MANG1023 Strategic Marketing Decisions
Module Overview
The module provides students with a grounding on what are strategic marketing decisions and their implications for the organization's products or services to ensure best performance. The module explains the structure of the DNA of Marketing and explains once decisions are made, why they need to be carefully managed to sustain a long term competitive advantage and a loyal customer base. We review value propositions across the marketing mix, and debate the role of technology today in modern marketing with insight into the customer and channels, as well as a measurement of performance through KPI setting and using marketing analytics. By the end of the module students will understand the role of marketing and related decisions and their implications of organisational performance.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
The focus of Strategic Marketing Decisions is on the role of Marketing in building and sustaining an organisation’s competitive advantage in a global context. The module achieves this focus through an examination of the different elements of the ‘new Marketing DNA’ ©. Specifically, the module considers how, in such a dynamic environment, competitive advantage might be developed through innovative data- and technology-driven marketing. How customer insight relates to the development of value propositions, mixed with using Internet technologies (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, web analytics) to do and measure marketing, is the focus of the module.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The changing dimensions of global business environment
- The nature and purpose of strategic marketing in achieving and sustaining competitive advantage
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Explain complex business situations from a marketing perspective
- Summarise marketing strategies for business organisations
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Define business problems
- Demonstrate effective written communications
Syllabus
• Introduction to marketing strategy • The value of customers • Market insight and methods • Customer Insight • Competition and advantage • Market segmentation and targeting • Building insight • The impact of digital technology • Strategic choices • Sustainable competitive advantage • Brand and branding 1 • Brand and branding 2 • Marketing in different contexts • Revision
Special Features
Provides a solid basis of marketing decision making for students new to marketing, and how marketing makes a contribution within an organisation.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include: • 24 hours of lectures; • 7 hourly weekly seminars
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Revision | 26 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 20 |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Follow-up work | 40 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Seminar | 10 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Hooley, G., Piercy, N. F. and Nicoulaud, B. (2011). Marketing Strategy and Competitive Positioning.
Bhargava, R. (2008). Personality not included: why companies lose their authenticity and how great brands get it back.
Evans, M., Jamal, A., & Foxall, G. (2009). Consumer Behaviour.
Tapscott, D. (2008). Grown Up Digital: how the net generation is changing the world.
Cravens & Piercy (2006). Strategic Marketing.
Gladwell, M (2000). The Tipping Point, or how little things can make a big difference.
Schawbel, D. (2009). Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success.
Li, C. and Bernoff, J. (2009). Groundswell: winning in a world transformed by social technologies.
Shirky, C. (2009). Here Comes Everybody: How Change Happens When People Come Together.
Qualmann, E. (2009). Socialnomics: How social media transforms our lives and the way we do business.
Other. Additional Materials (including lectures slides) will from time to time be posted on Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Capon, N (2012). Managing Marketing in the 21st Century: Developing & Implementing The Marketing Strategy.
Aaker, D.A. & McLoughlin, D. (2013). Strategic Marketing Management: Global Perspectives.
Levitt, T. (1986). The Marketing Imagination.
Cambell, D., & Craig, T. (2005). Organisations and the Business Environment.
Fifield, P (2008). Marketing Strategy Masterclass.
Godin, S. (2008). Meatball Sundae: How new marketing is transforming the business world.
Thomke, S., & Hippel, E. (2002). Customers and Innovators - A New way to Create Value.
Assessment
Formative
Lectures and Seminars
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual essay (3000 words) | 100% |
Repeat
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual essay (3000 words) | 100% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual essay (3000 words) | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External
Costs
Costs associated with this module
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.
In addition to this, students registered for this module typically also have to pay for:
Textbooks
Recommended texts for this module may be available in limited supply in the University Library and students may wish to purchase the core/recommended text as appropriate.
Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.