The unit takes an integrated approach to critically assess the relationship between leadership, operations management, finance and information systems which is essential for adding value and achieving competitive advantage in contemporary organisations. The theme is ‘leadership’ with an emphasis on high performance work systems and the international management of innovation and change. Successful completion of the unit will give you a comprehensive and detailed overview of theory and practice and you will acquire a ‘toolkit’ that provides the potential for inspirational leadership and the effective management of organisational resources. Operations Management addresses issues such as quality, location process layout, capacity management, and scheduling and inventory management. Global sourcing and relocation are now commonplace and the competitive environment demands new ways of thinking about how to manage operations in a global context. Business and information systems facilitate decision-making and effective management across all functions. You will develop a thorough understanding of managerial accounting, corporate finance and cost management issues and the skills to investigate and question current financial management practices of international organisations.

 

This unit covers the field of strategic management and marketing. You will consider current issues and challenges facing directors, senior managers and entrepreneurs in guiding the long-term development of organisations. The objectives of organisations and the means of achieving these objectives through the mobilisation and deployment of assets and resources and the integration of the various functions of the organisation will be the focus of the unit. You will most specifically: Develop and demonstrate expertise in understanding the global business environment in which the modern organisation operates; Apply a range of skills in developing business and marketing strategies for different environments; Build your skills in developing and evaluating strategies and marketing plans that harmonise the organisation’s objectives, capabilities and resources with the external opportunities of the market; Understand global operations: business entry modes, opportunity analysis and market selection, global sourcing and off-shoring, and emerging economies; Identify, categorise, and assess the factors determining the extent to which strategic and marketing implementation is appropriate for success.

 

This unit provides in depth understanding of strategic, international and cross cultural HRM. This unit introduces you to the key concepts theories and current issues underlying international and comparative human resource management (IHRM) in a global context. Focus is placed upon the HRM strategies, policies and practices of multinational corporations (MNCs), public sector, voluntary sector and their approach to the management and development of human resources across borders. This unit further develops your knowledge and understanding of the currently accepted body of knowledge on the principles and practice of HRM and HRD, within employing organisations with regard for sectoral, national and international context.

 

The central aim of this Unit is to provide you with a thorough understanding of the competitive global context in which firms operate and make decisions and to use a critically evaluative approach in order to explain the impact of economic policies on the behaviour of individuals, firms and institutions.

 

Practice events are integral to the University of Bedfordshire Business School’s vision to take business education, research and practice in exciting new directions. Central to this vision is the aspiration to give you the skills and knowledge to find the career and future success you want. We aim to develop intelligent practitioners who imaginatively integrate theory and practice. You will need to select and apply knowledge and principles you have learnt through the taught MBA units, experiential learning activities and challenges to develop an understanding of current realities in work organisations and be better placed as a future manager. This unit is specifically designed to help your transition into the professional work environment through combining academic rigour with practice skills: the behaviours, attributes and intent which give you immediate impact in the organisations you join. This produces individuals with the confidence and know-how to fit in and be effective from day one: managers who understand business context, and have the creativity, drive and focus to bring about change. The aim of this unit is to: Enhance your transition to the workplace through experiential learning Improve your personal, interpersonal and business skills Develop your awareness of professional working practice and increase your employability Relate the theories learnt in the earlier stages of the MBA to real-word business practice issues.

 

The unit aims to enable you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of management and business as well as the skills essential to effective operation in a corporate, business, public sector or not for profit environment. It is a unit specifically designed to help your transition into the professional work environment.