Skip to main content
Unit outline_

SMBA6121: Business Performance Frameworks

Intensive April - May, 2022 [Block mode] - Remote

This unit equips students with an in-depth understanding of strategic frameworks, including their commercial application. The unit provides students with an enhanced understanding of the four main strategic framework categories, namely: (i) profitability frameworks, (ii) situational frameworks, (iii) mergers and acquisition frameworks, and (iv) capacity change frameworks. These strategic frameworks are delivered via an intensive teaching mode, using a case-study based delivery method. The unit exposes students to five Australian economic sectors, ensuring that MBA candidates understand how strategic frameworks can be applied in different contexts. This unit provides students with an opportunity to develop a multi-level perspective to complex commercial issues, apply theoretical concepts in multiple business sectors and integrate the business community in the delivery of the unit.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Management Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
SMBA6002
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Christopher Murphy, christopher.murphy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Short Reflective Pieces
n/a
25% Multiple weeks
Due date: 05 Jun 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 Jun 2022
500 words; 5 pieces
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual Case Study
n/a
25% Week 02
Due date: 07 Jun 2020 at 23:59

Closing date: 21 Jun 2020
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Group Case Study
n/a
30% Week 03
Due date: 18 Jun 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Jun 2022
5000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group Presentation
n/a
20% Week 03
Due date: 28 May 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Jun 2022
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Group Case Study: In groups, students will be presented with a detailed case study, outlining a contemporary business issue faced by a fictional organisation. Using the frameworks taught throughout the unit, students will  be asked to address the issues identified within the case study, as well as issues that they may independently identify.

Group Presentation: In groups, students will be asked to present how they have applied the frameworks taught throughout the unit. The presentation will be 15 minutes in length, with a 10 minute question and answer session. 

Individual Case Study: Students will be presented with an individual case study, outlining a contemporary business issue, faced by a fictional organisation. Using the frameworks taught throughout the unit, students will be asked to address the issues identified within he case study, as well as issues that they may independently identify. 

Short Reflective Pieces (x5): Students will be asked to repair five reflective pieces, of 500 words each, detailing how the materials taught in the unit have shaped, altered to changed their thinking. The reflective pieces will take the form of short opinion pieces, each addressing an individual statement. The statements will be released at the commencement of the unit, and students will submit their reflective pieces throughout 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.

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 16 May - Introduction and overview of strategic frameworks Online class (8 hr)  
17 May - Dissecting problems and structuring responses Online class (8 hr)  
Week 02 30 May - Using frameworks to develop tangible insights Online class (8 hr)  
31 May - Case study application Online class (8 hr)  
Week 03 20 June - Group presentations & corporate engagement Online class (8 hr)  
21 June - Case study application Online class (8 hr)  

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.

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. Practically apply the theoretical constructs that underpin strategic frameworks
  • LO2. Use strategic frameworks to articulate tangible solutions to real-world problems
  • LO3. Use strategic frameworks as a way of managing through complexity, and of identifying a path to attainment of organisational outcomes
  • LO4. Use strategic frameworks as a way of communicating complex ideas, and building consensus amongst organisational stakeholders
  • LO5. Use strategic frameworks to conceptualise and articulate the impact of environmental, political and social factors on organisations

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.