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Unit information: Critical Issues in Strategy in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Critical Issues in Strategy
Unit code MGRCM0005
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Mrs. Anna MacPherson
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

MGRCM0002, MGRCM0001, MGRCM0032

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Management - Business School
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

The overall aim of the unit is to develop a critical understanding of complexity and variety of strategic practices in contemporary organisations. Understanding and managing such complexities are fundamental for successful contemporary leadership practices.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

The unit builds upon the MCRCM0001 Strategy and Organisations unit which is first unit in the Strategy pillar of the programme. It contrasts the economics-influenced perspective of classical strategy by introducing process and practice perspectives in strategy and aims to develop a critical understanding of complexity and variety of strategic practices in contemporary organisations.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit introduces key concepts including sensemaking and cognition, organizational power and politics, strategy-aspractice-and-process (SAPP) and dealing with paradox.

Rather than as a repertoire of models and tools, strategic management can also be understood as comprising of uncertain, negotiated, social and political practices that extends across organisational boundaries.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

As a result of this unit, students will gain an understanding of the key concepts and practites around organisational strategy; they will engage in reflective practice on their own role within strategy development and implementation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the strategic practice and process that are enacted in organizations;
  2. Evaluate critically, through engaging with different analytical lenses, how organizations and managers develop and execute strategy in practice;
  3. Reflect on their own role and practice when developing or executing strategy in their organizations;
  4. Analyse a critical issue for strategic decision making in their practice or organization (or alternatively a related case that illustrates a significant strategic issue if not within their own organization) .

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of mini-lectures, group and plenary discussions, Lego Serious Play, Question and Answer sessions, reflection exercises and case-study discussions.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)

During the taught elements of the unit, students will have an opportunity to discuss their group presentation drafts. Formative feedback will be provided in class.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)

  1. 15-minutes Group Presentation (30%) (ILO 2 and 4)
  2. 2,000 words Individual Essay (70%) (ILO 1,2, 3 and 4)

When assessment does not go to plan

Where students have failed the unit and are eligible to resubmit, the resubmission will be a new piece of work as follows:

  1. In place of Group Presentation (30%) – 1,000 words written Individual Critical Reflection
  2. In place of Individual Essay (70%) – 2,000 words individual essay based on a different/evolved critical issue in strategy.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MGRCM0005).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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