MBA Part time route

CORE MODULES

Economics for Managers

This module is designed to equip students with a set of analytical tools and concepts from economic theory that can be applied at Masters’ level and used to facilitate students’ understanding of other cognate Business disciplines.  It focuses on the concept of the Common Good embedded in economic theory through the analysis of efficiency, equity, market failure and the measurement of individual and social welfare and introduces an international macroeconomic dimension.  The module provides:

• A macroeconomic perspective to inform management decision making by enabling students to evaluate the economic prospects for the international economy in terms of economic growth, employment, inflation, macroeconomic policy and the impact on business. 
• Essential grounding in core microeconomic principles, as they relate to the management of organisations in key areas such as the profitability/viability of firms/organisations and the welfare of individuals both as customers/clients and employees.

Financial Management and International Capital Markets

This module is designed to develop the understanding of modern finance theory in particular to international financial management and international capital markets issues as well as understand current international financial ethics developments that will affect managerial decision making at a strategic level. A thorough exploration and critical evaluation of the main theories to emerge within the discipline o f international corporate finance at a strategic level is undertaken with a particular emphasis on the strategic applications of such theories supported by learning technology.

Implementing Strategy

The themes of this module build on issues developed in Strategy and Operations. This module focuses on how commercial, public and not for profit organisations implement their strategies, both in UK and internationally. The module considers a number of theoretical frameworks that can help critically examine successful and unsuccessful implementation strategies. The opening sessions explore the issue of planned and emergent strategies, before evaluating the role organisational structures, processes and relationships play in implementing strategy. Students will then examine the management of resources required in delivering a successful strategy. Explicit in managing these resources requires organisations to manage and lead change and students will be exposed to a number of theories and techniques involved in managing strategic change. The module concludes by recognising the practices and theories needed to evaluate implementation drawing on case studies from various organisational and geographical settings.   

International Business:  Themes and Perspectives

This module will develop a framework that enables a critical overview of salient issues in the contemporary international business environment for management practice. Initially a historical perspective is adopted to explore the contested phenomenon of economic globalisation. Dominant economic paradigms, the nature of the business cycle and the evolving international institutional context will be explored. Patterns and theoretical approaches to international trade and regional economic integration will be complemented by an analysis of the rise of MNCs (Multinational Corporations), the persistent diversity of national institutional contexts and the implications for management.  Finally, issues of late development, exclusion and resistance will be analysed from the perspective of developing economies.  Overall, the aim is to foster an understanding of the interrelated nature of the global economy and its emergent tendencies to inform strategic and operational analysis of the firm. Issues of cultural differences, social justice and exclusion are key aspects of the analysis. 

Management Research Project

The Management Research Project is an investigation of a substantial management issue or problem, which demonstrates a critical awareness of managerial tools and the theories they depend on, and research techniques and approaches.  It offers students the opportunity to apply course concepts, theories and techniques, draw on internationally published literature and good practice and develop and interpret knowledge about the management of their place of work.  Alternatively, the project may explore through primary research an aspect of the development of global trends in the management literature and its implications for local practice.

The project’s subject matter involves the theoretical and empirical investigation of organisational management focused on topics covered on the programme.

Reflective People Management

Good people management is about balancing often competing ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ management imperatives – the key is not what HR practices are in place but how they are implemented. As such the role of the line manager is critical. The aim of this module is therefore to critique and develop the concepts and skills associated with managing oneself and others within the workplace. It provides a conceptual understanding of contemporary issues facing those involved in people management and looks at the skills and knowledge required to successfully manage people.Also, given the increasing research evidence of the relationship between self-awareness and performance outcomes for an individual, the module will encourage students to become ‘Reflective Practitioners’ which can be seen to have practical benefits for them as individuals as well as for their organisation.

Students will be encouraged to demonstrate awareness of their own and other cultures and their perspectives and recognise intercultural issues relevant to their own practice. They will be asked to consider people management activities and functions from the viewpoint of different types of employees and stakeholders and/or across different nationalities and cultural groups.

Research Methods and Perspectives

The arguments and theories of management scholars are explored. Consequently, the models of research upon which these rely are uncovered and then evaluated. From qualitative research techniques to statistical analysis and from theories of knowledge to concepts of research design, the essentials of undertaking a valid research project are reviewed in a concise manner, enabling students to evaluate management research and to plan to implement their own programme of research.

Strategic Marketing and Brand Management

The aim of this module is to develop and enhance students' understanding of the strategic significance of marketing and brand management. The module will address the broad issues of marketing as concept and practices, establishing the base for a more detailed consideration of marketing through the auspices of branding. In so doing, it will considers the activities, processes and components of strategic brand management in an international context , exploring the contribution of brands to market / business development, to the creation of competitive advantage and the establishment and sustenance of distinctiveness.

Strategy and Operations

This module constitutes the first stage of understanding the integrated component parts of strategic formulation and operations management in the public, private and voluntary sector contexts. It begins with an overview of the role that strategy plays in public, private and voluntary sector organisations by introducing students to theoretical perspectives. The module assists students in understanding strategic issues using appropriate frameworks to critically evaluate how managers undertake internal and external analyses to develop informed strategic decisions. The theoretical underpinnings will also facilitate analysis of strategy and operations in an international business context. Leading on from this, students will develop a critical understanding of organisations’ strategic aims, options and choice and the strategic role that operations management plays in that process. By focusing on formulation as part of the strategy process, the module sets the scene and prepares students for the study of the implementation of strategy. The module will enable students to understand the role of operations within public, private and voluntary sector organisations.  On completion of the module, they will be able to identify how the operations function enables the fulfilment of strategy and delivers quality to the customer.

OPTIONS (Choice of one):

Business and Regulation

The module provides a framework for studying the policy and practice of business regulation. It is tailored towards identifying issues of regulation as they relate directly to domestic and international businesses. This allows students to be exposed to a critical analysis of ‘business and the public purpose’ and the increasingly recognised and practiced role of the various forms of public regulation as they affect business activity. This will include the purpose and role of regulation at national, European and International level across a range of industries. Through a series of industry specific case studies, students will be able to critically evaluate and discuss the role of various models of business regulation and enforcement.

Business Ethics and Sustainable Management

This module provides the spiritual, moral and ethical underpinnings for the successful translation of Agenda 21 into practical action at all levels of the organisation by examining business ethics as a discipline, and promoting reflective awareness of its application in organisational settings. The social responsibility of corporations continues to be a growing issue in the global arena and this module investigates its meaning and impact on diverse stakeholders both theoretically and through examining contemporary cases of good and bad practice internationally.  It takes a holistic perspective to ethical management and evaluates its significance across the supply chain from consumers to the sustainability of operations.

Contemporary Corporate Governance Issues

This module explores the key issues in corporate governance and the extent to which the present arrangements secure corporate accountability. Specific topics covered will include: The nature of corporate governance; corporate governance structures, alternative board structures, corporate accountability to shareholders and beyond; approaches to directors’ remuneration, the responsibilities of the board; corporate social responsibility; the relationships within the corporate governance framework.  For all topics studied, students will require to demonstrate the critical thinking, two way communication and personal effectiveness skills referred to in the Statement of Benchmarks for Masters degrees in Business and Management issued by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. 

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This module is a study of entrepreneurship and innovation.  The module will take a themed and contextual approach to entrepreneurship and applied innovation. The themes of study include venture creation, intrapreneuring, social innovation and business growth. The themes are contextualised allowing each student an opportunity to explore in detail applications of entrepreneurship and innovation into social, private and public enterprises.

As the global business environment changes and the nature of employment changes, entrepreneurial knowledge and enterprise skills are integral for innovative practice, competitiveness and business growth. Individuals require this knowledge for business, personal and professional development.  This module adopts the practice of creating entrepreneurial learning environments, which encourages development of entrepreneurial skills and thinking.

European and International Financial Institutions (Global Finance)

The module aims to develop a critical awareness of the evolving international issues in the financial markets and performance of financial institutions in both European and global context.  This will include, amongst the other issues (not exhaustively): an analysis of differing financial systems and their role in the economy; the role of financial intermediation, and especially international financial intermediation; financial market players and instruments; modes of governance in financial systems; the European (common financial) market and European regulation attempts and policies; European accounting regulation; the role of EURO and European Central Bank in the European economies and European neighbouring area; international regulatory co-operation, especially between Europe and the US; political risk in country study contexts; international banking; causes and theories of financial crises, and other current and emerging issues.

Events Policy

This module reflects upon the local, national and international policy contexts. Students will be expected to reflect upon the use of events for urban imaging, economic regeneration, enterprise and inclusion purposes and also as part of local and national identity construction.  The module will also review ways of evaluating the impact of events policies on the host community, particularly their economic, social, cultural and political outcomes.  The module      also considers the regulatory framework within which events and festivals operate.  Regulatory issues include governance, risk, public order and safety.  Central to this module is the demonstration of links between the development of events in policy-making and the theoretical exploration of the role of events as policy.

International and Comparative HR Strategies

As business contexts become increasingly international and workforces become increasingly diverse, the relevance and importance of human resource strategies heightens. The aim of this module is to develop critical insights into the theoretical underpinnings and practical implications of human resource strategies in organisations which operate internationally and in different countries. The module explores and evaluates key dimensions in formulating and implementing HR strategies in large, transnational and multi-national organisations. It also examines the nature of contemporary and emergent HR issues and developments from organisational, management and employee perspectives.

International Management Visit

The complexities of developing theories for, and managing in, multi-cultural environments are unravelled through a teaching strategy incorporating experiential and problem based learning (International Study Visit) as well as traditional methods. The study visit provides an invaluable experience of non-UK organisational environments and exposes students to different perspectives on management, policy and strategy. Built around this experience, the module explores in a multi-cultural context the programme’s core theme of, ‘internationalisation’. The module examines management techniques and theories and their application within multi-cultural environments. This process investigates the steps multi-nationals and other organisations take to align strategies and management practices to different cultural settings.  The student will examine one or more of these themes in his/her assessment.

Leadership Development for Organisational Impact

The correlation between leadership and successful organisational performance is vital. This module provides a critical focus on effective strategic leadership for cross-sectoral and global applications. It aims to stimulate critical evaluation of leadership theories, relevant to the contemporary organisational context. Key areas of study are: transformational leadership; competency frameworks; political awareness; power and influence. Key leadership skills and behaviours such as decisive thinking; drive to deliver results, are also explored.

Managing Projects

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concept of project management as a way of managing. The role of project management as a key resource in the process of managing at the strategic level and the management of change in general will be examined and developed. Project Management concepts, the roles and responsibilities of project managers, organisational structures within which project management operates, project implementation, project teams, project leadership, project communication, relationships with clients, end-users and funding bodies, client briefing and network analysis will all be scrutinized.  The aforementioned areas and issues will then be contextulised through the use of case studies and workshops with specific focus on large and complex projects within an international dimension.  Qualitative and quantitative aspects and approaches will also be introduced and critically examined and developed.

Mastering Change for Creativity

The aim of this module is to develop a critical appreciation of organisational change processes.  In doing so, this module will underscore the significance and complexity of leading, managing and responding to change.  This provides an appropriate platform to explore the centrality of learning, knowledge absorptive capacity and creativity for change initiatives that facilitate executing in the present and adaptation to the future and additionally develop emotional awareness and sensitivity.  The assessments in turn are designed to encourage transformational thinking both at the organisational and individual levels to inform the design of organisational change (Coursework 1) and the development of emotional intelligence (Coursework 2).

Media, Communication and Public Relations

This module provides students with a critical understanding of the structure and operation of global and local media; and specific understanding, knowledge and practical skills in public relations. Introductory theoretical, conceptual, occupational, practical and historical concepts will lead into practical media relations skills tuition (lab & workshop based).

Operations, Risks and Strategic Management in the Banking Sector

Banking markets throughout the world have witnessed a rise in competition within markets which they traditionally dominated.  A number of factors have contributed to this rising pressure such as: the evolution of regulation; a rise in globalisation; an increase in the use of IT and an upsurge in consumer knowledge.  Once dominant banks have had to re-analyse their key operations and strategies and more fundamentally - how they manage their portfolio of assets and liabilities.  This module will analyse the changing banking markets and cover key aspects of bank management.

As a result, the module aims to develop a critical awareness of bank management.  This will include an analysis of how banks operate, the changing structure of their environment; an analysis of bank balance sheets; how the principles of strategic management link to the banking industry; how banks manage risk – both financial and operational; the role of capital in bank management; regulatory issues in banking; bank marketing; the evolution and use of the distribution channel; diversification, merger and acquisition and e-business strategies

People Management for Organisational Success

Increasingly, in organisations of all types in various contexts, there is recognition that a significant factor in overall effectiveness and competitive advantage is a strategic approach to people management.  This module develops a strategic focus on people management for achieving organisational effectiveness.  It explores key aspects of work organization and management studies as an introduction. Then, drawing on key conceptualisations of good practice in strategic human resource management (HRM) the module examines: context of people management; the links between HRM and organisational strategic processes and performance; line managers in HRM; performance management systems; and current strategic issues and developments in HRM. In particular, recent and on-going applied international and national research and trends which relate to topics will inform this module. Similarities and differences in ethical and cultural norms with regard to HRM, HR policies and practices will be explored and critiqued as appropriate e.g. changing attitudes to work and managing diversity are key topics. This people management module embeds personal development and the development of organisations (regardless of type). Good citizenship is developed through the promotion of respect and reinforcement of equality of opportunity and ethical treatment in the management of people.

Social Policy and Change

This module will provide students with an understanding of the dynamics of modern welfare states and an awareness of the challenges faced by those involved in the delivery of welfare services in contemporary Britain. The focus will be on developing an understanding of contemporary social problems; policy options in tackling such problems and the range of agencies involved in the delivery of welfare services. Where appropriate these issues will be set within a Scottish context in view of the devolved responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament and throughout the module attention will be drawn to the important relationship between economic and social policy in determining the nature of modern welfare states Learning Outcomes

Updated: 26/03/2007 | Site editor | Legal