2013 Environment of Business
When
Term 1
Core / Elective
Core
Module Leader
Dr Layla Branicki
Module Aims
This module is intended to provide students with a critical awareness of major issues and problems associated with today's business environment. By the end of the module participants should developed an understanding of some of the key factors relating to the role of business in society.
The aims of the module are to:
Provide students with an understanding of the purpose of a company and the processes and procedures it adopts to achieve its aims.
Develop an understanding of the priorities of different stakeholder groups.
Appreciate the growing importance of corporate social responsibility and how companies respond to increasing pressure to be seen as good corporate citizens.
Understand how globalisation has changed the business environment and some of the arguments about its positive and negative influences on society.
Consider the different philosophical approaches underlying the business environment.
Syllabus
1.
Globalisation (1)
What is globalisation
History of globalisation
Drivers of globalisation
Benefits of globalisation
Challenges to globalisation
2.
Globalisation (2)
International Business Environment
Globalisation of economies
Perspectives on globalisation
Trading blocks
Multinational Enterprises
Global production systems
3.
Corporate Governance and Stakeholders
Definitions of corporate governance
Why does corporate governance matter?
Development of corporate governance
Key Theories
Stakeholder Analysis
4.
The Role of the Board of Directors
Theoretical perspectives
The Role of the Board
Types of Board
Roles of directors
Chairman / CEO debate
Independent directors
Organisational Politics
5.
Introduces core theory and definitions for understanding organisational politics
Examines 'politicking' and corporate political lobbying
Explores positive organisational politics (e.g. 'political skill' / 'nous' / 'awareness')
Critique: the role of politics in organisational decision making
Business Ethics
6.
Introduces frameworks for appraising ethical alternatives
Examines the ethical issues confronting people at work in organisations
Explores ethical dilemmas
Critique: the limitations of ethical frameworks for real world decision making
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
7.
Introduces core theories and definitions in CSR
Examines CSR in social, political and economic context
Explores the impact of CSR on firm performance and behaviour
Critique: the theory and practice of CSR
8.
Strategy and Extreme Events
Introduces theoretical frameworks for understanding extreme threats and events
Examines how organisations can plan for and respond to extreme events
Explores the role of Market, State and Civil Society in crisis management
Critique: planned and improvised responses to crisis
Core text
Due to the wide-ranging nature of this module there will be many readings provided from many different sources. For further information, please see the reading list which is posted up on the course section of my.wbs. We are recommending just one core text:
Griseri, P. and Seppala, N. (2010). Business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. Hampshire: Cengage.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours) (80%): further details to be provided
Assessed Presentation (20%): further details to be provided
2013 Issues in Marketing: Theory and Practice
When
Term 1
Core/Elective
Core
Module Leader
Dr Yansong Hu
Module Aims
This module will:
provide students with a core knowledge of approaches to Marketing
provide an in-depth analysis of contrasting and competing schools of thought in Marketing
distinguish between managerial, economic and postmodern models of practice and implementatio
formalise students with leading-edge knowledge and research in the field of Marketing
develop students' critical and analytical skills through group work and presentations
Syllabus
The core framework for strategic marketing management
Contemporary issues facing marketing today
Latest developments in marketing practices, such as network marketing
Frameworks / paradigms used by marketing managers in evaluating customers and market
Strategically evaluate the capabilities / resources / constraints of a company and its collaborators
Typology of innovations; models of innovations; and how to innovate
Developments in marketing communications
Managing marketing channels
Building, measuring and sustaining brand equity
Issues in service marketing
Teaching / learning methods
Class time will be a blend of lecture, discussion of assigned readings, cases and in-class exercises/activities. Students are required to prepare each case before each class; for each case starting from Session 2, teams will present their analyses of the assigned case questions prior to a comprehensive discussion of the case.
In addition, student teams will work on online business simulations to make 8 rounds of strategic marketing decisions. Student teams will also work on a project for preparing a group report based on an assigned case study. Bibliography
Recommended Readings
Books
David W Cravens and Nigel F Piercy, (2008), 'Strategic Marketing' (9th Edition), McGraw-Hill/Irwin: New York.
ISBN: 0071263357
2013 Issues in Strategy: Theory and Practice
When
Term 1
Core/Elective
Core
Module Faculty
Dr Michael Mol [TBC]
Module Aims
This module aims to:
Familiarise students with different perspectives for viewing the field of strategy
Familiarise students with leading edge knowledge and research in the field
Provide a context for critical engagement with, and application of, strategic management concepts and
principles through discussion, case analysis and project work
Syllabus
Core competencies & strategic alignment
Strategy process
Corporate renewal
Sourcing strategy
Management innovation
Strategic leadership & innovation
Strategy as invention? The genesis of modern business strategy
Strategy as Discipline: Classic & Emergent Research Approaches
Strategy as Practice? Strategy as Numbers?
