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Module Outlines and Objectives

Semester 1

Globalisation
The introductory Globalisation module sets the context for the programme and provides integrative links to other modules. It provides an understanding of the concepts associated with the changing global business environment and aims to develop a critical perspective of globalisation and its impact on markets, organisations and people.

Marketing in a Global Economy
This module provides a thorough grounding in marketing theory and concepts. It develops your knowledge of marketing tools and applies these skills in business analysis to international marketing problems. Case studies, workshops, films and guest lectures from business managers generate an exciting learning environment.

Finance for Managers
As accounting and finance provide the main tools to measure the success or failure of any commercial enterprise, it is clearly an advantage for all business graduates to understand the cost and revenue flows, which underpin business activity. This module assumes no prior knowledge of finance and covers Financial Accounting, the Financial Environment and Management Accounting. You will develop skills in financial planning and control, in analysing and interpreting company accounts and utilise this knowledge to make business decisions.

Managing HR in a Global Business Environment
Many managers would argue that people, and how they are managed at work are the only real basis for competitive advantage. The increasingly global and competitive business environment means that managers need to be familiar with the structure and operations of organisations and have a sound understanding of the ways in which people respond to working in groups. This module develops your underpinning knowledge and skills for independent thinking about the management of people and issues of organisational behaviour.

Managing Processes
This module explores Operations Management - the management of activities by firms that produce goods or deliver services. In addition to learning about the concepts of operations, you will gain knowledge of logistics and supply chain management, outsourcing IT in operations, capacity planning & control and operations strategy in a global context.

Semester 2

Global Strategy
Strategic analysis and strategy formulation & implementation are key managerial activities. This module identifies the underlying principles of strategy development from a global corporate perspective. It develops an understanding of the application of these techniques in a managerial
context, including the nature of global industries and dynamics of global competition.

Significantly, this Module connects with other key disciplines of the Masters programme such as the alignment of HRM, Marketing, Operations, Organisational Structure and appropriate decision-making techniques for effective global corporate strategy. This is designed to promote an holistic
learning approach within the programme as a whole.

Effectiveness in the Global Organisation
This module explores the core values, processes and critical success factors which contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of organisations. You are exposed to different themes of effectiveness to enable you to understand the various approaches that firms could take for a competitive edge. You will research a number of effectiveness models and gain knowledge of quality, the business value chain and organisational culture. You will also gain a range of skills, including the measuring of organisational your own personal effectiveness. Finally, the module aims to integrate much of your previous taught knowledge on the programme and complements the Global Strategy module.

Contemporary Issues in Business
This innovative module examines key debates within the domain of global business management. Under guidance, you will be encouraged to extend your knowledge in global management topics which interest and inspire. You will be required to demonstrate an analytical and critical focus in order to address effectively those topics which may raise important political, social, moral and philosophical dilemmas. Such topics may include leadership, net security, measuring global work performances, global warming and green issues, corporate governance, migration of global workforce, changing world of work, innovation and IT, money laundering and the legality of international issues. This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, plenary debates, field trips and talks given by selected professional managers.

Research Skills
Postgraduate students are required to develop a sound understanding of how to carry out research and to demonstrate this in their semester 3 dissertation project (from May onwards). Practical research workshops, tutorials and seminars will develop your research skills and assist in planning the Dissertation Project. This module aims to develop critical thinking & logical planning as well as proficient writing, problem-solving and data analysis skills - highly valued by the business world.

Options

Family Business in a Global Economy
An essential module for students from a family business background. It provides a working knowledge of the key issues that affect family businesses; such as ownership, succession, values, organisation structure, family & non-family remuneration and reward, career and conflict resolution. This module develops skills in using models for assessment and intervention in family businesses and examines formal communication systems in the regulation of family involvement in business.

Creativity
This module is designed for students who want to assess their own creative and innovative potential and apply these skills to medium/large organisations. You will undergo psychological self assessment and participate in small workshops to enhance your creativity capacity. As
well as lectures and workshops, speakers from outside organisations will give insights into the effective application of creativity.

E-Business Management
This module engages you in small teams to generate an idea for a new business, so exploring entrepreneurship first hand. Guided by your tutor and using workshops, case studies and mini-presentations, you will carry out feasibility research and prepare a business proposal including financial projections. An external expert will assess your work and provide feedback on the commercial feasibility of each business proposal. These have included: fast food salad bars in London, concrete products in France and property development in Germany. Over the last four years two groups of students have successfully commercialised their business ideas. This module develops a wide range of business skills which are highly valued by business employers.

Global Social Responsibility & Corporate Governance
Social, ethical and environmental responsibility issues are prominent on the 21st Century management agenda. How you treat people, how you behave and what you do to the environment will inevitably influence your commercial success at a local and global level. This module will introduce you to the concepts underpinning business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability and invite you to explore the practical consequences within a field associated with your own personal or strategic interests. This module provides an engaging opportunity for you to identify, and become fluent in a vital contemporary management context. Assessment is via a presentation to external experts and through a report.

Entrepreneurship (for qualifying students)
This module engages you in small teams to generate an idea for a new business, so exploring entrepreneurship first hand. Guided by your tutor and using workshops, case studies and mini
presentations, you will carry out feasibility research and prepare a business proposal including financial projections. An external expert will assess your work and provide feedback on the commercial feasibility of each business proposal. These have included: fast food salad bars in London, concrete products in France and property development in Germany. Over the last four years two groups of students have successfully commercialised their business ideas. This module develops a wide range of business skills which are highly valued by business employers.

Consultancy (for qualifying students)
This module comprises group work focussed on the implementation of a consultancy exercise with a client. Previously, these have included Red Bull UK Ltd, WCS - a leading children's charity and a corporate entertainment business. Your tutor and acting consultant will run weekly workshops equipping you with the necessary range of skills and knowledge to work successfully with a real client. This module requires a disciplined and professional approach in order to work effectively with client organisations. Groups represent their ideas and a report to the client at the end of the semester.

Entrepreneurial Project
This module engages you in small teams to generate an idea for a new business, so exploring entrepreneurship first hand. Guided by your tutor and using workshops, case studies and mini-presentations, you will carry out feasibility research and prepare a business proposal including financial projections. An external expert will assess your work and provide feedback on the commercial feasibility of each business proposal. These have included: fast food salad bars in London, concrete products in France and property development in Germany. Over the last four years two groups of students have successfully commercialised their business ideas. This module develops a wide range of business skills which are highly valued by business employers.

Semester 3

Research Project / Dissertation
This module allows students to demonstrate their knowledge in a given area and produce a thorough piece of business research. It builds on learning in the Research Skills module by drawing upon the skills and knowledge necessary to research and analyse a specific business problem. A supervisor and peer support groups assist the learning experience for this module. The 10,000 word Research Project/Dissertation represents the Masters degree qualifying element and provides a major opportunity to extend individual expertise by focusing on a specific business interest. The experience and outputs from this module can form a basis for your future.