Strategic management involves a high level integration of a number of business functions and policies to give overall coherence to organisational activities. This module provides a general grounding in the tools and processes of strategic analysis, evaluation and selection and their application in the Chinese business context. It introduces ideas about the path as a core integrative module , bringing together material from a number of disciplines. The following topics will be covered:-
- The concept of organisation strategy and distinction between levels of strategy
- Business strategy design frameworks
- Alternative processes of strategy development
- Mission and vision
- The external environments of organisations
- Resources as assets and competences in organisational activities
- Strategic positioning and the pursuit of competitive advantage
- Stakeholders
- Organisational culture and its impact on strategy development and implementation
- Strategic choice and implementation under different circumstances

A 3000 word assignment, assessing Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Recommended text:
JOHNSON, G & SCHOLES, K. 2005. Exploring Corporate Strategy - Texts & Cases. 7th edition, Prentice Hall.
Supporting texts:
TANG, Jie. & WARD, Anthony 2003. The Changing Face of Chinese Management. Routledge.
CHOW, I, HOLBERT, N, LELLEY, L & YU, J. 1997. Business Strategy - An Asia Pacific Focus, Prentice Hall.
Students will be directed to specific papers from a variety of journals including:
- Harvard Business Review
- Management Decision
- Strategic Management Journal
- Beijing Review

Recommended textbooks
Other up-to-date supplementary materials provided at the time
The university's on-line and off-line information resources in the library
A PC with Microsoft Office and Internet access

The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment), of which there will be 36 hours of class support and 114 hours of independent and self directed study. The tutor led sessions will have a general pattern of introducing a topic with the associated theoretical tools, followed by application to appropriate data or case study materials. Classes will include group and individual presentations. Students will be expected to obtain supplementary information from a number of paper and electronic sources as part of their preparation.