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MN-3512
Business Ethics
This module is concerned with the moral issues associated with business, managerial practices and policy. This module examines the ethics of business from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Typical questions dealt with in the modules are:
Who are the stakeholders in an organisation and how far does corporate responsibility extend to them?
Can corporations be considered ¿artificial humans¿?
What strategies and policies are most effective in order to strengthen the ethical stance of the company: compliance and control versus responsibility and self-regulation?
To what extent are corporate values applicable in different cultural circumstances?
How would I deal with potential conflict between ethical standards and a corporate requirement to cut cost?
This module is concerned with the morality of business and managerial practices and policies and the general area of moral issues in business. It examines this from both a theoretical and practical perspective.¿
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MN-8004
Applied Doctoral Research Methodologies and Methods
This module presents an in-depth exploration of methodology and methods, developing the introductory work conducted in Module One of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). Students undertaking this module will be expected to have already developed an advanced appreciation of the practical and theoretical context of their research and are likely to have refined their proposed methodology and methods.
The core of the module is a three-day workshop, supported by preparatory material and online resources. The workshop will critically evaluate a variety of methodological positions, developing student understanding of ontology, epistemology and axiology. The module leader will ensure a variety of perspectives are presented and discussed, using a broad teaching team and guest presentations.
This module will encompass both qualitative and quantitative overviews, with specific sessions then being tailored to the requirements of the class. At this point in the programme, module staff will be aware of the needs of the students and will draw in resources as appropriate.
Students will therefore undertake work on specific methods of data collection. Data analysis will be introduced here, but DBA Module Four will cover data analysis and presentation in more detail. Students will be expected to conduct initial data gathering in the form of pilot studies prior to attending Module Four.
The assessment paper will set out the defence of the students¿ chosen methodology and methods, focusing mainly on data collection, with a summary of the proposed methods of analysis and presentation.
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MN-M050
Foundations of Management
This module introduces learners to the key tools that a manager should possess within their arsenal in order to actively contribute to an organisation, enable effective decision making within global market dynamics, monitor and report on its performance, and capitalise on its greatest assets ¿ its people, by understanding, nurturing, listening to and fostering their development. The module will explore the principles of financial planning and control and reporting of results in accordance with IFRS, to then move to the analysis of financial statements and the key financial ratios for performance management, monitoring and strategic decision making, including company valuations and business development considerations. The basic economics concepts will be introduced; supply an demand, markets structure and dynamics, pricing and currency, to enable the evaluation of strategic options to achieve competitive advantage within a global marketplace. The Management of Human resources and the organisational behaviour theories and key concepts will be introduced and critically evaluated, to understand the individual and their relationship within organisations and to substantiate the claim of sustained competitive advantage that the implementation of HRM within firms can bring. Key functions of HRM will be introduced and considerations specific to international organisations will be made.
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MN-M061
Human Resource Management: Organisation and Context
The purpose of this module is to introduce and critically explore human resource management in terms of the organisational setting in which it takes place, whilst also locating this within the wider social context. During the module we will discuss contemporary issues associated with work and employment in the context of the socio-economic drivers and organisational imperatives which shape practices of human resource management. To this end the module explores the ways in which the organisation of both people and work is essential to both the organisation and other stakeholders.
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MN-M063
Workplace Analysis and Leadership Skills
Producing effective and credible management reports is a key skill for HR managers. This module is designed to provide learners with the skills to achieve this. In addition the course will equip learners with the skills and confidence to produce their own dissertation or management report. In this way learners will make connections between the research methods training they receive and their choice of methods for their own work.
The module is structured in three ways. Firstly to introduce students to process and function of research including the range of methods available, secondly to evaluate the methods chosen and results reported in key research and thirdly to design their own research study.
In addition to taught sessions which cover research design, ethics and interpretation of results, learners will experience a range of research seminars which will provide key reflection points during the course. In this way the taught and applied learning opportunities in HR and social science research provide key opportunities for learners to assess, investigate and evaluate key business issues. Such skills will also help in with developing personal effectiveness and credibility at work.
The applied nature of the report for the third part of the module requires a critical evaluative approach, empirical investigation, analysis and a combination of academic research and business report writing skills. This research requires reflection on the implications for professional practice from an ethical, professional and continuous professional development standpoint.
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MN-MB08P
Exploring Organisational Purpose: Fundamentals
This module introduces key concepts to build the necessary knowledge and skills to explore and evaluate organisational purpose. The module will help students develop their capacity for critically assessing the context in which organisations have developed and evolved their current strategies.
An understanding of this evolution will involve the consideration of fundamental questions such as `what is an organisation and what forms do they take?¿; `why have organisations developed in this way?¿; `to whom do organisations owe responsibilities?¿ and `who benefits from organisational value?¿. These, and other critical issues help us understand the overarching question of organisational governance and purpose.
These questions lead to an evaluation of contemporary challenges, disruptions and mega-trends that create the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous context that impacts upon organisations today.
Students will be encouraged throughout to consider their own perceptions of how the context is manifesting itself as a set of conditions affecting the purpose of organisations with which they are familiar.
