You’ll investigate and critically evaluate historical and contemporary approaches to leadership theory, focusing especially on leadership at junior to middle management level. Classical theories of leadership will be examined including traits theory, behavioural theories and contingency theories. Some contemporary theories will include issues such as emotional intelligence, psychodynamics and leader-led relations. There will be a strong emphasis on applying the theory to your own personal leadership with a view to enhancing leadership performance in preparation for middle management roles within the organisation. Management of change will be another key emphasis, including organisational politics & power, change theories and the implementation of the change process. Issues for consideration will include the organisational context of change, resistance to change and practical management of the change process.

Management decision making is a complex subject involving many variable factors. The primary objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and analytical framework for looking at organisations operating in capital, financial and operational markets. You’ll explore the financial element contained in decisions and the techniques that may be used to assist informed management decisions. You start by considering the availability of financial information that may be relevant to decision making and whether this fits with the information you need to make the decision. This is further developed to the type of decision and differing requirements, leading to a more bespoke deliverable information set that meets the context of the decision. You’ll gain an appreciation of core themes prevalent throughout financial management. The module also explores the financial techniques developed by financial and management accountants and how they may be used and applied. Finally, consideration is given to the relevance and weighting of the financial element in the decision making process and how qualitative issues may be incorporated in the overall decision. Strategic financial management issues covered include financial statement analysis, budget and performance management, raising finance (both short and long term), efficient allocation and utilisation of financial resources (including investment decisions), and mergers and acquisitions as well as foreign currency and interest rate risk management.

Different organisations and sectors are covered to develop your knowledge and skills in finance and business analysis through practical tasks involving developing financial strategies, conducting a financial analysis, managing foreign currency risks and by using professional database such as FAME and Osiris, etc.

You’ll work through the main theories and principles of marketing for the marketing manager or business leader, understanding how those theories and principles can be applied in practice to a range of business contexts; from business-to-consumer, business-to-business, charities, arts, to tourism and service-based industries. You’ll focus particularly on global business challenges; competition and defining value; a digitally based economy; and societal marketing (corporate social responsibility, sustainability, morals and ethics) whilst also understanding the legal framework that impacts upon marketers and marketing practice such as consumer and data protection laws. This module will challenge you to examine marketing problems that have faced brands and organisations to critically analyse their approach and suggest new alternatives. You’ll gain a firm grasp of the scope of marketing in general business management and leadership roles as well as a clear understanding of the specialist areas of study and work as you plan your lifelong career in this very broad industry.

Designed to provide you with a clear insight into the behaviours of individuals and groups within healthcare organisations, that have a significant impact on how healthcare organisations function and perform. You’ll gain a deep understanding of key theories of organisation behaviour and critically review them for their practical applications in healthcare organisations. Explore the concepts of organisational culture, structure, work motivation, well-being, decision-making, communication, scientific management and the human relation approach. As well as developing your knowledge, you’ll hone your skills of analysis and critical reflection.

The development and implementation of a coherent corporate strategy is one of the main measures of success for an organisation. Strategy is a critical feature of the organisations wellbeing. It establishes organisational direction, service intentions and resource commitment. It is the organisations blue print for both survival and expansion. Understanding the nature and activities associated with strategy development and implementation is a key knowledge requirement for those in health service management. The increasing scope for local, national and international market opportunities now make this a fundamental requirement. This module will provide exposure into the factors influencing the formulation, development and implementation of hospital and associated health sector strategy. Factors will take account of those which are both external and internal to the sector organisation such as market structure, demographic changes, commissioning arrangements, and those which are internal such as leadership and organisational culture. The module will to facilitate the understanding of issues arising out of the process of the internationalisation of health procurement and delivery. The module will enable students to develop a critical awareness of the changing competitive nature of health care provision across the variety of health sector markets, with particular focus on the interface between hospital and primary health care. This critique will provide students with opportunities to review strategic options as they respond to new or existing health care markets. Its main focus is to help students obtain the necessary professional skills and knowledge for employment and promotion within this sector. By the conclusion of the module, students will be able to take these factors in to account when recommending strategies appropriate for a variety of organisational and national circumstances.

This major project module allows students to engage in a substantial piece of individual primary and/or secondary research focussed on a topic relevant to their business degree award and specialist subject area under the supervision and guidance of a member of academic staff. This module requires students to develop their chosen topic into a specific project under the guidance of their supervisor. Supervisors will discuss with students contemporary research problems and issues based on their research and practice, and students will be required to conduct literature reviews, evaluate and critically appraise a range of information, investigate and adopt suitable theoretical frameworks, research methodologies and methods, and process and analyse data to produce a coherent and justified solution to the problem(s) identified. Throughout the module your supervisor will support you in terms of content and skills development so that you can work semi-autonomously on your individual research project. This is achieved through regular supervisory meetings throughout the year, which will allow for individual discussion of the tasks that will have to be completed in order to develop the project smoothly. Students will receive formative and constructive feedback from their supervisors in order progress their research to a conclusion. Attendance at meetings and engagement with the proposed tasks are essential to successful completion of the project.