Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    Overview

    Examines the tools and thinking necessary to deal with uncertainty and complexity in business. Provides students with critical awareness of dynamic changes in business environments.

    Organisations increasingly face 'wicked problems' that make governance and management challenging. This course explores contemporary systems thinking and practice and reviews systems thinking methodologies and methods that are designed to increase our understanding of, and ability to, tackle complex business problems. Students will gain experience in systems thinking through case studies and practical examples.

    About this paper

    Paper title Strategy and Growth
    Subject Doctor of Business Administration
    EFTS 0.1667
    Points 20 points
    Teaching period(s) 1st Non standard period (5 May 2025 - 27 June 2025) (Distance learning)
    1st Non standard period (5 May 2025 - 27 June 2025) (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,571.48
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    DBA
    Eligibility

    Limited to DBA

    Contact

    otago-dba@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    To be confirmed.

    Paper Structure

    This paper includes a compulsory on-campus component.

    Teaching Arrangements

    The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.

    Textbooks

    Readings will be available through Blackboard.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper will gain:

    • A highly developed understanding of systems theory and approaches for problem definition/solving including system dynamics, viable systems model, soft systems methodology and critical system heuristics.
    • A highly developed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different systems methodologies, and how they can be mixed to respond effectively to specific organisational problems in a theoretically robust way.
    • Experience in undertaking a practical systems study of a selected issue and applying systems methodologies and methods to a problem situation and the generation of solutions.

    Timetable

    1st Non standard period (5 May 2025 - 27 June 2025)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Block Teaching

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Wednesday 08:00-15:50 26
    Thursday 08:00-15:50 26
    Friday 08:00-15:50 26

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 11:00-12:50 19-25

    1st Non standard period (5 May 2025 - 27 June 2025)

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Block Teaching

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Wednesday 08:00-15:50 26
    Thursday 08:00-15:50 26
    Friday 08:00-15:50 26

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Tuesday 11:00-12:50 19-25
    Back to top