The objective of this course is to provide an evidence-based understanding of best practice in strategic management, including business policy and corporate strategy. As a research-led course it will explore a range of strategic management theories.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. define, explain and illustrate a range of strategic management theories
2. analyse an organisation’s internal and external strategically relevant environments by applying appropriate theories, models and heuristics
3. undertake an applied research project in the field of strategic management
4. explain how to apply evidence-based best practice strategy analysis and execution
5. demonstrate a critical understanding of strategic management theories and current empirical research associated with the topics covered in this course
6. communicate effectively in oral and written forms about strategic management theories and their application using appropriate concepts, logic and rhetorical conventions.

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws on a range of scholarly disciplines, including management, economics, and sociology, to explore the nuanced field of strategic management. With a keen focus on identifying and applying theories and concepts to real-world business problems, students delve into the latest research from across these disciplines.

Field Trips

There are no field trips in this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs expected for this course

Examination Material or equipment

Not applicable.

Required Resources

As part of this course, students are expected to read journal articles and book chapters that are assigned on a weekly basis. All required and recommended readings can be accessed via Canvas, and they are listed by week in the course schedule.

Recommended Resources

Journal articles listed under '*Additional recommended readings', as well as relevant YouTube clips and films screened during class.

While there is no designated textbook for the course, I recommend that students also read "Strategic Management- Theory & Cases: An Integrated Approach, 14th edition" by Charles Hill and Melissa Schilling to gain a basic understanding of strategic management.

A physical copy of this book is available at the Chifley Library. The 13th edition of the book is also available for free electronic access through the ANU library. Although this edition features slightly different chapters and cases, the mentioned chapters in the syllabus remain the same.

Additionally, the 14th edition can be purchased in either hardcopy or eBook from the publisher.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Publication of Final Results

The release of final grades may change before the end of the semester. The last return of assessment date (4th Dec 2025) provided in the Assessment Summary table is the latest expected. If results are released earlier, then the assessment item(s) will be returned earlier as well.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Part I: IntroductionTopic 1. What is good strategy and why it matters	Form groups for Assessment Tasks 2 & 3
2	Part II: Competitive Advantage in a MarketTopic 2. External Environment Analysis – Industry Economics and Competition
3	Topic 3. Internal Analysis – Resources, Capabilities, and Competitive Advantage
4	Topic 4. Market Strategy: Competitive Positioning and Generic Strategies
5	Part III: Scope of the FirmTopic 5. Scope of the firm 1: Vertical integration, Make, Buy or Ally Decisions	In-class Paper-Based Quiz
6	Topic 6: Scope of the firm 2: Diversification and Market Categories
7	Topic 7. Managing Power and Alliances
8	Part IV: Institutions and StrategyTopic 8. How Institutions Shape Strategy and Organizational Behavior: Institutional Logics, Institutional Complexity and Ethics
9	Topic 10. Global Strategy – Managing Strategy Across Borders and Institutional Environments
10	Part V: Strategy Implementation and ReviewTopic 11. Strategy Implementation & Execution in Complex Environments	Strategy Report due (Group project)
11	Strategy report presentations	Strategy Report Group Presentations
12	Topic 12. Review of the course
13	End of Semester Examination Period. In-Person Paper-Based Final Exam	Final Exam (in final exam period): Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions

Tutorial Registration

There are no tutorials in this course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
In-class paper-based Quiz (Individual assessment - 20%)	20 %	*	31/08/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Strategy Report (Group work, individually assessed - 30%)	30 %	15/10/2026	29/10/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Strategy Report Presentation (Group work, individually assessed - 15%)	15 %	*	02/11/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final exam (individual assessment - 35%)	35 %	02/11/2026	09/12/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

I will be teaching this course in a face-to-face delivery mode on campus, and I highly encourage student participation in all classes and assessments in line with the “Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning”, clause 2 paragraph (b). By engaging in in-class activities and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of various strategic management theories.

Examination(s)

There will be an in-class quiz in Week 5 and a final exam in the final exam period.

Assessment Task 1

In-class paper-based Quiz (Individual assessment - 20%)

Purpose: Augment and assess understanding of basic concepts related to Strategic Management. This will cover material covered up to week 4.

Format: The closed-book quiz will be paper-based and will include 40 multiple-choice questions. The duration of the quiz will be 40 minutes.

Where: In class, in person

When: Week 5

Weight: 20%

Feedback Date: By 31st August (Monday Week 6)

Assessment Task 2

Strategy Report (Group work, individually assessed - 30%)

Purpose: Application of strategic management ideas and concepts to a particular case (more details on the case on Canvas in Week 2) and communication of strategy to a relevant audience.

Format & size limit: Groups will be self-selected. Submit the deliverable in a format that preserves ‘tracked changes’ (e.g. MS Word, Apple Pages, or similar) that shows the progression of academic effort and contribution towards completing the task. A detailed brief on the structure and format of this written report will be available in Week 2 on Canvas. Word limit: 2000 (+10%) words. Though there will be no penalty for going over the limit, the portion in excess of the limit will not be read or marked.

Where: Submitted on Canvas.

When: Due at 11:59 on Thursday of Week 10

Weight: 30%

Marking: Marks will be individually allocated based on the quality of individual contribution to group work. Details on marking criteria will be provided on Canvas in Week 2.

Feedback Date: Within 10 business days

Important -- Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Students are welcome to use generative AI tools (e.g. GPT-4, DALL-E, Copilot) and other tools (e.g. Grammarly) to support their learning in a way that is consistent with the ANU Academic Integrity principles for use of GenAI . This work must be your own. As such, please be aware of the following additional condition for this assessment task:

• Clearly acknowledge the use of Artificial Intelligence in the relevant parts of the assessment task

Assessment Task 3

Strategy Report Presentation (Group work, individually assessed - 15%)

Requirements: Students as a group prepare and present their Strategy Report (assessment task 2) in an online presentation. Detailed guidance for this piece of assessment will be provided on the Canvas page in Week 2.

Preparation: Groups will be self-selected. Each group member will present the work they have worked on, or some portion of the group report as agreed upon by the group.

Format & size limit: The presentations will be online. Detailed brief on the timing, structure and format of the presentation will be available in Week 2 on Canvas. The presentation schedule will be available in Week 9. Members of each group will each present their work and then respond to questions in a discussion session with the marker (15 minutes in total). Note that discussion sessions will be video-recorded, in order to enable later validation and verification of assessment if required, in accordance with point 7 of the ANU Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy.

Note also that, as advised in the section on "Submission size" below, words, slides, pages, or time in excess of the specified maximum submission size will not be marked.

Weight: 15%

Marking: Marks will be individually allocated based on quality of individual contribution to group work. Details on marking criteria will be provided on Canvas in Week 2.

Due date: Online presentation sessions will be scheduled during Week 11 (and potentially Week 12 as well, depending on the number of students). Students will book their time slot for their discussion session by Week 9; note that presentation sessions may not be rescheduled unless supported by the necessary documentation for an Extenuating Circumstances Application.

Feedback: Within 10 business days.

IMPORTANT -- Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

Students are welcome to use generative AI tools (e.g. GPT-4, DALL-E, Copilot) and other tools (e.g. Grammarly) to support their learning in a way that is consistent with the ANU Academic Integrity principles for use of GenAI. The writing needs to be your own. Please be aware of this important condition: You must clearly acknowledge the use of Artificial Intelligence in the relevant parts of the assessment task.

Assessment Task 4

Final exam (individual assessment - 35%)

Purpose: Augment and assess understanding of a range of ideas and concepts covered throughout the semester.

Format: The closed-book exam will be in person, paper-based. It will include a combination of multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions. More details will be available in Week 2.

Where: In person, on campus

Duration: 3 hours

When: Final exam period

Weight: 35%

Feedback Date: After the release of final grades

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Requests for Assessment Adjustment (Assessment Extension and Extenuating Circumstances Application) should be submitted via ANUHub.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All assignments will be marked and where appropriate feedback will be provided either:

in class, in person or on zoom by appointment with the course lecturer, via email, or via the course Canvas site.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students are allowed to resubmit their assignments before the specific deadlines (Deadlines are mentioned above for each task). Any submission done after the deadline will be considered as a late submission. Policies relating to late submissions (as above) will then apply.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students