MBS2103 - Strategic Management and Business Simulation

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 critically analyse both the environment and context in which an organisation exists and describe their relative effects on a given organisation’s corporate strategy
2 select and employ specific techniques, methodologies and theoretical perspectives in the assessment of a given organisations corporate strategy
3 identify, list and critically analyse the relative strengths and weaknesses of a given organisations corporate strategy
4 identify and develop appropriate strategic choices for a given organisation.

Content:

The module gives an opportunity to address current empirical and theoretical business planning models in the context of specific organisations. It provides an opportunity to review factors affecting an organisation’s decision making. These are both external, in the given environment, and internal, in discretionary environment. The module enables students to address the issues relevant to the collection, collation and use of financial data information and its appropriateness to differing groups of organisational 'stakeholders'. Students will analyse the effects of organisational culture on the strategy process and the various strategic techniques that effect the way organisations develop.

The module gives opportunity for students to develop research methodologies, decision making skills and reporting formats related to:
(1) The nature of strategy - its context from single business units to multinationals,
(2) Strategic management in practice - its nature as both a proactive and reactive methodology,
(3) Strategic analysis - the use of environmental audit, financial analysis and organisational capability,
(4) Stakeholder expectations - their influence on decision making, business ethics, corporate culture and the mission statement,
(5) Strategic alternatives - the structures of ownership, creating competitive advantage, portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions, growth and the concept of risk,
(6) The management of strategy - strategic change, the need for change, the type of change and the process of change.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Two 2 hour blocks, one used for theoretical inputs the other for the business simulation.

Lecture and discussion
Contact hours: 16
Number of Groups: one

Business Game
Contact hours: 16
Number of Groups: one

Assessment: