Unit information: The Practice of Management in 2014/15

Unit name	The Practice of Management
Unit code	EFIM30007
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Ms. Ballard
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The Practice of Management is a unit design to make the transition from abstract theory to applied management practice. Students integrate and extend analytical and critical thinking skills developed in the second year mandatory units through the study of case material and through exercises. For much of the unit, students will work in syndicate groups. Key practical managing skills including negotiation, presentation, interviewing and providing feedback are taught and practised through syndicate work and exercises. By the end of the unit, students will be able to relate theory to practice and to carry out practices of management.

The unit aims to:

• Integrate learning from earlier units so students become practiced at multiple approaches to problem identification and solving;

• Develop new knowledge and skills in analysis, option generation and decision making in applied situations so help make the transition from theory to practice;

• Extend interpersonal skills important for managers, including negotiation, presentation, interviewing, evaluation and team-working;

• Develop in students skills and techniques in reflective practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be able to:

• Integrate concepts and ideas from earlier units by combining rigorous quantitative analysis and critical evaluation in solving management problems;

• Extend knowledge and skills in these areas through application to a range of practical situations encountered through case studies.

• Understand and work with complexity in applying theory to case situations

• Organise work in groups, discuss and negotiate with colleagues, interview

• Present analysis and solutions clearly to colleagues and larger audiences.

Teaching Information

10 x 3 hour teaching sessions in which a variety of teaching methods are employed including short lectures, seminars and case classes. Students will spend much of the time working in syndicate groups in which they will learn through practice a number of management skills including organising workloads, delegation, group leadership, negotiation and presentation.

A significant part of the learning will come through case study work, where students will work together to analyse financial and operations data using knowledge and understanding developed on financial management and management science units, and to critically appraise management practices and strategies drawing on learning from second-year management and organisation theory units and from third year strategic management units (running concurrently).

Assessment Information

Group assessment (30%)

Students working in small groups will be required to analyse an organisation case situation (paper based or live) in order to develop a critical appraisal of the organisation s performance from different perspectives, including financial performance, operations, management approach and style, leadership and so on. Outputs include a formal presentation and a written report (25 pages).

Two-hour closed book examination in May/June (70%)

Reading and References

Given the breadth of the unit there is no textbook. Indicative reading include:

• Morgan, G. (2005) Images of organization

• Watson, T (2005) In Search of Management

• Bolman and Deal (2008) Four Frames of Leadership

• Parker, M (2007) the Dictionary of Alternatives

• Jackson, M.C. (2003) Systems thinking: Creative holism for managers

• Rasiel, E Friga, P. The McKinsey Mind: Understanding and Implementing the Problem-Solving Tools and Management Techniques of the World's Top Strategic Consulting Firm