Master of Business Administration (University of West of Scotland)

Integration of Business Functions (10 credits) (18 Hrs)

Managers operate within increasingly complex and changing organizational and contextual circumstances, whether in the market, public, or ‘third’ sectors irrespective of the size of their organizations or the types of goods or services these enterprises produce for their customers or clients. This introductory module provides learners with an understanding of the principal internal and external environmental contexts of contemporary organizations, including the managerial and business context, within which businesses operate. These areas will be explored in more depth in other modules. The primary purpose of this module is to introduce learners to these concepts. This module also introduces learners to a number of business structures, cultures, and the political, social, economic, technological, legal, and ethical considerations affecting business. The module explores the question ‘What is a business?’ It investigates business functions including human resource management, accounting and finance, operations, and marketing, and considers the linkages between them and the challenges experienced in managing across functional boundaries. This module seeks to provide an integrated and critical understanding of businesses and their core business functions, including internal and external factors that impact them. It enables learners to analyze how these functions operate in a real-life context by utilizing business case studies and online activities accessed through the UWS ‘MBA online interactive learning world’ website which brings together all the various functional elements to emulate 'real world' issues that need to be addressed. Specific scenarios will be created to simulate issues that impact the overall success of the business.

Assessment: 80% Individual Written Assignment, 20% Online Thread Discussion

Analytical Thinking and Decision Making (20 credits) (36 Hrs)

This module introduces students to decision-making theory and the tools that might be used to aid decision-making and problem-solving. It will equip the student to develop an understanding of different approaches to analytical decision-making. Students will develop the ability to gather relevant information and identify key issues from a base of information; relating and comparing data from different sources. They will develop the knowledge and skills to identify cause-effect relationships; determine and evaluate risk and draw conclusions using different analytical decision-making techniques to support the analytical thinking and problem-solving required in complex decision-making. The module will enable students to focus on the definition of opportunities and develop and implement sound solutions. They will identify critical issues and implement recommendations; understanding the different roles and responsibilities of the individuals in decisive decision-making.

Assessment: 60% Individual Written Assignment, 40% Group Written Assignment

Managing Organizational Health (20 credits) (36 Hrs)

This module considers organizational performance. Students are introduced to evaluating organizational performance and the external and internal measures that might be used. Students will analyze and evaluate organizations (at different levels) so that they can become more competitive. The module will consider the link between performance and organizational direction, goals, and objectives. Students will reflect on how organizational objectives are met, the role of systems for managing performance, and the tools for managing performance. A holistic view of managing performance (economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and efficacy) is taken. It is important for all organizations to perform well and make the best use of their resources and as a result, managers are not only judged on the profit they make but how that profit has been made. More organizations are now more open to criticism and may face legal challenges for their activities. There are many internal/external influences on organizational health. Structure, culture, appropriate systems/processes, internal performance measures, managing stakeholders’ needs, and internal politics are typical influences.

Assessment: 30% Individual Written Assignment, 70% Case Study

Influencing Organizational Strategy (20 credits) (36 Hrs)

This module will consider the role of managers in shaping and crafting strategy. Students will develop knowledge of strategy and strategic management. Students will explore the strategy development process and how organizations might respond to factors that influence their intended strategies. Content – strategy, strategic management, factors influencing strategy development and implementation. The topics covered range across a number of areas - the role and tasks of top management, the nature of strategic management, strategic change, and decisions. Business policy, organizational analysis, competitive position, SWOT analysis, value chain analysis, comparative analysis, resource-led strategy examining the role of people, technology, and information management on strategy. Social and political influence, organizational objectives, power. Strategic choice, generic strategies, strategy development, techniques, and approaches to strategy evaluation. Strategy implementation, planning, and resource allocation. Role of organization structure, systems, and culture. Managing strategic change.

Assessment: 90% Case Study, 10% Individual Reflection

Innovation Entrepreneurship and the Market (20 credits) (36 Hrs)

This module considers how creativity and innovation lead to sustainable business. Students will develop an appreciation of the culture, behavior structures, systems, procedures, and policies that develop and sustain innovation. The module will also explore the application of creative problem-solving and the process of creativity and innovation with an emphasis on the role of team leadership and management and their influence on corporate culture. Students will become familiar with the tools and processes that will enable them to become more creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial in their business attitudes and practices.

Assessment: 80% Individual Written Assignment, 20% E-Exam

Strategic Business Project (60 credits) (45 Hrs)

This module is designed to develop the research skills, knowledge, and confidence in designing, developing, compiling, and delivering strategic business projects. Working with an identified host organization, the student will investigate and produce recommendations in a practical business environment. In the first trimester, students will participate in a series of workshops that will equip them with knowledge and understanding of a range of business research methods and techniques. The workshops are supported by learning sets of students. Each set will be facilitated by an academic advisor and will be the focus for students developing their project proposals which will form the strategic business project. In the second trimester students will submit their research proposals and undertake the data collection for the project. The learning sets will continue to provide support and encouragement as well as provide a forum for sharing information and skills. Thereafter, each student is allocated a suitable supervisor with whom they communicate directly throughout the Master's stage in trimester three. The submitted project should be approximately 9,000 - 13,500 words.

Assessment: 75% Individual Written Assignment, 25% Proposal

Leading Change (10 credits) (18 Hrs)

Leaders create a vision of the future and position the organization to move towards this. On this journey, the leader uses a range of tools to guide the process. This module addresses how leadership influences organizational success, creating and inspiring the future vision of a sustainable organization. It reflects on the development of leadership theory and evaluates the tools employed by leaders in problem-solving and organizational transformation. Taking a specifically skills-based perspective and using case studies of leaders in action, students will analyze the effectiveness of leaders in different contexts, reflect on their own leadership skills, and consider how these might be enhanced.

Assessment: 70% Case Study, 30% Group Assignment

Business Creativity (10 credits) (18 Hrs)

This module is designed to enable the student to explore the role of creativity, both as an individual skill and within the organizational context. As well as developing knowledge and understanding of the importance of creativity in the organizational process, the module introduces students to a number of creativity tools and practical techniques to enhance individual and group

Assessment

Assessments comprise a combination of individual and/or group assignments such as project proposals, reports, business plans, written assignments, essays, case studies, presentations, online-thread discussions, journals-diary-learning logs, and/or syndicate work.

Graduates may choose to pursue a future(but not limited to) in these departments/industries.

• Business Operations Manager
• Entrepreneur
• Management Consultant

This course is wholly delivered in Singapore. Students will have access to local lecturers and resources provided by the Nanyang Institute of Management.

There will be a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, and presentations. Students may also be given additional work to complete outside of scheduled classes. Resources and materials provided for students will include lecture notes and references for further reading in books, publications, articles, and websites.

Learning and exchange take place through a dynamic, mix of face-to-face, virtual learning hubs: the UWS Online MBA World, which will offer opportunities for students to engage and collaborate within their modules on an international basis.

Duration

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: 24 months