Drawing on the schools of strategy, discuss the view that visionary leadership is a critical component of strategy formulation and development

Module title: Managing Strategic Change

Assignment weighting: Task 1 – 50%. Task 2 – 50%

Component Number	Form of Assessment	Assessment Size	Weighting (%)	Learning Outcome Assessed	Core or non-core
1	Individual Report	2500 words	50%	LO1, LO2,	Core
2	Individual Case Study Analysis	2500 words	50%	LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6	Core

Referencing:

In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc. that you have read or quoted in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for books: surname of author and initials, year of publication, title of book, edition, publisher: place of publication).

Disclosure:

Please include the following statement on the title page of the submitted assignment, followed by your name:

I declare that this assignment is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all materials used from the published or unpublished works of other people. All references have been duly cited.

All assignments must be submitted to Turnitin.

Note: the Turnitin version is the primary submission and acts as a receipt for the student.

Late submission of the electronic version of the assignment will result in a late penalty mark. Penalties for late submission: Up to 72 hours late, maximum mark of 50%. Over 72 hours late, Refer.

Only the UoS Extenuating Circumstances Panel may grant an extension.

Requests for extensions must be submitted 5 days BEFORE the submission deadline

The Learning outcome(s) assessed by this assignment are:

All learning outcomes assessed.

At postgraduate level you are expected to:

Have a high standard of presentation, structure, layout and design
Demonstrate appropriate coverage, critical appreciation and evaluation of relevant literature
Demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts and the application of theory to practical solutions
Show evidence of originality of thought and approach, and of creative problem solving ability

The grade awarded for this piece of work remains provisional until ratified by LSC Exam Board

Your Tasks

Format: Report

Word limit: 5000 in total

Task 1: 2500 words

Task 2: 2500 words

Assessment criteria: see grading criteria

Learning Outcomes tested (from module syllabus)	Assessment Criteria To achieve the module learning outcomes. In addition to LSC Common Assessment and Academic Marking Criteria, students are expected to meet the following threshold descriptors for a pass grade.
LO1: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding on the nature of strategic management, process of strategic formation and strategic development.	Demonstrate an understanding of strategic change management, culture change, value creation and the role of change agents acting within organisations Provide evidence of a sound knowledge of the tools and techniques used in the process of developing a strategic plan Understand the integrative nature of strategic change and its relevance to other modules
LO2: Develop comprehensive knowledge understanding on the role of leaders in design and develop business strategy.
LO3: Identify and explain the importance of how synthesis of knowledge gained from other business modules may be brought together into a comprehensive understanding of the concepts underpinning competitive advantages. LO4: Apply relevant strategic analysis tools to identify strategic issues and develop appropriate business strategy. LO5: Critically appraise key models of managing strategic change and undertake reflective exploration of one’s own role as either an agent of change or a participant in the change process and to synthesise sceptically the above learning outcomes into the context of organisations and/or other relevant case studies. LO6: Undertake reflective exploration of individual experiences in change management either as an agent of change of a participant in the change process to synthesis strategic change management practice in the organisational context.

TASK DESCRIPTION: Assignment ONE (Individual Report)50%

Q1 Drawing on the schools of strategy, discuss the view that visionary leadership is a critical component of strategy formulation and development. (2500 words)

Learning outcome tested:

LO1 & LO2

2500 words maximum.

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
1. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
2. Length: 2500 words
3. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
4. Document format: Report
5. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
6. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.

The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All referencing should be in Harvard style.

TASK DESCRIPTION: Assignment Two – Individual Case Study Analysis(50%)
BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

You are required to study the attached case study, Strategic Management at Zhujiang Iron and Steel Company, and attempt the tasks below:

TASKS

Task 1

ZISCo has implemented a “value creation strategy” and undertaken a number of important functional reforms, with active participation from its employees. Consequently, its financial performance improved substantially.

Analyse the process through which the company has been able to achieve its strategic objectives

LO 3

Task 2

ZisCo Management states that one of the challenges is to “continuously discover, understand and exploit insights about value creation to create further competitive advantages”. Drawing on relevant models discuss this statement.

LO4

Task 3

The board of directors of Zhuijan have appointed you as a strategy consultant tasked with the implementation of an organisation-wide culture change programme to support value creation. In this regard, develop a suitable plan that you could present to the board.LO5 and LO6

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

8. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
1. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
2. Length: 2500 words
3. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
4. Document format: Report
5. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
6. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.