Global Strategies for Growth

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• apply research skills to synthesise, analyse, interpret and critically evaluate information from a range of sources.
• self-manage the development of learning and study skills, both individually and as part of a collaborative learning group;
• recognise that in many situations there are a range of alternatives which should be evaluated;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the dynamic nature of strategy and strategic management across the lifecycle of growth-oriented entrepreneurial/innovative businesses;
• the drivers, types and stages of growth in different regional and national contexts;
• different strategic pathways which assist entrepreneurs/innovators in successfully meeting the challenges of growth in a global environment.
• the key challenges which a growing organisation faces, utilising an integrative perspective including strategy, entrepreneurship, international business and finance;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• understand and evaluate the range of opportunities for, and challenges of, growth for entrepreneurial/innovative organisations;
• evaluate the range of strategic options that are available for the successful growth of organisations across the lifecycle in a global context;
• appraise strategies for growth in an integrative perspective including strategy, entrepreneurship, international business and finance.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• understand and apply appropriate theoretical concepts, models, tools and techniques which facilitate appropriate strategies for growth;
• evaluate alternative approaches to strategies for growth and their appropriateness to different entrepreneurial/innovative organisations in a global context.

The topics covered in this module will include:

• Introduction to key topics on competitiveness and strategy: sources of competitive advantage; resources and capabilities, isolating mechanisms
• Competitive advantage and strategy in a global context
• Growth process: stages and types of growth, vertical integration, diversification, and internationalisation; developing and adapting business models; strategy at different stages of the life-cycle
• International expansion strategies: exporting, licensing, joint ventures, franchising, mergers and acquisitions, wholly owned subsidiary, offshoring and outsourcing, and exit strategies
• Growth barriers and challenges: global context of culture and regulation

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, interactive case studies, problem-solving activities, directed reading, and private/guided study.

Learning activities include:

• Introductory lectures
• An individual assignment
• Group work including a group presentation
• Case study/problem solving activities
• In class debate and discussion
• Private study
• Use of video and online materials

Class activities, such as problem solving activities, discussions and use of case studies will provide opportunities for you to gain feedback from your lecturer and/or peers about their level of understanding and knowledge prior to any formal summative assessment. Feedback on the coursework will normally be provided through a written report for each individual/group within four weeks of the submission date.

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

Robson, Paul JA, and Robert J. Bennett (2000). SME growth: the relationship with business advice and external collaboration. Small Business Economics, 15(3), pp. 193-208.

Calvo, José L (2006). Testing Gibrat’s law for small, young and innovating firms. Small Business Economics, 26(2), pp. 117-123.

Beck, Thorsten, A. S. L. I. DEMIRGÜÇ‐KUNT, and Vojislav Maksimovic (2005). Financial and legal constraints to growth: does firm size matter?. The Journal of Finance, 60(1), pp. 137-177.

Evans, D (1987). Tests of alternate theories of firm growth. Journal of Political Economy, 95, pp. 657-674.

Reichstein, Toke, and Michael S. Dahl (2004). Are firm growth rates random? Analysing patterns and dependencies. International Review of Applied Economics, 18(2), pp. 225-246.

Liu, Jin-Tan, Meng-Wen Tsou, and James K. Hammitt (1999). Do small plants grow faster? Evidence from the Taiwan electronics industry. Economics Letters, 65(1), pp. 121-129.

Textbooks

Roper, Stephen (2013). Entrepreneurship. A Global Perspective.

Dranov, D., Besanko D., Shanley M., Shaefer, S. (2017). Economics of Strategy, Wiley. Wiley.

Besanko et al. Economics of Strategy.

Daniel Spulber (2011). Global Competitive Strategy. Cambridge University Press.

Gundry, Lisa K. and Jill R. Kickul (2007). Entrepreneurship Strategy: Changing Patterns in New Venture Creation, Growth and Reinvention.

Johnson,G., Whittington, R. and K. Scholes (2010). Exploring Strategy Text & Cases.

Spulber, Dan (2011). Global Competitive Strategy. Cambridge University Press.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External