Strategic Management (7371.7)

Required texts

Prescribed Text:

Hill, Charles; Schilling, Melissa and Jones, Gareth (2016). Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach. Theory & Cases. USA: Cengage Learning. (12^th Edition)

Readings: To access cases and other selected articles please go to Moodle or e-reserve.

Recommended Texts/ Readings:

Wheelen, Thomas and Hunger, David (2008). Strategic Management and Business Policy. Upper

            Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Hitt, Michael; Ireland, Duane and Hoskisson, Robert (2008). Strategic Management:

            Competitiveness and Globalization- Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning.

Johnson, Gerry; Scholes, Kevan and Whittington, Richard (2008). Exploring Corporate Strategy.

            London: Prentice Hall.

Thompson, Arthur; Peteraf, Margaret and Strickland, A. (2010). Crafting and Executing Strategy:

            Concepts and Reading. New York: McGraw Hill.

Some useful journals include:

Optional reading materials/articles:

Talukder, M. and Quazi, A. (2011). The impact of social influence on individuals'

      adoption of innovation. Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic                       Commerce, 21(2), 111-135.

Talukder, M. and Quazi, A. (2010). Exploring the factors affecting employees' adoption

            and use of innovation. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 16 (2), 1-30.

Govin, J., Slevin, D. and Schultz, R. (1994). Implementing strategic missions: Effective strategic,

            structural and tactical choices. Journal of Management Studies, 31(4), 481-505.

Oh, W. and Pinsonneault, A. (2007). On the assessment of the strategic value of information

            technologies: Conceptual and analytical approaches. MIS Quarterly, 31(2), 239-265.

Pfeffer, J. (2005). Producing sustainable competitive advantage through the effective management of

            people. Academy of Management Executive. 19(4), 95-106.

Zhao, Z and Anand, J. (2009). A multilevel perspective on knowledge transfer: Evince from the

            Chinese automotive industry. Strategic Management Journal, 30, 959-983.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

5b        Details of each assessment item

You are required to form a group of 4-5 students for this case analysis and report. The formation of the group will be finalized in the first two sessions. Formation of the group is the responsibility of the students. You are expected to form the group at your own initiative. However, the lecturer/tutor may help you in forming groups, if needed. Please write a report 1.5 spaced about 25-30 pages maximum (including references) Times New Roman 12 font and APA style referencing with consistency.  Each strategic analysis and report should include the following sections:

1. Introduction. Summarize the current situation affecting the firm and other relevant issues.
2. General Environment Analysis: Identify the broader situation affecting the company including demographics, technology, innovation etc.
3. Industry Environment Analysis. Identify dominant economic characteristics, forces of change and evaluate the attractiveness of the industry.
4. Competitors Environment Analysis. Identify the market share, profitability, growth, share price etc. You can show information specific to the company as well as comparing with competitors Present some highlights of financial status of the chosen company. Present information using various types of graphs, figure, pie charts etc. Identify the market share, growth, etc. You can show information specific to the company as well as comparing with competitors. Preset some highlights of financial status of the chosen company. Present information using various types of graphs, figure, pie charts etc.
5. Internal Environment Analysis. Identify the firm's resources, capabilities, core competencies, value chain activities, current strategies and objectives.
6. SWOT Analysis. Identify the firm's strength, weakness, opportunities and threats.
7. Recommendations. Provide alternative strategies - recommend specific strategies and long-term objectives.
8. Conclusion. Write a final conclusion addressing the strategic implication of your analysis.  

List of cases:

• Bendigo Bank
• Macquarie Bank
• Rio Tinto
• BHP Billiton Ltd.
• Expedia
• Jeep
•  Land Rover
• Harley Davidson
• Johnnie Walker
• Giorgio Armani
• Calvin Klein

Or any other case approved by the Tutor. All cases must have several competitors

Students need to present their assignment. Each group will get 20 minutes to present their findings.

All tutorial sessions will involve the analysis and discussion of specific case situations. Discussion topics will address the contemporary practice of Strategic Management. The topics developed are relational to your group project and complements the knowledge aspect of every student in the preparation and presentation of the case analysis. All cases will illustrate real organizational circumstances. Case analysis and discussion in the class will enable students understanding of the nature of a firm's marketing strategy and the process of formulating and implementing the strategies. Lectures will provide the theoretical framework which will help to assess the cases. Students may be called randomly at any time during class to contribute, critique and participate the discussion. You need to be well prepared to provide opinion and ask questions about all assigned cases.

Read the cases thoroughly and think how you can apply concepts learned in the class. You may meet your group prior to the class to discuss the case. Use your marketing strategic concepts and knowledge to analyze a particular situation. You need to listen to your classmates and provide alternative or supportive views. The quality and quantity of your contribution will determine your participation grade. Therefore, it is essential that you attend all classes and actively participate. This participation includes the preparation for tutorials, attendance in tutorials, contributions to group exercise and contribution to class discussions.

There will be a final exam during the exam period. The exam will run for 3 (three) hours.  It will include essay type questions. The exam will cover lectures 1 to 10 and all discussions made in the lectures, tutorials and any other materials included in the unit during this period.

Presentation Evaluation Criteria

5c         Special assessment requirements

Students who get 50% or more will pass the unit.

5d        Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment will be available to those students with a final mark of 45-49%, but only if this is their final semester and they have failed no other unit in the semester.

5e         Academic Integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship.  Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices which contravene academic values.

5f         Text-matching software

Text matching software may be used to detect plagiarism.

