BSc (Hons) Management with Entrepreneurship

This module will introduce you to key theories, insights and methods within Organisational Studies. In particular, it will critically examine different organisational forms, processes and contexts.

The module places an important emphasis on the meaning and content of organisational strategies. It will help you develop the tools you need to analyse an organisation’s positioning within the marketplace, and think/plan strategically in order to make it more competitive.

You'll gain an understanding of strategic management and appreciate the interrelated dynamics of both strategic and organisational research and practice.

This module introduces students to microeconomics, macroeconomics and the context of economic analysis. Students will get a good grounding in microeconomic theory and will understand the principles used in mainstream rational choice and perfect competition theory.

The course will cover preference theory, demand and supply, income and substitution effects, cost and revenue curves, perfect competition and partial equilibrium theory. The focus here is the internal consistency of neoclassical microeconomics as exemplified in rational choice theory and competitive markets, and its use of logic. Arguments showing the context and limited nature of neoclassical economic tools in explaining the economic and social reality will be discussed throughout these weeks. 

Then students will be taught topics of macroeconomics. In this section, the focus will be on the following specific concepts: national accounting, inflation, unemployment and business cycles. The analysis of these concepts will be through the use of contemporary schools of economic thought (New Classical, New Keynesian, Post Keynesian, and Monetarist) and their analytical frameworks. By viewing these concepts through these different frameworks, the student is introduced into open-ended discussions on these topics as different answers are equally valid as long as students can clearly identify the theoretical frameworks that he/she is using.

Finally, students then will learn about the social, political and business context of economic theory through the discussion of case studies and real-world examples.

• Learn about why entrepreneurship is important and how it impacts on individuals, communities and nations
• Examine different forms of entrepreneurship from business start-ups to corporate entrepreneurship, to family businesses and growth-oriented businesses
• Understand entrepreneurial processes from opportunity identification to resource acquisition and innovation and why some people become entrepreneurs while others do not
• Examine different groups of entrepreneurs including female and ethnic minority entrepreneurs and the cultural and contextual factors that shape their development

This module is an introduction to marketing. By the end of the module you will have a knowledge of the role of marketing within organisations and within society, and of the principles of marketing management.

Conceptually, the module is divided in two sections. The focus of the first section is to understand what marketing and its role within society. In the first five weeks, you will be introduced to the definition of marketing, the role of marketing within organisations, the value of marketing within organisations and society, the history of marketing, the role of marketing in constructing the consumer society, and the relationship that marketing has with society (i.e. marketing ethics, and sustainability).

We will study both traditional and critical/interpretativist theories of marketing.

In the second half of the module, you will be introduced to foundational topics in marketing management. You will also be introduced to marketing strategy through an brief overview of the 4Ps of marketing - Product, Place, Promotion and Price.

This module is organised around the idea development process, particularly as it relates to generating business ideas, recognising and evaluating business opportunities, and relationships between these concepts. Students will reflect critically on the different definitions, theories and empirical work on business ideas and opportunities, where they come from (e.g., sources of change, trends) and how they are shaped. They will learn how to generate and identify their own business ideas and opportunities using different approaches (e.g., problem or human-centered). Students will also learn how to evaluate these ideas/opportunities, applying both business-focused and person-focused criteria. Using business focused criteria, they will be required to carry out an in-depth feasibility analysis which necessitates research across several areas that are central to the business idea – e.g., the product/service, industry-target market (customer needs), the organization/management and finance. Person-focused criteria will take in to consideration the experience of the student/entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial mindset, background factors and other characteristics.

This module covers the core concepts of both finance and accounting. It will introduce students to the important financial and managerial accounting principles that are necessary when running any type of organisation- whether it is manufacturing, merchandising, service, non-profit, or government. It will give students an understanding of how management accounting information is used by managers in their planning and control activities and, is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of professional managerial roles in both the public and private sectors. It covers topics such as financial accounting and reporting, foundation and tools for management accounting, strategy development and using costs in decision making, costing systems and activity-based costing, managing customers, processes and life cycle costs, and using budgets for planning, coordination and control. In the financial component of the module, students will look at the three traditional accounting statements, balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The module has two distinct elements: managerial finance with a focus on understanding financial statements, and management accounting with an emphasis on costing, budget and control. The lectures in the module will be supplemented by several assignments designed to develop and enhance practical skills.

