| Unit name | Analysis in Management |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIM10003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. McCormack |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics, Finance and Management |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
An understanding of the management of organisations is highly desirable for those wishing to work in positions of responsibility in industry, commerce, or the not-for-profit or public sectors. The unit will provide a rigorous grounding in management and organisational approaches to different methods of structuring analysis, with special emphasis on structuring analysis in using non-quantitative models. As a consequence, students taking the unit will develop a critical understanding of the complex nature of effective analysis in management, which will help them to be better managers themselves. The unit aims to: •introduce students to the formal study of theories, concepts and tools of management; •develop students’ analytical skills, particularly their ability to evaluate and solve management problems and make management decisions using complex and abstract decision models; and •Enable students to recognise different methodologies for conducting their analysis, and effective methods for structuring their rational and findings.
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts of management in analysis and discourse, with specific focus on the various models for structuring complex and abstract ideas in a rigorous and scientific manner. Students will learn different perspectives on management, including a critical thinking. In practising the application of theory and concepts during tutorials and in the coursework assignment, students will develop ability in analysing situations, identifying decision requirements, developing problem-solving strategies, making management decisions, and identifying key stages in their implementation.
Specifically, by the end of the unit students should be able to: •Demonstrate awareness and understanding of basic concepts and theories of management which will be validated through the final exam. •Evaluate critically alternative models of managing in organisations, and describe their implications for managing and for being managed, which will be validated through both the group case study and the group online discussion exercise. •Relate theory to practice through the use of cases and simulations, which will be validated through both the group case study and the group online discussion exercise. •Select and apply appropriate techniques to analyse organisational issues presented, identify potential management interventions, and decide appropriate courses of action. This will be specifically targeted in the assessed group case study assignment. Students will learn transferable skills of problem analysis, presentation, and team working through tutorial work, and particularly through preparing and presenting the weekly group assignments. This will provide learning opportunities in organising, dividing tasks, synthesising viewpoints, negotiating recommendations and presenting as a group.
The unit will be taught through Lectures and Tutorials.
Lectures (approximately 50% of contact hours) will have the principal purpose of introducing topic material, the theories that underpin concepts, and trends. Lectures will also expose students to critical evaluation of analytical theories and concepts, and the tools and models employed. Lectures will include an element of discussion and debate in order to enhance understanding.
A variety of teaching methods will be employed in the tutorials, including: discussions based on readings and student experiences; case study work involving analysis, problem-solving and decision-making; group and individual exercises, including, for example, team role preferences, and role-playing; and presentations of the team-based coursework assignment, as well as extensive use of online tools for structured group discussion.
The unit will be assessed through three summative forms of assessment:
a) Group project (20%) Students will work in groups of 4-6 members on a project based around a long case study or computer-based simulation. The case will describe a situation within an organisation which requires management analysis and decision-making at several levels and stages. Students will be required to work together in a team, and will produce a written report and an oral presentation. The group assignment will test knowledge and understanding of the principles of management, and, in addition: analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. It will also test transferable skills, particularly team-working, interpersonal and presentation skills.
b) Online discussion. 10% of final marks will be based upon an evaluation of the group’s performance in a series of online discussions which will test their understanding of a series of writings by seminal authors. The exercise will consist of a series of essays posted to Blackboard by the groups, and well researched responses posted by other groups in the unit each week. This will test the student’s depth of understanding of the subject readings as well as their ability to structure critical analysis of unique material using course content.
c) Two-hour closed-book examination in May/June (70%). Examination questions will test understanding of management concepts and practice, and will be largely essay based. More specifically, they will examine students’ knowledge and understanding of the management of people in organisations, and coverage will include: the functions and processes of management, planning and organising, motivation and leadership, and control. Assessment of analytical and problem solving skills and of critical thinking will be incorporated.
Principal text-book: Boddy, D. (2005), Management: An Introduction, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall – ISBN: 027369856
Additional reading: George, J. & Jones, G. (2005), Contemporary management, 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill / Irwin - ISBN: 0073049212
Knights, D, & Willmott, H. (2006), Introducing Organizational Behaviour and Management, Thompson Learning, ISBN: 1844800350
Pettinger, R. (2006) An Introduction to Management, Palgrave MacMillan ISBN: 023000038X
