Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Strategy is a comprehensive phenomenon and a central theme for all organisations, public and private. Strategy is about analysing, formulating, making choices and implementing those choices that the organisation chooses to pursue. There is no unambiguous definition of strategy and it would be misleading here. The objective of the module is to introduce the student to classical, modern and recent theoretical perspectives on strategy.

Organisations are experiencing an increasing need to be able to adapt and evolve in line with the demands of their environment, which include digitalisation and sustainability. Public organisations have some similar challenges, but also some challenges that are unique to their context.  Understanding the challenges of balancing productivity, adapting to customer needs and the need for innovation and rethinking is an essential task in future strategy work. A large part of strategic work is about making (strategic) decisions based on different types of analysis. As knowledge becomes more and more available, organisations need to have a greater awareness and use of digital tools in qualitative and quantitative data collection. Active work is done with online exercises, simulation and group work. The module addresses strategy as a question of how to achieve a competitive advantage by understanding the thematic tensions that exist between different strategic tasks.

Drawing on classical, modern and recent theoretical perspectives on strategy, the student is introduced to different theoretical approaches to strategy, strategic problems and strategy tools. The objective of the module is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and competences to analyse, formulate and implement/execute strategy.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary knowledge on:

• key theoretical approaches to advanced strategy.
• key strategic approaches and can identify and reflect on these.
• advanced strategy on a scientific basis and can reflect on this.

Skills

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary skills in:

• defining and explaining strategic theories, tools and methods.
• dealing analytically and critically with strategic issues.
• setting out understandings and solutions in the field of advanced strategy based on scientific analysis.

Competences

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary competences in:

• be able to independently organise and conduct analyses of key issues in advanced strategy.
• design methodological approaches to investigate key issues in advanced strategy as they develop and change.
• present and discuss practice-oriented and scientific issues in advanced strategy with different audiences.

Type of instruction

For information see § 17.

Exam

Prerequisite for enrollment for the exam

• A five-page synopsis is prepared on a strategic theme, which may be theoretical or empirical. The exam starts with a presentation and discussion of the synopsis and then moves on to question covering the syllabus.

Exams