BUSI57215: MANAGING IN THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT (DL) (to 2009)

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• To explore the environmental pressures at work on organisations, how they can respond to these influences, and the management issues involved in aligning with these forces.
• Specifically, the module takes an integrated perspective of the operating environment of the organisation. Firstly, it explores the processes of developing strategy and making strategic choices in order to develop a critical appreciation of the organisation and the environment. Secondly, it examines how organisations seek to implement strategy via integrated marketing management. Finally, the Module considers how managers deliver strategic plans by effective operational management in terms of the design, planning, control, forecasting and management of resources.
• A particular feature is the way in which the Module not only conceptualises the strategic pressures faced by organisations, but also identifies the main issues that need to be addressed by individual managers.

• An Introduction to Managing in the Competitive Environment.
• Strategy Process and the Political and Cultural Context of Strategy.
• Assessing the Competitive Environment.
• Understanding Strategic Capabilities.
• Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage.
• Marketing and Strategy.
• Customer Solutions and Costs.
• Customer Communications and Channels of Convenience.
• Understanding Consumers.
• Marketing Research.
• Introduction to Operations Management.
• Product/Service Design.
• Planning and Control.
• Operations Improvement.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of the module students will have:
• developed an integrated and critical appreciation of the key business areas that need to be managed in a competitive operating environment to achieve a holistic view; emphasis on process and integration rather than functional 'silos';
• developed a critical appreciation of the dynamic pressures of the environment, both internally within the organisation and externally;
• developed a critical understanding of the existing theoretical knowledge base on key areas (Strategy and Decision Making, Operations and Geo-Marketing);

Subject-specific Skills:

• By the end of the module, students should:
• be able to apply their understanding to the analysis of complex issues in marketing and operations management;
• be able to formulate an information-driven strategic response to marketing or operational circumstances.

Key Skills:

• Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

• The module is delivered in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
• The written examination will test students acquisition and articulation of knowledge. The written assignment will test students understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

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