Module Specification

Module Title: Module Code: SG7001 VLE Tutor

Managing Strategy,
Operations and Level: 7
Partnerships
Credit: 30

Pre-requisite: None Pre-cursor: None

Co-requisite: None Excluded combinations: Suitable for incoming study abroad?

None NO
Location of delivery: Online Delivery by Unicaf

Summary of module for applicants:

In this module will enable you to explore the process of creating, evaluating and developing
strategy and operations. You will be introduced to the challenges and practices associated with
becoming strategic leaders and how organizations manage their operations.

Main topics of study:

In this module, students will apply their understanding of strategy and operations theory and
practice covering:
 Strategy
o Planning and achieving competitive advantage
o Strategy theories and ‘schools’ of thought
o Evaluating strategy
 Operations
o Operations performance and strategy
o Supply chain management
o Quality and excellence in operations
 Partnership-working
o Partnerships, Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances
o Boundary-spanning and strategic change

This module will be able to demonstrate at least one of the following examples/ exposures

Live, applied project ☒

Company/engagement visits ☐
Company/industry sector endorsement/badging/sponsorship/award ☐

Learning Outcomes for the module

Where a LO meets one of the UEL core competencies, please put a code next to the LO that links
to the competence.

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  Digital Proficiency - Code = (DP)
 Industry Connections - Code = (IC)
 Emotional Intelligence Development - Code = (EID)
 Social Intelligence Development - Code = (SID)
 Physical Intelligence Development - Code = (PID)
 Cultural Intelligence Development - Code = (CID)
 Community Connections - Code = (CC)
 UEL Give-Back - Code = (UGB)
 Cognitive Intelligence – Code = (COI)

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Knowledge
1. demonstrate critical understanding of the theory and practice of strategic development
and operations (COI).
2. evaluate the impact of current and emerging trends on organizations (COI, CID, IC, SID).

Thinking skills
3. demonstrate the ability to effectively analyse problems and issues employing a range of
appropriate concepts, theories and approaches (COI).
4. analyse and synthesize contextual information (COI, CID, SID).
5. think strategically and assess the impact of strategic change processes (COI).

Subject-based practical skills

6. apply tools and techniques of strategic and operations analysis (COI).
7. explain how to influence the strategic direction of an organization (COI, CID, SID).

Skills for life and work (general skills)

8. developing succinct business reports (COI).
9. judging complexity, diversity, and a multiplicity of perspectives accommodated in
management decisions (COI).

Teaching/ learning methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

For distance learning students: Materials prepared by your tutors are provided through our
Virtual Learning Environment, this includes:
 Discussion forums
 Directed reading and reflection
 Collaborative and research activities
 Formative written assessment tasks
Self-directed activities include:
 Assignment preparation
 Background reading
 On-line activities
 Group work on formative tasks
 Portfolio

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  Diary preparation
 Directed reading
 Self-formed study groups
 Discussion with other students online
Some examples of types of activities are those which require you to:
 Apply concepts or frameworks to your own situations
 Apply concepts in solving problems or evaluating scenarios
 Reflect on or analyse topics
 Carry out further research related to topics of study
Feedback will be provided for all activities. This may take the form of:
 Identifying a right or wrong answer
 Enabling you to compare your responses with the responses from other students
 Giving examples, alerting you to key points
Self-assessment questions enable you to check your progress – by comparing your answers with
sample answers; you can assess for yourself how well you met the learning outcomes for a
particular section of the study material.
Assessment methods which enable students to Weighting: Learning Outcomes
demonstrate the learning outcomes for the module; demonstrated:
please define as necessary:
2, 3, 6, 8
Report (4500 words) 75%
1, 4, 5, 7, 9
Self-reflective report (1500 words) 25%

Reading and resources for the module:

Core:
Grant, R. M. and Jordan, J. J. (2015) Foundations of strategy. 2nd edn. Chichester: Wiley

Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Scholes, K., Angwin, D. and P. Regnér (2013) Exploring strategy text &
cases. 10th edn. Harlow:Pearson

Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., Johnston, R. and Betts, A. (2015) Operations and process
management, 4th edn. Harlow: Pearson.

Recommended:
Adair, J. (2010) Strategic leadership. How to think and plan strategically and provide direction.
London: Kogan Page.

Henry, A.E. (2018) Understanding strategic management. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Leavy, B. and McKiernan P. (2008) Strategic leadership, governance and renewal, Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.

Kastalli, I.V., Neely, A. (2014) Collaborate to innovate: How business ecosystems unleash business
value, Executive Briefing

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 Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand B., and J. B. Lampel (2008) Strategy safari: The complete guide through
the wilds of strategic management. 2nd edn. New York: Free Press
Paroutis, S., Heracleous, L. and Angwin, D. (2016) Practicing strategy. 2nd edn. London: Sage
Publications Ltd.

Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., Johnston, R. (2016) Operations management, 8th edn. Harlow:
Pearson.
Provide evidence of how this module will be able to demonstrate at least one of the following
examples/ exposures

Live, applied project

Students will be asked to assess the strategy and operations assessment of a live organization.
They will develop their understanding of the live organization through readings, case material and
present their analysis and recommendations in assessed work.

Indicative Activity
learning
1. Student/tutor Activity (online tutorials, project supervision, formative assessment, work
interaction: based learning (not placements).
2. Student Activity (e.g. assignment preparation/ background reading/ on-line
learning time: activities/group work/portfolio/diary preparation, etc.):

For distance learning students, the module will be taught through the use of
study materials developed specifically for distance learning. Students will
have access to dedicated support staff and academic tutors as well as an
Online Student Community throughout their studies. Preparation for and
undertaking assessments are included in the teaching and learning time.
Because of the direction and support in the study guide, student/ tutor
interaction time should be minimal. However, dedicated support staff and
academic tutors will be available through the Online Student Community and
will address all queries in line with our student charter for distance learning.

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