This module aims at providing a good understanding of core marketing management principles applied in consumers, industrial services and organisation both from a theoretical and a practical standpoint. It seeks to explain the value of a marketing focus to both customer and supplier, and analyses what marketing can do and does contribute to both individual and organisational users.

This module will cover all the topics needed for marketing management and planning. The module will start analysing strategic tools for marketing strategy definition such as segmentation, targeting and positioning. It will then analyse the marketing process through a review of the marketing mix principles i.e. the 4Ps (Product, Place, Promotion, and Price). It will then explore in detail each one of these tactics. Specifically, students will learn about the strategic role of the product within marketing strategy looking at product management practices and the product innovation process. Students will then analyse the elements of the augmented product model with a focus on the role of branding within marketing management and they will be exposed on how to build brand equity within the company. Finally, students will look into differences between the definition of product and services, and they will be introduced to service marketing practices.

The module will then move to analyse other tactics of the marketing mix. Specifically, students will look into pricing strategies as tools for maximising the profitability of the company and as a promotional tool for reaching consumers. The module will then focus on the Promotion tactics. Students will analyse the topic of Integrated Marketing Communications in order to understand how the different promotional practices used by the company do not happen in isolation, but they are the result of an integrated strategies in order to reach the objectives of the company. The module will then investigate the elements of Integrated Marketing Communication (or Marketing Communication Mix) with a particular focus on advertising, digital advertising and PR (from a management perspective). Furthermore, the module will look at the relationship between sales promotion and sales management, with a particular focus on how Integrated Marketing Communications influence the sales of the company.

Finally, the module will investigate the Place tactics looking into distribution strategies. This section will explore both on B2B and B2C distribution tactics. However, the focus will be mostly on retailing practices within the company. The theories presented so far will be complemented with real life examples and exercises. Students will also be exposed to case studies analysis to apply the theory into practice.

This module will introduce you to the psychological theories and research on how organisational, team-level and individual characteristics affect productivity and mental health. This module will also consider the limitations of our understanding of these issues and how occupational psychology theory and research is trying to overcome them. 

This module provides a broad appreciation of management and entrepreneurship research frameworks. It will introduce students to the fundamentals of research design and methodology with an eye towards conducting research in the fields of entrepreneurship, organisational behavior, and management. We will explore data collection efforts and data analysis from a quantative, qualitative and mixed-methods approach, while also considering ethical implications. The module will also focus on how to craft a research question, engage in a literature review and how to structure a research proposal. The module will culminate in a final research proposal.

This module provides students with some of the theoretical and practical knowledge around how to raise business finance from different sources, manage funds and relations with investors, and harvest, which coincides with the exit strategy of the business and how entrepreneurs/investors can extract economic value from their investment. Students undertaking this module will be introduced to different sources of financing and financiers, and will analyse different strategies for attracting, securing and managing finance which may vary according to business model, business type and amount of financing required. They will learn how to use different tools for managing funds and at different stages of business development (start-up, growth, exit). Using the best available evidence, real-world examples, case studies, guest speakers (e.g., investors, banking professionals), videos, and through weekly in-class practical exercises and pieces of assessment, students will apply their learning to develop strategies for raising and managing entrepreneurial finance.

This module is organised around the concepts and processes relating to the sourcing and management of entrepreneurial finance during the early stages of business development. Through in-depth readings, discussions, and more hands-on practical work, students will learn how to value a new business venture (business valuation techniques) and calculate the amount of money needed to launch/run the business. In the first half of the module, students will evaluate the financing options available to new ventures from internal/personal options (savings, overdrafts, bootstrapping, credit), to more traditional external options (loans versus equity investments) and less traditional financing options such as crowdfunding, microfinance and peer-to-peer lending. Throughout this process they will analyse the risk-reward trade-offs of the different financing types. Students will also critically reflect on the potential barriers to finance for different entrepreneurs/businesses (e.g., women, ethnic minorities, young people) and ways of managing them. In the second half of the module, students will focus more on the processes around raising and managing finance. They will learn about the different cycles of investment, legal agreements around investment, harvesting, pitching to investors, formulating a financial plan and devising a crowdfunding campaign. They will also be introduced to some of the different tools for managing the finances of the new business venture.

