Summary of content

This module focuses on three different key aspects of modern business - managing strategy, managing and measuring people to deliver that strategy and managing innovation to ensure that the business is sustainable. The module is split into three units which cover innovation, strategy and HR and whilst they are taught separately, there are links and overlaps between them.

Innovation management looks at developing new ideas and solutions and then managing people and projects to implement the changes that are essential for business growth and survival. The Strategic Management unit will include tools and techniques to develop a strategy including examining the strategic potential of organisations. Throughout the unit strategic management will be framed within the role innovation plays in determining and underpinning strategy

People management for Leaders covers measuring performance of both people and the organisation to ensure that the organisation is delivering the strategy that is developed in the strategic management unit. Each unit will include assignments that provide both formative and summative feedback relating to the specific unit and on completion of the three units, students will have a capstone assignment.

A common thread through all the units will be the importance of responsible and ethical leadership with respect to both organisational and societal good. The syllabus and learning and teaching strategy are underpinned by the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRIME) values and Glasgow Caledonian University's commitment to acting 'for the common good'

Unit 1 - Innovation
The aim of the unit is to introduce students to the concepts and frameworks associated with innovation management. This unit is designed to bring innovation management skills and knowledge to those faced with new challenges in the twenty first century professional workplace. Innovation is about change and renewal which often features rapid advances in technology and often creates conflict. With service provision often challenged by rising costs then it is essential that professional managers are equipped with skills and knowledge enabling them to innovative around challenges and towards sustainable organisational practices. Whilst the whole module is underpinned by the research of the teaching teams, the University's research agenda around social innovation is particularly evident in this unit. This unit will encourage students to develop their ability to manage innovative projects and manage teams and self in the innovation process. On completion students will have a capability to manage the innovation process with an ethical guiding perspective to adding social value.



Unit 2 - Strategy
The unit aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the theories, tools and techniques necessary to formulate, implement and evaluate strategy within their own organisational context. The unit explores the strategic management process of analysing, formulating and implementing strategy in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors, but focuses particularly on the role of innovation in sustaining competitive strategic advantage. The teaching examines an organisation's strategic potential in relation to its ambitions by considering its environments, stakeholders and culture. This context enables the practitioner to evaluate and select the most appropriate choice, especially in confronting the issue of innovation. The unit then examines the themes associated with implementing and evaluating strategy. These include issues, concepts and theories relating to managing people, processes and structures in periods of change.

Students on the module will also develop various employability skills necessary to deliver an effective strategy, but also relevant to their doctoral thesis. These skills will be developed and applied within the context of the teaching and learning strategy.

Unit 3 - People Management for Leaders
The unit provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of key knowledge and skills required by leaders to help fulfil their people management roles. Within an international context, the unit will explore theory and practice to develop and deepen students' insights into the fit between people management (HRM), business strategy and organisational performance. At the same time, it will develop self-awareness through critical reflection of their own professional practice and enhance the students' abilities to critically evaluate theories in relation to the management of organisational and employee performance. Drawing on research-led theory and real case problem-solving, this unit will analyse the roles of key stakeholders in managing organisational and employee performance in challenging international and local environments. By building on the personal experiences of students, this unit aims to achieve a critical and applied appreciation of the dynamics of managing people and performance within a specific national, sectoral and/ or organisational context.

Module structure

Assessment methods