Strategic Management

Strategy is at the top level of management. It considers the 'total enterprise' to ensure all of an organisation's resources are being managed effectively as a cohesive unit.

In this subject, you'll learn how to think critically about a company's situation and devise strategies to improve future performance. You'll develop an eye for emerging threats and opportunities, such as new competitors or changing consumer trends, and keeping pace with legislative or market changes.

You'll also analyse practical case studies about real-world companies to help you to develop your analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills, which are in high demand with employers.

WMS Case Competition

Students who major in Strategic Management will take part in the Waikato Management School Case Competition. Working in teams, you'll develop a business growth strategy for a real New Zealand company, aimed at boosting the firm's long-term revenue and profits.

Previous companies that have taken part have included the likes of Jucy Rental, Nice Blocks ice cream, Tainui Group Holdings Ltd, and Yealands winery.

As a team, you'll carry out in-depth research to identify the major issues and challenges facing the firm over the next five years, and how best to leverage its strengths to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. You could be part of the winning team that takes home a monetary prize of $2,500.

Internationally recognised

You'll study at our internationally recognised Waikato Management School, which is in the top 1% of business schools globally thanks to our prestigious Triple Crown Accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

Waikato is one of New Zealand's leading business schools, consistently ranked 1st or 2nd in NZ for Business and Economics in the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings since 2022.

Qualifications

If you wish to take Strategic Management as your 1st Major subject, you'll need to enrol for either the Bachelor of Business or the Bachelor of Climate Change.

Otherwise you can take it as a 2nd Major (8 papers) or Minor subject (4 papers) for any other bachelor's degree offered at the University of Waikato.

If you'd like to gain specialist expertise at postgraduate level, take a look at our Master of Management Studies in Strategic Management.