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Unit outline_

SIEN2210: Strategic Management

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit explores how strategy is formulated, implemented and evaluated. Strategic management concepts, frameworks and tools are applied to organizational case studies. Current debates in strategic management are evaluated for their relevance to strategists in a range of organizational contexts.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of at least 40 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
WORK2210
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Yeonji Seo, yeonji.seo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Several mid-length responses to questions.
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
Attendance and participation (microphone and camera required if online).
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case study report
Written report.
30% Week 06
Due date: 09 Sep 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 Oct 2022
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Case simulation
Online strategy simulation.
30% Week 08
Due date: 23 Sep 2022 at 17:00

Closing date: 09 Oct 2022
Live for 1 week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Participation: You will be assessed on your contributions to the weekly tutorials and guest lectures. During online tutorials, make sure you have a stable Internet connection, microphone and camera to effectively participate in the sessions. Excellent participation involves regular attendance, thoughtful participation, pre-class preparation and respecting the views of others.
  • Case study report: You will write a case study on a selected company. Applying the tools learnt in the unit, you will analyse the current strategy employed by the selected company and suggest possible strategic directions.
  • Simulation game: This assessment task is made up of two elements; the online strategy case simulation which will be completed in groups of 4, and a peer evaluation which will take place individually. The simulation involves students working together to create a strategy map, develop a balanced scorecard, and choose strategic initiatives for an automotive parts firm. The goal of the simulation is to maximise the firm's value. An opportunity will be given to teams to familiarise themselves with the game through practice rounds.
  • Final exam: The final exam is open-book (Type D), 2 hours in length to be held and submitted during the University Final Exam Period. You will be providing several mid-length responses to questions requiring strategic analysis based on the content of the unit. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: (1) Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date; (2) After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below: This unit follows the University policy for late submissions. Please refer to the policy online. Failure to submit peer evaluation for the Simulation assessment would result in 0 mark for that individual.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is strategy? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Strategic leadership Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Analysing strategy: Looking outside Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Analysing strategy: Looking inside Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Analysing strategy: Synthesising and writing strategic analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Formulating strategy: Business level strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Formulating strategy: Business level strategy and the Balanced Scorecard Simulation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Formulating strategy: Innovation and design thinking Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Formulating strategy: Corporate level strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Feedback on Case Study & Simulation Results Overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Formulating Strategy: Strategic Alliances, Mergers & Acquisitions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Implementing strategy: Corporate governance and business ethics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Recap and revision Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Online teaching: Students should ensure they have stable Internet connection, turn on their microphone and camera to effectively participate in online teaching. 

Participation: You will be assessed on your contributions to the weekly tutorials and guest lectures. Excellent participation involves regular attendance, thoughtful participation, pre-class preparation and respecting the views of others.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Rothaermel, F. T. (2020) Strategic management. Fifth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Other assigned readings can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify and assess the key strategic challenges in a range of business contexts.
  • LO2. Identify and critically evaluate potential implications of strategic business decisions drawing on a range of strategic management tools and concepts.
  • LO3. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using a range of modes of communication involving case study simulation and report writing.
  • LO4. Evaluate how values and ethics shape strategic management planning and outcomes.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.