UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN (UTAR)

FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE (FBF)

Unit Plan
1.

Unit Code &

Unit Title:

UBMM1011
SUN ZIS ART OF WAR AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES

2.

Course of
Study:

Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Accounting (AC)

Bachelor of Marketing (Hons) (MK)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) (BA)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Banking & Finance (BF)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Entrepreneurship (EN)
Bachelor of Economics (Hons) Financial Economics (FE)
Bachelor of Finance (Hons) (FN)
Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Journalism (JR)
Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Public Relations (PR)
Bachelor of Communcation (Hons) Advertising (AV)
Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) Psychology (PY)
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English Education (ED)
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English Language (EL)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biochemistry (BE)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Construction Management (CM)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Logistics and International Shipping (LI)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Microbiology (MB)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Agricultural Science (AG)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biochemistry (BE)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biomedical Science (BM)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Chemistry (CE)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biotechnology (BT)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Statistical Computing & Operations Research (SC)
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Petrochemical Engineering (PE)
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Industrial Engineering (IE)
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electronic Engineering (EE)
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Environmental Engineering (EV)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Computer Engineering (CT)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Communications and Networking (CN)
Bachelor of Information Systems (Hons) Information Systems Engineering (IA)
Bachelor of Information Systems (Hons) Business Information Systems (IB)
Bachelor of Computer Science (CS)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Communications and Networking (CN)

3.

Year of Study:

Flexi Students

4.

Year and
Semester:
Credit Hour

201501

Lecturing
hours

2 hours lecture per week for the duration of 7 weeks

5.
6.

1 credit hour

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

7.

Lecturer:

Mr. Tee Chee Wee

Email: [email protected]

8.

Tutors:

N/A

9.

Moderator

Ms. Cheah Ching Mun

10. Mode of
Delivery:

Lecture

11. Objective:

To achieve a general understanding of the applicability of Sun Zis Art of War to modern
business strategies and practices

12. Learning
Outcome:

On completion of this unit, the students will be able to:

1. Identify the strategies and methods of war from Sun Zis Art of War.
2. Analyse the applicability of Su Zis Art of War to modern business strategies and
practices.
3. Apply the relevant principles and concepts of Sun Zis Art of War into modern
business strategies and practices.

13. Synopsis

Sun Zi, a famous ancient Chinese general wrote the classic work on military strategy Art
of War. His treatise shed light on military warfare. There are great similarities between
military strategy and business strategy. The central theme is to create a competitive
advantage over the opponents and to take advantage of the situation fully.
Some of the similarities include:

14. References:

The elements of surprise, uncertainties and complexities

The need to compete and gain superiority
The need to allocate resources
The importance of leadership qualities
The need to be flexible

Main Text:
1. Wee, C. H. (2003). Sun Zi Art of War: An illustrated translation with Asian
perspectives and insights. Singapore: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
2. Wee, C. H., Lee K. S. & Hidajat, B. W. (2003). Sun Tzu: War and management.
Singapore: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
Additional Text:
1. Pearce II, J. A., & Robinson, R. B., Jr. (2007). Strategic Management
Formulation, Implementation, and Control (10th ed.). New York: McGraw
Hill/Irwin.

15.

Method of
Assessment

The assessment consists of coursework ONLY. Students are required to obtain a pass
mark (50%) for the unit.
No.
A.
B.
C.

Coursework

Total

Mid-term Test (36 marks)

Group Assignment (50 marks)
Attendance (14 marks)

36%
50%
14%

Total

100%

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

A. Mid-term Test (36%)

The test will be given to monitor students progress on the understanding of the lectures.
The duration of the test will be 1 hour and conducted on Week 7. The venue and date will
be confirmed and announced during the lecturer class. The test paper comprises 20
Objective questions and 2 Structural questions. Students are required to answer ALL
questions.
# Note: Candidates who are unable to attend the mid-term test must produce evidence
from an appropriate source and with valid reason(s) strictly within one week before the
date of the test. Alternatively, if due to sudden illness, submission of an MC must be
handed in to the lead lecturer within 3 days from the day the student commences classes.
Failure to do so, your score will be automatically nullified. There will not be make-up tests
for absences without any valid reason.
B. Group Assignment (100%) (Will be Converted to 50 %)
Students are required to form groups of FIVE (Max). Each group will be choosing one
company to do the assignment (The Company List will be provided). The company just
can be chosen for maximum TWICE in the list. The registration will be based on first
come first serve basis. The registration list will be attached in front of the lecturers office.
Students are required register their group assignment start from Week 2. The lecturer will
explain to the students the expectations of the assignments and guide them accordingly.
The written assignment should contain the following guidelines:

