MG309

Strategic Management
COURSE OUTLINE

1. SEMESTER/YEAR: Semester 2, 2020

2. MODE OF DELIVERY/LOCATION: Print at Laucala and Regional Campuses

3. PRE-REQUISITES: Any 2 MG 200 level courses

4. COURSE COORDINATOR: Dr. Suwastika Naidu

5. TEACHING TEAM

Name: Dr. Suwastika Naidu Name: TBA

Office: FBE Room 205 Office: TBA
Phone: 323- 1981 Phone: TBA
Email: naidu_s@usp.ac.fj Email: TBA
Consultation Hours: TBA Consultation Hours: TBA

6. TUTORIAL TIMES & VENUE

Day Time Venue

Monday 3-4pm 093-105
Monday 2-3pm 093-206
Wednesday 5-6pm 093-207
Wednesday 6-7pm 093-207
Thursday 11-12noon 093-206
Thursday 12-1pm 093-206
Friday 3-4pm 093-206
Friday 4-5pm 093-206
The timetable will be finalized during the first week of the lectures. Refer to the introduction and assignment
booklet for satellite tutorials. The softcopy of the introduction and assignment booklet is uploaded on
Moodle.

7. EMERGENCY CONTACT

Name: Ms. Susan Tafuna'i-Mani

Phone: +679 32 32137
Email: susanl.tafunaimani@usp.ac.fj

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8. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The subject of Strategic Management primarily deals with the problems and processes of
appropriately matching the business with its environment. It offers knowledge and tools for
maneuvering the firm in a competitive environment for the strategic advantage of the firm.
Given such a background, MG309 intends to impart basic knowledge and skills in formulating,
implementing, and evaluating business strategies. The existing or future environments bring
serious challenges to firms in their attempt to remain competitive. MG309 aims to enable
students to identify the problems confronting businesses and develop strategic decisions for
the overall improvement of the firm performance. These decisions will enable the firm to
survive and compete in a complex global environment.

Developing countries in the South Pacific, such as Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and others, are now
beginning to assert themselves in the global markets. Many of the island states lack the
competitive environment and resources to bring about innovative strategies.

9. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the need for strategic thinking and management

2. Analyze the external and internal environment
3. Discuss the competitive dynamics and formulate different enterprise-specific strategies
4. Implement business strategies and strategic control

5. Evaluate the concepts of corporate governance, strategic leadership, and social

responsibility

GENERIC SMPA PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

Students will be able to:

PO1 Collaborate effectively in the practice of management and public administration in
organisations in the Pacific Region and global context.
PO2 Apply critically key principles, theories, and concepts of management, public
administration, international business & marketing, and human resource
management/ employment relations to practical scenarios in a range of contexts.
PO3 Conduct research inquiry and analysis according to discipline appropriate methods
and conventions.

PO4 Communicate effectively in a range of organizational contexts, including cross-cultural

contexts.

PO5 Solve problems and challenges innovatively in management, public administration,

international business & marketing, and human resource management/ employment
relations in a range of contexts in the Pacific Region and internationally.

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PO6 Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in all aspects of workplace and
scholarly contexts.

10. USP GRADUATE OUTCOMES

The USP graduate outcomes are as follows:

G01 Creativity: Graduates will generate new ideas and approaches to solve problems.

G02 Communication: Graduates will choose appropriate language and modes of

communication to share ideas and capture understanding.

G03 Critical thinking: Graduates will evaluate ideas and opinions before forming a
conclusion.

G04 Ethics: Graduates will apply ethical reasoning to their actions and decision-making.

G05 Pacific consciousness: Graduates will recognize the cultural heritage and diversity of
Pacific societies.

G06 Professionalism: Graduates will apply professional principles, values, and ethics to
their work.

G07 Teamwork: Graduates will collaborate with people from diverse perspectives to achieve
goals.

11. COURSE CONTENT

Week/Date Focus for each week Reading

Week 1 Introduction to Strategic Management: •Read Unit 1 section of
your Course Book
• strategic competitiveness, strategy, competitive
advantage, above-average returns and the •Read Chapter 1 of your
strategic management process textbook
• industrial organisation (I/O)
• resource-based model
• describe the work of strategic leaders
• strategic management process.
Week 2 External Environment and Your Business: •Read Unit 2 section of
• external environment. your Course Book
• general environment
• five competitive forces •Read relevant sections
of Chapter 2 of your
textbook

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 Week 3 Internal Environment of Your Business: •Read Unit 3 section of
your Course Book
• internal environment. •Read relevant sections
• tangible and intangible resources of Chapter 3 of your
• capabilities textbook
• outsourcing
Week 4 Business and Industry Strategies: •Read Unit 4 section of
& your Course Book
Week 5 • business-level strategy. •Read relevant sections
• business-level strategies. of Chapters 4 & 5 of your
• five forces of competition model textbook
• competitors, competitive rivalry, competitive
behaviour and competitive dynamics.
• competitive dynamics in slow-cycle, standard-
cycle and fast-cycle markets.
Week 6 Firm or Strategies:
•Read Unit 5 section of
• corporate-level strategy your Course Book
• levels of diversification •Read relevant sections
• motives that can encourage managers to over of Chapter 6 of your
diversify a firm. textbook
Week 7
MST scope – Review Units 1–5, revise from relevant sections of the text book,
relook at the Activities covered

MID-SEMESTER BREAK
Acquisition and Restructuring:
• acquisition strategies •Read Unit 6 section of
Week 8 • seven problems that work against developing a your Course Book
competitive advantage when using an
& acquisition strategy •Read relevant sections
• short- and long-term outcomes of the different of Chapters 7 & 8 of your
Week 9 textbook
types of restructuring strategies.

International / Global Strategies:

• motives for firms to pursue international
diversification
• four factors that lead to a basis for international
business-level strategies
• three international corporate-level strategies:
multi-domestic, global and transnational

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 Week 10 Joint & Other Alliances
• cooperative strategies •Read Unit 7 section of
• strategic alliances your Course Book
• business-level cooperative strategies and their
use •Read relevant sections
• cross-border strategic alliances as an of Chapter 9 of your
international cooperative strategy textbook

Week 11
Controls, Innovation & Strategic Managers • Read Unit 8 section of
& • corporate governance your Course Book
• ownership and its separation managerial
Week 12 • Read relevant sections
control in the modern corporation
• agency relationship and managerial of Chapters 10, 11 & 12
opportunism of your textbook
• organisational structure and controls
• strategy and structure
• functional structures
• strategic leadership
• top management teams

Week 13 •Cover any incomplete Activities in Unit 8

•Prepare for discussion Unit 8 Activities left over from Week 12 tutorial

•Start review and preparation for Final Exam

Week 14 • Review for Final Exam – Check for any additional tutorial or review session
in the Moodle announcements
• Prepare for discussion of Activities done in Unit 8 and not discussed in
earlier tutorial

12.0 PRESCRIBED TEXT AND OTHER RESOURCES

Hanson, D., Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D., and Hoskisson, R.E. (2011). Strategic Management:
Competitiveness and Globalization, Pacific Rim 6th Edition, Cengage Learning, Australia.

Reading list:

1. Crossan, M.M., Bansal, P., Fry, J., Killing, P., Nicholls-Nixon, C., and White, R. (2011).
Strategic Management: A Case Book. Toronto: Prentice Hall.
2. Dallas, H. (2005). Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalisation (2nd Ed.).
Pacific Rim. Melbourne: Thomson Learning.

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 3. Hubbard, G. (2011). Strategic Management: Thinking Analysis and Action (4th Ed.).
Australia: Pearson.
4. Rothaermel, F.T. (2013). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. New York:
McGraw Hill.
5. Ngamoki, C., and Rangituatata, C. (2014). Moving Towards a Culture of Strategic
Management in Fiji. Belgium: University of Louvain.

Referencing guide:
Use Harvard referencing style see here: http://www.usp.ac.fj/?id=16266.

Journals:
• Strategic Management Journal
• Journal of Management Studies
• Academy of Management Journal
• Academy of Management Review
• Pacific Islands Monthly
• The Fiji Times & The Fiji Sun

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 13.0 ALIGNMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES, ACTIVITIES AND ASSESSMENT
The following table demonstrates the alignment of the course learning outcomes to appropriate activities and assessments and the links to
programme and USP graduate outcomes.
Associated Teaching and
Course Learning Outcome
Learning Activities
Explain the need for strategic thinking Recorded lecturers, satellite
and management tutorials and online
discussions
Analyze external and internal Recorded lecturers, satellite
environment tutorials and online
discussions
Discuss competitive dynamics and Recorded lecturers, satellite
formulate different enterprise specific tutorials and online
strategies discussions
Implement business strategies and Recorded lecturers, satellite
strategic control tutorials and online
discussions
Evaluate the concepts of corporate Recorded lecturers, satellite
governance, strategic leadership and tutorials and online
social responsibility discussions
MG309DFL Course Outline – Semester II, 2020
Assessment Programme Outcomes USP Graduate Outcomes
Assignments, mid PO1, PO2, PO3 GO1, GO2, GO3, GO4.
semester and final exam
GO5
Assignments, mid PO4, PO5, PO6 GO2, GO2, GO3, GO4.
semester and final exam
GO7
Assignments, mid PO4, PO5, PO6 GO2, GO3, GO4, GO5,
semester and final exam
GO6
Assignments, mid PO1, PO2, PO3 GO2, GO2, GO3, GO4.
semester and final exam
GO7
Assignments, mid PO1, PO2, PO3 GO2, GO3, GO4, GO5,
semester and final exam
GO6
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14.0 ASSESSMENT
14.1 ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT WEIGHT COMMENTS/RATIONALE LEARNING OUTCOME

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT -
Assignment 1 15% Test learning outcomes1-5 1-3
Assignment 2 15% Test learning outcomes1-5 4-5
Mid Semester Test 20% Test learning outcomes1-5 1-3
FINAL EXAMINATION
Final examination 50% Written exam for 3 hours 3-5

Assignment 1:

Due date: 1st of September, 2020 4pm (Fiji Time)

Value: 15%
Length: 2, 000 words (approx. 4 pages)
Coverage: Units 1-3 of the Course book (Chapters 1-3 of the prescribed textbook)

You are required to answer the following question in an essay form:

‘Explain the importance of analyzing and understanding the firm’s external environment’.
*Also keep in mind the marking rubric. Pay attention to each criterion as per the rubric. Research
methodology will be based on secondary data sources.

