Course Title: Techniques of Strategic Analysis 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course ID: 028484

Course Title: Techniques of Strategic Analysis 1

Credit Points: 6

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BUSM2041	City Campus	Research	660H Grad School of Business	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Clive Morley

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5765

Course Coordinator Email: clive@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: level 15, building 108

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

MBA studies, or equivalent.

Course Description

This course comprises two modules, each of 3 weeks duration.

The first (module A) concentrates on data definition and gathering issues, including questionnaires and surveys.

The second (module B) is concerned with the understanding and use of a variety of statistical analysis techniques.  

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Module A will develop candidates’ capabilities in data definition, collection and measurement techniques, to address business and research problems; and introduce candidates to the use of academic literature, through consideration of the problem of unobservables.

Module B will increase candidates’ knowledge of statistical, and especially multivariate, analysis techniques, their ability to critically evaluate research studies carried out using such techniques and to provide them with practical skills in the application of multivariate analysis techniques.

Module A

Through a series of lectures, reading of papers and discussion arising, this content orientated course module will :
 develop candidates’ understanding of data types, their properties, variability and appropriate data analysis;
 develop candidates’ understanding of issues in construct theory and measurement;
 develop candidates’ competencies in the gathering of reliable and appropriate primary data for strategic analysis;
 develop candidates’ competencies in data analysis and measurement for use in strategic analysis.
The module will also introduce candidates to the skills involved in reading and using relevant academic literature.

Module B

Candidates will gain an appreciation of the appropriate uses of powerful statistical analysis and modelling techniques, their power and limitations, and learn how to use them to advantage in practice.

Overview of Learning Activities

These seminars will be lead by the course co-ordinator, with learning taking place through lectures, demonstrations, arising discussions and projects.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will be advised of useful texts and other resources upon enrollment.

Overview of Assessment

Two assignments will be set, both of which must be completed satisfactorily to pass this course.

For Module A, candidates’ task is to design a short questionnaire on a topic of their choice, and discuss and review this, and the questionnaires of other candidates, in the third seminar.

Module B requires the completion of a project using a multivariate techniques chosen by the candidate from those considered in the course.