentation (10 marks)

4.2.2 Marking Criteria for Element 010 Assignment

Marking Criteria

Mar
k
30

1
.

Task 1
- Similarities and differences in strategy development
and implementation of the companys strategic
development and implementation
- Identification of strategy approach in relation to
literature (Blue Ocean, Porter's Generic, )
- Identification of the outcomes of the selected strategy

2
.

Task 2
- Identification and discussion the possible future
strategic direction to ensure sustainable competitive
advantage.
- Justification of actions that could be taken to sustain
performance using relevant models(Blue Ocean,
Porter's Generic, Global Strategy)

40

3
.

Task 3
- Discussion
and
justification
of
implementation
challenges facing the company
- Justified recommendations with clear reasons
Presentation

20

Total

100
%

5
.

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Module Guide

TurnitinUK Grademark assignments

This assignment is submitted online via Turnitin Grademark

The direct link to Turnitin UK Grademark is: http://www.turnitinuk.com

4.3 The Exam

The exam will take 2 hours.
Examinations are held during the weeks shown below:
Trimester
2016

Trimester Dates

Delivery
Campus

TRG 4 February
TRG 5 April

Feb-May 16
April July 16

TRG 6 June
TRG 1 August
TRG 2 October
TRG
3
November

June Sept 16
Aug- Oct 16
Oct 16 Jan 17
Nov 16 Mar 16

London
06 May 16
Peterborough & 01 July 16
London
London
09 Sept 16
Peterborough
24 Oct 16
London
13 Jan 17
Peterborough
06 Mar 17

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Exam Week

Module Guide

4.4 Re-assessment Information

The marks for the assignment and the exam will be averaged. You must achieve a mark
of 40% in order to pass this module AND a minimum of 30% in both the assignment
and the exam. Should you not do so, you will be able to undertake a re-sit assignment
which is explained below. Your mark for this resit will be capped at 40% (which means
that 40% is the maximum grade you can achieve for this module). Results are
published through eVision though feedback is available through Turnitin

Trimester
2016
TRG 4 February
TRG 5 April

Delivery
Campus

London
Peterborou
gh
&
London
TRG 6 June
London
TRG 1 August
Peterborou
gh
TRG 2 October
London
TRG
3 Peterborou
November
gh

Original submission
date
18 Apr 16
22 June 16

Re-assessment
Submission Date
(via Turnitin by
14.00)
22 Aug 16
17 Oct 16

22 Aug 16
17 Oct 16

19 Dec 16
27 Feb 17

19 Dec 16
27 Feb 17

TBA
TBA

4.4.1 The Topic for the Reassessment Assignment:

The Task
You have been approached by the board of directors of an e-commerce business to
advise them on the possibility of participating more actively in the national and global
market.
Required:
A. Using suitable models, analyse the potential benefits and pitfalls of developing
business strategy based predominantly on web technology. (30 marks)
B. Explore the key strategic decisions the company will have to make in order to
achieve their strategic aspirations drawing on relevant concepts and models. (40
marks)
C. Consider the implementation challenges they are likely to face in the global market
using models and concepts that you think fit to illustrate your analysis.(30 marks)

4.4.2 Resit Assignment Marking Criteria for Element 010

Topic

Weighti
ng

Application and discussion of relevant academic models

exploring the web-based sector

30

Application and discussion of relevant academic models

40

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Module Guide

exploring the strategic options available to the firm

together with their resource implications
-

Application and discussion of relevant academic models

exploring the strategic change process

30

5. Links to Other Key Information

Assessment Offences: As an academic community, we recognise that the principles
of truth, honesty and mutual respect are central to the pursuit of knowledge. Behaviour
that undermines those principles weakens the community, both individually and
collectively, and diminishes our values. There is more information on these principles
and the types of Assessment Offences here: http://www.anglia.ac.uk/modguide4.aspx
Penalties for poor academic practice can be severe so ensure you are aware of what is
expected and how to reference correctly.
There
is
a
guide
to
http://anglia.libguides.com/plagiarism

Good

Academic

Practice

here:

The direct link to TurnitinUK is: http://www.turnitinuk.com

Feedback in TurnitinUK: Link to more details on the viewing feedback is here:
https://vle.anglia.ac.uk/sites/LTA/Grademark/Content/Feedback.aspx
How is My Work Marked and Flowchart of Anglia Ruskins Marking Process:
After you have handed your work in or you have completed an examination, Anglia
Ruskin undertakes a series of activities to assure that our marking processes are
comparable with those employed at other universities in the UK and that your work has
been marked fairly, honestly and consistently. More information about this is given
here: http://www.anglia.ac.uk/modguide5.aspx
University Generic Assessment Criteria: This module is at level 7 information on
the criteria that the university uses to mark your work can be found here:
http://www.anglia.ac.uk/criteria

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