module specification

The module focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of corporate strategy in financial services organisations. It explores organisational strategy, motivation, groups, organisational culture and leadership. The module provides an opportunity to develop a range of employability skills understanding employment opportunities in the industry.

All areas focus on Financial Services specific issues
· Theories and concepts relating to corporate business strategy: LO3
· External and internal business environment
· Organisational structure
· Organisational culture: classification and development
· International culture
· Management and leadership styles
· Motivation and performance
· Groups: development, composition, and conflict LO1
· Problem identification and corporate solutions LO2
- Management of change

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module is indicated in the section below.

Scheduled learning and teaching comprises face-to-face contact hours consisting of weekly 2-hour lectures and 1-hour seminars.

Seminars will provide an opportunity to practice generic employability skills and demonstration of discipline specific knowledge and understanding. Formative feedback will be given in seminars on the outcome of diagnostic tests and class exercises.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate personal responsibility and decision making within a group context, and develop personal and professional attributes within the context of qualities and transferable skills necessary for financial services and personal development, lifelong learning and employment, including information management, autonomy, self-evaluation and communication.
2. Identify problems that may arise within financial services organisations, and suggest solutions with knowledge of current practice within the industry
3. Analyse corporate strategy and management theory, applying appropriate concepts to financial services organisations within the changing business environment.

Diagnostic assessment will take place on a weekly basis in class to develop analytical and communication skills.

Students will be required to submit an individual written report of 2000 words (50%) in week 12. This will assess their ability to demonstrate written communications skills and analyse corporate strategy and management theory, applying appropriate concepts to financial services organisations within the changing business environment. Summative and formative feedback will be provided after the submission of the report. Written feedback will be provided to students from the tutor. Students will have the opportunity to discuss this directly with the tutor.

Ten-minute group presentations in week 14-15 (50%) will assess communication skills and group working within the context of discipline specific content and employability skills explored in the module. Students will also receive formative feedback from peers and the tutor after the delivery of the presentation.

Core reading:
Lynch, R. (2018) Strategic Management, Pearson Education, London
Mullins, L. J. (2016) Management and Organisational Behaviour, (11th Ed) Pearson, London

Other Reading:
Boddy, D. (2011) Management: An Introduction, Pearson Education, Essex
Certo, S. C. and Cetro, S.T. (2009) Modern Management: Concepts and Skills, Pearson Prentice Hall, NJ
Cottrell, S (2010) Skills for success: the personal development planning handbook  2nd Ed, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke
Hannagan, T. (2008) Management: Concepts & Practices, Pearson Prentice Hall, Essex
Hitt, M., Black, J. S. and Porter, L. W. (2005) Management (International Edition), Pearson Prentice Hall, NJ
Johnson. G., Whittington, R., Regnér, P., and Scholes, K. (2017) Exploring Strategy (11th Edition), Pearson
Kirton B (2011) Brilliant Workplace Skills for Students and Graduates Prentice Hall, Harlow
Laurentis, G. De (Ed) (2005) ‘Strategy and Organization of Corporate Banking’ Springer, Milan
Robbins, S.P. and  DeCenzo, D. A. (2008) Fundamentals of Management: Essential concepts and Applications, Pearson Prentice Hall, NJ
Taylor, B. and Morrison, I. (1999) ‘Driving strategic change in financial services’ Woodhead Publishing Ltd, Cambridge
Trought F (2011) Brilliant Employability Skills Prentice Hall, Harlow

Online resources:
https://www.business-case-analysis.com/business-strategy.html
www.prospects.ac.uk 
skills4study (2011) Structured Reflection [Online] Palgrave MacMillan Available: https://www.macmillanihe.com/page/study-skills/   (Accessed 7/3/2018)