BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

FACULTY OF COMMERCE
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE TITLE: Strategic Management

COURSE CODE: MBL514
CONTACT HOURS: 48 HOURS
LECTURER: Prof. M.DANDIRA
CONTACT DETAILS: mdandira@gmail.com

1. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

The purpose of this course is to enhance your ability to do the job of a general manager
responsible for strategic performance. Specifically, to integrate the different functional areas of
business (e.g. accounting, finance, human resources, information systems, marketing, operations
management, etc.) into a cohesive whole. The challenge is not only in identifying weaknesses
and threats facing firms we will study, but to appreciate the strengths of the firm and anticipate
opportunities in the external environment. Your role in this course is to correct organizational
failures and expand upon organizational successes, however failure and success may be defined.
As an MBL student in this course, your goal should be to draw upon course learning, as well as
applying your previous business experience, to think beyond the role of any given functional
area.

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2. COURSE OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS
• To provide an integrative framework that will allow students to synthesize knowledge
from other business courses into a comprehensive understanding of competitive
advantage.
• To provide a basic understanding of the nature and dynamics of the strategy formulation
and implementation processes as they occur in complex organizations.
• To encourage students to think critically and strategically.
• To develop the ability to identify strategic issues and design appropriate courses of action

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and Understanding:

 The complexity of strategic management in firms;

 A knowledge of key concepts associated with strategic management process;
 Different perspectives for managing strategically;
 The current issues being faced by strategic managers.

Cognitive Skills:

 The ability to manage and synthesise relevant information about firms in a clear,
sound and explicit way;
 Broad, integrative thinking;
 The ability to use management concepts to produce persuasive conclusions about real
firms
 Ability to apply theories and models to new environments and contexts
 Ability to evaluate and critique business theories and models

Subject Specific Skills:

 Ability to analyse complex business situations

 Skills of argument development and persuasion
 Group working and presentation skills
 The ability to communicate analyses and conclusions clearly and persuasively

4. INDICATIVE COURSE CONTENT

Part 1: Strategic Management Inputs

• Strategic Management and Competitiveness

• External Environment

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 • Internal Environment
• Integrating Internal and External Resources

Part 2: Refining Strategic Actions

• Business Level Strategy

• Competitive Rivalry and Competitive Dynamics
• Corporate Level Strategy
• Strategic Acquisition and Restructuring
• International Strategy
• Cooperative Strategy

Part 3: Strategic Planning and Implementation of Strategic Ideas

• The Planning Process

• Alternatives to Strategic Planning
• Strategic Leadership
• Corporate Governance
• Organisational Structure and Controls
• Strategic Entrepreneurship

5. TEACHING METHODS
Online teaching through Zoom is the main mode of instruction. Students will be supplied
with electronic copies of the presentations (through the class representative) after lectures
have been conducted. In addition, small case studies and interactive discussions will be
employed. Cases furnish real-world examples on how strategic management concepts and
tools are applied in practice.

6. STUDENT ASSESSMENT
The final grade will be determined as follows:
One (1) Individual Assignments
Two (2) Group Assignment

7. EXAMINATION:

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 The final examination will involve long-answer essay answers and case study in which
students must demonstrate a) their understanding of the key marketing frameworks,
perspectives, concepts, ideas and tools introduced in the course, b) their ability to relate these
frameworks, perspectives, concepts, ideas, and tools to one another, and c) their ability to
creatively apply these frameworks, perspectives, concepts, ideas, and tools in differing
contexts

8. CORE TEXT
 Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson: Strategic Management, Competitiveness and Globalisation;
Concepts and Cases
Recommended Reading
 Dess, Lumpkin, Eisner and McNamara; Strategic Management: Creating Competitive
Advantages
Course Work Dates: TO BE ADVISED

9. COURSE OUTLINE REVIEW PANEL

Approval by the Graduate School of Business Board Members

1. Name…………………………………………. Qualifications……………………………
Organisation…………………..Signature……...
2. Name………………………………………….
Qualifications……………………………Organisation…………………..Signature….......

Approval by the External Examiner

1. Name………………………………………….
Qualifications……………………………Organisation…………………..Signature….......

Approval by the Advisory Board

1. Name………………………………………….

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 Qualifications………………..…………Organisation…………………..Signature….......
2. Name………………………………………….
Qualifications………………..…………Organisation………………….Signature…........

Approval by the Coordinator of Graduate School of Business

1. Name………………………………………………Signature…………………………….

Approval by the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce

1. Name………………………………………...…….Signature…………………………….