CEM302-Strategic Management

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: s.d.green@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Strategic management is the continuous planning, monitoring, analysis and assessment of all that is necessary for an organisation to meet its goals and objectives. Strategic management involves setting objectives, analysing the competitive environment, analysing the internal organization, evaluating strategies, and ensuring that management follows the strategies across the organisation.

Strategic Management aims to prepare current and future managers of private and public service organisations for leadership roles by focusing on the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to manage organisations strategically. This module is focused on the construction sector, it embodies both strategic planning and leadership issues.

Strategic planning is an organisational management activity that is used to set priorities, focus energy and resources, strengthen operations, ensure that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals, and establish agreement around intended outcomes/results.

Aims:

The module aims to explain the role of strategic management of companies within the construction sector. It examines the evolution of strategic management concepts, which are then related to current research and thinking about the creation, culture and context of strategy. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Analyse and debate the concepts of strategic management

• Apply these concepts to the work situation and experience

• Recognise, appreciate and discuss the role of the strategist within organisations

• Compare and contrast the different approaches to strategic management

• Understanding of leadership qualities

Additional outcomes:

The module will be taught by lectures, tutorial discussions and seminars, some of which will involve specialist experts in aspects of strategic management. 

Outline content:

This module is designed to highlight the role of the strategist in organisations. Strategy determines the long-term direction of the organisation and comprises a decision-making process and a management role. The term currently favoured to describe the process and the role is strategic management.

• Developing a corporate strategy, the principles and practice of corporate strategy for public and private companies. Developing the plan to implement the strategy.
  
• Reviewing organisational strategy, plans and performance, and how organisations are shaped by the strategy and influence the direction of the business.


• Seeking growth through mergers and acquisitions, organic growth, and joint ventures.


• Public Service Sector of Non Profit and Public (Government) organisations mission, designing a vision/strategic plan, motivating staff/volunteers/stakeholders, financing, defining measures of success and delivering r esults in the face of ongoing and continuing economic, social, funding and competitive challenges.


• Understanding leadership qualities, leading change in organisations.


• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and public benefit.


• Compliance requirements of the UN Global Compact.


• Managing complexity in business organisations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by lectures, tutorial discussions and seminars, some of which will involve specialist experts in aspects of strategic management. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Active participation of students who have work experience is encouraged to share experiences and knowledge. There will be discussion of the course content for the group assignment, with feedback in class groups, relevant to the assessed assignments.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
To be reassessed by re-submission of coursework/assignment only. You are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 4 April 2020