MNM1STM: Strategic Management

Module code: MNM1STM

Module provider: Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you'll be taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module

Module convenor: Dr Andrew Hull, email: andrew.hull@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module explores how and where firms create competitive advantage in their markets. In doing so, it will introduce students to strategy and strategic marketing. The module will introduce well established theories, frameworks and models used by strategists and also explore how they are applied in practice. However, strategy is contentious and in addressing the topic, the module will challenge students to answer core questions which face business leaders today: What is the purpose of an organisation – to maximise shareholder returns or to meet the broader needs of stakeholders? How are successful strategies created – are they the output of a planned approach or do they emerge from within the business? Should a firm’s strategy be a response to opportunities identified in the market or the exploitation of its resources and capabilities? What is value? 

The module aims to develop students’ understanding of the concepts and principles underpinning strategy and marketing. Students will also be able to interpret and apply them within the context of their own business. By the end of the module students will be able to: 

Explain the core arguments underpinning the shareholder and stakeholder perspectives on the purpose of a business. 

Explain the related concepts of vision, mission and values and their relevance to the future direction of a firm. 

Evaluate different types of strategy and strategy creation. 

Apply models and frameworks to identify opportunities and risks in the external environment and the industry in which a firm operates. 

Apply models and frameworks to analyse a firm’s resources and capabilities. 

Develop market strategies 

Understand how firm’s realise strategy and the impact of organisational structures on strategy

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to: 

Explain an organisation’s strategy in the context of its objectives (including vision, mission and values). 

Analyse the business environment and the industries and organisations that operate within it using relevant tools, concepts, theories and frameworks. 

Analyse the resources and capabilities of a firm to understand where they may be able to create a competitive advantage. 

Explain how strategy is created and realised within organisations. 

Reflect on their personal learning experience. 

Module content

This module has been designed to provide valuable practical and theoretical insights into key organizational issues and practices associated with strategy, its formation and marketing. Students will consider organizational contexts and how they may be analysed. Students will examine how organizations can respond to various opportunities. They will also consider theories and concepts around strategy and its formation, marketing, environmental and stakeholder analysis. They will be expected to apply learning to their work place and be able to assess individual and organizational practice in this area 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught using a blended learning approach. This will include directed self-study, workshops, group work, peer support, and other learning activities. During the module, students will follow a guided-learning path that will require them to read materials, access other core and optional learning materials and undertake a range of activities. In addition to the learning path, students will attend workshops. These are facilitated sessions that will help consolidate knowledge, apply it the workplace and develop higher order cognitive skills of analysis and evaluation. Students will be expected to relate their learning to their day-to-day work. 

The contact hours are shown for one semester in the table below for illustrative purposes only. The actual timing will vary depending on your cohort start date.

Study hours

At least At least 14 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.  hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

50% pass mark - Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module. 

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs