MANAGEMENT STUDIES

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Clark

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

The course will contain topics from the following and related areas: marketing; operations; management; HRM; innovation; entrepreneurship and SMEs; communication; organisational culture; organisational change; gender and organisation; leadership; individuals and teams.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures each week, 1 one-hour tutorial each week and six additional hours or seminars, video seminars or workshops to be arranged.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). The in-course assessment will comprise online multiple-choice assessment (5%–10%) and an assignment based on an essay with a word limit of approximately 1500 words. The online assessement will include a short multiple choice test early in the half-session.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). The in-course assessment will comprise an assignment based on an essay with a word limit of approximately 1500 words. Normally the result for the in-course assessment submitted for the first attempt will be carried forward and counted at the resit attempt.

Formative Assessment

The course will trial PRS as a means to provide regular formative assessment in lectures. Additionally, the assignments will provide formative feedback. The online test will be set early in the course to give students early feedback on whether their approach to learning is sensible.

Feedback

Multiple choice test: through score provided early and promptly.

Essay-based assignment: through written comments returned as soon as practicable (expected within three working weeks).

Examination: feedback during summer period as set times to help students prepare for resit.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Sim

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

None

Overview

The course will contain topics from the following and related areas: business organisations— marketing; human resource management; gender; operations; innovation; corporate social responsibility; international markets; politics; macroeconomics; culture; technology; law; environmental issues.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures each week, 1 one-hour tutorial each week and six additional hours or seminars, video seminars or workshops to be arranged.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). The in-course assessment will comprise online multiple-choice assessment (5%–10%) and an assignment based on an essay with a word limit of 1,000–1,500 words. The online assessment will include a short multiple choice test early in the half-session.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%). The in-course assessment will comprise an assignment based on an essay with a word limit of 1,000–1,500 words. Normally the result for the in-course assessment submitted for the first attempt will be carried forward and counted at the resit attempt.

Formative Assessment

The course will trial PRS as a means to provide regular formative assessment in lectures. Additionally, the assignments will provide formative feedback. The online test will be set early in the course to give students early feedback on whether their approach to learning is sensible.

Feedback

Multiple choice test: through score provided early and promptly.
Essay-based assignment: through written comments returned as soon as practicable (expected within three working weeks)
Examination: feedback during summer period as set times to help students prepare for resit.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Mr R Williams

Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

1. Marketing Concept: Introduction to key principles underpinning the modern concept of marketing. Comparison with other organisational orientations. Identification of key marketing tasks.


2. Marketing Environment: Contextualisation of the marketing function. Impact of environmental factors on marketing activities. Relationship between the marketing organisation and its customers. Influences on consumer behaviour.


3. Marketing Mix: Introduction to the core marketing tools. Address market research, product management, managing distribution, promotion and pricing. Develop an integrated perspective on marketing.


4. Marketing in Practice: Examines examples of marketing successes and failures. Highlights the centrality of effective information management in the marketing process.

Structure

3 one-hour lectures per week and 1 one-hour tutorial every two weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (80%); in-course assessment (20%) consisting of a (10%) group presentation; and a (10%) group report (1,000 words).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

This will take place through tutorial discussions and through the in-course assessment.

Feedback

Students receive written feedback on their written coursework. In-course activities for which submission is encouraged and good practice used as feedback through WebCT.

On a less formal basis, via verbal feedback during tutorial discussions, and after tutorial presentations.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Smart & Dr J Lamb

Pre-requisites

MS1007 and MS1507 (with special permission for direct entrants to Level 2 to take this concurrently with MS1507)

Co-requisites

None

Notes

None

Overview

The course will contain a range of core operations management theories, frameworks and tools. These will include basic concepts of operations management that reflect the currently including: definitions; operations objectives; the nature of process planning and control; capacity; supply chain management; process design; layout and flow; and project management. The course will include recent examples and will be adapted to reflect the changing nature of operations management and its tools and techniques. Students will be encouraged to take a critical approach when evaluating current initiatives in management.

Structure

Two 1-hour lectures per week and one 1-hour tutorial every two weeks.

Assessment

One 2-hour written examination (70%); in-course assessment (30%) consisting of a piece of computer-aided assessment (10%) and written coursework (20%) with a 2000 word limit.

