All programmes > Introduction to Management

Introduction to Management (B-KUL-HVE03A)

3 ECTSEnglish26 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Van Rossem Annick (coordinator) |  Van Rossem Annick
OC Master in de bedrijfskunde en Master of International Business FEB Campus Brussel

Aims

This course unit evaluates the following learning outcomes:

The student

2.     Understands the structure and workings of businesses, and has insight into the various management aspects of business operations

        2.1.Analyses the environment in which a business is operating at the micro (e.g. human capital, value creation), meso (e.g. competitive position in a sector, supply chain) and macro (e.g. demographics, sociology, technology, ecology, politics) level.

        2.2.Uses an analysis to develop a strategic plan to achieve a company’s policy objectives.

        2.3.Formulates suggestions to implement and monitor an organisation’s strategy, while integrating various management areas in a harmonious fashion.

        2.4.Designs and adjusts effective organisational structures.

 

Upon the completion of this educational activity students can:

Following learning outcome 2.1

Understand bias in decision making and how this may affect negotiations and ethical decision making.

Following learning outcome 2.2.

Use an internal and external analysis to develop a strategic plan to achieve a company’s policy objectives.

Following learning outcome 2.4

Understand the importance of organizational culture and know how to proceed to eventually change an organizational culture.

Understand the importance of CSR and Business Ethics in management and strategy.  Are able to apply the various frameworks of CSR.

Previous knowledge

The admission criteria for the programme can be found in the programme catalogue. No prior knowledge is required for this course.

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
HVB06A : Inleiding tot management

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

3 ects. Introduction to Management (B-KUL-HVE03a)

3 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture26 First term
Van Rossem Annick
OC Master in de bedrijfskunde en Master of International Business FEB Campus Brussel

Content

THEME: What is management?

  • The four management functions
  • Skills managers need
  • Always fun to be a manager?
  •  What is an organization?
  • Management in small businesses and non-profit organizations

THEME: Looking back: The History of Management

  • Why history matters
  • The evolution of management thinking
  • Current trends

THEME: The environment

  • Why does the environment matter?
  • The external environment
  • The internal environment: corporate culture
    • Where culture comes from and how it continues
    •  How culture affects managers
    • Cultural change
    • Current issues in organizational culture

THEME: Managing in a global environment - basics! elaborated in the course ‘International Business and Strategy’ for MIBEM students)

  • Basic strategies for going international
  • The role of national culture

THEME: Social responsibility and ethics

  • Stakeholder theory
  • CSR: a concept in evolution
  • The business case
  • Social accounting
  • Sustainability and Green management
  • Business Ethics
    • Definition and applications
    • Ethical Dilemma and criteria for solving
    • Factors influencing ethical behavior

THEME: Managers as decision makers

  • The decision-making process
  • Heuristics or information processing shortcuts
  • Group decision making

THEME: Basics  of Strategic management : (introduction, more elaborated in the following up course ‘International Business and Strategy)

  • What is strategic management?
  • Levels of strategy
  • Formulating corporate level strategy
  • Formulating business level strategy

THEME: Organizing: Foundations of organizational design

  • Building blocks of organizational design
  • Mintzberg’s typology (with a provisio)
  • Contingency factors shaping structure

Course material

 

TEXTBOOK: RECOMMENDED: Robbins, Stephen P., Coulter, Mary. Management. 15th edition. Pearson Global Edition, 2014.ISBN 13: 978-1-292-34088-3

Student version: ISBN 978-1-800-06337-2

Slides, cases  and reading materials are posted on Toledo geplaatst 

Language of instruction: more information

This course is taught in English.

Format: more information

Blended learning

Lectures and discussion.  Students are encouraged to be actively involved.

Blended: some themes (theory/cases) must be prepared at home (videos will be posted on Toledo).

 

 

Evaluation

Evaluation: Introduction to Management (B-KUL-H72847)

Type : Exam outside of the normal examination period
Type of questions : Multiple choice, Open questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


Type of  evaluation

  • Written exam outside the regular exam period. This is a closed-book exam with multiple choice questions and essay question(s) (theoretical question(s) and/or case application)

The evaluation in the second exam opportunity is the same as in the first exam opportunity. 

Correction for guessing for Multiple choice: questions The standard setting (also called cesure system) applies: a correct answer will always result in a positive score. Wrong answers will no longer be punished with negative scores (minus points). Both wrong and unanswered questions result in zero points. HOWEVER, In standard setting, grades are converted afterwards causing you to have to answer more than half the questions correctly to pass the examination or that specific part of the examination. The exact calcuation  (which depends on the number of questions) will be posted on Toledo.

Information about retaking exams

The evaluation in the second exam opportunity is the same as in the first exam opportunity.