These guidelines provide an overview of exam preparation for a Strategic Management course. The exam consists of [1] 10 multiple choice questions worth 2 marks each and [2] two essay questions out of three worth 20 marks each. Students are advised to thoroughly read the textbook, lecture notes, and practice exam questions. Successful essay answers will apply concepts to examples, discuss pros and cons, and be 7-8 pages per question. Key topics covered in the course include various frameworks for analyzing strategy, the relationship between strategic capabilities and the external environment, and the processes of strategic development, implementation, and change.

1. These guidelines are provided as part of in-class discussion for pre-exam review for Strategic
Management. It is NOT recommended for off-class self reading as many additional points will b e
mentioned in class. It is also NOT to be considered as a spotting document. All candidates need
to read the chapters and lecture notes fully before attempting the examination. Good luck..
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Geoffrey da Silva

2. The format of the exam (2 hours)
Section A :MCQ 10 questions 2 marks each. Can be
taken from any topic of the course. Should
practice the MCQ shown in the RMIT BB coming
from Strategy Lab. I have already advised you
how to access this during my earlier lecture.
Section B : Essay Question (from any area of the
course). Answer TWO questions out of Three
provided. 20 marks x 2 = 40 marks.
The exam is marked out of 60.
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3. Preparation
First priority – the TEXT
Second – read up the PWPT slides
from me
Get ready in your file all the case
studies and examples that you are
supposed to read up and prepare
Also can use selectively inputs from
your paired assignment case
company but the example cannot be
used throughout both the essay
questions as your sole example!
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4. Comments on the style of essay questions
The questions will not be straightforward so don’t
expect easy definition or write short notes type of
questions.
Considering the time allocated, you can spend
around 45 minutes answering each question
(assuming you take half an hour to do the 10
MCQ).
Therefore for 45 minutes your answer length
could be between 7-8 pages PER question (not
including diagrams.
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5. Questions at the end of my lecture notes
Read for understanding the practice exam
questions at the end of each of my lecture notes
No need to write out detailed model answers
BUT try to do skeleton answers
 They key points
 How your answer will be framed (key headings) and points
 Relevant EXAMPLES and Cases to use for each of the
topics – these cases should have been prepared earlier
during your reading of the text and well as the examples I
had asked you to get ready from the start of this course in
relation to ASIAN companies
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6. Essay Questions
Dr Huang / Dr Ling will post a set of Review
Questions on BB. Check these questions and work
out the framework answers with your group.
I will not be providing answers 
Use the text closely to extract relevant points
Examples and case studies need to be well-
integrated into your answers. Pure theoretical
discussion will never secure a distinction.
Essay questions are often based on issues of
discussion on topics that are correlated.
 Example how do you see the relationship between ethics
and formulation of corporate strategy
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7. Important Note: The Correct Approach to Writing
the Essay Questions on SM
As advised by RMIT teaching team (see the official
guidelines posted on BB by RMIT coordinator)
describe the concepts involved in each essay question to
show your understanding of the concept (s) and/or theories;
–explain how these concepts, theories or managerial
techniques can be used in practice. You need to provide
example(s) selected from case study, assignments, personal
experience, and/or media reports, to demonstrate such
practical applications;
–provide critical comments on the pros (benefits) and cons
(limitations) in applying these concepts, theories, and/or
analytical tools to business organisations
7BUSM 3200- Strategic Management (April 2013) GDS

