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Module Overview

Strategy in a Digital Environment

Strategy as a concept has stood the test of time, from its early foundations in texts such as ‘The Art of War’ to more current considerations in the last century and its role in scientific management and modern management. The notion of strategy faces new challenges as we enter new and even more uncertain and changing environmental contexts and the relentless push to a digital world. This module considers the role of digital strategy in transforming organisations, the marketplace and broader environments. We consider in organisational contexts the role of strategy in the adoption and applications of digital and how transformations can be achieved. Challenges of whether strategy adapts to the digital world or digital technology revolutionizes strategy in its traditional guises are investigated. Each of these inquiries considers broader environments and challenges how digital strategy can be designed, developed and delivered upon.  

Module Code

TECH 9003

ECTS Credits

5

*Curricular information is subject to change
  • The strategic environment, systems approach including departmental systems, organisational, sectoral, regional, national and broader global systems.
  • The history of Strategy and Strategic Management including the evolution of military strategy into business strategy.
  • Fundamentals of Strategic Management theory – Theory of the firm, EVR congruence, 5 Perspectives, mission, vision, resource-based view, levels of strategy.
  • Strategic Management tools and their relationship with the digital world (This considers tools as ways to digitally transform and both internally (organisational) and externally (sectorally, environmental, or social)– SWOT, PESTEL, BCG, Ansoff etc. Undertaking analysis including:

External Analysis: PEST analysis. Porter’s Five Forces Framework. Competitor analysis. Strategic group mapping. Industry analysis. Industry life cycles. Understanding fragmented industries. Market shakeouts. The objectives of an organisation.

Internal Analysis: Analysing the internal environment of the firm. Core competencies. Sustainable competitive advantage. Value chain analysis. The resource-based view of the firm. The resource audit. Measuring strengths and weaknesses. Portfolio analysis. Strategy as stretch and leverage. The role of corporate culture.

  • Strategic approach to problem solving in digital transformation including symptom webs, symptom recognition, cognition and bias in strategic problem solving for managers.
  • The value proposition canvas and the business model canvas in the transformation process.
  • Strategic Management in different digital environments, SME’S, MNC’S, Subsidiaries and family business. Including expansion strategies, restructuring, and rightsizing.
  • Strategic Choice: Assessing strategic options. Generic strategies. Diversification strategies. Strategies in hostile markets. Organisational turnaround. Offensive strategies. Growth strategies. Value adding strategies. Evaluating strategic alternatives. Strategic fit. Criteria for evaluating strategic options.
  • Strategy Implementation: Implementing digital business strategies. Overcoming resistance to change. Prescriptive and emergent approaches. The role of organisational structure in digital strategy implementation.
  • Digital strategies to manage organisational knowledge and learning and the mental process of strategy formation for transformation.

The module will be delivered using a variety of learning and teaching methods.  A strong emphasis will be placed on understanding strategy theory and its application in practice. The use of case histories and organizational contexts will serve as a context for learning.  Other teaching methods will include lectures, debates, videos and guest speakers.  There will be considerable emphasis on self-directed learning.  Continuous assessment including presentations will be used to develop research skills, deepen knowledge and assess the application of theory to reality.  It is anticipated that teaching methods will foster skills in areas such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking and professional report writing.

 
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown %
Other Assessment(s)100