Strategic Thinking and Management (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

- Arviointi yksilötehtävän perusteella asteikolla 1-5

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The course examines various perspectives on strategic thinking and action, as well as the related methods and tools. The main emphasis is on enabling students to select appropriate methods for strategic work and to lead the processes of strategy formulation and implementation. During the course, students will complete an individual assignment. After completing this course, the student: - Understands the key perspectives and schools of thought in strategic management - Is aware of the main phases of the strategy process and the related tasks - Knows the most essential strategy tools and is able to apply them in practice - Is able to identify strategic alternatives in situations of change - Is capable of leading the formulation and implementation of a strategy - Is able to assess the quality of strategic work in different types of organizations The course is implemented as cross-institutional studies with Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences.

Objective

After completing the course, the student -understands what is a strategy and can plan strategies for his/her organizations -understands what is strategic thinking, where it is needed and has improved his/her own strategic thinking skills -can guide strategic planning processes at different organizational levels -is able to select the most appropriate strategic planning tools for different contexts and can use them in an appropriate way -is able to identify the most significant obstacles to strategy implementation and create a workable plan to eliminate them and execute wisely and effectively the chosen strategy

Content

-What is strategic management -What is strategic thinking -Strategic management processes and planning tools -How to select wisely a strategy which leads to success -How to execute the selected strategy wisely and effectively

Materials

Strategiakirja – 25 työkalua (Vuorinen, Tero & Huikkola, Tuomas, Alma Talent 2023), tai teoksen vanhempi versio Strategiakirja – 20 työkalua.

Teaching methods

Pre-assignment, lectures, in-class exercises and discussions, and an individual assignment

Exam schedules

No

International connections

The teaching is student-centered and based on a socio-constructivist approach. The instruction incorporates numerous case examples, includes group exercises during lectures, and is closely linked to the students’ own organizations. A sustainable future requires agents of change; therefore, in addition to developing professional expertise, the studies also enhance learners’ innovation competencies, self-awareness, curiosity, ethical skills, leadership, empathy, and sense of responsibility. By fostering such generic skills through the learning design and teaching methods, the program also promotes the realization of sustainable development.

Completion alternatives

Ei ole

Student workload

Pre-assignment: Choose a company you are familiar with (as an employee, customer, or in some other way—for example, a restaurant, hotel, car manufacturer, clothing brand, etc.). Reflect on this company’s strategy and consider the following questions: What kinds of customers does the company serve? How does the company differ from its competitors? How would you describe the company’s competitive strategy—does it focus on competing through price, quality, a unique offering, or something else? If you were to change the company’s strategy in some way, what would you change and what kind of actions would that require? Write down your reflections so that you can present your observations briefly (max. 5 minutes) during the lecture.