LUBS3070 – Strategic Management
University of Leeds | Leeds University Business School
Module Leader: Dr Josh Morton | 20 Credits | Semester 1 & 2
🎯 Course Overview
This core strategy module examines how organizations achieve and sustain competitive advantage through strategic analysis, formulation and implementation. The course blends classical frameworks (Porter, Ansoff) with contemporary perspectives on digital strategy, agility and stakeholder governance. Through case studies like Tesla, Meta and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, students will develop critical strategic thinking skills applicable to modern business challenges.
📅 Weekly Lecture Themes
Semester 1: Strategic Analysis Foundations
Week 1: Strategic Concepts
- Military origins of strategy
- Chandler/Porter/Mintzberg definitions
- Three strategy levels (corporate/business/functional)
- Three horizons framework
Week 2: Environmental Analysis
- PESTEL framework
- Scenario planning techniques
- Uncertainty vs risk distinction
Week 3: Industry Analysis
- Porter’s Five Forces
- Strategic group mapping
- Competitive dynamics
Week 4: Internal Analysis
- Value chain analysis
- VRIO framework
- Resource-based view
Semester 2: Advanced Strategy Implementation
Week 5: Strategic Agility
- Environmental turbulence
- Three agility capabilities
- Resource repurposing
Week 6: Corporate Strategy
- Ansoff’s Growth Matrix
- Stakeholder governance models
- Legitimacy strategies
Week 7: Digital Strategy
- Platform business models
- Network effects economics
- AI/VR strategic implications
Week 8: Integration
- Guest lectures (CCEP, Innovate UK)
- Case study synthesis
- Exam preparation
📚 Core Reading
Textbook
- Whittington et al. (2020) Exploring Strategy (12th ed.)
Seminal Papers
- Porter (1996) “What is Strategy?” HBR
- Bracker (1980) Historical Development of Strategic Management
- Doz & Kosonen (2008) Fast Strategy
Case Studies
- Nokia’s agility failure
- Tesla’s three horizons
- Meta’s platform strategy
- Coca-Cola’s sustainability
📝 Assessment Structure
Semester 1 Coursework (30%)
- Individual strategic analysis report
- Application of frameworks (PESTEL, VRIO etc.)
- Case study evaluation
Semester 2 Exam (70%)
- 48-hour take-home format
- Section A: 20 MCQs (1 hour)
- Section B: Essay (1500 words)
- Covers all module content
💡 Learning Approach
Lectures
Conceptual foundations and framework introduction
CBL Units
Interactive digital learning with case applications
Workshops
Group-based strategic analysis exercises
Guest Lectures
Practitioner insights (CCEP, Innovate UK)
📝 Exam Information
48-Hour Take-Home Exam
Format: Two components to be completed within 48-hour window
Section A: MCQs (1 hour)
- 20 questions via Gradescope
- Covers all semester content
- Equal mark weighting
Section B: Essay (1500 words)
- Critical analysis of selected topic
- Flexible structure (headings/bullets permitted)
- Requires academic references
- Recommended 1250-1500 words
Key Advice: Focus on quality over quantity, use lecture examples strategically, and maintain clear academic style while allowing personal interpretation.
📚 Core Reading
- Whittington: Open Strategy (2019)
- Doz & Kosonen: Fast Strategy (2008)
- Scherer et al. on legitimacy strategies (2013)
- Tavakoli et al. on IT-enabled strategy (2017)
- MIT Sloan Review: Resource Repurposing
- Harvard Business Review: Platform Business Models
🔍 Exam Preparation Tips
Essay Structure
Recommended 400-600 words combined for intro/conclusion. Use:
- Clear signposting
- Thematic headings
- Comparative tables (included in word count)
Case Study Usage
Embed examples like:
- Nokia’s agility failure
- Microsoft’s CSR reporting
- Coca-Cola’s pandemic adaptation
- Uber’s platform challenges
Critical Analysis
Demonstrate:
- Trade-offs between approaches
- Temporal dimensions (e.g. Nokia over time)
- Stakeholder perspective contrasts