Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

Post-Graduate DIPLOMA IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Course Introduction

The Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

provides a focused and specialist course linked to Singapore`s regulatory and professional body requirements where appropriate, with a clear work-related emphasis based upon an Asian perspective.

This qualification is particularly suitable for mature learners and working adult professionals who wish to follow a relatively shorter programme of study that is directly related to the learner’s work experience or to an aspect of employment that learners wish to move into in due course. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills development alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding in the global business environment from an Asian perspective.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (Mandarin)

has an identical course content as The Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership qualification, but offered in Mandarin medium of instruction. It is tailored to serve the needs of learners whose working environment has a critical need for communication in the Mandarin language with key overseas stakeholders and clients



Course Duration and Delivery

Total training hours: 288 hours of either face to face classroom or e-learning basis with a combination of directed and self-directed learning.

This course is only offered on a part-time basis.

  • 6 months (part-time) with two lecture sessions per week of 4 hours each and a weekly tutorial session of 4 hours. All learners have a maximum allowable period of 12 months to complete the course from date of course commencement.

  • The programme is made up of 6 mandatory modules with 20 credits per module and a total of 6 written assignments and/or presentations.

  • There are approximately 48 directed learning hours per module.

  • Directed learning includes tutor-led discussions, live seminars, interactive exercises, and multimedia content such as videos and lecturecasts.

  • All modules have an optional additional 12 learning hours of self-directed learning involving independent research, case studies, and wider readings to complete the 6 written assignments and/or presentations which will form the basis of the learner`s overall assessment.



Course Modules

1: Strategic Management (20 credits): This module aims to develop learners’ understanding of strategic and change management models, as well as the ability to review strategic plans, to propose strategic options, to create implementation plans and to lead organisational changes.

a. Learning Outcome 1: Be able to analyse key external influences on an organisation’s strategy

b. Learning Outcome 2: Be able to appraise strategic options for an organisation.

c. Learning Outcome 3: Be able to evaluate various tools and approaches to a strategy implementation plan.

d. Learning Outcome 4: Be able to develop and implement a strategic organisational change management plan.

e. Learning Outcome 5: Be able to monitor and control the implementation of strategic plans.

2: Strategic Leadership (20 credits):

This module provides an in-depth understanding of the key principles and practice of leadership This will enhance the individuals’ knowledge, skills and attributes to effectively engage in the role and responsibilities required of an effective team player and leader of a team; being proactive in innovation and improvement to inform strategy and business planning within the organisation.

a. Learning Outcome 1: Understand the principles, concepts, differences, and approaches to contemporary leadership

b. Learning Outcome 2: Understand how leadership influences individuals, teams and the organization.

c. Learning Outcome 3: Understand the impact of leadership on organisational performance.

d. Learning Outcome 4: Understand ethical decision making and organisational value.

3. Strategic Human Resource Management (20 credits):

This module aims to develop learners’ understanding of how the effective strategic management of human resources supports the achievement of organisational objectives in different contexts. Learners will evaluate the contribution of strategic human resource management, and the application of leadership and management theory for organisational benefit.

a. Learning Outcome 1: Understand the role of management of human resources.

b. Learning Outcome 2: Be able to create a human resource plan for an organisation.

c. Learning Outcome 3: Understand the role of legal and ethical issues in developing human resources policy

d. Learning Outcome 4: Be able to plan and develop human resource strategies

e. Learning Outcome 5: Understand Human Resource Management approaches within organisations and their relationships with organisational performance.

4. Advanced Business Research Methods (20 credits):

This module develops learners’ ability to prepare for various types of academically based management research through the development and design of a research proposal. Learners will develop a critical understanding of the philosophical, practical and ethical concepts of research within the context of the business environment.

a. Learning Outcome 1: Be able to develop research approaches in a relevant context.

b. Learning Outcome 2: Be able to critically review literature on a relevant research topic.

c. Learning Outcome 3: Be able to design business research methodologies.

d. Learning Outcome 4: Be able to develop a research proposal.

5. Strategic Financial Management (20 credits):

This module enables learners to apply financial principles relevant to management in an organisational context, including analytical techniques and theories/models of management accounting, evaluation of budgetary processes, recommending funding sources and appraising investment options.

a. Learning Outcome 1: Be able to apply the tools and techniques of cost accounting.

b. Learning Outcome 2: Be able to critically analyse the financial performance of businesses.

c. Learning Outcome 3: Be able to evaluate the budgetary processes of organisations.

d. Learning Outcome 4: Be able to recommend effective long term and short-term sources of funding.

e. Learning Outcome 5: Be able to critically appraise investment options.

6. Leadership in this New 21st Century of Globalization and Corporate Governance (20 credits):

This module develops learners’ understanding of the effect of legislation, ethics, and global integration on decisions, corporate governance, policies, processes and activities undertaken by organisations especially in the context of President Trump's new policies which impact on the globalisation trend of the last few decades.

a. Learning Outcome 1: Be able to critically discuss the impacts of globalisation on current scenarios such as the USA and China potential trade war

b. Learning Outcome 2: Be able to critically discuss the socio-cultural, ethical and moral issues that affect global organisations.

c. Learning Outcome 3: Be able to analyse the role of corporate governance in global organisations.

d. Learning Outcome 4: Be able to critically analyse regulations related to online trading given the protectionism trends in the 21st century.



Course Assessment

The assessment will be entirely based on course work assignment which may include presentations made by the learner in addition to any written assignments. Learners must pass all six modules to be awarded this qualification by Kaider Academy.



Course Entry Requirements

The learner must be at least 18 years old and either:

  • Possess a Bachelor Degree or Honour Degree in relevant discipline or equivalent, or

  • For mature candidates, at least 30 years old with 8 years of relevant working experience.



Course Language Proficiency

In respect of The Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership:

Minimum C6 Pass for GCE O Level English or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.

In respect of The Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (Mandarin):

Minimum C6 Pass for GCE O Level Chinese or equivalent.

Course Textbooks

  • Leadership and Strategic Management Decision-Making in Times of Change, by Paolo Boccardelli, Federica Brunetta, 1st Edition, 2024.

  • Contemporary Strategy Analysis:Text and Cases, by Robert M. Grant, 9th Edition 2016.

  • Strategic Management, by Kennedy B. Reed, Virginia Tech, 2020.

Additional Recommended Readings

  • The Strategic Manager: Understanding Strategy in Practice, by Harry Sminia, 3rd Edition, 2021.

  • Blue Ocean Strategy Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant, by W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne, 2015.

  • The Art of Strategy: Sun Tzu, Michael Porter, and Beyond, Hwy-Chang Moon, Cambridge University Press, 2018.

  • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (10th Anniversary Edition), by Steven R. Covey, 2007.

  • Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek, Penguin, 2011.

  • The End of Leadership, by Barbara Kellerman, Harper Business, 2012.