21811 Global Strategic Management
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 21857 Global Business Strategy in the Digital Economy
Description
This subject provides an understanding of the contemporary global business environment and how business can formulate appropriate organisational strategies. Industry-based competition, firm-specific resources and capabilities, and institutional factors are explored to study a variety of strategic options available to organisations.
Emphasis is placed on the inevitability of changes in the global environment, and the role of the various stakeholders, including governments and supranational institutions, in influencing the operations of global organisations.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | explain the concepts of global strategic management to define, develop and administer a strategy and structure for a worldwide business |
|---|---|
| 2. | discuss both the theoretical and practical rationale for international business activities |
| 3. | examine the significance and complexity of culture in international business, its impact globally and issues faced in developed and emerging economies |
| 4. | develop a framework for the formulation and implementation of strategies in an international context. |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject aligns with the graduate attributes of intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving and communication and collaboration. The subject explores the strategic decision-making process related to conducting business in the global environment. The subject advances the student's ability to determine both the organisational and national advantages and builds an awareness of the significant impact of government and regulatory agencies on international companies. Through case studies, research papers and strategy simulations, students demonstrate critical thinking, creativity and analytical skills, and communicate their understanding of global strategy theories and frameworks.
Teaching and learning strategies
Overall Approach
Classes involve a combination of lectures, videos, and simulation exercises. The learning management system will be used for preparatory and practice exercises, sharing of relevant information and encouraging interaction between staff and students. The subject is structured around a set of problem-based learning experiences. Every week, students explore issues related to business operations, and strategic responses to challenges, opportunities and complexities in the global business environment.
Within Class
Lectures
The subject incorporates weekly 90 minute lectures, in addition to a 90-minute tutorial.
The lectures are structured to be interactive and practical. The lectures will provide a detailed explanation of theories and concepts required to understand the global business environment and the relevant strategic response. Short class exercises and scenario-based discussions that help with the practical application of these theories and concepts are part of the lectures.
Tutorials
The tutorial schedule follows the content covered in the lectures and is based on analysis of cases and scenario-based exercises. Students are required to prepare for the tutorials by reading the case study before coming to class. The case-study analysis in class will be either in small-group discussions or large class-discussion.
As with the lectures, full attendance in tutorials is expected. If students are unable to attend a class in a particular week, they should send their apologies to the tutor prior to the class. Students are expected to catch up on relevant content and activities that they may have missed.
Prior to class
Online engagement – readings & multimedia resources
This subject has weekly readings consisting of book chapter and other relevant readings. Students are expected to have read the relevant prior to attending the lectures and tutorials.
All lecture and tutorial slides and resources will be available via the learning management system. This includes descriptions of focused learning activities, relevant data sources, and assessment guides.
Online engagement – activities
Prior to the first class, and several times throughout the semester, students will be invited to participate in surveys. The surveys will provide relevant information about learning activities that will help the teaching staff understand the learning needs of the class, and make appropriate changes to the relevant learning activities.
Content (topics)
- Topic 1: Globalization and Global Strategy
- Topic 2: Understanding and Managing Industry Competition
- Topic 3: Institutional Focus in Global Strategy
- Topic 4: Foreign Market Analysis
- Topic 5: Firm-Level Strategic Analysis
- Topic 6: Using Strategic Alliance and Networks
- Topic 7: Strategic Response to Market Barriers
- Topic 8: Global Diversification
- Topic 9: Strategy and Structure in Global Firms
- Topic 10: Governance Issues in Global Operations
- Topic 11: CSR and Ethics in Global Business
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Team Project (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Oral Presentation: Delivery for 10 minutes + Q&A for 5 minutes Presentation visual aids: 5-7 Powerpoint slides or similar technology |
Assessment task 2: Report (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2,000 words (-+10%; executive summary, tables, figures, references and appendix are NOT included in the word count) |
Assessment task 3: Global Strategic Analysis Report (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2,000 words (-+10%; executive summary, tables, figures, references and appendix are NOT included in the word count) |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
Recommended texts
Peng, Mike W. Global Strategy. 5th edition. Cengage (published 2021).
- Details on how to purchase this book are also posted on the subject website on Canvas.
References
Students are expected to draw on materials from academic journals. Some relevant journals that are available online via the UTS library include the Journal of International Business Studies; Global Strategy Journal; Strategic Management Journal; Journal of World Business; Journal of Management Studies; International Business Review; Academy of Management Journal; and Academy of Management Review.
You will find on your CANVAS site the reading list which presents the learning resources such as books, articles, databases, audio-visual materials and other teaching and learning resources to support you in your study of this subject.
The teaching team shall endeavour to use open access or UTS library-accessible e-books, articles and databases to enable you to successfully complete the assessments in this subject.
Other resources
You may find the following links useful which provide information on academic writing, assignment preparation and APA Referencing.
UTS Business School Writing Guide
Developing your academic writing
UTS Canvas is a web-based learning tool. In Global Strategic Management, UTS Canvas is used for asking and answering questions (via Discussion Forums); keeping up to date (via Announcements); accessing learning resources (via Modules), and checking your grades (via Marks).
It is an expectation and responsibility to access this resource at least once a week.
To log in to UTS Canvas:
- Visit https://canvas.uts.edu.au
- Type your user name (Your user name is your student number e.g. 12345678).
- Type your password (Your password is the same as your e-mail password. You will need to activate your UTS e-mail account first.)
- Click "Login"