This paper aims to develop your ability to think strategically about an organization'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 organizations. 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 organization’s strategy, the potential impact of external influences from the remote, industry and competitive environment also needs to be considered.

Applied Strategy is also the home to Te Raupapa Waikato Management School's Case Competition and this trimester will see the 50th Te Raupapa Waikato Management School Case Competition hosted at the Kirikiriroa Hamilton campus on October 19th, 2022. The top four teams in this paper will be selected on Super Friday October 14th to compete for the prize money, the trophy and the place in history. Everything in the paper builds towards the skills utilized in the case competition.

STMGT303 is delivered through: lectures, workshops and tutorials which are all applied and interactive. Students are expected to attend all workshops and tutorials, as there is significant group work and in class assessment.

At this stage, there is only one tutorial timeslot for STMGT303-22B-TGA.

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 4-5 members from your tutorial.

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

STMGT303-22B (TGA) is offered in FLEXI mode. FLEXI mode means that learning is available both face-to-face (on-campus) and/or online. For those taking the paper online, please note there are some activities that require students to be online at specified times. See Moodle for more specific details.