Study Guide

Objective

The student gets an overall perception in theory and in practice of a tourism company´s strategic management as a key business process which aims at sustainable, future-oriented and competitive business performance. As a result, the student knows how to apply various strategic business development tools in long-term business planning process towards ‘Business Excellence’ within the tourism and hospitality field.

Content

• Basics of strategic management in theory and in practice as a key business process
• Understanding the significance of the current operating environment as well as the significance of foresight, business excellence and corporate social (CSR) responsibility in strategic management as a part of responsible business
• Various strategic business development tools, e.g. Images of Future, Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Balanced Score Card (BSC,) utilised in the strategic planning process
• Creating pre-requisites for responsible, future-oriented and competitive business performance

Location and time

Autumn 2024, weeks 37-46

Materials

Given during the course. 

Teaching methods

In this study unit there are lectures and coaching sessions and workshops. Students will work in project groups with an strategic management assignment.

Employer connections

Working together with the industry with the Sustainable Travel Finland project

Exam schedules

No exam

International connections

Studying in an international student group.

Completion alternatives

Will be fully announced at the beginning of the course.

Content scheduling

Theory lectures
Group work

• Basics of strategic management in theory and in practice as a key business process
• Understanding the significance of the current operating environment as well as the significance of foresight, business excellence and corporate social (CSR) responsibility in strategic management as a part of responsible business
• Various strategic business development tools, e.g. Images of Future, Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Balanced Score Card (BSC,) utilised in the strategic planning process
• Creating pre-requisites for responsible, future-oriented and competitive business performance

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Satisfactory (2)
The student has satisfactory knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student has some difficulties to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons rather passively and shows vague analytical, reflective and critical approach in his/her activities. The assignments are completed but not always performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Poor (1)
The student has vague knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student has manifold difficulties to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons very passively and has no analytical, reflective and critical approach in his/her activities. The assignments are completed but not always performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Fail (0)
The student does not complete the assignments according to the instructions or does not attend the learning situations at all. He/she does not pass the assignments and/or the exam as required.


These are the general assessment criteria. Please note that there might be more specific assessment criteria for learning assignments which will be given at the beginning of the study unit.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Very good (4)
The student has a very good understanding and knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student knows very well how to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons actively and shows good analytical, reflective and critical approach in all his/her activities. All the assignments are performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Good (3)
The student has a good understanding and knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student knows mostly how to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons quite actively and shows somewhat analytical, reflective and critical approach in all his/her activities. Most of the assignments are performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5)
The student has a profound and excellent understanding and knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student knows in an excellent manner how to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons very actively and shows deep analytical, reflective and critical approach in all his/her activities. All the assignments are performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Assessment methods and criteria

1-5, fail

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Fail (0)
The student does not complete the assignments according to the instructions or does not attend the learning situations at all. He/she does not pass the assignments and/or the exam as required.


These are the general assessment criteria. Please note that there might be more specific assessment criteria for learning assignments which will be given at the beginning of the study unit.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Poor (1)
The student has vague knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student has manifold difficulties to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons very passively and has no analytical, reflective and critical approach in his/her activities. The assignments are completed but not always performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Satisfactory (2)
The student has satisfactory knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student has some difficulties to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons rather passively and shows vague analytical, reflective and critical approach in his/her activities. The assignments are completed but not always performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good (3)
The student has a good understanding and knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student knows mostly how to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons quite actively and shows somewhat analytical, reflective and critical approach in all his/her activities. Most of the assignments are performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Very good (4)
The student has a very good understanding and knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student knows very well how to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons actively and shows good analytical, reflective and critical approach in all his/her activities. All the assignments are performed according to the instructions and deadlines.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5)
The student has a profound and excellent understanding and knowledge of strategic management which aims at competitive business performance of a tourism SME in a responsible way. The student knows in an excellent manner how to apply various strategic business development tools in order to improve strategic business planning towards ‘Business Excellence’. The student participates in the contact lessons very actively and shows deep analytical, reflective and critical approach in all his/her activities. All the assignments are performed according to the instructions and deadlines.