Contents

Marks

1. Introduction
Provide a brief background of the organization
Choose ONE company from the List provided
2. Sun Zis Art of War Theory
Identify at least three concepts/theories/strategies from the
chosen chapter.
Provide a thorough description and discussion of the
concepts/ theories/strategies.
3. Discussion
Analyze business practices related to your theories by
describing and discussing the implementation of the
practices and the activities involved.
Present the discussions in a systematic, logical, and
critical manner.
4. Conclusion
Summarize the report and explain what you have learned
from the whole process.
5. Quality of written assignment
Format, layout, idea flow and systematic.
GRAND TOTAL
Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

10

20

50

10
10

100 Marks

The assignment should be neatly typed in Font size 12, Times New Roman with 1.5
spacing on A4 size papers. The projects content should not be more than 12 pages.
The assignment must include a cover page as shown in Appendix I. All pages in the
written assignment should be numbered except for the cover page and the table of contents.
A copy of marking scheme (Appendix II) must be attached immediately after the cover
page of the assignment.
Each group shall submit the assignment by Week 5, 11 February 2015 (Wednesday),
before 5pm.
Students required to staple their assignment with three staples (do not use comb binding)
and two punch holes on the left hand side of the assignment to ease unit file arrangement.
Please DO NOT use plastic cover sheets when binding your assignment.
#Notes: Deadline for submission of assessment item(s) is to be strictly adhered to No
extension of time will be allowed except in extenuating circumstances, e.g. medical
reasons. Students who wish to apply for extension of time for submission of assessment
item(s) after the due date shall put in writing the request together with validated
documentary evidence to support the application to his/her class tutor. The lead lecturer
may consider and grant such extension of due date for the assessment item(s) based on the
situation.
Any assessment item required by the Coursework Assessment which is submitted after the
due date, without an approved extension, will be penalized. A penalty of 10% reduction of
the maximum mark applicable to the assessment item(s) will be levied for each day of late
submission. Weekends and Public Holidays are counted as one (1) day late. Assessment
item(s) submitted more than seven (7) days after the due date will be awarded with zero (0)
marks.
C. Attendance (14%)
Attendance at all lectures is compulsory. Students must give reasons for their absence by
providing the supporting evidence(s) (e.g. medical certificate, letter from parents/guardians
etc.) and apply for leave of absence from the respective Head of Department.
Poor attendance without any approved leave of absence may prompt the faculty to take
disciplinary action, which may include failing the unit.
16

Remark:

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, which is not
one's own, without acknowledgment of the sources. If a student obtains information or
ideas from an outside source, that source must be acknowledged. Another rule to follow is
that any direct quotation must be placed in quotation marks and the source immediately
cited.
Plagiarism is also defined as copy of all or part of the work of another student(s) of current
or previous batch of this University or another higher learning institution. The University's
degree and other academic awards are given in recognition of the candidate's personal

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

achievement. Plagiarism is therefore considered as an act of academic fraudulence and as

an offence against University discipline.
Intellectual Property
The University takes a strong stand against any illegal photocopying of textbooks and any
other materials by students. Students are forewarned of the consequences and the penalty
that may be meted out if they are "caught in the act".
Mode of Referencing
Students are advised to incorporate proper academic modes of referencing. The normally
acceptable mode of academic referencing is the American Psychological Association
(APA) system.
Fieldwork Clause (where applicable)
Students are reminded of the importance to consider their personal safety when conducting
research in the field. You will be exposing yourself in new situations and meeting with
people who are unknown to you. It is important that you are aware of potential dangers and
take the necessary safety steps. You have to be extra careful and cautious if you are going
to interview or conduct survey with small, unknown organizations or individuals 'on site'.
You should ensure you have the full details (full name, job title, organization name, address
and telephone numbers) of anyone or organization you intend to conduct the field research.
You should establish the credibility of these respondents before your groups visit them.
The field research should be made in groups not alone. Leave word with your fellow
classmates on your field visit (details of place, contact numbers, person you are
interviewing or conducting survey with, expected time of return, etc). The field work
should be at office hours.