As a link to the next MBA module, this module will introduce contemporary organizational responses, including but not limited to concepts such as creating shared value, strategic resilience and strategic agility.
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MN-MBA01
Exploring Organisational Purpose
The module uses a three-part structure combining case-based teaching with introducing the key concepts to build the necessary knowledge and skills to explore organisational purpose. The module will help students develop their capacity for organising, competing and collaborating within and across public, private and third sectors as well as knowledge of the possibilities of alternative, hybrid organisational forms to meet future challenges.
The first part concerns the foundational questions: `what is organisation?¿ and `why do we need them?¿ Students will be introduced to different forms of organisation in society and their relationships with stakeholders across different spheres and sectors, and at different territorial scales. Through case-based teaching, students will be equipped to answer the accountability challenge: to whom and for what are organisations answerable.
The second part of the module tackles organisational purpose in context. Students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to explore the complex and uncertain contexts in which contemporary organisations operate. This tranche uses cases to analyse the challenge of organising in the context of mega-trends; for example, ageing, climate change, digital disruption, the future of work and the rise of a global middle class. Students will also be encouraged to consider their own perceptions of how the context is manifesting itself as a set of conditions affecting the purpose of organisations with which they are familiar.
Part three of the module investigates how organisations realise their purpose. We consider how to maintain a holistic and long-term purpose whilst dealing with the short term challenges of operating in a daily context The rest of the MBA develops in greater depth these introductions to designing and implementing strategy for achieving organisational purposes in line with the Programme-level learning outcomes.
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MN-MBA08
Exploring Organisational Purpose: Context
This module introduces key concepts to build the necessary knowledge and skills to explore and evaluate organisational purpose. The module will help students develop their capacity for critically assessing the context in which organisations have developed and evolved their current strategies.
An understanding of this evolution will involve the consideration of fundamental questions such as `what is an organisation and what forms do they take?¿; `why have organisations developed in this way?¿; `to whom do organisations owe responsibilities?¿ and `who benefits from organisational value?¿. These, and other critical issues help us understand the overarching question of organisational governance and purpose.
These questions lead to an evaluation of contemporary challenges, disruptions and mega-trends that create the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous context that impacts upon organisations today.
Students will be encouraged throughout to consider their own perceptions of how the context is manifesting itself as a set of conditions affecting the purpose of organisations with which they are familiar.
As a link to the next MBA module, this module will introduce contemporary organizational responses, including but not limited to concepts such as creating shared value, strategic resilience and strategic agility.
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MN-MBA08P
Exploring Organisational Purpose: Context
This module introduces key concepts to build the necessary knowledge and skills to explore and evaluate organisational purpose. The module will help students develop their capacity for critically assessing the context in which organisations have developed and evolved their current strategies.
An understanding of this evolution will involve the consideration of fundamental questions such as `what is an organisation and what forms do they take?¿; `why have organisations developed in this way?¿; `to whom do organisations owe responsibilities?¿ and `who benefits from organisational value?¿. These, and other critical issues help us understand the overarching question of organisational governance and purpose.
These questions lead to an evaluation of contemporary challenges, disruptions and mega-trends that create the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous context that impacts upon organisations today.
Students will be encouraged throughout to consider their own perceptions of how the context is manifesting itself as a set of conditions affecting the purpose of organisations with which they are familiar.
As a link to the next MBA module, this module will introduce contemporary organizational responses, including but not limited to concepts such as creating shared value, strategic resilience and strategic agility.
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MN-MBA09
Exploring Organisational Purpose: Responses and Applications
The module will help students develop their capacity for organising, competing and collaborating within and across public, private and third sectors as well as knowledge of the possibilities of alternative, hybrid organisational forms to meet future challenges.
The module will build on the key concepts and knowledge gained from studying the importance of context and will investigate and construct meaningful and contemporary applications and responses to how organisations realise their purpose. We introduce methods to meet the challenge of maintaining a holistic and future-orientated purpose on longer-term strategic purposes whilst dealing with the short term, quotidian challenges of operating in context. The rest of the MBA develops in greater depth these introductions to designing and implementing strategy for achieving organisational purposes.
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MN-MBAJ
Research in Action (Part 2)
The Research in Action module introduces students to the way in which research informs management practice establishing research as a core skill underpinning the MBA programme. Running throughout the course, the module enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that underpin effective research. Part two of the module culminates in a consultancy-based project that provides students with practical experience in applying a range of theories and models through working with a client organisation.
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MN-NMBAJ
Research in Action (part 1)
The Research in Action module introduces students to the way in which research informs management practice establishing research as a core skill underpinning the MBA programme. Running throughout the course, the module enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that underpin effective research. Part two of the module culminates in a consultancy-based project that provides students with practical experience in applying a range of theories and models through working with a client organisation.
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MN-NMBAP
Research in Action (Part 1)
The Research in Action module introduces students to the way in which research informs management practice establishing research as a core skill underpinning the MBA programme. Running throughout the course, the module enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that underpin effective research. Part two of the module culminates in a consultancy-based project that provides students with practical experience in applying a range of theories and models through working with a client organisation.
