This paper aims to develop your ability to think strategically about an organisation's current and future situation. It builds on your knowledge and understanding of the basic management concepts from your earlier core papers and/or other experience. You review many of the conventional strategic management concepts, as well as a series of the latest models for handling strategic issues and processes. Cases are used throughout the paper to illustrate key concepts and to develop your skills in strategic analysis and strategic thinking.

The vast majority of managers concern themselves with operational aspects of business (what we do), rather than placing emphasis on strategy (why we do what we do...). This is partly due to poor training, partly due to inability but largely because most managers do not understand the importance of long-term visionary strategy, rather than short-term operational activities. Strategic Management is concerned with setting future direction, crafting and implementing strategies to improve the future prospects and performance of organisations. In adopting a total enterprise perspective to ensure all resources are managed effectively and efficiently, this paper requires integration of knowledge from all the functional areas of management. While internal resources, capabilities and competencies provide the basis for an organisation’s strategy, the potential impact of external influences from the remote, industry and competitive environment also needs to be considered.

Applied Strategy is also the home to Waikato Management School's Case Competition and this trimester will see the 501st WMS Case Competition hosted on October 11th, 2023. The top four teams in this paper will be selected on Super Friday October 6th to compete for the prize money, the trophy and the place in history. Everything in the paper builds towards the skills utilised in the case competition.

STMGT303 is delivered through a mix of mediums. There are (relatively brief) online lectures, done via asynchronous video, uploaded on Panopto prior to the start of the week, face-to-face lectures/workshops and tutorials. Both workshops and tutorials are applied and interactive. Students are expected to attend both workshop and tutorial in person as there is significant group work and in class assessment, but all workshops will also be recorded and made available in moodle.

After registration, students should electronically sign-up for one tutorial BEFORE classes start. Tutorials are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tutorials start the first week of class.

Study teams are used for activities in class and for assigned tasks and informal study outside class time. Teams are self-selected and are comprised of 4 members from the same tutorial.

PowerPoints will be available on the course Moodle page. It is recommended that students bring a copy (electronic or hard copy) of the PowerPoints to each lecture/workshop and tutorial to help make note taking easier.