Organisations and managers have to adapt, change and evolve to meet the conflicting, competing and complex business related environmental change factors, whose rate of change is developing at an exponential rate. Irresistible influences from National, International and Global Macro. Micro and Operating environments are shaping and influencing contemporary
management theories and practice. Today’s managers must equip themselves with new skills and knowledge in order to interact with and respond to the emerging challenges that change brings and where appropriate take the required corrective action. Business leaders are required to develop higher level management skills, especially critical evaluation and decision making within National, International and Global contexts, when needing to respond effectively to the challenges within these constantly changing operating environments This module provides professional managers with an opportunity to consider reflect and critically appraise a range of current contemporary management issues, including developing International lenses of reference from a theoretical and practical application whilst relating these factors to the art of management. The course content will provide a framework to assess how these issues impact within organisations and how managers are able to react to these issues. The module will develop within students a critical appreciation of the challenges faced by management professionals in developing responses to business environment conditions which are complex, dynamic and diverse. This module engages students with contemporary issues in context with associated links to organisational strategy and management approaches and systems related to information, networks and collaborations as well as organisational learning. In achieving its overall objectives, the module will encourage students to further develop, engage, evaluate and critique their contemporary understanding with a view to the realities of practice and organisations. Students will consider interactions, theories and frameworks that explain contemporary issues and ground this in organisational and individual contexts. It is widely accepted that such issues are crucial to the viability of organisations across all sectors and contexts and the creation of value (however defined). As a result both the study mode and module content further facilitate the application of, and reflection on, theory and understanding in practice and this is evidenced in the learning outcomes and the associated development of the individual’s understanding.

Supply chain management is a major strategic concern for organisations, it is often stated that individual organisations no longer compete, but that the impetus of competition has shifted to supply chains/networks. A number of strategic philosophies and techniques are explored on the module that focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain flow. This module highlights how the ever-demanding customer creates a need for managing the network from raw materials to end customer across  organisational interfaces. Therefore, supply chain networks rely on effective management of relationships and outsourcing arrangements. Supply chains can be fragile due to the participants and external risks, risk management strategies are applied within the module. Any logistics/supply chain strategy has to make trade-offs in terms of cost; quality; flexibility; dependability and time. These strategic priorities are explored in an intensive supply chain simulation game. The game simulates a product supply chain, including necessary functions produces results and statistics about the supply chain that you must improve over the course of the trimester. The overall aim is to provide an insight into the system consequences of decisions, focusing on operational decisions, e.g. procurement, manufacturing, distribution, transport etc. Here you’ll work in teams, to represent the management of the company, developing a strategy and work together to implement their decisions. The impetus is on real-life practice and the impetus here is on learning by doing building on team-work; communication; analytical; project management; time management and presentation skills. You’ll understand the theory and concepts behind the marketing decisions intended to influence consumer behaviour, but also be able to propose improvements in the way companies communicate with consumers by applying those theories and concepts. This is particularly pertinent in our digital world when consumers can directly, and publicly, communicate with brands via digital channels. Digital consumer behaviour will be an important topic covering issues such as communities, tribes, personas, trolling and fake behaviour, and customer comments/reviews. A growing social and commercial issue is the use of negative comment online to attack businesses, including fake reviews. Debates around how to manage these issues will be explored via emerging literature and company strategies.

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.

In today’s digital world, big brands are known and coveted by consumers around the world. In fact, social influencers can create a desire for a brand or a product in countries where it is not even available! In this module, you’ll learn the techniques of international marketing and how brands can appeal to consumers in different markets, including how to assess market
opportunities and develop brand strategies appropriate for a variety of international markets. In particular, you’ll learn more about brand management theory and analyse why some brands manage to cut through cultural boundaries to target a broader consumer base. This will involve deconstructing brands to understand the value they create for the consumer and the essence of their appeal. Brand listings will also be examined to understand what makes a brand valuable, how to increase brand equity, and how other brands can improve their ranking.

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.

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.