School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2023 Units. All assessment changes will be published by 20th February 2023. All students are reminded to check the handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Strategic Management and International Competitiveness
  • Unit Code

    MBA6016
  • Year

    2023
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Naoise MCDONAGH

Description

Strategy and international competitiveness are key management imperatives in the global business context. As such, this unit is a core component of learning in the MBA program. It focuses on the concepts, theory and practice of strategic management in an increasingly interconnected international environment. The learning around these is achieved through the practical application of business, corporate and international strategy models and frameworks. With a focus on identifying and analysing the key issues that must be addressed by management to build high performance organisations and achieve sustainable strategies, this unit equips you with a comprehensive understanding of strategic management issues and processes, within a local, national and global context. Utilising a variety of learning resources and activities, together with challenging assessment commensurate with a MBA unit in the final stages of your course, this unit provides the context for the development of strategic awareness, implementation and management skills. In addition, it allows for the examination of fundamental issues in managing international operations in order to achieve competitive advantage.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

The unit shall be offered in the following modes/locations External (online). Delivery of the unit through an external delivery pattern will occur across traditional semesters. Block (weekend) – Block delivery involves online delivery of material (TEL), coupled with two complete weekends that are separated by a number of weeks. The material delivered via TEL will occur prior to the first block weekend and between the two weekend blocks of face to face teaching. Intensive (week long day classes) - Intensive delivery of material will occur over a number of consecutive days (normally five or six) of teaching. The student will be supported through appropriate TEL.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded {MBA6044}

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate and investigate appropriate frameworks and models relating to strategic management in an international environment.
  2. Determine the value of existing versus new paradigms within the field of strategy as a precursor to researching through data collection and analysis, as the basis for developing sound recommendations.
  3. Evaluate a range of concepts, frameworks and models across different regional and cultural contexts.
  4. Synthesise and research relevant concepts, frameworks and models to identify critical issues in complex, multi-dimensional problems and provide practical, yet innovative, solutions for managers and organisations.

Unit Content

  1. What is Strategy?
  2. Strategic Planning.
  3. Industry Analysis.
  4. Resources and Capabilities.
  5. Generic Strategies.
  6. Business Models.
  7. New Business Models/Strategic Innovation.
  8. Corporate Strategy.
  9. Corporate Governance.
  10. National Competitiveness.
  11. International Structuring.
  12. Strategic Implementation.
  13. Strategic Decision Making.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

Additional Learning Experience Information

Learning in this unit will be primarily guided by case studies of a broad range of organisations. In addition, industry experts will be invited to discuss key issues. In class and online activities are supplemented with material, including additional case studies, videos and media artefacts, available on Blackboard and in the text book, and you are encouraged to read widely in strategy and management books and journals. The key journals in this discipline area are covered in the unit outline and available through the library. Before each in class or online learning activity, it is imperative that you access Blackboard and complete the necessary learning modules. You can access the learning modules on your own device, including mobile devices, or make use of the e-lab facilities on campus. Completing the pre-workshop modules will ensure you are prepared to engage and contribute in class and online. Building on the discipline knowledge that will be learned in this unit, students will also develop a range of transferable skills, including complex problem solving, cultural competence and a global perspective.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase Study Analysis40%
Research PaperCompany Strategy Review60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase Study Analysis40%
Research PaperCompany Strategy Review60%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

MBA6016|2|1

School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Strategic Management and International Competitiveness
  • Unit Code

    MBA6016
  • Year

    2023
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Naoise MCDONAGH

Description

Strategy and international competitiveness are key management imperatives in the global business context. As such, this unit is a core component of learning in the MBA program. It focuses on the concepts, theory and practice of strategic management in an increasingly interconnected international environment. The learning around these is achieved through the practical application of business, corporate and international strategy models and frameworks. With a focus on identifying and analysing the key issues that must be addressed by management to build high performance organisations and achieve sustainable strategies, this unit equips you with a comprehensive understanding of strategic management issues and processes, within a local, national and global context. Utilising a variety of learning resources and activities, together with challenging assessment commensurate with a MBA unit in the final stages of your course, this unit provides the context for the development of strategic awareness, implementation and management skills. In addition, it allows for the examination of fundamental issues in managing international operations in order to achieve competitive advantage.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

The unit shall be offered in the following modes/locations External (online). Delivery of the unit through an external delivery pattern will occur across traditional semesters. Block (weekend) – Block delivery involves online delivery of material (TEL), coupled with two complete weekends that are separated by a number of weeks. The material delivered via TEL will occur prior to the first block weekend and between the two weekend blocks of face to face teaching. Intensive (week long day classes) - Intensive delivery of material will occur over a number of consecutive days (normally five or six) of teaching. The student will be supported through appropriate TEL.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded {MBA6044}

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate and investigate appropriate frameworks and models relating to strategic management in an international environment.
  2. Determine the value of existing versus new paradigms within the field of strategy as a precursor to researching through data collection and analysis, as the basis for developing sound recommendations.
  3. Evaluate a range of concepts, frameworks and models across different regional and cultural contexts.
  4. Synthesise and research relevant concepts, frameworks and models to identify critical issues in complex, multi-dimensional problems and provide practical, yet innovative, solutions for managers and organisations.

Unit Content

  1. What is Strategy?
  2. Strategic Planning.
  3. Industry Analysis.
  4. Resources and Capabilities.
  5. Generic Strategies.
  6. Business Models.
  7. New Business Models/Strategic Innovation.
  8. Corporate Strategy.
  9. Corporate Governance.
  10. National Competitiveness.
  11. International Structuring.
  12. Strategic Implementation.
  13. Strategic Decision Making.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

Additional Learning Experience Information

Learning in this unit will be primarily guided by case studies of a broad range of organisations. In addition, industry experts will be invited to discuss key issues. In class and online activities are supplemented with material, including additional case studies, videos and media artefacts, available on Blackboard and in the text book, and you are encouraged to read widely in strategy and management books and journals. The key journals in this discipline area are covered in the unit outline and available through the library. Before each in class or online learning activity, it is imperative that you access Blackboard and complete the necessary learning modules. You can access the learning modules on your own device, including mobile devices, or make use of the e-lab facilities on campus. Completing the pre-workshop modules will ensure you are prepared to engage and contribute in class and online. Building on the discipline knowledge that will be learned in this unit, students will also develop a range of transferable skills, including complex problem solving, cultural competence and a global perspective.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase Study Analysis40%
Research PaperCompany Strategy Review60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyCase Study Analysis40%
Research PaperCompany Strategy Review60%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

MBA6016|2|2