Programme Summary

COURSE SYNOPSIS

MBA5101 Financial Accounting                                                                                        18 credits

Deals with accounting principles and conventions in an attempt to develop accounting skills and enhance appreciation of accounting related information. The main topics include: recording keeping and double entry, preparation of profit and loss account and balance sheet, profit measurement, valuation of assets, company accounts, legal and regulatory framework, International accounting standards, auditing and taxation.

MBA5102 Management Information Systems                                                                     18 credits

Exposes students to modern information management strategies, decision support and expert systems, planning and development. Topics covered include; concepts of systems and organisations, strategic uses of information technology, application of information systems to functional business areas, decision support and expert systems, management of information systems, security and ethical issues of information system.

MBA5103 Business Statistics                                                                                           18 credits

Introduces students to the fundamental concepts of data analysis useful in a management decision making environment. Emphasis is on practical management problem solving using quantitative skills rather than theoretical development of statistics. Topics include basic concepts of statistics, graphic and tabular techniques, probability and sampling distribution, data collection, confidence Interval estimation, Chi-Squared tests, Linear Regression and correlation Analysis/Time series analysis.

MBA5104 Human Resources Management                                                                         18 credits

Outlines the role of HR practitioners and the need to adopt appropriate HR practices, systems, policies and procedures that will result in efficiency and effectiveness of managing the workforce. The module covers role of HR practitioners, systems, policies, procedures and implementation of HR systems. It also covers the strategic approach to recruitment, selection, and training/development and knowledge management.

MBA5105 Marketing Management                                                                                     18 credits

Provides strategic insights into the broader understanding of marketing management and its critical role to the success of business through establishing a competitive edge. The module covers the marketing environment; segmentation, targeting and positioning approaches; creating a competitive advantage through the marketing mixes; the marketing audit tools including the BCG and GE analysis as well as the value chain analysis. Finally, students are expected to develop bankable marketing plans.

MBA5206 Corporate Governance and Business Ethics                                                        18 credits   

Deals with the complex set of relationships between the corporation, the board, shareholders and management. It also provides cross functional insight on the effective integration or corporate performance and conformances roles. The main topics covered are; concepts of corporate governance, company failures, business ethics, the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, approaches to corporate governance, financial reporting and auditing, controls and whistle blowing.

MBA5207 Managerial Economics                                                                                      18 credits

Managerial Economics is a discipline that borrows from Management Sciences and Economics. It makes use of analytical tools for analyzing, explaining and solving organizational problems in business. The objective of the module is to help students develop an analytical economic approach to decision-making using mainly principles of microeconomics and quantitative methods. At the end of this module, students should be able to make optimal business decisions and critically evaluate business alternatives that may not necessarily optimize profits and other objectives of the firm.

MBA5208 Operations Management                                                                                    18 credits

The objective of this module is: to explore what constitutes world class operations management.  The module will therefore cover top level issues such as developing a focused operations management strategy that is congruent with the company’s business and marketing strategies.  To this will be added understanding and practice of key operational techniques to enable delivery of the strategy.  To stimulate an awareness of the characteristics of operations systems    and the various approaches that may be adopted in their design. To equip individuals with an appreciation of techniques and technologies available for the control of operations. To provide an insight to both conventional quality control and modern approaches to quality management based upon the principle of continuous improvement and total quality management. By the end of the module, students should be able to use those frameworks and techniques presented to develop strategies, design, plan and control manufacturing and service operations.

MBA5209 Financial Management and Policy                                                                       18 credits

To provide students with an understanding of the principles, concepts and techniques used in making financial management decisions.  To ensure that the students understand the concepts behind available theoretical models and can assess the relevance of developments in financial management theory to an enterprise.  To provide an ability to select the techniques most appropriate to optimize the employment of resources.  To ensure that students understand the workings of the financial system and evaluate alternative sources of finance and assess investment possibilities.  To appreciate the treasury management function and the working capital aspects.  At the end of the module students should be able to communicate the consequences of financial management decisions to accountants and non-accountants.

MBA5210 International Management and Trade Policy                                                         18 credits

This module is designed to unlock the power of global business on the individual firm manager. It provides analytical and practical skills to face international business issues as well as assisting learners appreciate the structures, strategies, trade and economic policy instruments at their disposal for effective international management. The module considers the international competitiveness of nations, regions of the world, the role of foreign direct investment, firm clusters and competitiveness, international strategy at national level and at firm level, the relationship between politics and international business, negotiating developing markets, cross-cultural management, macroeconomic and microeconomic policy analysis, the dynamics of globalization, international finance, investments and global financial markets, negotiation strategy and ethical dilemmas in cross-cultural negotiations, managing international mergers and acquisitions, trade policy analysis and multilateral institutional policy frameworks and programmes related to international business, regional trade frameworks and policy instruments related to international business, trade policy advocacy, global marketing, production and operations management, human resource strategy, supply chain management and corporate governance.

MBA5311 Business Research Methods                                                                              18 credits

Provides an understanding of integrated research methodology to enable a student to undertake a study commensurate with Masters level. The module teaches development of academic theory, components of research design, implementation and reporting.

MBA5312 Entrepreneurship                                                                                              18 credits    

Gives student participants a rigorous and honest insight into the realities of entrepreneurial activity by focusing on the manifold requirements necessary in turning a rudimentary idea into a feasible and attractive new enterprise. Stu dents will have a clear idea on the nature of the Entrepreneurial environment, risks and rewards of self-employment. The module covers the entrepreneur, role of ideas, opportunity, team, resources, business plan, sourcing finances, managing and growth.

MBA5313 Change Management                                                                                        18 credits

Focuses on the management of change in the organization station and swells on the types of organisations and how their different structures impact on change management. The main topics covered are; performance, design strategies, concept of power, organisational politics, change, renaissance, grow than decline, organizational and management of change.

MBA5314 Business Leadership                                                                                        18 credits

This module will focus on leadership concepts in a business context. The module intends to expose students to the fundamentals of leadership such as the definitions, theories, styles, traits, skills and the importance of leadership, and how these relate to a dynamic business environment. The course will also look at the differences between leadership and management and the importance of knowing the distinction between the two, as the current business environment is in need of the leadership dimension. Content on theories should cover topics such as the trait, behavioural, situational, transformational theories etc. Under leadership styles, focus should be on authoritarian, democratic, laissez-faire, pacesetting, transactional, transformational styles etc and how these can be incorporated in the business context. Students should be exposed to leadership traits which include, integrity, enthusiasm, self-confidence, adaptability,     dependability, decisiveness, ethical and moral conduct, intelligence, effective communication etc, in the context of business leadership. Content on skills should dwell on areas such as effective planning, effective delegation, strategic thinking, problem solving, team building, decision making, flexibility, interpersonal skills, e-skills, and good retention skills. Students should also be equipped with knowledge of how the aforesaid leadership concepts can be utilised for effective leadership in the growth, success and sustainability of businesses. This comprehensive knowledge can be demonstrated through case studies, group discussions, motivational speeches and simulation activities.

MBA5315 Strategic Management                                                                                       18 credits

Students are introduced to concepts, principles and main analytical approaches that are used in strategic management. The emphasis is on formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategies. Main topics include analysis, visions, mission, values, structure, culture and evaluation.

MBA5400 Dissertation                                                                                                     90 credits

A supervised dissertation of between 19 000 and 21000 words which allows a student to explore in depth subjects of interest to him/her and his/her employer.