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

Teaching Plan
Week/Date
W1
(12 January 2015
to
18 January 2015)

Lecture Topic
Introduction
Explaining the unit plan and the
assessment requirements of the unit
Introduction to Sun Zis Art of War

Assessment

Reference
Wee (2003)
(Introduction &
Chapter 1)

Chapter 1
Detailed Assessment and Planning

Thorough analysis before war

5 factors and 7 considerations

War is about deception

Business application:
Importance and elements of planning

SWOT Analysis

W2
(19 January 2015
to
25 January 2015)

Chapter 2
Waging War
Importance of swiftness
Using resources
Business application: Speed and
resource planning
Chapter 3
Strategic Attack
Aim for the entirety
5 determinants of victory
Know the other side, then know
yourself
Business application: Importance of
leadership, understanding of
strengths & weaknesses

W3
(26 January 2015
to
1 February 2015)

Chapter 4
Disposition of the Army
Ensure undefeatedness
When to offend or defend
Evaluating chances of victory
Business application: Offending and
defending the competitors
Chapter 5
Forces
Managing troops and attacking
Direct and indirect forces
Momentum and timing
Business application: Importance of
organization and structure

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

GROUP
REGISTRATION:
WEEK 2

Wee (2003)
(Chapters 2 & 3)

Registration of group
assignment topic with the
lecturer.
The list will be attached
in front the lecturers
office.

Wee (2003)
(Chapters 4 & 5)

Week/Date

W4
(2 February 2015
to
8 February 2015)

Lecture Topic

Chapter 6
Weaknesses and Strengths
First mover
To dictate and not to be dictated
Be flexible like water
Business application: Change and
staying flexible

Assessment

Reference

Wee (2003)
(Chapters 6 & 7)

Chapter 7
Military Manoeuvres
Tradeoffs in maneuvering
Rules of maneuvering
Principles of control
Business application: Stay upperhand and in control
W5
(9 February 2015
to
15 February 2015)

Chapter 8
Variations and Adaptability
Importance of being adapting to
changing
Importance of careful deliberations
Preparedness
Business application: Pro-activeness
and adaptability
Chapter 9
Movement and deployment of troops
Principles of deployment of troops
Size matters, but no victory
guaranteed
Loyalty, discipline and trust
Business application: Employee loyalty

W6
(16 February 2015

Chapter 10
Terrain

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

Wee (2003)
(Chapter 8 & 9)

GROUP ASSIGNMENT
DUE:
WEEK 5,
WEDNESDAY,
11 FEBRUARY 2015,
BEFORE 5PM

Wee (2003)
(Chapter 10 & 11)

Week/Date
to
22 February 2015)

Lecture Topic
6 kinds of ground
6 calamities of army
Treatment of troops
Business application: Importance of
SWOT analysis

Assessment

Reference

Chapter 11
The Nine Battlegrounds
Matching strategies with group
characteristics
Principles governing military
campaigns
Business application: Winning
factors in competition
W7
(23 February 2015
to
1 March 2015)

Chapter 12
Attacking with Fire
5 ways of attacking with fire
Rulers and generals
Business application: Importance of
leadership
Chapter 13
Intelligence and Espionage
Intelligence and espionage
Kinds of spies
Importance of double agent
Business application: Importance of
business intelligence

Wee (2003)
(Chapter 12 & 13)

MID-TERM: WEEK 7
The mid-term comprises of
20 objective questions and 2
structural questions.

Note: The information provided in this Unit Plan is subject to change by the Lecturer. Students shall be notified in
advance of any changes.

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

This Unit Plan is:

Prepared by:

Moderated by:

Reviewed and Approved by:

_____________________
Mr. Tee Chee Wee
Lead Lecturer

_____________________
Ms. Cheah Ching Mun
Moderator

Date:

Date:

_______________________
Mr. Choong Yuen Onn (Alex)
Head of Department
Department of Business
Date:

Notes: The information provided in this Unit Plan is subject to change by the Lecturers. Students shall be notified
in advance of any changes.

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

Appendix I
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2014/2015
JANUARY 2015 TRIMESTER
UBMM1011 SUN ZIS ART OF WAR & BUSINESS STRATEGIES

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

Course details
Faculty

: ______________________________________

Lecturer Group

: _______________________

Lecturers Name

: _______________________

Assignment Details
Organizations Name: _____________________________________
Due Date

: Week 5, 11 February 2015 (Wednesday, 5.00 pm)

Important Note

: Submission of assignment is the responsibility of the students.

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

Students Detail
Name

Student ID No.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Assignment Overall Marks

: ____________ Marks.

Appendix II
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2014/2015
JANUARY 2015 TRIMESTER
UBMM1011 SUN ZIS ART OF WAR & BUSINESS STRATEGIES
MARKING SCHEME FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Section

Assessment

Mark Allocation

Introduction

10 marks

Sun Zis Art of War Theory

20 marks

Discussion

50 marks

Conclusion

10 marks

Quality of written Assignment

10 marks

Total Marks

100 marks

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

Marks Awarded

Comments:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name of marker: _______________________________
Signature of marker: ____________________________

Unit Plan of UBMM1011 Sun Zis Art of War and Business Strategies

Date: ______________________