Assignment 2:

Due date: 27th October 4.00pm Fiji day and time

Value: 15%
Length: Approximately 11-13 pages
Coverage: All the chapters

You are required to do the following:

‘A strategic plan is a helpful document that helps to communicate to the members of the organization
the actions needed to achieve organizations goals and all critical elements of the planning exercise.’

This is an individual assignment whereby students are required to prepare a strategic plan for an
organization that does not have a strategic plan.

References (wherever in the Assignment – references have been made to course material or any other
current practice or research cite the full bibliographical details)
*Also keep in mind the marking rubric. Pay attention to each criterion as per the rubric. Research
methodology will be based on secondary data sources.

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Mid Semester Test:
The actual date/time will be confirmed later. The test will consist of essay type, short answer
question, and case(s) based on the materials covered in lectures/tutorials. Cheating (copying,
allowing others to copy, coming to the test venue with written notes, talking during the test,
checking or comparing answers) will be dealt with severely, and such students will be sent to
the disciplinary committee.

Final Examination:
The material covered during the semester will be included in the final examination. Reminder:
You MUST obtain at least a total of 20/50 marks for your course work AND at least a total of
20/50 marks for your final examination and an overall aggregate of 50 marks to pass this
course. The exam is based on lectures and materials covered during the semester. The exact
coverage for the final exam will be announced later via Moodle. Remember that your final
examination may differ in content and structure from the past year sample papers

15.0 PASSING THE UNIT

Students should take note of the following:

• Participants are required to obtain a minimum of 40 percent in both components

(coursework and final exam) in order to pass the course. The pass mark is 50/100.
• Special exams are not approved for work-related reasons, and no change in exam
venue will be allowed.

16.0 GRADE DISTRIBUTION

A+ A B+ B C+ C D E
85-100 78-84 71-77 64-70 57-63 50-56 40-49 0-39

17.0 ASSESSMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

For detailed regulations, please refer to the USP Handbook and Calendar.

Plagiarism, copying materials from other sources without proper referencing, and
acknowledge the source is a serious offense and will be dealt with severely. In the Regulations
Governing Academic Misconduct section of the USP Handbook & Calendar, plagiarism is
defined as “the copying of another person’s creative work and using it as one’s own – without
explicitly giving credit to the original creator. Work copied without acknowledgment from a
book, from another student’s work, from the internet or any other source”. If the lecturer is
satisfied that plagiarism has occurred, they will report the matter to the Head of School. They
can reduce marks appropriately. If the matter is seen as serious enough, it can be taken to
the Student Disciplinary Committee by the Head of School.

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18.0 IMPORTANT DATES

WEIGHTING
ACTIVITY WEEK
(%)
Assignment 1 4 15
Assignment 2 10 15
Mid Semester
Test 8 20

19.0 ADDITIONAL COURSE ATTENDANCE

19.1 TUTORIALS

Tutorials are not compulsory in this course, but students are encouraged to attend
satellite and face to face tutorials organised for Laucala and regional students.

20.0 STUDENT SUPPORT

20.1 ONLINE HELP & e-Learning INFORMATION

Students are urged to make maximum use of the grade books located on their moodle
platform. Your grade books will be updated periodically by the course coordinator to
ensure that you keep track of your performance throughout the semester. You need
to send your assignments at scheduled due dates to ensure regular and consistent
feedback in your grade books. If you have any queries, please send a message directly
to the course coordinator or the tutor.

21.0 FACULTY STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT (SLS) SERVICES

There are a number of workshops and other services provided by the SLS. Please
refer to the following website for more information:
https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=8434

22.0 EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

22.1 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to:

• Spend enough time on Moodle and other activities required in the course
• Facilitate the course coordinator with any proof that he/she was sick and
unable to attend classes or assessment at the earliest possible time to avoid
getting a zero mark for the missed assessment.
• Submit both the hardcopy and softcopy of the Assignment. Hardcopy should
be labeled appropriately and submit to the local campus.

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23.0 STUDENT WORKLOAD

TYPE Hours Comments

Assignment 1 2-2.5 This is a brief estimate, but students can spend more
p.w or less time depending on their learning capability
Assignment 2 2-2.5 This is a brief estimate, but students can spend more
p.w or less time depending on their learning capability
Mid Semester Test 2-2.5 This is a brief estimate, but students can spend more
p.w or less time depending on their learning capability
Final exam 2-2.5 This is a brief estimate, but students can spend more
p.w or less time depending on their learning capability
TOTAL 8-10 This is a brief estimate, but students can spend more
or less time depending on their learning capability

Prepared by:

Dr. Suwastika Naidu

Senior Lecturer
SMPA
USP.

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