Course outline
Code: MGT322
Title: Advanced Strategic Management
Faculty of Arts and Business
School of Business
Teaching Session: Semester 2
Year: 2015
Course Coordinator:
Dr Rodney Farr-Wharton
Office:
K2.27
Telephone:
+51 7 5430 1217
Email:
Rfarr@usc.edu.au
Consultation Times:
As advised on Blackboard
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
Ongoing changes in technology, customer needs and growing competition creates a highly dynamic
business environment today. To be successful, therefore, businesses need strategic leadership. In
particular, managers have to address the link between strategy formulation and implementation.
Achievement of organisational goals and objectives is not possible without being able to anticipate and
accommodate changes in the various environmental components and the incorporation of strategic
leadership. This course builds on the mid-stone course ‘Strategic Management’ to further advance the
knowledge of potential managers through the analysis of complex business issues.
1.2
Course content
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2.
12 units
Capsim and Strategy
The Balanced Scorecard
Organisational Models of Strategy
Intellectual Capital
Social Capital
Culture and strategy
Innovation
Strategy methods and evaluation
Strategy development processes and organising for success
Resourcing strategies
Managing strategic change
Unit value
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Course Outline: MGT322 Advanced Strategic Management
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
Specific Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of
this course you should be able
to:
Demonstrate initiative in
solving problems competently
in strategic management
Apply research skills needed
to investigate business and
management issues to ensure
its sustainability
4.
Assessment Tasks
Graduate Qualities
You will be assessed on the
learning outcome in task/s:
Completing these tasks successfully
will contribute to you becoming:
1 and 2
Empowered.
2 and 3
Sustainability-focussed.
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Nil
4.2
Pre-requisites
BUS211
4.3
Co-requisites
Nil
4.4
Anti-requisites
Nil
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills
An introductory understanding of strategic management.
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
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Course Outline: MGT322 Advanced Strategic Management
5.2
Assessment tasks
Task
No.
Assessment Tasks
Individual or
Group
Weighting
%
1
Strategic
management
report 1
Strategic
management final
report
Computer
simulation
Individual
2
3
30%
What is the
duration /
length?
1500 words
When
should I
submit?
Week 5
Where
should I
submit it?
In class
Individual
30%
2000 words
Week 12
In class
Individual
40%
N/A
Week 12
In class
100%
Assessment Task 1: Strategic management report 1
Goal:
Your goal is to demonstrate a basic understanding of the given simulated business
operational environment. You will create a report that will detail your understanding (as
CEO) how strategy has assisted you to model / develop a successful enterprise and how
you have applied these elements to make your decisions to date. Your report will be
supported by credible theory/literature, relevant research and evidence from Capsim.
Product: CEO Strategy Report
Format:
This is a 1500 word report.
You will have completed a minimum of four rounds in the Capsim simulation. To plot
your course of action in these three rounds you have played, you will have used /
applied Strategy in some form.
Criteria
 presentation - communication
 executive summary and introduction
 report body
 results
 conclusions
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Communication
Graduate
Assessment Task 2: Strategic management final report
Goal:
Product:
Format:
Criteria
It is not what industry you are in that determines sustainable operation capability, it is
how you operate the venture in any industry that is the basis of sustainable wealth
creation. (NB: wealth creation in this case study will be measured by 3% accumulative
sales growth over the eight rounds a current financial ratio of 1.25 in Round eight). Your
goal is to demonstrate your understanding, through your own experience, those factors
that are most important to achieving a strong competitive position in a particular
market.
Project Report – analysis and reflections.
Individual Assessment, 2000 words.
 presentation - communication
 executive summary and introduction
 report body
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Course Outline: MGT322 Advanced Strategic Management

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results
conclusions
key: evaluation of the management of the organisation; an evaluation of the
performance of your business and issues raised and these must be validated by
reference to appropriate theory
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Graduate
Communication
Graduate
Assessment Task 3: Computer simulation
Goal:
Your goal is to sustainably operate a simulated business in a complex and highly
competitive market. Capsim is an online business simulation. You must operate Capsim
for eight rounds finishing in one of the top three positions in your industry:
 register online at http://www.capsim.com/ in the SimID provided by the Course
Coordinator
 complete the orientation program
 operate your new venture for eight rounds with 3% accumulative sales growth
rates (across the eight rounds) and finish with a current (financial) ratio of 1.25
in round eight, with a final balanced scorecard rating of greater than 700/1000
Product: Computer simulation.
Format:
This is an Individual Assessment.
Criteria
 operate the new venture successfully over eight rounds
 evidence of analysis of information provided in the Capsim strategic reports
 evidence of deductive reasoning in the decisions made to advance each round
successfully
 evidence of innovative practice from the approach employed to successfully
capture market share
 demonstrated proficiency in strategic planning and implementation operation
as evidenced by successful growth of the simulated enterprise
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Graduate
Applying technologies
Graduate
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
SafeAssign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
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Course Outline: MGT322 Advanced Strategic Management
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
 A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must
contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
On campus Workshop: 3 hours per week
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 2
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
What key concepts/content will
I learn?
What activities will I engage in to learn the
concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study
Activities
Workshop, case analysis.
MGT322 eBook
2
Strategy and the strategic
management process:
Introduction
The Balanced Scorecard
MGT322 eBook:
Chapter 1
3
The Capsim Challenge
4
The Capsim Challenge
5
The Capsim Challenge
6
The Capsim Challenge
7
The Capsim Challenge
8
The Capsim Challenge
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
1
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 1
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
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Course Outline: MGT322 Advanced Strategic Management
9
The Capsim Challenge
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
Mid Semester Break
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
10
Monday, 5th
October
Labour Day
Public
Holiday
11
The Capsim Challenge
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
12
Knowledge Capital
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
13
Revision
The details of workshop
program will be posted
on Blackboard.
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
MGT322 eBook:
Objective3
The Strategy for Growth
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 2
MGT322 eBook:
Objective 4
Revision
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
Nil
7.2
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
7.3
Specific requirements
N/A
7.4
Risk management
There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the
Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning
provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can
drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email:
StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au
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Course Outline: MGT322 Advanced Strategic Management
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10.
Faculty specific information
Locating Journal Articles
If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line
library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers"
link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and
issue or keyword as needed.
Assignment Cover Sheets
The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal
at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name,
assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment
item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a
receipt.
Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first
instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible.
Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach
your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course
Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School.
General enquiries and student support
Faculty Student Centre
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259
Fax: +61 7 5430 2859
Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au