CEM640: Business Innovation and Strategy

Module code: CEM640

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Stuart Green , email: s.d.green@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Ruth Dowsett, email: r.m.dowsett@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The Business Innovation and Strategy module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to lead and manage organisations in the construction and built environment sectors. The module is divided into two interconnected parts. Strategic Management focuses on how organisations set goals, create plans, and align their resources to achieve long-term success. It explores key strategic concepts, including leadership, corporate planning, mergers and acquisitions, and the impact of social responsibility. Business Innovation highlights the role of innovation as a driver of growth and transformation in the construction industry. It covers cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative business models that are reshaping the built environment. The module emphasizes the critical link between strategic management and innovation, illustrating how innovation fuels strategic goals.Ìý

Part 1: Strategic ManagementÌý

Strategic management involves the continuous planning, monitoring, and assessment of organisational goals to navigate an increasingly competitive environment. This part of the module aims to prepare students for leadership roles in the private and public sectors, with a specific focus on the construction industry. The emphasis is on strategic decision-making, leadership qualities, and how organisations can shape and adapt to long-term objectives.Ìý

Students will learn to evaluate strategies, analyse internal and external environments, and understand the principles of corporate strategy. This knowledge is critical for driving organisational success in both public and private construction firms, where aligning resources and leadership with strategic objectives is key.Ìý

Part 2: Business InnovationÌý

Business innovation is essential for driving competitiveness, efficiency, and growth in the construction sector. This part of the module introduces students to key innovations reshaping the industry, such as digital transformation, sustainable practices, and new business models. The focus is on how these innovations can be applied to real-world construction scenarios to improve project delivery, foster sustainability, and increase value for organisations.Ìý

Module learning outcomes

Part 1: Strategic ManagementÌý

1. Analyse and debate core concepts of strategic management.Ìý
2. Apply strategic management principles to real-world work situations.Ìý
3. Recognise and discuss the role of a strategist within organisations.Ìý
4. Compare and contrast different approaches to strategic management.Ìý
5. Understand key leadership qualities and their role in strategic decision-making.Ìý

Part 2: Business InnovationÌý

1. Evaluate the role of innovation in business growth and transformation within the construction industry.Ìý
2. Analyse the impact of technological advancements on construction project management.Ìý
3. Apply innovative business models to drive competitiveness and efficiency in construction organisations.Ìý
4. Assess the role of sustainability-driven innovation in construction, particularly green building practices and circular economy principles.Ìý
5. Understand how to align innovation initiatives with organisational strategic objectives.Ìý

Module content

Part 1: Strategic ManagementÌý

• Corporate Strategy Development: Understanding principles and practices for both public and private companies; creating implementation plans.Ìý
• Reviewing Organisational Strategy: Analysing how strategies shape organisations and influence business direction.Ìý
• Growth Strategies: Examining mergers and acquisitions, organic growth, and joint ventures as avenues for organisational expansion.Ìý
• Public and Non-Profit Sector Strategy: Developing missions and strategic plans for non-profit and government organisations, managing stakeholders, and overcoming sector-specific challenges.Ìý
• Leadership and Change Management: Exploring leadership qualities and the role of leaders in organisational change.Ìý
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Understanding CSR and the UN Global Compact’s compliance requirements.Ìý
• Managing Complexity in Construction: Addressing the unique challenges of managing complex business operations in the construction industry.

Part 2: Business Innovation

• Definition and importance of innovation in business and construction.Ìý
• Key drivers of innovation in the built environment, including technological, environmental, economic, and regulatory factors.Ìý
• Building Information Modelling (BIM), AI, IoT, and their transformative impact on project planning and execution.Ìý
• Automation, robotics, and 3D printing in construction processes.Ìý
• Green building standards (e.g., LEED, BREEAM) and their impact on innovation.Ìý
• Circular economy principles: Resource efficiency, reuse, and recycling of construction materials.Ìý
• Renewable energy integration and innovations in energy-efficient design.Ìý
• Exploring innovative business models: PPPs, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and collaborative contracting.Ìý
• Understanding how innovation drives and supports long-term strategic objectives.Ìý
• Managing the dynamic relationship between innovation initiatives and strategic goals, ensuring that innovation aligns with overall business direction.Ìý

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminar sessions. Lectures will introduce key theoretical concepts, frameworks, and industry trends, supported by real-world case examples from the construction sector. Seminar sessions will be interactive and focus on in-depth discussions, case study analysis, and group activities, encouraging students to apply theory to practical scenarios.ÌýÌý

Study hours

At least 36 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.Ìý

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The below information applies to all full time and flexible modular students on taught PGT programmes in SBEÌý

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There will be a range of formative assessment methods embedded within the module delivery. Principally, the formative assessment feedback will take place during lecture and tutorial interaction.Ìý

Reassessment

Additional costs