This paper aims to develop your ability to think strategically about an organisation's current and future situation. It builds on your knowledge and understanding of the basic management concepts from your earlier core papers and/or other experience. You review many of the conventional strategic management concepts, as well as a series of the latest models for handling strategic issues and processes. Cases are used throughout the paper to illustrate key concepts and to develop your skills in strategic analysis and strategic thinking.

The vast majority of managers concern themselves with operational aspects of business (what we do), rather than placing emphasis on strategy (why we do what we do...). This is partly due to poor training, partly due to inability but largely because most managers do not understand the importance of long-term visionary strategy, rather than short-term operational activities. Strategic Management is concerned with setting future direction, crafting and implementing strategies to improve the future prospects and performance of organisations. In adopting a total enterprise perspective to ensure all resources are managed effectively and efficiently, this paper requires integration of knowledge from all the functional areas of management. While internal resources, capabilities and competencies provide the basis for an organisation’s strategy, the potential impact of external influences from the remote, industry and competitive environment also needs to be considered.

STMGT303 is delivered through one (relatively brief) online lecture per week, done via asynchronous video uploaded on Panopto prior to the start of the week, one workshop and one tutorial. Both workshops and tutorials are applied and interactive. Ideally students will attend both workshop and tutorial in person but there is also the option to attend electronically via zoom and all workshops will also be recorded and made available in moodle.

After registration, students should electronically sign-up for one of two case workshop (tutorials) BEFORE classes start. Workshops are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Workshops and tutorials start the first week of class.

Study teams are used for activities in class and for assigned tasks and informal study outside class time. Teams are self-selected and are comprised of 4 members from the same workshop.

PowerPoints will be available on the course website. It is recommended that students bring a copy (electronic or hard copy) of the PowerPoints to each workshop and tutorial to help make note taking easier.