Module: BMA6104-20 Organisational Strategy

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Ben Davies

Module Tutor Contact Details: b.davies2@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

The future and success of every organisation – small and big, public, private or third sector – is related to its strategy. So, what is strategy? How is it carried out? How can we analyse it? And why is it important?

In this module students explore these questions by looking at the process of creating, evaluating and developing strategy. Students investigate how individuals and organisations understand their position, choices and actions to bring coherence to their long-term direction.

This covers traditional and contemporary approaches to encourage students to develop a critical understanding of how strategy is researched and carried out in practice. Fundamentally, students will assess the applicability and usefulness of strategy concepts in different contexts.

In this module, you will be able to demonstrate the following Graduate Attributes:

• Internationally networked: studying alongside students from overseas;

• Critical thinkers: able to express their ideas in written and oral form, and possessing informational literacy;

• Ethically aware: prepared for citizenship in a local, national and global context.

2.Outline syllabus

In this module, there are three overarching strategy themes: organisational setting, organisational growth, and organisational evaluation. Under these themes the following topics are covered: organisational environments, organisational resources, organisational position, business and corporate growth, strategy through interorganisational relations, monitoring and evaluating strategy performance, traditional and contemporary strategy application.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Theoretical and practitioner perspectives are covered In a 1 hour lecture. Students are expected to clarify, assess and challenge concepts and practices during the lecture and through individual and group discussions.

A 2 hour seminar provides an opportunity for student-led discussions to examine concepts and case studies in different contexts.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Individual Case Study 

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Time Limited Assessment (1 week) 

• % Weighting: 50%