Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module BUSI4N115: Global Corporate Strategy (Fudan DBA)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4N115: Global Corporate Strategy (Fudan DBA)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2019/20
Tied to N1A460

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • none

Aims

  • To develop students’ knowledge and promote understanding of how globalization and the global environment of business shape corporate strategy and performance. The impacts of infrastructure, major institutions and government policies, among other global factors, on corporate strategy will be considered along with conceptual and analytical models for developing and evaluating appropriate global corporate strategies.

Content

  • Impacts of globalization
  • Global environment of business
  • Environmental and industry analysis for strategy development
  • Customer and competitor analysis for strategy development
  • Assessment of internal resources and capabilities
  • Major strategic frameworks
  • Impacts of strategy on performance
  • Ethical, ecological and social responsibility considerations in global corporate strategy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have an advanced understanding of:
  • how globalization and country/region environments affect corporate strategy and performance;
  • key issues such as environmental analysis, strategic frameworks, sustainable competitive advantages, factors affecting corporate performance, and stakeholder considerations;
  • how differences in environment contribute to different strategic responses;
  • specific business challenges of firms of various sizes, including multinational enterprises;
  • the financial and operational performance implications of global corporate strategy;
  • the approaches, problems and issues in conducting research on global corporate strategy.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to skilfully conduct environmental analysis and global corporate strategy assessment;
  • Ability to critically assess current global strategy in terms of fit with the environment;
  • Ability to demonstrate how resources and capabilities contribute to strategic leadership and the development of sustainable competitive advantages;
  • Ability to critically evaluate performance impacts of global strategy;
  • Ability to apply different methodological approaches to strategy research.
Key Skills:
  • Ability to make an initial formulation and articulation of a potential scheme of research
  • Ability to understand and resolve the problems and issues in undertaking doctoral research
  • Effective written communication
  • Advanced skills of self-awareness and time management

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module will be delivered in a workshop format over an intensive three-day teaching block. Workshops will comprise a balanced mix of lecture- and seminar-type delivery combined with small group discussions and other activities as appropriate to the nature of the material.
  • Learning will also occur through tutor-supported, as well as self-supported learning groups. In addition, guided reading will address key topics. This range of methods will ensure that students will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to enable them to develop a thorough understanding of this specialist field of study.
  • The assessment of the module, by individual written assignment based on a case analysis, is designed to test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter and their ability to apply appropriate analytical techniques.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshop 3 Daily 8 24
Tutor-supported Learning Groups via webinars and other e-learning tools. With follow-up support as necessary using videoconferencing software. 16
Self-supported Learning group (self-organised by students, monitored by Fudan Office) 10
Preparation & Reading (reading list provided consisting of current published articles relevant to module content, available within library) 100
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual case analysis 3,000 words max 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Group-based presentations and tutor feedback within workshops. Individual 1000-word assignment with individual feedback provided.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University