MN4002 - Fundamentals of Management (2017/18)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2017/18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Module title | Fundamentals of Management | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Assessment components |
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Running in 2017/18(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The focus of this module is management and the development of students as managers. Managers are crucial to getting things done, for example, they plan, coordinate, lead and oversee the work of others in order to meet organisational goals efficiently and effectively. The problems and challenges of managing in today’s ever-changing, increasingly uncertain, complex economic environment requires managers and leaders to have the knowledge, ability and skills to take action, such as managing information, delegating tasks, setting goals, building teams, motivating others and along with numerous other activities, achieve organisational success.
This module provides students with an introduction to both traditional and contemporary management approaches to enable them to formulate effective business decisions when facing the demands of modern management. In addition to knowledge, the module provides students with management skills, such as self- awareness, communication and teamwork. A focus on attributes such as critical thinking and decision-making will help to prepare students for the ‘real world’ of business and management.
This theory-to-practice approach is embedded in the module through the use of a business simulation which will help students to understand and apply key business concepts. Designed to replicate the multidimensional nature of business and management it encapsulates fundamental cross-functional disciplines such as sales, marketing, operations and finance. It progressively leads students through major decisions including human resources through to strategy as they manage their own virtual company.
As each decision period progresses, students are given more control over their company, eventually becoming responsible for distribution, operations, product development and financial decisions. Student teams compete against each other in an online multiplayer environment.
This simulation provides invaluable hands on experience for students, requiring them to analyse data, collaborate with each other, and make managerial decisions. By bringing concepts to life it also encourages more engagement with the theoretical material they are learning.
Module aims
The module aims to :
- provide students with an understanding of traditional and contemporary approaches to management and apply these in a variety of business situations;
- develop students appreciation of the different management approaches that can be used when managing in uncertain and complex economic environments;
- develop managerial competence through a variety of methods including business simulations, case study and problem solving.
- enable students to develop their skills in academic study; self-assessment; subject research; group work; team building; analytical thinking, critical thinking, and decision making.
Syllabus
The themes covered in this module include:
- Introduction to Management .
- The Foundations of Management : Classical, Modern, Postmodern.
- Becoming a Manager;
- Managing Organisations;
- Managing Individuals; Leading, Coaching and Motivating.
- Managing Teams and Groups;
- Managing Human Resources;
- Managing Organisational Structures, Processes and Practices;
- Managing Innovation and Change;
- Managing Performance and Sustainability;
- Managing Development: Organisational and Personal
- Managing Finance
Learning and teaching
This module will be delivered through weekly 3 hour workshops which will be enhanced by group activities and participation in a competitive virtual business simulation
The weekly workshops will consist of a combination of theoretical input, independent reading, group activities and problem-based tasks and will be supported by multimedia, and student led discussions. Theoretical input will consist of defining and clarifying the topic content to an appropriate depth and breadth. Working in groups students will be directed to identify the main concepts of the topic, analyse the implications for managing a business, evaluate the approach and articulate how it could be used in current business practice.
This modules’ teaching, learning and assessment activities have been designed to develop student’s awareness of, and engagement with, their own personal development. They will be encouraged to reflect on their own skill development throughout the module and consider how these will contribute to their future careers as managers.
Blended learning: The module will engage a variety of approaches to teaching and learning including Blogs, e-journals, podcasts and multimedia. Weblearn will be used as an interactive mechanism between students and tutors, for example, to direct students to particular readings and/or to provide news about the module or the module content. It will also be used for the timely provision of generic feedback following formative assessment.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- identify and explain major developments in the history of managerial thought;
- describe the major components of classical,humanistic and contemporary perspectives;
- demonstrate how different approaches can be applied to modern organisations;
- illustrate their understanding of the management competencies needed to deal with modern organisations, including issues such as motivation, diversity, globalisation, rapid change and the skills needed for building organisation success;
- demonstrate management skills, teamwork and business decision-making in a virtual business environment.
Assessment strategy
The module will provide both formative and summative assessment.
Formative assessment will run throughout the module and will involve the completion of a range of in-class activities. These along with summative assessment are designed to provide regular opportunities throughout the year to consolidate student learning and provide feedback and will focus on the ability to apply theory and academic ideas in practical and real world situations, for example through the use of the business simulation.
A business simulation which will run at various times during the module and will provide an
opportunity for students to apply theory and test their developing skills in management. The
results of the business simulation will act as formative assessment. Summative assessment based on the simulation will take the form of a group presentation.
The second component will be a group presentation in week 19 which will be based on the business simulation, e.g. a mid-year report to the “company board” on the outcome of decisions already taken and recommendations for future decisions regarding HR and/or Marketing. The third component is an individual piece of coursework of 2,000 words on a major challenge faced by a global company and informed by the students’ participation in the business simulation.
Participation in the business simulation is considered mandatory. It is central to the achievement of the learning outcomes and is embedded in the schedule of workshops.
Bibliography
ESSENTIAL READING
Boddy, D., Patton, S. (2013) Management: An Introduction (6th Edn). Pearson Education Ltd. England
Cole, G.A. & Kelly P. (2011), Management Theory and Practice (7th. Edn), Andover, Hampshire, South-Western Cengage Learning
Mullins, L.J. (2010) Management and Organisational Behaviour (9th Edn) . Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.
Torrington, D., Hall, L., Taylor, S. and Atkinson, C (2011) Human Resource Management (8th Edn) Harlow: Pearson
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Alvesson, M. and Wilmott, H. (1996) Making Sense of Management. London: Sage
Burns, T. & Sinfield S. (2012), Essential Study Skills, The Complete Guide to Success at University (3rd. Edn), London, Sage
Clegg, S., Kornberger, M. Pitsis, T. (2011) Management and Organisations: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. London:Sage.
Gallagher, Kevin (2013) Skills Development for Business and Management Students (2nd Edn). OUP.
Mayle, D. (2006), Managing Innovation and Change. (3rd Ed). Sage: London.
Parker, L.D. and Ritson, P.A. (2005) Revisiting Fayol: anticipating contemporary management. British Journal of Management, Vol 16, No.3. pp175-194
Quinn, R.E., Faerman, S.R., Thompson, M.P., McGrath. M.R., (2007) Becoming a Master Manager: A Competency Framework(4th Edn). Wiley: New York
Robbins, S.P. & Coulter, M. (2014), Management (12th Edn). Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Thompson, M.P.A. and Walsham, G (2004) ‘Placing knowledge management in context’, Journal of Management Studies, Vol 41, No 5, pp 725-747