8. (Make sure you cover all materials in the text and Lecture Notes)
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9. Chapter One - Introduction
Defining Strategy
Levels of Strategy
Elements of strategy – mission, vision, objectives,
scope and advantage
Three branches of strategy – context, content and
process
The Exploring Strategy Model – Strategic
Position, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action
(read up the summary of each area; good for
overview)
Strategy Lenses (read the appendix)
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10. Chapter Two – The Environment
PESTEL – what is it used for
The Five Forces Model : learn all the forces and
show how it is linked to PESTEL
 See pages 61-62 : Implications and key issues
 Also prepare to link (later) the 5 Forces to the Business
Strategies
The Industry Life Cycle
Strategic Groups – use of the model
Blue Ocean Thinking
PESTEL gives rise to Opportunities and Threats
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11. Chapter Three: Strategic Capabilities
What is RBV
Resources and Capabilities
VRIN (learn all)
The Value Chain and the Value Network
Summing up with external and internal chapter-
topic of SWOT
How to develop capability in developing of People
(note the strategic importance of people as a key
strategic resource)
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12. Chapter Four – Strategic Purpose
Importance of Mission and Vision
Objectives – purpose and types of objectives
Corporate Governance
Shareholder versus Stakeholder models of
Governance
Social Responsibility and Ethics
 Note – questions have come up in the past asking the link
between SR/E and Strategic Management
Stakeholder Expectations
 Influence of power in strategy (between the different
internal and external stakeholder groups)
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13. Chapter Five – Culture and Strategy
Not an easy chapter; many areas are not critical
Go straight and read these topics
 What is organizational culture (pg 171
onwards)
 Culture influence on strategy (pg 174)
 The Cultural Web
Just focus on these three areas for this topic
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14. Chapter Six – Business Strategy
A key chapter: Learn first ALL the THREE Generic
Strategies (no spotting!) :cost leadership,
differentiation and focus
 What these strategies mean
 How they are manifested in the different areas of business
operations : Here is where you can LINK the business
strategy to the VALUE Chain
 The advantages and disadvantages of each business
strategy
 How to link the Business Strategies to the Five Forces
Model
The Strategy Clock – just read the key points
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15. Chapter Six – supporting topics
Just read briefly (overview)
What is Hyper-competition (interactive strategy)
What is Cooperative Strategy?
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16. Chapter Seven – Corporate Strategy
Corporate Strategy and Diversification
Learn the Ansoff Matrix – Strategic Direction
Learn the difference between Related and
Unrelated Diversification
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
diversification?
The different types of Portfolio Matrices
Role of Corporate Parent
Also read chapter 7 in conjunction with Chapter
10- mergers and acquisitions
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17. Chapter Ten- Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances
What is organic growth compared to
M&A&A
The three motives for M&A –
strategic, financial and managerial
Definitions, examples, ADV and
DISADV off all the main methods –
mergers, acquisitions and alliances.
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18. Chapter Eight- International Strategy
Differences in strategy – international and global
Drivers for global strategy (YIP)
What the benefits and risks of a company
pursuing international expansion
Porter Diamond model
The Four International Strategies (see the matrix)
How to apply the PESTEL framework to
International Strategy
What the main types and ADV + DISADV of each
Market Entry MODE
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19. Chapter Eleven- Strategy Evaluation
Cover ALL aspects of the SAFe model
What factors are assessed when looking at
SUITABILITY FACTOR?
What factors are assessed when looking at
ACCEPTIBILITY FACTOR?
What factors are assessed when looking at
FEASIBILITY FACTOR?
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20. Chapter Twelve- Strategy Development Process
Focus on the two broad strategy
development approaches – learn the
differences and implications
 INTENDED STRATEGY
 EMERGENT STRATEGY
Learn about the concept of logical
incrementalism
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21. Chapter Thirteen : Implementation and Control
How does structure affect strategy?
What is strategy execution?
How does decision making styles
affect strategy implementation?
Types of control systems
Balanced Scorecard
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22. Chapter Fourteen: Leadership and Strategic Change
The role of the leader / CEO in SM
How does the leader affect strategic
change?
What is turnaround strategy?
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23. Final reminders
Read the question.
Plan the answers.
Expand the theories in detail (you have plenty of
time); elaborate the concepts and list factors
where required.
Draw relevant diagrams and models.
Give good examples (you should have at least 10-
12 examples of good strategy examples from local
and international companies; you cant imagine
examples in the exam!
All the best!!!
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