In this module (30 credits) we will examine, explore and develop your understanding and ability to apply a range of tools and principles to help prepare you for managerial or leadership responsibilities in your career both now and in the future.
We shall endeavour to take a practical approach and you will find that case studies and other practical exercises feature prominently in the learning process. We want to make the module relevant to you by asking you always to reflect on how, where and who, at your place of work or in your industry sector, consider(s) the sorts of issues and decisions we shall be investigating. We shall try to take a ‘sector neutral’ approach to the exploration of most topics and will draw on a range of case study materials, some of which will be business-focused, and some of which will be drawn from other sectors.
Whilst many texts examine strategic management within the context of the ‘for profit sector’, most if not all of the models and principles can be applied to the ‘not for profit’ sector too. Simply put, the issues of delivering ‘value for money’ and staying within budget equate to the need to delight customers and deliver a shareholder return. You will normally be required to bring in materials (possibly from your place of work) to support the topic of the session and to lead discussion at the start of each new session prior to the formal input.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
• Evaluate sources and evidence and employ them in a critical manner.
• Employ critical thinking skills, adapting knowledge they have developed and applying it in new contexts.
• Question and evaluate organisational structures and strategies, challenge orthodoxies, and debate what constitutes ‘best practice’ in different contexts.
• Engage effectively in debates and current thinking relating to the management of change in organisations.
• Consider strategic management issues within the commercial/private sector, but also see how they relate to and influence organisations in the public and voluntary areas.
• Articulate and explain factors which sometime lead organisations to fail in their goals, as well as those which underpin ‘success’ in organisations within the private, public or voluntary sectors.
• Demonstrate a more profound understanding of the environments and contexts in which businesses of all kinds operate, and the link between environments and organisational strategies.
• Recall key methods employed in measuring ‘performance’ of organisations, services and businesses.
• Engage effectively in a small piece of formally assessed groupwork, including a group oral presentation and written submission.
Method of Assessment
ASSIGNMENT 1 - Group report and group presentation (Weighting 40%)
Within this assignment the Group Report is weighted at 60% and the Group Presentation at 40%. Students will carry-out peer-assessment as part of the marking process.
ASSIGNMENT 2 - Individual report on work place-specific (Micro) implications (Weighting 30%)
Write a 3,000 word paper (in a format suited to the requirements and expectations of your organisation) to your employer’s management group or senior executive that explains the group findings and proposals in terms of the impact on or implications for your organisation.
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Course Test (Weighting 30%)
A pack will be provided to you that contains a mixture of materials and evidence which relate to a common theme. You have a week to read the materials in the pack, make notes etc, and then you will be provided with a question to answer. You then have another week in which to write your responses. Your written responses should be c.3,000 words in total. Scripts for the course test will be marked and returned by the following week. You may refer to any or all of the materials contained in the pack. When referring to a source in the pack, make this clear in your response (e.g. As can be seen from Johnson’s article (See Source 3) there are many ways of promoting innovation...)
Dates: 26.2.2014, 5.3.2014, 12.3.2014, 19.3.2014, 26.3.2014, 2.4.2014, 23.4.2014, 30.4.2014, 7.5.2014, 14.5.2014, 21.5.2014, 28.5.2014, 4.6.2014, 11.6.2014, 18.6.2014
Whilst many texts examine strategic management within the context of the ‘for profit sector’, most if not all of the models and principles can be applied to the ‘not for profit’ sector too. Simply put, the issues of delivering ‘value for money’ and staying within budget equate to the need to delight customers and deliver a shareholder return. You will normally be required to bring in materials (possibly from your place of work) to support the topic of the session and to lead discussion at the start of each new session prior to the formal input.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
• Evaluate sources and evidence and employ them in a critical manner.
• Employ critical thinking skills, adapting knowledge they have developed and applying it in new contexts.
• Question and evaluate organisational structures and strategies, challenge orthodoxies, and debate what constitutes ‘best practice’ in different contexts.
• Engage effectively in debates and current thinking relating to the management of change in organisations.
• Consider strategic management issues within the commercial/private sector, but also see how they relate to and influence organisations in the public and voluntary areas.
• Articulate and explain factors which sometime lead organisations to fail in their goals, as well as those which underpin ‘success’ in organisations within the private, public or voluntary sectors.
• Demonstrate a more profound understanding of the environments and contexts in which businesses of all kinds operate, and the link between environments and organisational strategies.
• Recall key methods employed in measuring ‘performance’ of organisations, services and businesses.
• Engage effectively in a small piece of formally assessed groupwork, including a group oral presentation and written submission.
Method of Assessment
ASSIGNMENT 1 - Group report and group presentation (Weighting 40%)
Within this assignment the Group Report is weighted at 60% and the Group Presentation at 40%. Students will carry-out peer-assessment as part of the marking process.
ASSIGNMENT 2 - Individual report on work place-specific (Micro) implications (Weighting 30%)
Write a 3,000 word paper (in a format suited to the requirements and expectations of your organisation) to your employer’s management group or senior executive that explains the group findings and proposals in terms of the impact on or implications for your organisation.
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Course Test (Weighting 30%)
A pack will be provided to you that contains a mixture of materials and evidence which relate to a common theme. You have a week to read the materials in the pack, make notes etc, and then you will be provided with a question to answer. You then have another week in which to write your responses. Your written responses should be c.3,000 words in total. Scripts for the course test will be marked and returned by the following week. You may refer to any or all of the materials contained in the pack. When referring to a source in the pack, make this clear in your response (e.g. As can be seen from Johnson’s article (See Source 3) there are many ways of promoting innovation...)
Dates: 26.2.2014, 5.3.2014, 12.3.2014, 19.3.2014, 26.3.2014, 2.4.2014, 23.4.2014, 30.4.2014, 7.5.2014, 14.5.2014, 21.5.2014, 28.5.2014, 4.6.2014, 11.6.2014, 18.6.2014
