REMB33-Corporate Strategy

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: a.dabson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module applies strategic management principles to corporate real estate. The subject is considered at the business strategy, the portfolio planning and the operational impact levels. It examines strategy and planning from the viewpoint of the various stakeholders and the ways in which they interact. 

Aims:
This module applies strategic management principles to corporate real estate. The subject is considered at the business strategy, the portfolio planning and the operational impact levels. It examines strategy and planning from the viewpoint of the various stakeholders and the ways in which they interact. The different approaches to strategy and the implications of these approaches for the real estate portfolio will be examined within the context of live case studies. These case studies provide examples of how corporate real estate requirements shift in response to both strategic imperatives and the changing economic and competitive environment. In order to examine how real estate can enhance or inhibit the ability to remain aligned with corporate business needs this module reviews current research, innovation and practice in this subject area.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of this module students will be able to:

􀀕 Analyse and critique the generic competitive strategy of a corporate organisation;
􀀕 Critically evaluate the importance of aligning portfolio change with real estate planning and the business strategy;
􀀕 Evaluate and summarise how real estate must be responsive to the economic and competitive environment as well as an organisation's strategy;
􀀕 Compare and critically asses the different real estate approaches adopted to respond to an organisation's competitive strategy within its dynamic operating environment.
􀀕 Evaluate the actual alignment of the real estate portfolio with the needs of the business;
􀀕 Review the latest research and management thinking on this topic.

Additional outcomes:
􀀕 Enhance systematic data gathering skills from both public resources and through primary interviews;
􀀕 enhance oral and communication skills through discussions and presentations in seminar sessions; and
􀀕 develop academic report writing skills through the module assignment;

Outline content:
􀀕 Corporate competitive strategies

􀀕 Corporate real estate planning
􀀕 Aligning the corporate real estate portfolio with the needs of the business
􀀕 Analysing practice examples.

During the study programme, selected key themes that reflect emerging issues for corporate strategy and its impact on real estate are developed. Past themes have included:

􀀕 staying at the cutting edge,
􀀕 managing global growth in a fast expanding industry,
􀀕 e-business and the new economy,
􀀕 managing in an uncertain and competitive environment,
􀀕 reinvention and renewal,
􀀕 restructuring, consolidation and repositioning and
􀀕 outsourcing: drivers, choices and rewards.

Each of these themes will be supported by pre-course reading.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is delivered in block release format that involves a four day face-to-face teaching block with pre-course preparation plus online post-teaching support. The module is taught in an interactive format through seminars, workshops and site visits. Students take a lead role in gathering evidence in order to reflect on an organisation's strategy and practice which will be presented and examined in seminar based discussions following the site visits. An assessed individual project is the consolidating and integrating vehicle for the taught material. Students are encouraged to share information via Blackboard in the extended online support period which follows the face-to-face element. An online discussion of the case studies between tutors and students supports the assessment in this module.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A major project, assesses all the learning outcomes of this module. Guide length 5,000 words.

As this is core Module of Special Significance all students joining the MSc Corporate Real Estate programme from September 2012 will have to achieve a mark of at least 40 in order to achieve the MSc.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of the project in order to achieve a maximum mark of 50. Reassessment utilises the same method as that used for the module's original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

No additional costs.

Last updated: 31 July 2018