Module Aims

Strategic management is central to the operation of a variety of businesses in different sectors and environments. In a competitive global environment, understanding strategic principles and tools for analysis are of great importance to managers, to assist them in enhancing firm performance. This module will provide you with an overview of issues relevant to strategic management. It aims to introduce concepts and techniques of strategic analysis, strategy formulation, strategic actions/choices and strategy implementation. Students are encouraged to analyse and think critically as well as apply concepts and tools. An intellectual application of these theories together with the self-development of your own ideas will be utilised to demonstrate transferability of skills via a series of practical case applications.

Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and understanding.  Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to understand:

B. Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills.  Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

C. Transferable and Generic Skills.  Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

Recent improvements to this module

The following improvements have been made to this module in response to feedback from previous students: Some new case study analysis has been added. The lectures will be supported by additional online materials. The groupwork assessment has been removed. The individual assessment is now replaced by an exam.

Module Overview

Strategic management is central to the operation of a variety of businesses in different sectors and environments. The creation of a strategy and the management of its implementation are important in developing businesses that can create and sustain a competitive advantage. In a competitive global environment, understanding strategic principles, tools for analysis and techniques for implementation are of great importance to managers, to assist them in enhancing firm performance. This module will provide you with an overview of issues relevant to corporate and business strategy.  It aims to introduce and evaluate major concepts and techniques of strategic analysis, strategy formulation, strategic actions/choices and strategy implementation. Students are encouraged to analyse and think critically as well as apply some of the introduced concepts and tools. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of strategic management by gaining an intellectual appreciation and understanding of the differing schools of strategic thought, which will in turn underpin subject understanding. An intellectual application of these theories together with the self- development of your own ideas will be utilised to demonstrate transferability of skills via a series of practical case applications.

Indicative syllabus

Topics covered in this module will include.

• Business Environment

• Strategic Capability

• Expectations and Purposes

• Business level Strategy and Corporate Strategy

• Innovation

• M&A and alliances

• Strategic choices and evaluation

• Organising for success

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Summary of Learning and Teaching methods.

Lectures, classes, guided reading, videos, case study, private study.

Teaching Approach

Lectures: 24 hours (12 weeks x 2 hours)

Classes: 10 hours (10 weeks x 1 hour)

You should check the online timetable regularly for updates to times and places of teaching sessions.

Recommended Reading/ Resources

Essential

Thompson, A., Peteraf, M., Gamble, J., and Strickland III, A.J. (2022) Crafting & executing strategy: The quest for competitive advantage, concepts and cases. 23e Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

MANG3008 - Strategic Management  | University of Southampton (talis.com)

Module Outline

The table below indicates how the syllabus will be covered. This schedule is subject to change depending on the needs of the group.

Exam

The exam is based upon acase-study analysis that you will be given at the start of the Christmas  Vacation. There will be two questions to answer in essay format. The exam accounts for 100% of your marks for this module.