Strategy Capstone

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Approximately 2.5 hours of personal study per hour of class time is required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance

Completion of 100 points of study in a 150 point or 200 point degree at time of subject commencement.

This subject assumes an ability to read and interpret financial statements.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides an integrative learning experience at the end of the Master of Management and provides students with the opportunity to experience how the skills and knowledge acquired in previous subjects can be coherently applied to solve business problems. In a business strategy simulation or live project, students are required to evaluate situations and make decisions, assess outcomes, and compete with other management teams for resources, opportunities and markets. Each team develops a strategy for its firm and applies the subject’s concepts within a practical decision-making framework. In the process, students can observe the interaction of a firm’s production, marketing, research and development, human resources, and financial operations and observe the impact of key decisions on business performance within a competitive market.

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

• Explain the dynamic nature of business and the role of strategy in generating and sustaining a competitive advantage;
• Analyse relevant information and evaluate the competitive environment faced by organisations;
• Identify and evaluate business strategies and explain why and how a particular course of action will provide a competitive advantage;
• Analyse the capacity for strategy implementation within an organisation given an understanding of structure, culture, systems, governance mechanisms and stakeholder relationships.

• End of semester exam (50%)
• Written assignments totalling 4000 words, due Week 3 thru Week 10 (50%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Problem solving skills and critical thinking, which should be fostered in the seminar program where students will apply theoretical material to actual case studies;
• Collaborative learning and teamwork, which should be enhanced through exercises, role-plays, and simulations that are incorporated into the seminar program;
• Evaluation, interpretation and analysis of data;
• Accessing data and other research information from a range of sources, which should be facilitated through the major assignment and preparation for the exam;
• Developing oral and written communication skills.