1. An individual 2000 word assignment based on a contemporary theme covering learning outcomes 1-2, worth 50% of the marks in semester one
2. An individual 2000 word assignment based on a contemporary theme or a choice of assessed mini learning portfolios based on strategic contexts, covering learning outcomes 3 & 4, worth 50% of the marks in semester two.

This module seeks to introduce students to the idea of organisations requiring to maximise their performance through a range of strategic processes. The strategic issues which organisations have to make decisions about will be introduced, namely managing stakeholders, development via organic and external growth, drivers and approaches to change and managing turnaround.
The first part of the module with introduce approaches to risk and financial management as well exploring techniques and approaches to maximising performance management in organisations.
The second part of the module will build upon the above by introducing aspects of strategic management, including external environmental analysis and will examine strategic topics which organisations have to make decisions about, namely managing stakeholders, development via organic and external growth, drivers. Introductory level approaches to strategic change and managing turnaround will be examined as will different approaches to organisational design & structure, culture and resources will be examined, in a global context and with consideration of corporate social responsibility and ethics.

1. UNDERSTAND AND APPLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE ORGANISATIONS
Analysis
Knowledge & Understanding

2. EVALUATE APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH MANAGEMENT PLANNING, DECISION-MAKING AND CONTROL
Analysis
Knowledge & Understanding

3. UNDERSTAND AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC DIRECTION IN ORGANISATIONS, THE SELECTION OF STRATEGIC CHOICE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECISIONS ON ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Application
Knowledge & Understanding

4. UNDERSTAND AND EVALUATE THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC DIRECTION IN DESIGNING ORGANISATIONS, THE SELECTION OF STRATEGIC DESIGN CHOICE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECISIONS ON ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Knowledge & Understanding

Students will engage in a variety of learning forums including:
tutor-led formal presentations, workshops and group based tutorials. There will also be a technology supported guided learning programme via the VLE

A range of resources, including, University library and IT facilities, the Internet, journals and databases

Capon, C. Understanding the Business Environment 3rd Edition 2009 Pearson
Slack, N., Chambers, S., Johnston, R. (2009). Operations Management. 6th Edition. FT Prentice Hall, Harlow.
Neely, Adams and Kennerley (May 2002), The Performance Prism: The Scorecard for Measuring and Managing Business Success:
Evans D. A student's guide to Corporate Finance and Financial Management" Published by Kaplan publishing. 2011