Overview

This unit aims to guide students with skills and practice of strategic management and critical thinking techniques in turbulent environments. In addition, the unit develops skills in using strategic and foresight tools and critical evaluation of strategic alternatives in the context of small to medium enterprises involved in single industry, as well as strategic business units of large corporations. Its main focus is not only the generation of viable strategic alternatives to gain competitive advantage but also developing a viable implementation plan.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025
Summer
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
06-January-2025
16-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
06-January-2025
Census date
17-January-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
31-January-2025
Results released date
04-March-2025
Winter
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-June-2025
03-August-2025
Last self-enrolment date
23-June-2025
Census date
04-July-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
18-July-2025
Results released date
19-August-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start and end dates
07-July-2025
05-October-2025
Last self-enrolment date
20-July-2025
Census date
01-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
22-August-2025
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the complexity of the business environment
  • Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of strategic planning and foresight to refresh strategic thinking and manage complex problems
  • Develop critical thinking and apply knowledge to address strategic issues across a range of audiences
  • Communicate proficiently and in a professional manner, as a member or leader of a diverse team

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On Campus
Class		 2.00  12 weeks  24
On Line Lecture (asynchronous) 1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities 
Independent Learning		 9.50  12 weeks  114
TOTAL     150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 20 - 30% 1,2,3 
PresentationGroup 20 - 30% 1,2,3,4 
ReportIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3 

Content

  • Overview of Strategic Management - past, present and future trends
  • The future of strategy and relevance of non-linear reality in entrepreneurship, innovation, and its implication on competitive advantage - external environment analysis
  • Creative destruction versus new business creation - identification and evaluation of business opportunity
  • Evaluating and managing the internal environment
  • Sorting the Strategy Tool Box
  • Developing strategic alternatives and selection of viable strategy
  • Implementing the strategy - allocation of requisite resources
  • Strategy review, evaluation and control

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.