Strategic Leadership and PracticeModule Details

This module encourages participants to go beyond the study of theory and become active participants in the debate that is at the leading edge of managerial and leadership thinking and practice. The practice perspective in strategic management is drawn from a critique of the traditional rational economic approach to the subject and incorporates behavioral and sociological aspects of organizational decision-making. This module is a critical review of practices involved in the formulation and implementation of strategy within which leadership is a key element. This module, however, takes the discussion of strategy formulation and implementation beyond a simplistic appreciation of leadership's input into the process but looks at all the key players in strategy and its practices.
The module draws on partly on sociological theory to critically explore the contribution of actors throughout the organization to the practice of strategy.
Students who complete this module are expected to be able to take action to strategically lead and develop the organizations in which they are, or intend to be, senior managers. Consequently, this module aims to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge explored to enable participants to actively consider how they may personally make a difference in different strategic contexts which may confront them. In particular, students will focus on innovative practices and an inclusive social approach to business and organisational development. In this sense the module also draws on developments in the field of social innovation, but from the perspective of the organization and the agents who operate with it.

Be able to undertake a critical appraisal of strategic theory within their organizational context or the context of an organization with which they are familiar.
Be capable of critically appraising how aspects of knowledge and systems thinking impact on strategic management.