Business Management BA

Core modules:

Accounting and Finance for Managers

The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts used in the preparation of financial information and to introduce them to the forms of financial statements that managers need to be familiar with. In addition, the module will introduce learners to appropriate forms of finance and the means of raising money to fund new enterprises, the financial planning this entails and forms of feedback and accountability to actual and potential fund providers. The module seeks to achieve all of the above in the context of start-up or growth firms. It is deliberately non-technical in nature, in other words it tries, as far as possible, to avoid unnecessary technical jargon or complexities.

20 credits

Business Management in Context

This module introduces students to the impact that society has on business and vice versa. It seeks to develop students' awareness of the importance of considering and understanding the social context within which businesses and managers operate. Through a critical exploration of contemporary issues, it highlights the importance of socially responsible work practices and challenges participants to reconsider their preconceived notions of how business should operate.

20 credits

Futures First: Professional Self Management

This module is intended to provide a structured and supported process for students to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement, and to plan for their personal, educational and career development. It is designed to ensure students are fully prepared to gain the most from their academic studies and to be better placed to continue their development throughout and beyond their degree studies.

20 credits

Management Themes and Perspectives

The module introduces students to some of the key themes and perspectives within a number of different subject disciplines within management. Through a series of 4 two-week 'packages' the module will introduce students to key issues within marketing, sustainable development, operations management and strategic management. The module is designed to help students to start to identify the interconnections between the different disciplines within management and to see how differing perspectives tackle key contemporary challenges. The module will be delivered through a series of 2-week subject 'packages' by experts in the different disciplines. While the lectures will provide the foundation for student learning, this will be supplemented by guest speakers from within industry to apply concepts to actual business settings. Seminars will provide space for more detailed discussion of issues and topics covered during the module. Key skills sessions will also be interspersed between the different subject packages so that students will be able to develop these generic skills which they can utilise in the various assessments components and for which they will receive feedback.

20 credits

Business Economics in a Contemporary Society

This module is intended to provide students with a grounding in a range of business economics concepts that have immediate relevance to modern day businesses, society, and the economy. It will introduce theoretically diverse concepts that include and contend with mainstream business economics thought, so that students from disparate backgrounds are able to openly debate and engage with business economics topics. It is designed to challenge students' understanding of the economic environment in which businesses are embedded so that they become more cognizant with diverse ways of thinking about and understanding real world business economic issues.

10 credits

Introduction to Behaviour at Work

This module is an introduction to psychological and behavioural approaches to the study of work and organisations. The major aim is to introduce students to some of the basic analytical tools and concepts from work psychology that encourage an understanding of the behaviour of individuals and groups in the workplace. The syllabus contains the following: Introduction to Organisational Behaviour, Individual Differences, Perception, Learning, Human Motivation, Job Satisfaction and Work Attitudes, Conformity and Obedience, Leadership, Groups at Work, the formal and informal organisation.

10 credits

Optional modules:

Analysis for Decision Making A

This unit will enable students to develop competencies in those quantitative techniques and tools which are essential for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data in a business context. Focusing on a variety of business problems, the unit will demonstrate how quantitative techniques can be used to support effective business decision making.

20 credits

Analysis for Decision Making B

This unit will enable students to develop competencies in those quantitative techniques and tools which are essential for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data in a business context. Focusing on a variety of business problems, the unit will demonstrate how quantitative techniques can be used to support effective business decision making. The teaching is aimed at those who have not taken mathematics beyond GCSE or its equivalent.

20 credits

Core modules:

Business Strategy

This course will introduce students to business strategy and the strategic management process. It seeks to enhance their understanding of the theories and practice of strategy. Students will be able to learn why, and how, companies make strategic decisions in the context of today's complex and dynamic world of business. Students will be introduced to various strategic analysis frameworks and learn how these can be used to help organisations better understand their strategic position and formulate feasible and suitable growth and competitive strategies. Based on a sound understanding of the theories, students will be required to apply the concepts through the use of innovative strategic planning teaching and learning technologies and case study material.

20 credits

Essentials of Marketing

This module aims to introduce the field of marketing to Level 2 students. The coverage will include the basics of marketing strategy including segmentation, targeting and positioning as well as the practical domains of strategy development like product and brand management, services marketing, pricing methodologies, promotional strategies, distribution and logistics.

