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Unit outline_

SIEN2210: Strategic Management

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 Bart de Keyser, bart.dekeyser@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Supervised final exam.
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
Participation
20% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task group assignment Online strategy simulation
Online strategy simulation
20% Week 09 Three weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Reflection
Reflection presentation based on the online strategy simulation
10% Week 09
Due date: 22 Sep 2024 at 23:59
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Participation group assignment Peer review
Peer review based on the online strategy simulation
10% Week 11
Due date: 15 Oct 2024 at 23:59
Open for two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Final exam: You will be taking an individual, closed-book exam during the final exam period. 
  • Group work: 
    • Online strategy simulation: You will be working in groups to manage the strategic decisions and innovations of a fictional firm, maximizing the stock price index as you move along.
    • Reflection: Together with your group members, you will give a brief reflection presentation looking back on your strategy simulation process.
    • Peer review: You will assess your group members' contribution as offered during the strategy simulation.
  • 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.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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:

As the online strategy simulation develops over the course of three weeks - with feedback on your performance and best practice approaches being given intermittently - you are expected to submit your strategic decisions on time. Failure to do so will result in a mark of zero for the decision run in question.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is strategy? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 Missioning and visioning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Business-level strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Corporate-level strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Network-level strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Strategy formation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Strategic change and innovation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Strategic thinking Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Guest lecture: Strategy @ Work Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Industry context Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Organizational context Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 International context Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Recap and revision Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes. Lectures are recorded and will be available within the LMS for student use. However, 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.

Participation: You will be assessed on your contributions to the weekly tutorials and guest lecture(s). 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

De Wit, B. (2020). Strategy: An international perspective. Cengage. [7th edition]

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.

Simulation game changed in response to staff feedback, about the previous game having become dated. Written report assessment removed in response to staff feedback, about the use of AI-tools. Textbook changed in response to staff feedback, about the limitations and drawbacks of the previous text.

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.