Business and Management BA (Hons)
3 Years | Distance Learning | Upcoming Intakes - July 2024, October 2024

This module provides an introduction to research methods and research skills. Themes addressed will typically draw from the following:

• Conducting a critical literature review
• The role of quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Qualitative research methods – interviewing and observation, analysing qualitative data
• Quantitative research methods – data collection and statistical analysis
• Developing a research question
• Ethics in research
• Structuring a research proposal

You will learn about qualitative and quantitative research skills including collecting and analysing data. You will have the opportunity to consider your own research ideas within your organisation, to conduct and critique existing literature, to understand and analyse appropriate research methods, and to identify the significance of your research interests. Furthermore you will be encouraged to consider your role as a researcher and the ethical considerations in the research process.

Through addressing these themes you will also learn the significance of research proposals as well as how to structure them. To support you in this you will complete a research proposal based on an issue to research in your employer organisation which you will identify yourself. This proposal will then be used to guide you when completing future research projects during your final year of study.

This module continues to support your personal and professional development and follows on from the stage one module. In this module you will focus specifically on developing core management skills and understanding the theories, concepts and models that underpin those skills. You will work on further enhancing your personal effectiveness by focusing on how you work effectively with others, through collaborating, influencing, and negotiating. You will learn about building trust and rapport with others, using coaching skills as a manager, giving and receiving feedback, having performance conversations, delegation and the importance of networks

Throughout this module, you consider the opportunities and challenges posed by doing business in an increasingly digital domain. This module is designed to give you an understanding of how using online channels impacts upon different parts of the organisation, and will in particular focus upon 3 core areas of business:

Digital Business Strategy: You will develop an understanding of the cost structures associated with using digital channels, different business models (including omni and multiple channel business strategies), distance issues around serving global markets and implications in terms of taxation and service delivery.

Marketing: In this part of the module you will consider changing consumer media consumption and behaviour; social media and m-commerce; customer relationship building in an online context, digital brand communities and performance metrics (e.g. web analytics).

Supply Chain Management and Information Systems: You will also develop an appreciation of the role of supply chains in serving global markets, by addressing issues such as the application of various systems to facilitate digital transactions. In addition, you will consider how different types of information systems can support decision making.

This module is designed for business students to develop a non-technical understanding of the key aspects of corporate financial theory and practice. The module covers the core aspects of raising capital and determining financing, though to investing capital in major corporate decisions, and finally returning value to shareholders.

Specifically you will study in the module; Sustainable Value Management, Stock Market Efficiency, Capital Asset Pricing Model, Portfolio Theory, International Cost of Capital, Capital Structure Decisions, Dividend Policy, Corporate Valuation and International Merger & Acquisition activity.

The module has a focus on business responsibility of all of those areas, concentrating on professional codes of conduct in areas such as the banking industry, accounting and similar finance areas, and the types of dilemmas that graduates could face in professional practice. This module will develop you as a critical and reflective practitioner, equipping you with the skills to think independently, analyse data, and help you to identify your own areas of interest in relation to corporate finance and practice. In the module you will become more aware of the issues that responsible businesses face when attempting to implement financial concepts and theories into practice.

On completion of this module you will have produced a reflective learning journal (in the form of a Blog or similar platform) based on your evaluation of theory to real world scenarios. As part of that journal you will have watched and reflected on appropriate financial documentaries and movies which explore responsible financial management issues, where you are encouraged to share these with your peers on the module Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Finally you will be apply your academic knowledge to a real world case and be able to critically evaluate the tensions between the financial academic theories as a responsible business attempts to maximise shareholder wealth.

Little affects our lives more than the quality of the decisions we make. In a business context, effective decision making is likely to have a significant impact on the performance of an organisation and managers are responsible for not only the quality of their own decisions, but also for influencing and managing the environment in which others make decisions.

In this module you will learn about the importance of decision-making and the type of information which can be used to support decision makers. This will involve studying techniques which can be used to evaluate business projects, as well as considering how cognitive and behavioural influences may impact on judgement and decision making.

In addressing these issues the topics you will study will be drawn from the following themes:

• The importance of the decision-making process in managing organisational performance.
• Relevant information to support decision making
• Using financial models to inform business decisions.
• The implications of risk and uncertainty for decision making.
• Behavioural and cognitive influences on judgement and decision making

This module will develop your understanding of the role of line managers in managing and developing individuals in work organisation. It will introduce you to both theory and practice of human resource management. This will include an overview of the legal and regulatory context of managing people including diversity, equity and equality. You will explore and evaluate good practice in relation to, for example, talent management, recruitment and selection, performance management, reward, and appraisal. You will consider the role of managers in leading for high performance of individuals and teams that encourages learning and creativity. This will include strategies for creating a positive work environment that encourages participation and engagement with concern for building trust and ethical and responsible behaviours.

This module provides an opportunity for you to investigate into a work-related issue, practicing research skills through engaging in a research project. Through studying this module you will develop a wide range of inter-personal, intellectual and practical (functional) skills. You will increase your awareness of the workplace as a learning environment and enhance your individual effectiveness and employability, whilst also contributing to the organisation’s development and effectiveness through change.

The project will draw upon your learning across the programme: to identify a business, management or leadership issue relevant to your organisation and design and conduct an appropriate investigation into this issue. The project will focus on a work-based issue and develop your skills in:

• the diagnosis of problems
• identifying project objectives
• project planning
• project management
• development of strategies to address problems
• data collection
• data analysis
• addressing ethical issues in research
• drawing supportable conclusions from data analysis
• limitations of the research process
• presentation techniques

You will be expected to demonstrate that appropriate ethical, commercial confidentiality and data protection issues are taken into consideration from an organisational, individual perspective by adhering to University Ethical Guidelines. Furthermore, you will also engage in reflection on the learning derived from carrying out the project.

From both a practical and theoretical view you will learn to think about what project management means, the process of project management and how to manage projects by focusing on several professional project management aspects, such as scope management, cost management, and schedule management.

The module will develop your professional skills and confidence in managing projects using various techniques and drawing on your academic study of contemporary project management literature. You will explore a range of approaches plus alternative views in order to challenge assumptions and identify ways to make project management more meaningful and sustainable. You will become aware of the role of professional techniques and methodologies as an aid to managing projects. Alongside this practical learning, you will develop a critical understanding of the importance of integrating social and ethical criteria into project planning and operation.