AP3EB1: Business Strategy

Module Provider:

School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Number of credits:

10 [5 ECTS credits]

Level:

H (Honours)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn

Module Convenor:

Ms R Warren

Pre-requisites:

AP3EM1 and AP2EB1

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Current from:

2005/6

Aims:
This module builds on material covered in AP1EB1 and AP2EB1. It also follows, and reinforces, material covered in Marketing Strategy (AP3EM1). Students will begin to appreciate how a business organisation moves along. How objectives, leadership, structure and processes can influence the direction in which a business moves and how these factors influence the final destination.

Assessable learning outcomes:
The challenge of strategic management is to be able to understand the complex issues facing organisations and then develop the capability for long-term organisational success. By the end of the module, students will be expected to identify the factors that determine an organisation's strategic position, distinguish between strategic choices at the corporate and business level, and to describe some of the resource implications for translating strategy into action.

Additional outcomes:
Presentation; numerical skills; an interest in business affairs which will hopefully translate into regular reading of the financial and business press.

Outline content:
The course will cover all of the following topics, although the focus of the course may differ from year to year with some topics being given more emphasis depending on their topicality:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be extremely topical. Students will be expected to read the business press on a regular basis and to contribute their own examples of strategic management issues based on this reading. Case studies will be used to illustrate problems and processes. Following the first introductory lecture, the module will cover four different case studies in some depth.
The case studies will be introduced in class, with some direction on how to answer the questions, as well as the associated reading and issues and processes raised by the case. You will then be given two-weeks to complete the case. The subsequent lecture will comprise a discussion of the case that has just been completed (to which everyone will be expected to contribute) and an introduction to the next case. I have assumed that you will be able to devote at least six-hours between lectures for case preparation and reading. Students who do not contribute in class and who do not prepare adequately between lectures will be asked to withdraw from the lecture series.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
The coursework will consist of one of the following: Either, a case study to be prepared and analysed during the course of the term. (If a suitable business simulation is sourced, the case will be based around the computer simulation). Or, a group presentation elaborating on a specific area of business strategy.
Relative percentage of coursework : 40%
Penalties for late submission
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.
Examination
1 hour examination paper in Summer term
Relative percentage of examination :
60%
Requirements for a pass:
40%