5.2       Special consideration

For examinations administered by the Examinations Office see the Deferred Examinations Policy. 

The Assessment Policy says:

3.14 Special consideration is consideration given to students whose performance in a unit may be affected by unavoidable and adverse circumstances. Special consideration will normally result in extensions of time for submission of assessment items (see Assessment Procedures) or deferred examinations (see the Deferred Examination Policy).

The relevant provision is 3.14 in the Assessment Procedures:

3.14 Applications for an extension to the due date for submission of an assessment item on the grounds of illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances (that is, special consideration) should be submitted according to the procedures described in the unit outline for the relevant unit. For advice on documentary evidence to support applications for extensions, please refer to the Assessment Guide that supports these procedures.

Students should apply for extensions before the due submission date, and are advised to do so as early as possible. Applications after the due submission date may be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

5.3       Applying for Special consideration

If for any reason you are unable to do an assignment by the due date you must submit, to the unit convener, a request for an extension in writing before the due date (unless impossible) setting out in detail the genuine reason for requesting the extension.  If there is a medical or counselling reason for the extension request it must be accompanied by a medical or counselling certificate which clearly states:

• that you were unfit to complete the assignment;
• the date of the medical or counselling consultation; and
• the period for which you were / are / will be unfit to complete the assignment.

Evidence from UC AccessAbility, the Academic Skills Centre, the student counselling service or a Doctor may be helpful in seeking special consideration. However, it is only the unit convener who can grant an extension.

Refer to the Faculty Asssignment Extension Policy

5.4       Due dates for assessment

All assignments are required to be submitted by the due date. 

There is no requirement for unit conveners to mark assignments that are submitted late. In particular, small assignments that are tied to specific parts of the unit delivery such as reflective journals or weekly contributions are part of formative assessment and due dates cannot be extended without harming the value of this form of assessment to others in the unit. All assignments are required to be submitted by the due date.  Assignments that are submitted late and do not have an acceptable reason will incur a penalty of 5 marks per day.

6a        Workload

The amount of time you will need to spend on study in this Unit will depend on a number of factors including your prior knowledge, learning skill level and learning style. Nevertheless, in planning your time commitments you should note that for the total notional workload over the fifteen week semester is assumed to be 150 hours or an average of 10 hours per week. These hours include time spent in classes. Students are expected to:

• Ensure that they are aware of the pre-requisites of this unit.
• Undertake all required reading for the subject.

1.   Prepare for class by completing pre-reading, case notes and discussion questions as outlined in the class activity schedule.

2.   Actively participate in class

3.   Complete all items of assessment; and

4.   Submit the assignments on the due date

6b        Special needs

Students who need assistance in undertaking the unit because of disability or other circumstances should inform their Unit Convener or the Disabilities Office as soon as possible so the necessary arrangements can be made.

6c         Attendance requirements

It is highly recommended that students attend all classes and actively participate in the discussion.

6d        Withdrawal

If you are planning to withdraw please discuss with your unit convener. Please see this link for further information on deadlines.

6e         Required IT skills

Students are expected to have sufficient word processing skills to enable them to submit work for assessment in accordance with the specified requirements, and to be able to access and use the Internet for research purposes, including the Library's databases.  The Library provides training throughout the semester in the use of its on-line resources. 

6f         Costs

Students will need ongoing access to the text. Purchase of a copy of the text is recommended.

6g        Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning will be encouraged

6h        Additional information

The unit convenor will be available for consultation at times to be advised when tutorial arrangements have been finalised, or by appointment. Assignments should be submitted using the APA (American Psychological Association) referencing style.

All students enrolled in this Unit will have an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on the Unit at the end of the Semester via the Unit Satisfaction Survey which will be presented to you on OSIS.

Any change to the information contained in Section 2 (Academic content), and Section 5 (Assessment) of this document, will only be made by the Unit Convener if the written agreement of Head of Discipline and a majority of students has been obtained; and if written advice of the change is then provided on the unit site in the learning management system. If this is not possible, written advice of the change must be then forwarded to each student enrolled in the unit at their registered term address.  Any individual student who believes him/ herself to be disadvantaged by a change is encouraged to discuss the matter with the Unit Convener.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

6a Workload

Inclusion and engagement

It is strongly recommended that students who need assistance in undertaking the unit because of disability or an ongoing health condition register with the Inclusion and Welfare Service as soon as possible so that reasonable adjustment arrangements can be made.

Participation requirements

Students are expected to attend all classes.  Assignments will be returned during classes and students are expected to collect their marked assessment at that time.

Required IT skills

Students must become familiar with on-line learning via Moodle and with the library electronic databases and E-Journals from the outset of the teaching period.  Students will need these resources to prepare for lecturers, tutorials and assessment items.  The library provides a range of training opportunities throughout the year to assist students to use the University's resources efficiently and effectively.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

• Semester 2, 2018, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (179457)
• Semester 1, 2018, On-campus, UC - Global Business College of Australia, Melbourne (178145)
• Semester 1, 2018, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (178143)
• Semester 2, 2017, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (167553)
• Term 2, 2017, On-campus, UCI - Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (173583)
• Semester 1, 2017, On-campus, UC - Global Business College of Australia, Melbourne (172642)
• Semester 1, 2017, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (167060)
• Semester 2, 2016, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (151496)
• Term 3, 2016, Intensive, UCI - Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (163198)
• Semester 1, 2016, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (154757)
• Term 4, 2015, Intensive, UCI - Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (146463)
• Semester 2, 2015, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (139979)
• Semester 1, 2015, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (145252)