20 credits

Organisational Behaviour

This module builds on and develops the basic concepts introduced in MGT120. Organizational Behaviour is concerned with understanding the effects of how workers think, act, and interact with each other. This involves considering a wide range of issues such as power, culture, gender and stress. However, to understand what happens inside organizations, it is also necessary to also take account of their external social, economic, and cultural environments/contexts. While considering the 'general principles' of Organizational Behaviour, this module will also relate them to issues of contemporary relevance, such as the growing importance of management by culture, and the move towards flexible working practices.

20 credits

Principles of Operations Management

Operations Management (OM) deals with the production of goods and services and relates closely to other business functions. Operations Management is concerned with the effective and efficient marshalling of the organisation's resources to meet its objectives. Operations Management is the business function that generates income and is therefore central to all commercial businesses. Operational Research (OR) is introduced on this module to support Operations Management decision-making processes. OR is a systematic and logical approach involving the construction and manipulation of mathematical models. The aim of this module is to take a general view of operations management in all sectors of business.

20 credits

Optional modules:

Business Intelligence

Organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on their information systems (IS) for business success. Organisation structures and systems are changing rapidly and this places an extra burden on managers to identify their information requirements. This puts pressure on those staff involved in the development of IS to ensure that managers receive the right information for effective decision-making. Rapidly changing business environments make it difficult to design IS that remain valid for several years. This unit will show that choosing the appropriate method of IS development can often lead to the successful introduction of new systems. This is increasingly important as more companies are implementing 'enterprise-wide' systems.

20 credits

Business Statistics

This subject is concerned with the collection and analysis of data using statistical methods to support research studies and inform management decision making. It is taught at an intermediate level since a basic knowledge of statistics is assumed. It is an applied unit, and, although a high level of mathematical knowledge is not needed, students taking the unit must be numerate and capable of logical thinking.

20 credits

Corporate Governance

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the key issues in corporate governance. The module covers the subject from a theoretical and practical perspective, with a particular emphasis on the financial aspects of corporate governance. The early part of the module discusses the theories underlying the study of governance, recent governance failures and policy initiatives to improve governance quality and accountability. The module proceeds to explore separately the main mechanisms of governance and specifically investigates whether governance characteristics influence corporate performance. In particular, the module examines the governance role of non-executive directors; ownership structure; executive remuneration and takeovers. The module also includes discussions of governance in an international context as well as governance in non-profit organisations.

20 credits

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship was first coined as a term in the eighteenth century but it was not until the second half of the twentieth century that the term achieved widespread usage and became a popular word to describe the enterprising, creative and opportunity-seeking behaviours of special types of individuals, organisations and regions. In this module, we shall consider how and why the 'enterprise culture' has become such a popular phrase for individuals, organisations, communities and governments alike. This is done by examining the various historical, economic, political and social assumptions about the nature of enterprise and entrepreneurship. In addition, because there is always an important human story behind enterprise activity and the creation of a small business, the module will examine many individual and organisational stories (from emerging, growing and mature businesses) in order to assess the factors and challenges involved in starting and running your own business. In this module students will also have the opportunity to evaluate their personal orientations to entrepreneurship and sharpen their appreciation of what it is like being self employed, working in the family business, being an owner-manager, being a corporate entrepreneur or running a franchise business.

20 credits

Human Resource Management

This unit is concerned with the way organisations manage and organise their human resources at work, and is thus concerned with the processes that surround managing people from a strategic perspective that focuses on operational practice. A wide range of practical tools and techniques are examined, as well as relevant theories in the field. The utility of HR tools and techniques and issues that surround their introduction, monitoring and evaluation are examined in current employment contexts. This module introduces learners to contemporary issues and thinking in HRM, whilst also encouraging a critical perspective.

20 credits

Law for Management

The module provides a basic introduction to the core aspects of domestic law and relevant EU law. The syllabus covers a study of the domestic legal system, the law of contract, aspects of agency, and the law of negligence incorporating the potential liability of those in the business of delivering advice in professional practice. The module also examines the law relating to companies including the legal regulation of business organisations.

20 credits

Leadership and Teamwork

Teams are ever present in organisations. An understanding of the factors that contribute to effective team work combined with knowledge of the design and management of successful teams are crucial for managers and leaders. This module links leadership and team work through providing an overview of the most important theories, cutting-edge research and 'hot topics' in both fields. This knowledge along with a basic understanding of leader development is consequently applied to practice in developing students into effective and valuable team players and leaders through practical exercises and self-reflection.