One 2-hour written examination (100%)

Formative Assessment

This will take place through tutorial discussions and through the in-course assessment.

Feedback

Feedback is given in the computer-aided assessment on a question-by-question basis. Students are assessed in the first four weeks of the course so that they have an early opportunity to evaluate their own progress. Students recieve individual written feedback on their written coursework.
On a less formal basis, via verbal feedback during tutorial discussions, and after tutorial presentations.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Ms L Batchelor

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

Offered in alternate years. Not running in 2010/11.

Overview

The essence of the course is that the students will develop a business place for a new venture. This plan is intended to be the basis of an application for external finance for the new business and will include the following elements:

• The Business Idea (showing how new value will be generated)


• The Operational Plan (showing how the different elements of the business
  will operate, including premises, plant and personnel)


• The Financial Requirements (a statement of projected income etc)


• The Marketing Plan (demonstrating the market potential and how this might
  be realised)

Structure

2 one-hour lectures, plus one 1-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1. The group project to be presented by the student (20%); 2. formal written business plan (group) (20%); 3. individual 3 hour examination based on a case study (60%).

Parts 1 and 2 will include an element of peer group assessment, the group will be allocated a mark by the examiners, students will then allocate this mark amongst the group.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (80%) and in-course assessment (20%). The in-course assessment grade will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr J Randall

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

Compulsory for Single Honours MA Management Studies.

Overview

The course demystifies some of the new management approaches which have emerged internationally, and examines the history of management theory and the future development of business organisations. Case study material is used to highlight some of the major contemporary issues which surround the uptake and use of new production and service concepts, such as, just-in-time production, video conferencing technology, best practice strategies, cellular manufacture and quality management. The integration of management theories with processes of organisational adaptation is central to the objective of providing an innovative course on management and organisational change.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture; 1 two-hour lecture/seminar; 1 one-hour tutorial (to be arranged) per week commencing week 17 and concluding in week 26 (10 tutorials in total).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (80%) and in-course assessment (20%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (80%) and in-course assessment (20%). The in-course assessment grade will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Mauthner

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

Offered in alternate years; this course will be available in 2010/11.

Overview

Over the past 20 years the proportion of women in the labour market has increased dramatically, with the strongest growth seen in the employment rates of mothers, particularly mothers of young children. Despite these changes, pronounced gender differences remain in the nature of women and men's contribution to the labour market. Occupational segregation means that women are concentrated in certain types of industries and occupations - notably the service sector - and their jobs tend to be low-skill, low-status, and low pay. Large numbers of women work part-time in order to care for children and other dependants, whereas men predominantly work full-time. While more and more women are moving into professional and managerial jobs, the number of women holding senior managerial positions is still low and women still make up only ten per cent of top business leaders in the UK. Direct and indirect forms of harassment and discrimination can make it difficult for women to progress in their careers with many coming up against the so-called 'glass ceiling'.

This course will examine these and other gender issues in work and organisations. It will introduce key concepts and theories of gender difference, gendered divisions of paid and unpaid work and gender ideologies. It will discuss explanations for gender disadvantage and discrimination at work, evidence for gender differences in management and leadership style and the association of management with masculinity. Strategies for workplace equality will be critically examined, including legislation and organisational policies and practices (eg equal opportunities; work-life balance; managing diversity). Case study materials will be used for critical reflection and analysis. Course sessions will be interactive, relying heavily on student participation, group work and class discussions.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture and 1 two-hour seminar/tutorial per week for 12 weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour examination (60%); extended essay 2,500 words (25%); group seminar presentation (10%) and extended abstract 500 words (5%).

Resit: 1 three-hour examination (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr J D Lamb

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

None

Overview

This course will provide students with an overview of some of the more commonly applied areas of management science. These include Linear Programming, Project Management, Decision Analysis, Simulation, Tools of Quality Control, which are crucial for the problem and solving processes in the organisation. Approaches to systems analysis and systems theory will be used to introduce students to problem conceptualisation and building models for formulation and problem solving in organisations.

Structure

Total of 4 contact hours per week comprising a combination of lectures, tutorials, and seminars for project work depending on student numbers.

Assessment

1 three-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (80%) and in-course assessment (20%). The in-course assessment grade will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor M Hughes

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

Offered in alternate years. Not available in 2010/11.

Overview

This course provides an introduction to the complexities of international business management by examining how the multi-dimensional global environment affects all aspects of management within an international context.

The course provides an introductory, but comprehensive, coverage of the main challenges surrounding the international process. Topics include: nature of international business; comparative business environments. International strategies, organisational changes and international management.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures and one tutorial weekly.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour formal examination (80%) and in-course assessment: one essay (20%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (80%) and in-course assessment (20%). The in-course assessment grade will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Naughton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Notes

Offered in alternate years, not available in 2010/11.

Overview

Organisational behaviour is one of the most complex and perhaps least understood academic elements of modern general management but since it concerns the behaviour of people within organisations it is also one of the most central. Its concern with individual and group behaviour makes it an essential element in dealing with the complex behavioural issues thrown up in the modern business world. This course is designed to prepare students for what lies within organisations, thus avoiding the “reality shock”.

This course is concerned with managing and understanding organisational behaviour. The focus will be at an individual level and group level and understanding how people behave and interact within organisations – and in that sense is inward looking. The emphasis will be on real-life rather than theoretical examples although wherever appropriate theory will be grounded in practical examples.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures, 1 seminar, 1 tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written assessment (75%) and in-course assessment (25%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (75%) and in-course assessment (25%). The in-course assessment grade will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Naughton

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Overview

There is a growing perception that human resource planning should be more than just demand and supply forecasting. HR professionals should be business partners in strategy formulation and implementation and should be concerned with the strategic decisions on HRM practices. This course addresses HR strategy and tries to match corporate strategies with specific HR practices.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures and 1 tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). The in-course assessment will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr E Thomson

Pre-requisites

MS 2004 / Available only to students in Programme Year 3 or above.

Overview

The course will combine theory with practical examples in order to explore the key concepts of consumer behaviour. This will be achieved through a combination of lectures, seminars and directed private study.

Structure

3 hours lectures/seminars per week, 1 hour classroom-based tutorial every second week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). The in-course assessment will be carried forward.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Mauthner

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

Compulsory for Single Honours Management, and Accountancy and for students proceeding to a Management, Sports & Leisure Management or Accountancy Dissertation. Option for all level 4 students in the Business School.

Overview

This course provides an introduction to research methodology including topics such as; history of research in business; philosophical, ontological and epistemological approaches; study design and writing research proposals/plans; conducting a literature review; critical appraisal of research literature; qualitative and quantitative methods of business research; case study strategies; ethics; gaining access; data analysis techniques; presenting research plans; using research in business; learning organisations; and action research.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week (for 12 weeks) and 1 two-hour workshop/tutorial per week (for 11 weeks).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Extended essay (20%); Critical research of selected research papers and development of associated research plan (20%); examination (60%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Mauthner

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Notes

Compulsory for Single Honours Management, Sports & Leisure Management and Accountancy.

Overview

This course provides a framework of introductory and support lectures / workshop, complementary to a series of sessions with a supervisor and student self-study, for the implementation of previously acquired knowledge and skills to dissertation level. Students have the opportunity to study in depth a specialist issue in their chosen area of study, and create their own original piece of research work.

Structure

1 two-hour lectures in first week, 1 two-hour workshop in seventh week, 2 one-hour meeting with supervisor.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment: 1 Dissertation (90%); self-evaluation critique (10%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr N Mauthner

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

Not available to students who are taking MS 4532 or MS 4032 or similar courses.

Overview

Research project and data management; self-evaluation of learning; written communication skills. This course primarily consists of students' self-directing their own research project and writing up.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (100%), comprising: dissertation (90%); self-assessment of learning (10%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr J Cai

Pre-requisites

Available only to Senior Honours students in Management Studies.

Notes

Compulsory for Single and Joint Honours MA Management Studies.

Overview

1. Concept of Business Policy: Nature and Process of Strategy Formulation.


2. Strategic Analysis: (a) Competitive Analysis; (b) Environmental Analysis; (c) Organisational Analysis.


3. Strategic Choice: (a) Directions of Strategic Development; (b) Evaluation of Strategic Options.


4. Strategic Integration: (a) Strategy and Structure; (b) Function Implementation.


5. Ethics and Strategy

Structure

1 two-hour lectures per week, 3 computer simulation seminars, and 6 tutorials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%): group presentation (10%), Individual report (30%).