MG458      Half Unit
Foundations of Management I

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Alexander Pepper NAB.4.30 and Prof Paul Willman

Mr Armando Martins Brelaz de Castro

Availability

This course is compulsory on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM) and Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange). This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

This course is designed to equip students with a holistic understanding of the evolution of management theory and organisational forms and practices since the emergence of modern industrial organisations in the 19th century. Students will be provided with an overview of the development of management as a practice and as a subject of study, and will develop an understanding of the disciplinary anchors in Sociology, Psychology and Economics. Within each field we will cover origins, disciplinary boundaries, triggers for growth, core concepts and the current state of play and debate.  Weekly topics cover:



1. Course Introduction and the Origins of Management

2. Management and the Firm

3. Taylorism, Motivation, and Performance

4. The Rise and Decline of Labour

5. The Rise of Human Resources Management

6. Decision Making

7. Understanding Organisational Structures

8. The Origins of Modern Strategy

9. Contemporary Strategic Management: Firms as Bundles of Resources

10. Managed by Markets

Teaching

20 hours of lectures, 15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of classes in the MT. 3 hours of lectures and 2 hours of classes in the ST.

Lectures will cover theoretical materials and concepts. Case discussions (classes) will apply content covered in lectures to a business situation.

Seminars will cover the assigned readings in more depth and develop critical thinking and writing skills for postgraduate study.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.

Indicative reading

Willman, P. (2014) Understanding Management: Social Science Foundations. Oxford University Press.

Wallace, M  and A. Wray (2012). Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (Second Edition). London: Sage.

A full reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2000 words) in the LT.
In class assessment (25%) in the MT.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2016/17: 121

Average class size 2016/17: 37

Controlled access 2016/17: No

Lecture capture used 2016/17: Yes (MT)

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills

Course survey results

(2014/15 - 2015/16 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 66%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

1.9

Materials (Q2.3)

1.6

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

1.7

Lectures (Q2.5)

1.6

Integration (Q2.6)

1.8

Contact (Q2.7)

1.7

Feedback (Q2.8)

2

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

66%

Maybe

30%

No

4%