20 credits

Career Management Theory and Practice

This module is designed to incorporate critical reflection on the concepts of career and career management suitable for undergraduates in the School of Management for their own personal development and action planning as well as their future use as managers and employers within organisations.

20 credits

Core modules:

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Johannesburg Earth Summit, the runaway success of No Logo, the corporate scandals and subsequent questioning of the regulatory structures within capitalism, all suggest that the relationship between business, the state and civil society is being debated with greater urgency than at any time since Milton Friedman declared the business of business is business. Again we are asking 'what is the role of the firm?' Much of the dialogue and debate surrounding this issue is being conducted under the rubric of the concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Citizenship. The emergence of these concepts and the implementation of strategies to emphasise and improve the socially responsible practices of companies represents a significant development in the ongoing debates surrounding the role of business in modern society. Supporters suggest we are witnessing the emergence of a new breed of 'Corporate Citizen' as companies seek greater interaction with civil society, look to adopt more ethical business strategies and engagement about their practices through the provision of greater openness and access to information.This module seeks to provide an initial introduction to the key issues and themes that are emerging within the CSR field. It examines the pressures encouraging companies to adopt more ethical business strategies, the types of practices and strategies which different companies have sought to adopt in this field, and the potential advantages that are identified for a socially responsible business.

20 credits

Optional modules:

Critical Perspectives in Work and Organisational Psychology

In general terms, Work and Organisational Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological theories and techniques to the analysis and resolution of problems that confront the personnel or human resource function, in its endeavours to select, train, appraise and develop a competent workforce. Work and Organisational Psychology has traditionally positioned itself within the broad terrain of experimental social psychology, a discipline that emphasises the importance of the application of empirical scientific methods to the study of human behaviour. The aim of this unit is to critique this positioning and to present arguments that we need alternative knowledges to enable us to fully understand workplace behaviour.

20 credits

Decision Sciences and Optimisation

The module will provide an extensive overview on methodologies for supporting decision making within complex systems, with particular emphasis on industry and business management. A large set of quantitative methods from Decision Sciences will be presented, including fundamentals of Operational Research, Simulation tools and development of tailored Decision Support Systems (DSS) in semi-structured management problems. Real-world success cases arising in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and service management will be analysed, where the combined use of DSS, Statistical Analyses and Optimisation Methods secured a breakthrough support for strategic and operational management to achieve optimal solutions while satisfying all system constraints.

20 credits

International Marketing

This module provides students with an understanding of international marketing. The module will prepare students for the challenge of global marketing and enable students to have sufficient knowledge to be able to take on international related work, if faced by this challenge in industry.

20 credits

Managing complex projects

Megaprojects are transformative for economies and can impact millions of people. Although some of the basic principles of project management may still apply, large-scale complex projects involve different managerial challenges that are related to their size, significance and uncertainty. The aim of this module is to provide students with the fundamental aspects of managing complex projects. It provides an encompassing view and understanding of the challenges and causes of risks in managing projects that is necessary to effectively drive change in organisations and the wider society.

20 credits

New Venture Creation

This unit aims to provide you with an introduction to new venture creation from the perspective of the 'one shot' or 'serial' entrepreneur - those individuals who start, manage and grow a single venture or who have only one active venture at any one time, even though through the course of their lives they may create a number of ventures. Emphasis is placed upon entrepreneurial personality, motivation and attitudes; skills of opportunity recognition, creation and evaluation; innovation; and developing entry and exit strategies. This simultaneously draws upon, and develops foundations necessary for, companion studies in strategic management, marketing, finance and organisational behaviour.

20 credits

Socially-Responsible Marketing and Consumption

The module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of socially responsible marketing and consumer behaviour and will demonstrate how marketing and consumer behaviour principles can be used to tackle social issues (such as smoking, unhealthy eating, etc), support non-profit organisations, aid sustainability, support government policy development and benefit consumer welfare. In doing so it will, both theoretically and practically, through current examples and case studies, examine social marketing, non-profit marketing management, health communications, charity marketing, sustainability marketing and transformative consumer research in a range of industry sectors including arts, education, healthcare, social entrepreneurship and the public sector.

