module specification

This module introduces students to the concept of public service strategies and how they relate to the public policy making process.  It requires you to focus on the strategy making process in an organisation of your choice.  An introduction to concepts of strategy, administration and management is followed by an analysis of contexts, core values, problem identification, options analysis, models of decision-making, and implementation. Strategies of, and management of change are a key focus. The evaluation of the success of strategic decisions and an appraisal of ethical issues arising are also considered.

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This module aims to introduce students to the concept of public services strategy and to develop their understanding of the strategy process in the public sector context. It also aims to develop core skills linked to the strategy and decision making process in the public and non-profit sectors.

The modules learning objectives are:
• to introduce the concepts of strategy and change;
• to promote an awareness of current developments in strategy and policy making
• to demonstrate their importance in the local contexts that students have experience of.

Teaching block 1: Introductory concepts
 Strategy and Policy
 Strategic Management
 Public Sector Leadership

Teaching block 2: Appraising the environment and setting direction
 Environmental appraisal techniques: SWOT, PEST, Scenario Planning
 Problem Identification
 Option Analysis Decision theory
 Setting direction: Challenges and opportunities in the public sector context

Teaching Block 3: Changing Public Services:
 Implementing in local contexts
 Strategies for change
 Learning organisations and learning societies
 Evaluation and review

This module will be delivered through a series of lectures and workshops. Emphasis will be placed on active learning using student centred methodologies to enable students to relate material on strategy to their local contexts.

Workshops
In addition to the series of weekly lectures, there is a programme of workshops, guest-speaker sessions and individual and group directed research.  It is essential that you prepare for these in advance. 

Module feedback
We are interested in what you think about the module.  Of course, you can tell us what you think as the module is being delivered.  You will also be given a module feedback form at the end of the module.

By the end of the module, students should be able to:
· apply differing concepts of strategy to the management of public services;
· evaluate strategic management techniques in local public service contexts;
· evaluate the significance of change in and for public service organisations and plan change strategies.

Assignment 1: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION - Environmental scanning in strategic processes

The assignment requires you to select, justify demonstrate a strategic management technique appropriate to a specified organisational problem, and to evaluate the technique’s usefulness to the strategic review process.

Format: Business report to head of
Word length: in the region of 2,000 words.
Key dates for submission: Friday of Week 10

Assignment 2: STRATEGY REPORT - Change management

This assignment requires you to assess drivers and resistors for change and develop a change strategy.  Your response will be in the form of a professional assessment with an accompanying action plan.

Format: Report
Word length: in the region of 3,000 words
Key dates for submission: Friday of Week 14

 Osborne SP and Brown, K (2005) Managing Change and Innovation in Public Service Organisations , Routledge: London
 Mintzberg, H, JB Quinn and S Ghoshal (1998) The strategy process European edn. Financial Times Prentice Hall.
 Bryson, JM  (2011) Strategic planning for public and non-profit organizations(4th ed). - Jossey-Bass: San Francisco

 Ferlie, E, Lynn, L and Pollitt, C.   (2005) The Oxford handbook of Public Management, OUP: Oxford
 Pettigrew, A., Thomas, H. and Whittington, R. (2010) Handbook of Strategy and Management, Sage:London
 Gill, R. (2011) Theory and Practice of Leadership, Sage: London
 Johnson, G and Scholes, K (2001) Exploring public sector strategy, Financial Times  Prentice Hall
 Flynn N (2012) Public Sector Management (6th edn)  Sage: London
 Knill, C, and Tosun, J. (2012) Public Policy. A New Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke
 Hughes OE (2003) Public Management and Administration: an introduction Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke