Module 2: Management Fundamentals and Processes

Exploring the languages,concepts, skills and application of specialist areas from the perspective of the general manager.

The second module, Management Fundamentals and Processes examines the languages,concepts, skills and application of specialist areas from the perspective of the general manager.

In order to be a successful and adaptive manager, you need to be aware of the disciplines necessary in organisational processes and working life. This module guides you through a range of management fundamentals and processes which are operated by specialist units in large organisations.

As a general manager, it is essential that you understand these key disciplines in order to interact intelligently and effectively with other members of your organisation.

You will consider five distinct areas:

By introducing current marketing concepts and techniques and the marketing planning process, you will quickly discover what marketing means today, gaining a clear understanding of marketing orientation and buyer behaviour.

We emphasise the development of an appropriate marketing strategy for a specific organisation, and teach you to present and defend a marketing plan.

Nowadays, it is crucial that you understand the operations function of both manufacturing and service organisations within a global context. In particular, you must be aware of the transformation of system inputs to value­added outputs.

During this unit you will address the key aspects of design, planning and control of operations systems, in addition to the development of an operations strategy vis­à­vis an organisation's business strategy.

The purpose of this unit is to take a reflective look at organisations: How do they function? What sort of problems do they face and how do they resolve them? How do they influence individual behaviour, and vice versa?

Such considerations form the basis of Organisational Behaviour (OB). Human Resource Management (HRM), on the other hand, is the study of professional and strategic practices which seek to implement an understanding of OB in the organisational context. It is concerned with the guiding philosophy of employment and organisational practices such as recruitment, performance management, development and reward.

It is essential that all managers have a thorough understanding of accounting and finance, and the ability to implement this knowledge in decision­making. During this unit, you will learn how to interpret financial information to assess the profitability, liquidity and capital structures of organisations. In addition, you will analyse and judge the performance of companies on the stock exchange.

You will learn to appreciate the financial performance measures organisations use to assess their success in achieving objectives. You will also prepare a strategic plan.

This unit comprises three elements:

Managers make dozens of decisions every day, some more significant than others, but how do you rationally assess the best solution for a particular organisation? This unit explores methods of problem­solving using simple models, and also considers decision analysis as a system for improving intuitive decision­making.

Information is vital to any form of decision­making, and data is the raw material that supports this management task. A manager needs to know how to collect, investigate, analyse and understand data, before communicating findings and results to their team. This module will develop your skills in efficient and effective data management.

This unit examines the nature of information systems and their role in business within the context of current and emergent technologies. It places a strong emphasis on e­business opportunities and the importance of information and technology in achieving superior business performance.

Module 1: The Learning Manager : 3 Credits
Developing the skills and concepts of management and learning.

Module 3: Management, Strategy and the International Environment : 45 Credits
Developing as a manager in modern, complex organisations - practice and theory for managing continuity and strategic change.

Module 4: Personal/Subject Development : 6 Credits each
Choose where to develop further - three electives.

Module 5: MBA Project : 36 Credits
An in-depth exploration of an issue of importance to you and a vehicle for managing your learning.