Reference no: EM133168800

GSB015 Corporate Strategy and Responsibility - Australian Institute of Management Education and Training

Learning Outcome 1: Formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate corporate strategy and distinguish corporate strategy from business strategy utilising recent academic research and contemporary events

Learning Outcome 2: Display the necessary leadership behaviours, decision making and risk management knowledge to be effective as an executive leader responsible for corporate strategy

Learning Outcome 3: Influence the construction of their organisation's strategic plan from a strategic positioning point of view so that it takes account of both the external environment and internal factors

Learning Outcome 4: Articulate and evaluate a range of strategic choices to their organisation with respect to strategy design and execution

Learning Outcome 5: Communicate the importance of corporate social responsibility, governance, risk and ethics in strategy formulation, development and execution

Learning Outcome 6: Demonstrate a high order of skill in analysis, critical reflection and evaluation and professional application

Learning Outcome 7: Demonstrate creativity and flexibility in the application of knowledge and skills to new situations, to resolve problems and to think rigorously and independently

The assessment tasks for this unit build on work previously submitted in the Managing, Developing and Implementing Strategy (MDIS) and Leading, Managing and Developing People (LMDP) or their equivalent for students who have received Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The assessment tasks also draw on relevant content and themes from the other units you have completed in the MBA. This approach is consistent with CSR being a capstone unit and encourages you to focus on viewing corporate strategy from an executive leadership perspective.

In line with contemporary academic practice on optimising learning outcomes in capstone units, there are six (6) specific meta-goals:

1. Focus learning on problems or opportunities in real world contexts
2. Challenge students to select and apply relevant theory/knowledge
3. Integrate knowledge and multiple theoretical perspectives
4. Promote individual personal growth
5. Develop leadership and team process skills
6. Create an experience that serves as a rite of passage

Current Strategic Issue Analysis Board Report

Task description

Two contemporary strategic issues will be identified and agreed by the facilitator with the students for analysis and application to their own organisations. Examples of contemporary issues in the past were: the acquisition of Whole Foods Markets by Amazon; the Boeing 737 MAX tragedies; the CEO crisis at UBER and Woolworths decision to split its Drinks and Hotel Business from its other Retail businesses.

Students are required to analyse one of the contemporary strategic issues facing the nominated organisation from the CEO and Board's perspective. What are the key risks, opportunities and threats that have or may emerge from the identified issue?

Students are then required to re-analyse the implications of the identified issue from their own organisation's perspective. In addition, students are required to identify possible second-level impacts on their own organisation from the issue. Students are required to prepare a Board briefing paper on the issue as if they were the organisation's CEO.

Assessment Submission Requirements:

1. Your assessment is to be written as a Board Report.

2. Include a minimum of 3 suitable academic journal articles in your assignment. You can search the AIM Library database, or use some of the ones provided in the Additional Resources section under each topic in my ABS. You may also have to research other online industry related articles to support your research.

3. Your report must not exceed 2,500 words. Note: The executive summary, table of contents, tables and reference list are not included in the word count.

Assessment Task 2

Strategic Issues and CEO Leadership Briefing Paper

Task description
Drawing from the insights gained in the previous assessment task, students are required to identify three (3) strategic issues that have the potential to significantly impact their organisation over the next five (5) to ten (10) years. The identified issues must draw on industry reports from the IBIS world database available on the AIM Business School library as well as other relevant sources.

Students are required to analyse these issues from the perspective of their organisation's CEO and prepare a Briefing Paper. What are the key risks, opportunities and threats that have or may emerge from the identified issues?

Students are then required to write a reflective briefing paper for the board on why they are the best person to lead their organisation as the CEO for the next five (5) years. As a starting point, students should draw on the Professional Development Plan (PDP) they wrote as Assessment Task 2 in the Leading, Managing and Developing People (LMDP) unit. If you haven't undertaken LMDP at ABS but have recognition of prior learning (RPL) for an equivalent course at another institution, you may have access to a similar document.

Alternatively, please access your annual performance appraisal or similar document you may have written that identifies your personal goals.
The PDP (or equivalent) provides the foundation for reflecting on what they've learned as future executive leaders as well as what additional development opportunities they need to address. Any additional insights gained during the unit from reading materials and self- assessments should also be referenced in the Assessment Task.

Part 1 - Strategic Issue Analysis - 2500 words

a. Include a minimum of 4 suitable academic journal articles in Part 1 of your assignment. You can search the AIM Library database, or use some of the ones provided in the Additional Resources section under each topic in my ABS. Besides the IBIS world database available, you may also have to research other online industry related articles to support your research.

b. Part 1 must not exceed 2,500 words.

Part 2 - CEO Leadership Paper - 1000 words

a. Include a minimum of 2 suitable academic journal articles in Part 2 of your assignment. You can search the AIM Library database, or use some of the ones provided in the Additional resources section under each topic in my ABS.
b. Part 2 must not exceed 1,000 words.

2. Appendices and tables may be used to clarify and support your arguments but should not be used to circumvent the word count limit. Please use appendices sparingly.