Business Strategy

University of Reading

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Business Strategy

  • Host University

    University of Reading

  • Location

    Reading, England

  • Area of Study

    Agriculture

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    5
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4

  • Overview

    Module Provider: Agr and Food Econ
    Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
    Level:6
    Terms in which taught: Spring term module
    Pre-requisites: AP2SB1 Business Management
    Non-modular pre-requisites:
    Co-requisites: AP3EM1 Marketing Strategy
    Modules excluded:
    Module version for: 2014/5
    Module Convenor: Ms Rosalind Warren
    Email: r.m.warren@reading.ac.uk
    Summary module description:
    Aims:
    This module builds on material covered in AP2SB1 Business Management and reinforces material covered in AP3EM1 Marketing Strategy. Students will begin to appreciate how a business organisation moves along. How objectives, leadership, structure and processes can influence the direction in which a business moves and how these factors influence the final destination.
    Assessable learning outcomes:
    The challenge of strategic management is to be able to understand the complex issues facing organisations and then develop the capability for long-term organisational success. By the end of the module, students will be expected to identify the factors that determine an organisation?s strategic position, distinguish between strategic choices at the corporate and business level, and to describe some of the resource implications for translating strategy into action. Business strategy is primarily aimed at understanding how companies try to put strategy into action.
    Additional outcomes:
    Presentation; numerical skills; an interest in business affairs which will hopefully translate into regular reading of the financial and business press.
    Outline content:
    The course will cover all of the following topics, although the focus of the course may differ from year to year with some topics being given more emphasis depending on their topicality:
    ? The future of the organisation in the 21st century.
    ? The way in which organisational structures, organisational processes and the management of relationships are important in organising for strategic success.
    ? The importance of understanding organisational context and, in particular, the barriers to strategic change in considering the management of change.
    ? Different approaches to managing change including the styles and roles of management and the levers they may employ in managing change.
    ? Alternative rationales of corporate parents in managing portfolios for value creation
    ? Corporate level strategies concerning product and geographic scope.
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    The module will be extremely topical. Students will be expected to read the business press on a regular basis and to contribute their own examples of strategic management issues based on this reading. Case studies will be used to illustrate problems and processes. Following the first introductory lecture, the module will cover a number of different case studies in some depth. Students who do not contribute in class and who do not prepare adequately between lectures will be asked to withdraw from the lecture series.
    Contact hours:
    Autumn
    Lectures 20
    Guided independent study 80
    Total hours by term 100.00
    Total hours for module 100.00
    Summative Assessment Methods:
    Method Percentage
    Written exam 50
    Written assignment including essay 50
    Other information on summative assessment:
    The coursework will consist of one of the following: Either, two or three short case studies Or, a group presentation elaborating on a specific area of business strategy.
    Regular attendance at lectures and regular contributions to class discussions are essential.
    Formative assessment methods:
    Penalties for late submission:
    The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
    where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
    where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
    You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
    Length of examination:
    A one and a half hour examination paper requiring answers to two from five questions.
    Requirements for a pass:
    A mark of 40% overall.
    Reassessment arrangements:
    By Re-examination in August/September only.
    Last updated: 9 January 2015

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.

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