module specification

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, organise, lead and coordinate the work of others in order to meet organisational goals efficiently and effectively. The challenges of managing in today’s ever-changing, increasingly uncertain, complex economic environment requires managers 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.

The traditional view of the purpose and role of management in the world of work was to seek stability and efficiency in a top-down hierarchy aimed at achieving bottom-line results. In contrast, the contemporary management approach expects managers to engage in motivating people and harnessing their creativity, sharing information and power, leading change, and finding shared vision and values in an increasingly diverse and complex workplace.

Today’s managers require the knowledge and ability to draw on both traditional and contemporary approaches to management when formulating workplace decisions. They also need the skills, tools, and techniques to manage their own career trajectory based on the acquisition of sound employability skills and accompanying behaviours.

In addition to knowledge, the module focuses on developing students as managers
which involves the ability to interact with, and motivate, a diverse range of people.

The module aims are to:  

Enable students to identify and explain major developments in the history of managerial thought and, provide students with the opportunity to develop management, leadership and employability capability to enhance their individual potential.

Develop students’ appreciation of the different management approaches that can be used when managing in uncertain and complex environments.

Enable students to develop their management and employability skills, such as critical thinking and writing, interpersonal skills, self-management, communication, team-working, problem solving, and presentation skills, in order to maximise their competitive edge in the business world and, to explore the effectiveness of management influence and performance on the wider safety and operational culture within the aviation system.

NONE

The major themes covered in this module reflect the QAA subject benchmark statement and include:

The Nature of Management: including both traditional and contemporary approaches, key management concepts, processes, procedures, practices and techniques for the effective management of organisations. This includes theories, models, frameworks, tasks, and the roles of management. LO1

For the aviation context element of this module, you will also study basics of airline and airport business models, basics of airline yield management and pricing, together with challenges facing airline and airport managers and potential solutions. You will also look at case studies relating to airlines and airports that review strategic management decisions and their impact. LO1

Managing People: Includes goal setting, performance management, and team management, and the role of theories of motivation in improving performance. For the aviation context element of this module, you will study also, how to manage and motivate a remote workforce, basics of crew resource management, performance management criteria of aviation staff and, issues pertaining to managing third party organisations. LO2

Becoming a manager: Including a wide variety of skills, such as communication, listening, emotional intelligence, self-management, critical thinking, team working, and problem solving. In the aviation context module, you will also study prominent industry leaders and their impact on organisations/ key leadership and management qualities. LO2 and 3

 

The formal delivery of teaching and learning for this module will comprise an average of three contact hours per week across 12 teaching weeks, supplemented by additional enrichment weeks throughout the semester. Each week will typically include a two-hour interactive session employing a range of teaching and learning strategies. These include workshops, lectures, guest speakers, case study discussions, panel debates, video analysis, as well as scenario-based activities and real-time simulations. Peer-to-peer learning is embedded within the module, as students collaborate to develop practical solutions and critically assess their impact.
Group work is a core component of the learning experience, encouraging active engagement as students share their knowledge and experience through discussion and collaboration. In addition, a one-hour seminar each week will adopt a more focused, discussion-led approach to explore current themes and emerging trends within the aviation industry. This will be further enriched through input from alumni, who will offer career insights, and guest lecturers who provide industry-specific context.
The module also makes extensive use of interactive learning spaces, supporting dialogue between students and staff, and facilitating access to a range of academic resources, including journal articles, professional websites, and external materials. Active participation in class discussions and debates is encouraged, recognising the diverse professional backgrounds and experiences that students bring to the programme.
Students are expected to prepare in advance for each session by reviewing the module schedule, which will be shared online and summarised by tutors at the end of each lecture. This preparation involves independent research and reading around the weekly themes to enable meaningful contributions to class discussions and Q&A activities.
Opportunities for reflective learning are embedded throughout the module. Students are encouraged to consider their approaches to tasks and discussions, and to reflect on informal feedback received during lectures and in relation to their submitted assessments. The Assessments will aim to link theoretical concepts and considerations of real world operational challenges to practical solutions.

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

LO1: Explain major developments in the history of managerial thought and identify traditional and
          contemporary approaches in Aviation Management.
LO2: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles that applies on wide
         variety of skills such as communication and emotional intelligence which will help them to
         understand the current developments
LO3: Reflect on own management and employability skills

Link To Reading List:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F63E3705-6C9F-FBDA-F8FE-CC949EEB57EE.html

Core Texts:
Boddy, D. (2017) Management: An Introduction. Harlow: Pearson.
Mullins, L. J. (2016) Management and Organisational Behaviour. Harlow: Pearson.
Quinn, R.E., Faerman, S.R., Thompson, M.P., McGrath. M.R., (2014) Becoming a Master Manager: A Competency Framework. New York: Wiley.
Torrington, D. et al (2014) Human Resource Management, (9th.edn) Harlow, Pearson.
Additional Textbooks:
Child, J.(2015), Organisation: Contemporary Principles and Practice. Blackwell: Oxford.
Clegg, S., Kornberger, M. Pitsis, T. (2016) Management and organisations: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. London: SAGE.
Gallagher, Kevin (2013) Skills Development for Business and Management Students. Oxford: OUP.
Parker, L.D. and Ritson, P.A. (2005) Revisiting Fayol: Anticipating Contemporary Management. British Journal of Management, Vol 16, No.3. pp.175-194.
Robbins, S.P. & Coulter, M. (2016), Management. Harlow: Pearson.

Journals:
• European Research on Management and Business Economics
• Harvard Business Review
• International Journal of Management and Economics
• Journal of Management Studies
• Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues
• People Management
Websites:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business
www.ft.com
www.theguardian.com/uk/business
www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news
www.uk.reuters.com/business
Electronic Databases:
• Academic Search Complete
• Business Source Ultimate
• FAME (UK Companies)
• Marketing & Management Collection
• Mintel

Journals:
• European Research on Management and Business Economics
• Harvard Business Review
• International Journal of Management and Economics
• Journal of Management Studies
• Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues
• People Management
Websites:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business
www.ft.com
www.theguardian.com/uk/business
www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news
www.uk.reuters.com/business
Electronic Databases:
• Academic Search Complete
• Business Source Ultimate
• FAME (UK Companies)
• Marketing & Management Collection
• Mintel