Overview
Strategy and Change is a capstone unit in the Bachelor of Business. Organisational strategy and change is increasingly becoming important in a highly competitive business environment. In this capstone unit, you will explore the process used in strategy formulation and implementation and consider how decisions are made to effectively implement change. You will assess how internal and external pressures influence decision making and the subsequent formulation and implementation of strategy and change in a range of different types of organisations. The unit examines how organisations align resources in setting strategy and mechanisms deployed to review performance. You will also gain insights on the importance of risk management in strategy implementation and change process.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Completion of 48 credit points in first year of study
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
Great course, extremely well organised and thorough.
The new Moodle 'tile' structure certainly helps navigate to where information is readily accessible.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
I really enjoyed this subject and gained a lot of practical knowledge from it.
Discussing current and emerging strategic issues for organisations highlights how relevant the conceptual frameworks can be to understanding the dynamics at play.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
My main feedback would be to reduce the group numbers in Assignment #2 to no more than three (3). [This] would ensure the content flows better and provides a more cohesive report. [In larger groups] some tend to rely on others to do the heavy lifting.
Group work can be very challenging when some members don't contribute equally. This can also happen in workplaces, but mechanisms generally exist to deal with that. For the final assignment, I will endeavor to restrict group size between 3 to 4 students; splitting larger groups into smaller ones to facilitate equitable contribution.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
Malcolm is a wonderful orator and conversationalist. Not that I was able to attend any of the workshops live (due to work commitments). I watched all of the recorded workshops and lectures and very much enjoyed the conversations he and other students would have around real-time events happening in the business world and how these situations could directly relate to the topic of the week.
This is very generous feedback, thank you. I am very pleased that my enthusiasm for the subject area and student interest in workshop discussions are well received. It's also great to hear that the recordings support asynchronous 'participation' and revisiting of material as needed.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
Thoroughly enjoyed the classes and unit materials. Well organised and examples used in discussions were always the latest content on the subject. Fantastic term, thank you.
The business media provide interesting commentary but might limit a full understanding of a situation. The real value of this is to affirm the importance of critical thinking skills that look more deeply at the strategic issues and to consider the likely outcomes from decisions taken.
- Analyse strategy, planning and decision making processes in organisations
- Evaluate and identify internal and external pressures that inform strategy and change to the business model
- Undertake scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities
- Assess how organisations use strategy in change management process
- Analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at organisational, functional and individual level.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
Grant, R., Murray, P.A., Orr, S., Butler, B., & Bezemer, P-J., (2021) Strategic Management Essentials (1st Edition). John Wiley, Brisbane.
ISBN: 978070385769
Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.n.johnson@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 04 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Strategy: The big picture
Chapter
Chapter 1. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Groups need to be formed by the end of Week 3. Please access the group list and put yourself into a Group.
Week 2
Begin Date: 11 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Macro-environmental factors affecting organisational strategy
Chapter
Chapter 2. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 3
Begin Date: 18 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Capabilities and core competencies
Chapter
Chapter 3. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Groups for Assessment 2 need to be finalised by the end of this week.
Week 4
Begin Date: 25 Mar 2024Module/Topic
Competitive advantage: sources and sustainability
Chapter
Chapter 4. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 5
Begin Date: 01 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Business level strategies and models
Chapter
Chapter 5. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 08 Apr 2024Module/Topic
VACATION WEEK
Chapter
VACATION WEEK
Events and Submissions/Topic
VACATION WEEK
Week 6
Begin Date: 15 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Corporate strategy and modes of diversification
Chapter
Chapter 6. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 7
Begin Date: 22 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Strategic alliances and strategies of cooperation
Chapter
Chapter 7. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Assessment 1 - Individual Case Analysis: PwC Australia Due: Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024) 12:00 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 29 Apr 2024Module/Topic
Globalisation and strategic options
Chapter
Chapter 8. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 9
Begin Date: 06 May 2024Module/Topic
Evaluating strategies
Chapter
Chapter 9. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 10
Begin Date: 13 May 2024Module/Topic
Corporate governance and ethics
Chapter
Chapter 11. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 11
Begin Date: 20 May 2024Module/Topic
Leadership and strategic change
Chapter
Chapter 10. Grant et al. (2021). Strategic Management Essentials. John Wiley Australia.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly workshop requirements are provided in Moodle
Week 12
Begin Date: 27 May 2024Module/Topic
The practice of strategy
Chapter
Chapter 16. Whittington et al., (2019). Exploring Strategy, Text and Cases, 12e, Pearson.
Plus selected papers in eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Conclusions
Assessment 2 - Strategic Plan and Group Presentation : Boeing Co. Due: Week 12 Friday (31 May 2024) 12:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 03 Jun 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Jun 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Case Study
Assessment Task:
This individual assessment involves the application of strategic management theories, concepts and tools covered in the unit to analyse PwC Australia as it seeks to recover from the aftermath of the tax scandal, breach of client confidentiality, and governance issues. The aim of this assessment is to evaluate your understanding of important strategic management issues by researching strategic management literature and publicly available information about the company and its operations. This will require your critical analysis of external environmental factors (PESTLE factors), industry forces (Porter's five forces model), and value chain analysis in assessing the nature of competition in the sector.
In analysing PwC Australia, please address the assessment criteria detailed in the section below.
