1. Apply relevant decision-making frameworks in response to volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.

University Learning Outcome: Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry, Analysis, Reflection, Application

2. Formulate and justify time-sensitive strategic interventions that consider cross-cultural, ethical, and stakeholder dynamics within international leadership contexts.

University Learning Outcome: Problem Solving, Communication, Application

3. Critically evaluate emerging or contested topics in global strategy using current academic and industry perspectives.

University Learning Outcome: Communication, Enquiry, Reflection

4. Facilitate structured professional dialogue on strategic issues, engaging diverse viewpoints and reflecting critically on implications for decision-makers.

University Learning Outcome: Learning, Communication

Strategy Room Simulation (50%)

Group simulation exercise with individual reflective submission

This assessment immerses students in a high-pressure, real-time decision-making scenario. Acting as senior executives within an international organisation, students respond to a strategic crisis (e.g., global expansion challenge, ethical scandal, digital transformation under disruption).

Initially, in teams, you will formatively analyse a live scenario pack (during lectures) and collaboratively produce a strategic action plan. During the simulation, students will consider key decisions and respond to role-played stakeholder challenges.

Following the simulation, each student submits a summative individual reflective report critically evaluating their decision-making contributions, ethical considerations, leadership behaviours, and group dynamics.

Assesses Learning Outcomes: LO1 & LO2

Critical Issues Roundtable Presentation (50%)

Assessment Type: Individual oral presentation with peer engagement

This assessment challenges students to critically explore a contemporary or emerging issue in international strategic decision making (e.g., climate risk, AI-led strategy, stakeholder capitalism, ESG regulation).

Students research and prepare a 15-minute academic-style presentation, drawing on scholarly literature and global case examples. They must present their position clearly and lead a 5-minute roundtable Q&A discussion, responding to peer questions with critical insight and professionalism.

This assessment allows students to develop confidence in strategic communication, intellectual agility, and the ability to lead informed dialogue around contested global issues.

Assesses Learning Outcomes: LO3 & LO4

Strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making in international contexts

Globalisation, international market entry, and expansion strategies

Strategic planning under disruption, uncertainty, and ambiguity (VUCA)

Scenario planning, systems thinking, and future-focused decision models

Risk management, resilience, and sustainability in strategic leadership

Dynamic capabilities and agile responses to global market shifts

Corporate governance, ethical dilemmas, and responsible leadership

Stakeholder theory, legitimacy, and managing conflict in high-stakes settings

Strategic analysis tools (SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s Five Forces, RBV)

Blue Ocean Strategy and innovation in global positioning

Strategic communication techniques for board-level influence

Leading strategic roundtables and managing critical dialogue

Crisis communication, reputational risk, and stakeholder messaging

How do international leaders make bold, ethical decisions in a world full of complexity, disruption, and competing interests?

This module immerses you in the fast-paced world of strategic leadership on the global stage. You’ll explore how multinational organisations respond to volatile conditions from digital transformation to climate risks, political instability to ethical crises and develop your own approach to high-stakes, real-time decision making.

Through an immersive simulation and a critical roundtable presentation, you’ll examine strategy from multiple angles: leadership, ethics, global dynamics, and stakeholder impact. You'll learn how to communicate under pressure, frame difficult decisions, and anticipate the ripple effects of strategy in a connected world.

Ideal for future consultants, executives, and entrepreneurs, this module develops the intellectual confidence and strategic insight needed to thrive in modern international business environments.

Interactive Lectures

Interactive lectures ground students in the theoretical foundations of strategic leadership, with a particular focus on intercultural competence, resilience, and entrepreneurial decision-making. Case studies drawn from international organisations and leadership crises are used to connect theory to practice. Formative questioning, short reflective tasks, and peer-to-peer exchanges embedded in lectures allow students to critically evaluate leadership dilemmas and explore alternative strategic responses in real time.

Collaborative Workshops and Practice Labs

Workshops and practice labs are designed to simulate the realities of strategic leadership. Through group discussions, crisis-management simulations, and problem-based activities, students develop the skills required to lead under pressure, negotiate with stakeholders, and manage cultural complexities. Mini-presentations and role-play exercises enable students to rehearse influence strategies, practise adaptive decision-making, and refine their leadership communication. Industry guest lectures bring live examples of strategic challenges, such as sustainability transitions, digital disruption, and stakeholder conflict, offering students authentic insights into leadership at the highest level.

Formative Development and Self-Directed Study

Self-directed study is scaffolded with formative checkpoints that emphasise leadership reflection and application. Students are encouraged to keep structured reflective journals that capture their responses to simulations, cases, and role-plays. Online discussion forums and optional journal submissions provide feedback opportunities, allowing students to track their development as strategic leaders over the course of the module. This reflective practice builds their ability to transfer learning into their Leadership Immersion Journal and future leadership roles.

Integrated Learning Experience

Together, these strategies create a rich learning environment that blends theory, practice, and reflection. By engaging in applied simulations, reflective practice, and critical dialogue, students develop not only academic knowledge but also the strategic foresight, intercultural sensitivity, and resilient leadership skills required to navigate complex, volatile, and global business environments.

Cameron, E. and Green, M., 2019. Making Sense of Change Management. 5th ed. London: Kogan Page.

Ghemawat, P., 2018. Redefining Global Strategy: Crossing Borders in a World Where Differences Still Matter. Boston: Harvard Business Press.

Grant, R.M., 2021. Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Text and Cases Edition. 11th ed. Hoboken: Wiley.

Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Scholes, K., Angwin, D. and Regnér, P., 2020. Exploring Strategy: Text and Cases. 12th ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B.W. and Lampel, J., 2005. Strategy Safari: A Guided Tour Through the Wilds of Strategic Management. 2nd ed. New York: Free Press.

Schein, E.H. and Schein, P.A., 2017. Organizational Culture and Leadership. 5th ed. Hoboken: Wiley

UN Global Compact and DNV, 2022. The Future of Strategy: Embedding ESG into the Boardroom Agenda. [online] Available at: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/library

VLE learning material¿
University’s library and learning resources
Selection of peer reviewed papers, research reports, official statistics, contemporary case studies

Careers

The Introduction to Career Connect video for Business Management students at University of Staffordshire explains how to use Career Connect to book one-to-one careers appointments, search for job opportunities, access employability resources, and register for events that support your career development. You can also explore guided career activities and tools on the Career Centre platform and engage with immersive job simulations on the Forage platform.Learn more about careers support on the University of Staffordshire Careers website.