20 credits

Work and Employment in the Twenty-First Century

This module is concerned with exploring the dimensions of work and employment in the twenty-first century. It will explore as its central motif notions of 'decent work and 'job quality within the contemporary political economy. We will examine the key dimensions of job quality focussing on issues relating to skill formation, employee autonomy and growing work pressures. As well as exploring changes in the quantity and quality of jobs on offer in the economy, the module will also explore the dimensions and dynamics of job quality for key occupational groups such as creative workers, knowledge workers, service workers and manual work. As a result questions such as 'what makes a job have quality 'why are bad jobs growing 'are graduate jobs disappearing and 'is knowledge work on the increase will be considered. The module will draw on a wide body of both empirical research as well as requiring a theoretical engagement with the subject.

20 credits

Work-Related Health & Well-Being

This module is designed to introduce students to a broad range of topics relevant to good understanding of employee well-being in the workplace of today. Indicative topics that might be covered include: stress/burnout, workplace bullying/violence, absenteeism (and presenteeism), musculoskeletal disorders, job crafting, job redesign etc. In addition, the module will examine potential workplace/organisational interventions designed to limit the risks to employees of these factors, for example, organizational stress policies, bullying policies and reporting systems, HR initiated health and well-being programmes, mindfulness.

20 credits

Digital Marketing

This module is intended to guide students on the applications of marketing theory to the Internet. Teaching will involve building upon existing marketing concepts while questioning the validity of existing theory in light of the differences between the Internet and other media, and differences between digital marketing and other forms of marketing communications. The module covers how organisations (both public and private sector) use digital media to connect, interact, establish and maintain productive dialogue with customers. The module explores the impact of the Internet on marketing and branding activities and the techniques employed to enable the development of meaningful customer relationships.

20 credits

International Business

This unit introduces key theories of international business development - those concerning the rationales for international expansion, the choice of foreign market entry strategy and the impact on the economies of host countries. This theoretical understanding will then be illustrated and examined by reference to the way particular companies in contrasting industries have developed and implemented their international strategies. Particular attention will be devoted to the role played by the international business environment and its institutions, and to key strategic management issues such as global supply chain management, knowledge management, intellectual property protection and risk management,

20 credits

Creativity and Innovation

The module aims to develop in students both a theoretical critical understanding of, and practical guidance to enhance, creativity and innovation in organisations. Topics will include: different methodologies for studying creativity and innovation; cognitive, biological, personality and affective bases of individual creativity; explaining influences on team and organisational innovation; and social dimensions of innovation. A key practical feature of the module is that it will also train students in how to use the CLEAR IDEAS model to develop innovative solutions to real-life problems.

20 credits

Applications of Operations and Supply Chain Management

Operations Management and Supply Chain Management deal with the production of goods and services and relate closely to other business functions. They are concerned with the effective, efficient and economic marshalling of the organisations resources to meet its objectives. Operations Management is a central business function in all commercial businesses. Supply Chain Management expands the role of Operations Management into understanding how purchasing and supply can be managed. This module is intended to develop higher level skills in Operations Management and Supply Chain Management beyond those developed at level 2, with application specifically to Rolls Royce Ltd.

20 credits

Industrial Relations

Industrial Relations explores the nature of working relationships and the constraints within which they operate. The subject is multi-disciplinary in nature and the content of this particular unit focuses on aspects of industrial relations which practising managers may experience. The unit aims to establish a conceptual framework for understanding industrial relations based on academic theories and research data. A further aim is to develop analytical skills that look beyond symptoms and to encourage judgement founded on an understanding of likely outcomes/implications.

20 credits

Language and Organisation

This unit aims, first, to develop an in-depth understanding of communication processes in organisations and an awareness of why these often prove problematic. The unit explores meaning-making as a negotiated arena in which we, as human beings, draw on deep-rooted assumptions and expectations. Second, the unit aims to enable students to communicate more effectively in organisational contexts, in their future roles as managers, consultants or researchers. More broadly, the aim is to develop students' ability to learn and manage their own learning, and to encourage effective time management and personal resources planning. Having completed this unit students should be able to discuss current theoretical approaches to language use and meaning-making in organisations, apply this theory to their own experiences of organisation, critically evaluate the role of language in effective leadership, and in the management of change, and use the techniques and approaches introduced in this unit to communicate more effectively in their future work settings.

20 credits