Submission checklist for Assessment 1:
- Formatted is Business Report
- Cover page with name and ID (use the cover page provided in Moodle)
- Formatted using 1.5 line spacing and 12 size font in Times New Roman
- Length 1500-Words (+/- 10%)
- Submissions should be made in .doc or .docx format
- Submit online through Assessment 1 submission link in Moodle
Week 7 Friday (26 Apr 2024) 12:00 pm AEST
Please submit using the link to Turnitin in the Assessment 1 tab in Moodle. Penalties apply for late submission (5% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 1 per day (or part of the day) unless an approved extension has been granted)
Week 9 Friday (10 May 2024)
As per University policy, assessment tasks will be returned to students within two University scheduled weeks.
1. Provide a brief review of recent events that have given cause for PwC to reconfigure its operations. (10% Marks)
2. Critically analyse the external environmental forces (PESTLE factors) influencing the firm (20% Marks)
3. Critically analyse the industry forces (Porter's five forces model) to identify the core competencies of the firm and its competitive advantages (20% Marks)
4. Identify the strategic options PwC might consider pursuing going forward (20% Marks)
5. Analyse (through value chain analysis) whether PwC's capabilities and competencies are sufficient to rebuild its presence in business services (20% Marks)
6. Business Report format with quality of written expression, effective use of paragraphs, grammar and punctuation, and correct spelling using Australian English (5% marks)
7. Referencing - Use of at least 6 peer-reviewed academic papers, including proper in-text citations and reference list using APA (7th edition) referencing style (5% Marks)
The assessment will be marked against the rubric which will be made available on the Moodle page and can be accessed from this link.
- Undertake scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities
- Assess how organisations use strategy in change management process
- Analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at organisational, functional and individual level.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
Assessment Task:
This is a group assignment that involves submission of a 2500-words (+/-10%) strategic plan (in Business Report format) followed by a 15-minute student-led presentation of the report findings. This assessment item accounts for 60% of your final grade for this unit and must be completed by students as a group.
This assessment consists of two parts:
Assessment 2(A): Strategic plan (40%);
Assessment 2(B): Group presentation (15%); and
Assessment 2(C): Individual contribution to the group presentation (5%)
Overall, Assessment 2 is about formulating a future corporate strategy (maximum 2500-Words) for Boeing Co as it seeks to move forward from protracted concerns around safety, company culture, and share price performance.
In Assessment 2(A), each group is required to write a critical and analytical strategic plan using contemporary concepts, theories, and models. As a group, you will have to use your knowledge and understanding from the material covered in the unit, and review current media coverage regarding the difficulties facing the company.
In order to demonstrate your ability to conceptualise key strategy and change management concepts and theories, you should also read beyond the materials provided in the eReading list. At a minimum, the group is required to use at least 10 (post-2010) peer-reviewed academic papers to support the analysis detailed in your strategic plan. Please be sure to follow business report format and use the APA (7th edition) referencing style.
See Moodle for more detailed assessment rubric.
Late submission and academic misconduct penalties apply as per the university regulations
Total Assessment Weighting 60%:
- Assessment 2(A): A 2500-word strategic plan (written in business report format) uploaded through Turnitin in Moodle (40%)
- Assessment 2(B): Presentation (15 minutes maximum) PPT recorded and uploaded to Turnitin in Moodle (Exam Week) (Group presentation 15%; individual contribution 5%).
Submission checklist for Assessment 2:
Assessment 2(A): Strategic Plan: 40%
- Format is Business Report
- Cover page with the name( s) and ID(s) (use the cover page provided in Moodle
- 1.5 line spacing and 12 size font in Times New Roman
- Length 2500-words (+/- 10%)
- The written report should use .doc or .docx format.
- Submit the file online through Assessment 2 submission link in Moodle. Only one person needs to submit on behalf of the other group members.
Assessment 2(B): Presentation: Total 20%
- Group presentation (group mark out of 15%)
- Each person in the group must present their section of the Presentation (individual mark out of 5%)
- The presentation is to be recorded in PPT and uploaded to Moodle
- Length of presentation should not exceed 15-minutes
- Only the group leader needs to submit on behalf of others in the group
Please Note:
Assessment 2 is a group task. You need to organise a group of 3-4 members (max.) by Week 4; registration of group membership is through Moodle. The objectives of the group-based assessment are to enable you to develop your communication and interpersonal skills, achieve cross-cultural understanding, strengthen your critical and rational thinking abilities and learning and enjoy different perspectives on the same topic.
It is expected that you will attend lectures regularly and work on this assessment in your group in class with guidance from the local lecturer. As already mentioned, only one person from the group is required to submit the report and presentation in Moodle.
The assessment will be marked against the rubric which will be made available on the Moodle page and can be accessed from this LINK.
Week 12 Friday (31 May 2024) 12:00 pm AEST
Please submit all components of the assessment through Turnitin (link in Assessment 2 tab in Moodle). Penalties apply for late submission (5% mark will be deducted from the total mark for Assessment 2 per day unless an approved extension has been granted)
Results will be released after the grades are finalised by the Faculty Academic Board 5 July, 2024.
- Analyse strategy, planning and decision making processes in organisations
- Evaluate and identify internal and external pressures that inform strategy and change to the business model
- Undertake scenario analysis, assess risks, and align resources to achieve key priorities
- Analyse how performance targets and key measures are set, monitored and improved at organisational, functional and individual level.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
