Course coordinator
Associate Professor Paul Spee
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (30/06/2025 - 23/08/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Special topics are offered by academic staff or distinguished visitors.
Business Strategy in Practice provides students with foundational knowledge of strategic management. Through the integration of theory with real-world applications, students learn to analyse business environments, evaluate internal and external strategic factors, assess sources of competitive advantage, formulate strategic plans, and adapt to competitive dynamics. A group-based strategy simulation develops practical skills in planning, execution, and performance evaluation. By embedding experiential learning throughout the course, students engage in real-world decision-making, refining and adapting their competitive strategies in response to changing market conditions. Additionally, the course explores corporate strategy, international expansion, and the role of ethics and corporate social responsibility in informed strategic decision-making. The course introduces students to the kind of structured problem-solving and analytical thinking used in professional and business advisory contexts. This course lays the groundwork for advanced strategic thinking with a focus on competitive positioning and business strategy.
Course requirements
Restrictions
Course is restricted to students enrolled in the BAdvBus(Hons) program. Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Lecturer
Associate Professor Paul Spee
Course staff
Course coordinator
Associate Professor Henri Burgers
Lecturer
Associate Professor Henri Burgers
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
There is no timetable scheduled for this course. Please refer to the list of course learning activities and course Blackboard site.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to equip students with foundational knowledge to design, execute and evaluate a business strategy to create value for multiple stakeholders. It offers experiential learning, integrating theory with real-world strategic decision making.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of essential strategy concepts and processes required to design and evaluate a business strategy delivering value for multiple stakeholders.
LO2.
Demonstrate an understanding of and apply appropriate strategy concepts and tools to analyse factors affecting an organisations’ internal and external environment.
LO3.
Work collaboratively to prepare and execute a strategy.
LO4.
Reflect on the choices and outcomes of strategic decisions, demonstrated structured problem-solving and critical thinking.
LO5.
Demonstrate understanding of organisational design as foundation to execute a strategy.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Assessment 1: In-Semester Examination
|
30% |
11/07/2025
During Class |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Role play/ Simulation |
Assessment 2: Strategic Simulation and Audit Presentation
|
40% |
1/08/2025 5:00 pm |
| Reflection | Assessment 3: Reflection Report | 30% |
8/08/2025 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Assessment 1: In-Semester Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
11/07/2025
During Class
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
Format: Exam (2-hours in class)
Mode: Individual
Task: You are required to analyse a business case, applying strategy theory.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten notes , single sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Please refer to the Learn.UQ site for a detailed assessment task sheet and submission instructions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Assessment 2: Strategic Simulation and Audit Presentation
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
1/08/2025 5:00 pm
Task description
Materials will be available the day before - 31 July 2025.
Format: complete group report (written) and deliver presentation of report, including Q&A
- Formative: students develop a brief strategic plan for their simulation company to guide their decision-making. Plan won’t be marked separately, but will be part of final audit. Submission: by module 8 (2nd session of students playing the simulation)
- Peer assessment: assignment involves peer assessment to moderate group marks.
Rationale: simulation provide students a WIL experience that lays the foundation for their degree. The focus of the assessment will be on their plan, actions, and recommendations in front of an industry audience.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Please refer to the Learn.UQ site for a detailed assessment task sheet and submission instructions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment 3: Reflection Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
8/08/2025 5:00 pm
Task description
Format: Students will reflect on their learnings and on expanding on the simulation experience by connecting it to relevant course content introduced in Modules 8 to 12
Rationale: students become reflective learners, asked to reflect on their own biases designing and implement the plan; connecting with relevant strategic concepts.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Please refer to the Learn.UQ site for a detailed assessment task sheet and submission instructions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Please refer to the Learn.UQ site for additional reading resources.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
1 July - Module 1: What is strategy? Day 1 Tuesday 1 July 2025: Morning (09:00 – 12:00) Outline of content
|
Seminar |
1 July - Module 2: External Analysis Day 1 Tuesday 1 July 2025: Afternoon (13:00 – 16:00) Outline of content
|
|
Seminar |
4 July - Module 3: Internal analysis Day 2 Friday July 4 2025: Morning (09:00 – 12:00) Outline of content
Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
4 July - Module 4: Creating value for stakeholders and shareholders Day 2 Friday July 4 2025: Afternoon (13:00 - 16:00) Outline of content
|
|
Week 2 |
Seminar |
7 July - Module 5: Business level strategy Day 3 Monday July 7 2025 - Morning (9:00 - 12:00) Outline of content
Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Seminar |
7 July - Module 6: Strategy evaluation and strategic plan Day 3 Monday 7 July 2025 - Afternoon (13:00 - 16:00) Outline of content Financial and value (return to profit vs value discussion) |
|
General contact hours |
11 July - Module 7: Exam Day 4 Friday 11 July 2025 - Morning (09:00 - 12:00) Exam on modules 1-6 Simulation round 1 in class |
|
Week 3 |
Seminar |
15 July - Module 8: Innovative Growth strategies Day 5 Tuesday 15 July 2025 - Morning (09:00 - 12:00) Outline of content
|
Seminar |
16 July - Module 9: Global strategy Day 6 Wednesday 16 July 2025 - Morning (09:00 - 12:00) Outline of content
Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Seminar |
18 July - Module 10: Corporate strategy Day 7 Friday 18 July 2025 - Morning (09:00 - 12:00) Outline of content
Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 4 |
Seminar |
21 July - Module 11: Structure and Implementation Day 8 Monday 21 July 2025 - Morning (09:00 - 12:00) Outline of content
Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Seminar |
24 July - Module 12: Strategic Change Day 9 Thursday 24 July 2025 Outline of content
Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
|
Week 5 |
Seminar |
1 August - Module 13: Strategy Audit and Reflection Day 10 Friday 1 August 2025 - Morning (08:00 – 12:00) Presentation |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Placement
- Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience