1. Critically assess the nature, scope and need for strategic business management and planning in international profit and not-for-profit organisations.

Indicative content:

Explain the scope, nature and characteristics of strategic business management and planning in a global environment;

Critically analyse the need for strategic business management and planning in an organisation;

Appraise the international dimensions of strategic business management and planning;

Critically analyse the different levels of strategy and their relationship with tactical and operational decision-making;

Appreciate the distinctions between profit and not-for-profit organisations in terms of strategic business management and planning.

2. Critically evaluate classic and contemporary models, concepts and tools in business strategy and planning.

Identify classical and contemporary models, concepts and tools in business strategy and planning such as transformational, incremental, “muddling through”, strategic drift etc;

Critically appraise the use of these concepts and models in modern day organisations;

Distinguish prescriptive and emergent theories of corporate strategy and their relevance to organisations;

Critically appraise the ambiguity and debates within the academic literature;

3. Appraise processes by which organisations identify their goals and values.

Indicative content:

Clarify processes by which organisations identify their goals and values;

Appraise the conflicting needs, power and influence of stakeholders;

Evaluate means by which organisations develop their mission, vision and strategic intent;

Critically appraise theories supporting the relevance and value of vision, mission and objectives;

Examine the influence of corporate governance and regulation;

Evaluate the impact and influence of the external environment on an organisation and relate it to its strategy;

Critically appraise the use of techniques such as PEST, PESTEL, STEEP and other derivativesIdentify the sensitivities of the organisation to environmental change and the appropriate prioritisation of search mechanisms;

Analyse the approaches to forecasting environmental change (scenario planning, game theory, decision analysis, social forecasting, Delphi etc);

Appraise determinants of national advantage using suitable techniques such as Porter’s Diamond;

Evaluate the purpose and attributes of SWOT analysisMatch SWOT to organisation competences in order to generate strategic options for both profit and not-for-profit organisations;

Appraise techniques to identify the sources of competition to organisations such as five forces analysis;

Critically evaluate the turbulence of environmental change and the impact on strategic dynamics;

Identify the capabilities that allow organisations to achieve competitive advantage;

Critically analyse means by which an organisation positions itself to outperform its competitorsIdentify and evaluate appropriate strategies for emerging, maturing and declining competitive positions;

Compare and contrast the strategy process supporting prescriptive and emergent strategy development;

Analyse global influences and the impact on internationalisation of strategic business management and planningIdentify environmental issues impacting on strategy in the 21st century, for example global warming, scarce commodities, the emerging economies (BRIC) etc;

Critically evaluate the effect of these future challenges on strategic business management and planning;

Appreciate the impact of the increasingly competitive global environment and the need for innovation, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship in organisations

Evaluate the impact and influence of the external environment on an organisation and relate it to its strategy;

Critically appraise the use of techniques such as PEST, PESTEL, STEEP and other derivatives;

Identify the sensitivities of the organisation to environmental change and the appropriate prioritisation of search mechanisms;

Analyse the approaches to forecasting environmental change (scenario planning, game theory, decision analysis, social forecasting, Delphi etc);

Appraise determinants of national advantage using suitable techniques such as Porter’s Diamond.

5. Identify the key forces that represent both opportunities and threats to organisations whether for profit or not-for-profit.

Indicative content:

Evaluate the purpose and attributes of SWOT analysis;

Match SWOT to organisation competences in order to generate strategic options for both profit and not-for-profit organisations;

Appraise techniques to identify the sources of competition to organisations such as five forces analysis;

Critically evaluate the turbulence of environmental change and the impact on strategic dynamics.

6. Critically evaluate the strategy process for an organisation to achieve competitive advantage

Indicative content:

Identify the capabilities that allow organisations to achieve competitive advantage;

Critically analyse means by which an organisation positions itself to outperform its competitors;

Identify and evaluate appropriate strategies for emerging, maturing and declining competitive positions;

Compare and contrast the strategy process supporting prescriptive and emergent strategy development;

Analyse global influences and the impact on internationalisation of strategic business management and planning;

Identify environmental issues impacting on strategy in the 21st century, for example global warming, scarce commodities, the emerging economies (BRIC) etc;

Critically evaluate the effect of these future challenges on strategic business management and planningAppreciate the impact of the increasingly competitive global environment and the need for innovation, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship in organisations.

Analyse global influences and the impact on internationalisation of strategic business management and planning;

Identify environmental issues impacting on strategy in the 21st century, for example global warming, scarce commodities, the emerging economies (BRIC) etc;

Critically evaluate the effect of these future challenges on strategic business management and planning;

Appreciate the impact of the increasingly competitive global environment and the need for innovation, intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship in organisations;