Master of Business Administration Modules - University of Birmingham

Marketing

The major topics covered by the course are : The marketing concept and environment; marketing segmentation, targeting and positioning; buyer behaviour and consumer decision making; marketing research and information systems; management of the marketing mix; marketing strategy and planning; industrial and services marketing; International and Relationship Marketing.

It will provide a sound understanding of the main concepts and theories of marketing in an international context and the ability to apply the knowledge to practical marketing decision making.

Human Resource Management

Major topics are like: the development of strategic approach to HRM, the role of HRM policies within the modern organisation, Recruitment, Selection and Assessment, Performance Appraisal and Performance Related Pay, Company Training Schemes and their delivery, the analysis of organisational culture and the management of knowledge and learning with the organisation.

This module will expose you to the issues and topics that are currently the main concerns of HR manager and consultants. To deliver practical approaches that will help general managers participate in processes concerned with selection, performance management, pay policies and knowledge management.

Strategic Management

Major topics covered: Corporate values and ethics; The Role of Analysis and Planning; Vision, Mission, Strategic Intent and Objectives; External Analysis - Markets, Industries, Competitors and Stakeholders; Internal Audits - Capabilities, Value Chains, resources and portfolios; Core and Generic Strategies; Structure, Culture and Organisational Design; Strategy Evaluation; Implementation and Control.

Students will be able to input with an appreciation of the complex, competitive and general environments of organisations; To refine the students' analytical decision making skills in complex business situations; To lead to the understanding of the combinations of human, organisational and ethical problems often involved in strategic decision making.

Financial and Management Accounting

The Accounting module aims to provide students with an understanding of the theory and practical application of accounting with regards to:

• 1. preparation of externally published financial accounts and 2. internally generated management accounting information for decision making and control within organisations.
• internally generated management accounting information for decision making and control within organisations.

The course attempts to develop skills in the analysis of accounting data as well as providing a good understanding of the underlying assumptions on which the figures are based. Lectures are interspersed with exercises and case study sessions. Readings and practical exercises are provided to consolidate on the topics covered during lectures.

By the end of the module, the student will be able to: describe the fundamental principles under which Profit and Loss Accounts, Balance Sheets and Cash flow Statements to understand the financial performance of limited companies; understand the bases of preparation of management accounting information used within organisations; perform numerical analysis in a decision making context; discuss the appropriateness of management accounting techniques within different management contexts.

International Business Environment

The main developments in the international economy since the Second World War:

• 1. The instability of the international environment and insecurity of established economic hegemonies;
• 2. The role of the major economic players such as the US, Japan, the European Community, and the Pacific Rim. The dynamic interaction of the key driving forces of the world economy; particularly competitive rivalry, 'globalisation', and the technological change.

Students will be able to develop an understanding of the key economic drivers that have influenced Asia Pacific's business environment in the 1990s. An appreciation of the important role that technology plays in the international business environment; with particular reference to the Asia-pacific context. An awareness of the definition, scope and policy significance of corporate, industrial and global 'competitiveness'; The drive towards Economic and Monetary Union and the possible impact of the Euro on international business.

Multinational Finance (Elective module)

The first part of the module starts with a broad review of the post-war history of the international monetary system. Using this background we discuss exchage rates, the parity relationships and exchange rates determinants. This is followed by a fbrief introduction to currency futures and options, followed by a discussion on management of transaction and operating risk exposures. The second part provides an overview of corporate financial decision-making, i.e the choice if the financing mix, the type of debt finance, and raising equity in the global financial markets and will include a general review of the Euromarkets and the attraction they hold for multinational companies. This is followed by a discussion of foreign investment strategy and multinational capital budgeting and the risks associated with foreign direct investment. A very brief review of taxation issues will be covered which leads into the positioning of funds and profits within the multinational corporation. The final topic of the first phase will be working capital management.

Operations Management (Elective module)

Major topics covered are: Operations Strategies, Operations Systems Design, Product Design, Managing Service Operations, Project Management, Operations Planning and Control, Inventory and Materials Management, Just-in-Time Management, Quality Management and Process Improvement.

The aim of any business is to deliver goods and services of the quality, quantity, cost and availability that will satisfy the customers' needs while at the same time making most effective use if resources. This can only be achieved through competent design of products, processes and work for employees, and effective strategic planning and control of operations. This will give an added understanding and practice of key operational techniques to enable delivery of the strategy. The learning process in this module is facilitated through course readings, lectures, videos, worked exercises contemporary case studies and supporting module-specific internet resources.

Strategic Management II (Elective Module)

Develop further the understanding of the analysis necessary to undertake strategic management decision-making. To provide a forum to improve the students' analytical decision making skills in complex business situations. To encourage students to utilize their knowledge of competitive and general business environments and the range of human, organisational and ethical problems often involved in strategic decision-making. To increase the students' level of knowledge by examining a range of specialist areas in more detail.

Derivatives & Risk Management (Elective Module)

This module aims to give students a sound theoretical introduction to derivative securities, in particular options, futures, swaps and structured debt type products, and aspects of risk management.

On completion of this module the student will be able to: Discuss the Black-Scholes and Binomial Models for pricing options as well as the assumptions underlying them; Discuss the underlying principles involved in the pricing of futures and swaps and use them to price such securities; Discuss the uses of derivative products in risk management, such as delta/gamma hedging; Discuss different interest rate pricing models; Discuss Value-At-Risk (VaR) and the approaches used to determine it in practice.

Project Management (Elective module)

To identify key features of effective project management. The module covers how to develop a project management methodology that is congruent with the Project Management Professional requirements and the participant's own organisation's business and marketing strategies.

Against this over-arching aim we will add the understanding and practice of the principle features of Project Management that will enable managers to implement a project management approach. This will comprise both the techniques of project management (planning, scheduling, control and evaluation) and the organisational, team and leadership aspects of managing projects.