The objective of this module is to introduce students to some of the key factors that shape entrepreneurial behaviour, with a special focus on entrepreneurial cognitions and emotions. It provides insights in to why some people start up and grow businesses, while others do not. To provide a rich understanding of this area, the module draws from research across the fields of Psychology and Micro-sociology, as well as from Management and Entrepreneurship generally.

This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of the new venture creation process from design and planning, to launch and development, and a deep appreciation for the kinds of decisions that entrepreneurs are required to make at each stage. The purpose of the module is to familiarise students with key aspects of the venture creation process in order to prepare them for starting up their own businesses. This is achieved by combining aspects of business planning with some of the realities of starting up a business. Through readings, case studies, guest speakers, videos, and weekly in-class practical exercises, students will apply their learning by developing a business plan and participating in a business simulation.

This module is organised across two terms and in to two parts. In the first half of the module the emphasis is on the business planning process and understanding the purpose, scope, effectiveness, structure and presentation of the business plan. In this part of the module, students will learn how to clarify the business concept and opportunity, articulate business goals, and set realistic timescales. Focusing on a specific business idea, students will be required to research and write up a business plan which covers aspects of the business concept relating to the management team and personnel (areas/positions to cover, expertise required, recruitment/training plans and costs), market and competition, marketing and sales (segmentation, position, sales methods and forecasting), financial planning and forecasting, the capacity and efficiency of operations, and business exit. They will learn how to craft an executive summary and formulate a business plan that serves both as a road map for staff, and a key tool for attracting finance to the business. They will learn about important legal issues surrounding the new business venture, from the choice of legal entity, to legal agreements (employment contracts, intellectual property), and taxation. They will also discuss the value of, and criticisms around, business planning and how these can be addressed. In the second half of the module, students will participate in a business simulation whereby they will set up and run a business for a simulated number of years. Applying their learning in the first part of the module and developing further their critical thinking and problem solving skills, students will be required to answer questions around sales and marketing, finance, operations and the organisation, and evaluate the consequences of those decisions. Decision-making will be reinforced by research and analysis, using different forms of data and evidence.

This module is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of leadership and talent in organisations. Moreover, students will learn about methods for assessing leadership potential and talent, along with approaches to enhancing leadership ability and talent. The module will also cover use of technology in leadership development and talent management. By using case material and practical examples, students are introduced to the importance of theory and research-based practice in these fields.

• Understand key concepts relating to international business, describe the key players in international business, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of globalization 
• Examine the international business environment and the different dimensions (political, legal, technological and cultural) that affect the operations of international businesses
• Understand the international monetary and financial environment
• Examine different strategies for entering in to foreign markets and analyse organizational design, control and structure in international business contexts

The Case Studies lectures set the stage for each week of teaching and encourage student exposure to and interaction with the theory, culture, economics, and emerging technologies of the theory and practices of innovation. The case study format encourages active learning and allows the application of theoretical concepts to be demonstrated, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice. Each week features a different topic so students gain in-depth knowledge of 10 innovation topics through weekly case study demonstration and critical analysis. Each case study features an academic lecture followed by a case study presentation from a top-tier industry guest speaker at the executive level discussing challenges and opportunities related to a realworld implementation of the particular case study topic.

Dissertation work involves carrying out, and writing-up an original research project on a relevant subject of your choice, with guidance and support from a supervisor.

This module serves to critically examine existing research on the content and processes vital to the management and growth of small and entrepreneurial businesses. It synthesises research on the experiences, ambitions and concerns of entrepreneurs and small business owners and elaborates on the different processes and strategies required to develop businesses; this occurs through in-depth readings, interactive in-class discussions, activities, presentations, and individual/group work focused on real businesses.