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.

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.

A+ The student’s work is outstanding in every respect showing an excellent ability to define the problem, analyse the problem using sophisticated analytical techniques and draw conclusions that are wholly located in the literature showing contributions to the literature and/or management practice. The number of references used will display ability to search the literature. Grammar and text structure is excellent and proper referencing is adopted with the provision of clear examples where appropriate. In cases of projects this implies that a potential exists for a student to be a sole author of a conference or journal paper. The conceptualisations go significantly beyond those discussed in class and are innovative in nature and strongly argued.

A The student’s work is of an excellent standard but minor errors of a typographical or referencing nature are found. The student will have shown an excellent ability to define the problem, analyse the problem using sophisticated analytical techniques and draw conclusions that are wholly located in the literature showing contributions to the literature. Grammar is excellent and proper referencing is adopted. The number of references used will display ability to search the literature. In cases of projects this implies that a potential exists for a student to be a sole author of a conference or journal paper. Conceptualisation goes beyond that discussed in class and new ideas are introduced and strongly argued.

A- The work is significantly above average in standard, showing an above average ability to define the problem, analyse the problem using sophisticated analytical techniques and draw conclusions that are wholly located in the literature showing contributions to the literature. There may be minor typographical and referencing errors. The candidates provide evidence of being able to develop conceptualisation beyond that done in class.

B+ The work is of a good to above average standard showing good understanding of concepts, issues and literature beyond the obvious, thereby showing good evidence of additional learning. It is conscientious, well presented but possibly has not fully integrated concepts into a whole. Answers may be serial in nature without fully attempting a holistic assessment of the response to a problem. The work will draw upon an appropriate number of references but there may be some omissions in the literature. There may be a small number of typographical errors. There are clear, logical arguments identifying some of the clear critical issues for analysis with a clear thesis/hypothesis statement.

B The work is of average standard showing a clear understanding of the concepts and issues that is to be expected of a student at a given standard of work. There may be a few factual errors, but these are not sufficient in number or significant in nature to generally detract from the main thrust of the argument. The main hypotheses are clearly stated, but some nuances may be left unattended. Writing is still clear with few errors of grammar and syntax.

B- The work is of an average to slightly below average standard. It is generally conscientious and the number of references used will be acceptable in number but do not provide evidence of detailed search for information/authorities. The analysis is acceptable but shows little innovative thinking being generally conventional and dependent upon a comparatively small number of authorities. The work will be generally properly displayed and contain a conclusion and bibliography but may contain omission of expected authorities and typographical errors of a minor nature. Arguments may be partial and not fully developed.

C+ The work displays understandings of the concepts and issues being discussed and an ability to correctly frame argument and draw conclusions. It contains errors of fact and/or interpretation that are sufficient to partially nullify the answer being provided. It may draw upon very few references, contain a significant number of typographical errors and be incorrectly referenced. Nonetheless it will be conscientious in that it shows basic levels of understanding and awareness to permit a pass grade. It identifies the main issues, even if incomplete in nature. The text is still readable and sound.

C The work is of below average level but sufficient to obtain a pass standard. It shows evidence of some understanding of the subject matter; ability to develop solutions to simple problems; benefitting from his/her university experience. Grammar and editing errors are present.

C- This is work of a bare pass standard. The student has shown an awareness of the nature of the issue, but such understanding, while not wholly incorrect, is relatively unsophisticated. The work will contain errors that are of some significance but on balance are not quite sufficient to cause the student to fail. There may be a minimal number or references.

Fail Grades

• These will be characterized a number of faults that may include:
  Poor research skills demonstrated by inappropriate or few references.
  Poor standards of grammar and syntax.
  Inadequate referencing.
  Misunderstanding the nature of the task given and the means appropriate to completing the task.
  A failure to focus on the main concepts/arguments/issues set in the task
  Misunderstandings about the content of references used.
  Undue brevity.
  An inability to develop an argument in a logical and rational manner
  – the argument may be disjointed and be irrelevant to the task in hand.
  Misunderstandings of the nature of the task set, the problems posed and the solutions required.
  A failure to provide evidence to support contentions.
  Non-performance in that work is not submitted in the time required with no valid reason being provided