Management MSc

Institution Brunel University
Method At the institution
Location Uxbridge
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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Management MSc

Objectives This course is designed for those who wish to become managers or undertake research in academic, consultancy or commercial settings. Those already in management roles and seeking a master's qualification other than an MBA will also find great value in this programme. It aims to develop your ability to become a manager or analyst by encouraging an integrated and critically aware examination of management processes and skills in the context of the fast-changing and demanding 21st century organisation.
Entry requirements Entry Requirements A good honours degree in management; business studies; or other related social science subject. Those with a 2.2 may be considered providing they can demonstrate significant relevant experience.
Academic title Management MSc
Course description Course Summary

This course is designed for those who wish to become managers or undertake research in academic, consultancy or commercial settings. Those already in management roles and seeking a master's qualification other than an MBA will also find great value in this programme. It aims to develop your ability to become a manager or analyst by encouraging an integrated and critically aware examination of management processes and skills in the context of the fast-changing and demanding 21st century organisation.

Course Details

From a sound foundation of management theory and practice, you will acquire a knowledge and understanding of such management topics as corporate strategy and enterprise, marketing and eCommerce, human resource management, legal and ethical systems, finance, and environmental and technological change.

Typical Modules

Core

    * Theory and Practice in Management
    * Human Resource Management: Contexts, Concepts and Policy
    * Understanding Business and Management Research
    * Financial Resources Management
    * Strategic Analysis and Management
    * Dissertation

Options (ONE from the following):

    * Small Business and Entrepreneurship
    * International Business Ethics, Sustainability and Corporate Governance
    * Knowledge, Innovation and Learning

Theory and Practice in Management
Main topics of study include: introduction of management; overview of management thoughts; modern management environment; modern management challenge (1): globalisation, big business and the impact; modern management challenge (2): corporate social responsibility; planning and decision making; strategic management: industrial analysis approach and resource based view; managing organizations; managing human resources; leadership; managing knowledge and innovation.

Human Resource Management: Contexts, Concepts and Policy
Main topics of study include: HRM/HRD contexts and imperatives; the changing nature of work and employment; HRM/HRD influence on organisational strategy and change; the claims and substance of HRM theory; the role of the personnel specialist and the CIPD; employee contracts; personnel information systems, recruitment and selection; performance review and staff appraisal; remuneration policy and practice, motivation and satisfaction; grievance and disciplinary handling. HRM and organisation culture/development, training and development strategies. Staffing costs, HRM service delivery (quality evaluation) and outsourcing including use of IT. Overview of HRM and ethics, professionalism, equal opportunities.

Understanding Business and Management Research
Main topics of study include: the notion of research and the issue of knowledge claims; the role of theory in management and business domain; epistemology and ontology assumptions in positivism and social relativism/constructivism; empiricism; research methods and techniques; research designs (i.e. experimental, longitudinal, case studies, comparative); application of qualitative and quantitative methods to management problems; using extant information and data sets to model complex management problems; the potential and limitations of case study research and survey research methods; planning a research project (writing a research proposal; the role of literature review and secondary research); practical considerations for a research epistemology, method, techniques and execution; criticality and ethical issues, trusting the knowledge claims of others.

Financial Resources b
Main topics of study include: perspectives on and key debates in the finance role in strategy setting; value adding and value chains; economic value added (EVA ) and strategic value analysis (SVA);shareholder value creation; overview of financial management; corporate valuation; cost of capital and the capital structure decision; working capital; analysing and interpreting financial statements; business and project finance/management; capital investment appraisal; financial and business planning; projected financial statements.

Strategic Analysis and Management
Main topics of study include: perspectives on and key debates in strategyand strategic management; global, market and industry sector environments; competitor analysis; value adding and value chains; assets, resources, technologies, skills and distinctive competences; governance and stakeholder analysis; the balanced scorecard approach to objective setting; strategies for creating sustainable advantage; option generation and evaluation; the importance of strategy implementation and associated conceptual frameworks such as 7S; shareholder value creation; growth logics (internal development, mergers and acquisitions, alliances and networks formation; portfolios and parenting.

Dissertation
A research-based dissertation is an integral element of the programme to which considerable importance is attached. Students are required to base their dissertation on empirical research into a management problem or issue of their choice (subject to approval).

Dissertations are supervised by full-time members of the academic staff of the School who have a wide range of research interests and expertise. The dissertation must be submitted by the end of the academic year during which a student completes all of the taught modules of the course

Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Main topics of study include: Enterprise and entrepreneurialism, the entrepreneur, opportunity recognition, creativity and innovation, start-up issues, developing a business plan, financing small firms, growth, contemporary issues in small business management and entrepreneurship. Development of enterpreneurship and small business formation across Europe and the US. Theoretical issues to contemporary case studies of entrepreneurship and small business. Complexities and intricacies surrounding enterpreneurship and small business formation across Europe and the US.

International Business Ethics, Sustainability and Corporate Governance
Main topics of study include: the relationship between business and society; foundations of ethical theory; cross-cultural ethics; Theories and concepts of sustainable development; corporate social responsibility; corporate governance; corporate reporting and accountability; sustainable production and extended producer responsibility; employees and ethics; consumer ethics; supply chain ethics; ethical and sustainable consumption; business and environmental justice; business responses to climate change; role and actions of the non-profit sector; role and actions of government.

Knowledge, Innovation and Learning
Main topics of study include: the management of learning processes; innovation theory; technological strategy; intra-firm knowledge flows; the development of networks for the transfer of knowledge; knowledge transfer; disruptive innovation; the role of epistemic communities.

Assessment

Taught modules are normally assessed either entirely by coursework or by a combination of coursework and formal examination.