Course readings
Key readings for each week comprise of specific articles related to the session theme as well as a case study in most weeks. You are also expected to take initiative in carrying out your own research on the relevant themes, for example when preparing your group report (see below).
Assessment
80% examination (2 hours). Details to be confirmed.
20% coursework (2500 words, excluding bibliography and any appendices) (Group Report)
The Group Report
Further detail will follow on this. The deadline is to be confirmed.
2013 Research Methods for Marketing and Strategy
When
Term 1
Core/Elective
Core
Module Leader
Dr David Arnott
Module Aims
The primary aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and research tools to correctly execute a project such as that required of a Masters dissertation. The focus is on epistemological foundations, the design of a research project, the preparation for and execution of valid and reliable business research (both qualitative and quantitative), and on the writing up and presentation of research results.
Syllabus
Typically, the syllabus would include (but is not limited to):
Introduction to the Philosophy of Social Science
Formulation of research questions, propositions and hypotheses
Critical analysis and the reviewing of literature
Research design (conceptualisation, sampling, validity, reliability, ethics, etc..)
Qualitative methodologies, methods and analysis
Quantitative methodologies, methods and analysis
Writing a research report/thesis
Bibliography / Module Texts
Core text:
Bryman, A., & Bell, E., 2011, Business Research Methods, 3e, Oxford University Press
Illustrative bibliography:
Alvesson, M., & Willmott, H., 2003, Studying Management Critically, London: Sage Publications
Belk, RW, 2006, Handbook of Qualitative Research Methods in Marketing, Cheltenham UK: Edward Elgar
Publishing
Creswell, J.W., 2002, Research Design, 2nd ed., London: Sage Publications
Crotty, M. 1998. The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning & perspective in the research process. London: Sage
Denzin, NK, & Lincoln, YS, editors, 2005, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research, 3rd edition, London: Sage
Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Lowe, A. 2002. Management Research: An Introduction. 2nd edition.
London: Sage
Hair, J-F, Black, B., Babib, B., Anderson,. R-E, & Tatham, R-L, 2005, Multivariate Data Analysis, 6th edition, Prentice Hall
Heracleous, L. 2006. Discourse and Organization, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Johnson, P., & Durberley, J., 2000, Understanding Management Research, London:Sage
Ketchen, D., & Bergh, D., editors, 2004, Research Methodology in Strategy And Management, JAI Press Phelan, P., & Reynolds, P. 1996. Argument and Evidence: Critical analysis for the social sciences. London: Routledge
Riley, M., Wood, R.C., Clark, M.A., Wilkie, E., & Szivas, E., 2000, Writing Dissertations In Business And Management, London: Thomson Learning
Theitart, R-A et al, 2001, Doing Management Research, London: Sage Publications
Thomas, A.B., 2004, Research Skills For Management Studies, London: Routledge
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): w/c to be advised (100%)
de Wit, Bob & Ron Meyer. 2004. Strategy: Process, Control, Context. 3e. London: Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-1861529640
Johnson, Gerry, Kevan Scholes & Richard Whittington. 2010. Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text and
cases. (9th ed) London: FT/Prentice Hall. ISBN 278-1045887328
McGee, John, Howard Thomas & David Wilson. 2005. Strategy: Analysis and Practice: Text and
cases. McGraw-Hill Higher Education ***
Foundational Readings in Marketing
Must read:
Doyle, Peter & Philip Stern. 2006. Marketing Management and Strategy. 4e. FT/Prentice-Hall. ISBN:
978-027******* ***
Should read:
Doyle, Peter. 2000. Value-Based Marketing. John Wiley & Son. ISBN: 978-0471877271 ***
Enis,Ben, Keith Cox & Michael Mokwa, Marketing Classics: A selection of influential articles, 8e,Prentice Hall [Key articles in this anthology are: Abell, 1978, 'Strategic Windows'; Bagozzi, 1975, 'Marketing as
Exchange'; Borden, 1964, '… Marketing Mix'; Day & Wensley, 1988, 'Assessing Advantage …'; Levitt, 1960, 'Marketing Myopia'; inter alia]
Piercy, Nigel. 2009. Market-Led Strategic Change: Transforming the process of going to market.
Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann. ***
Plus, you should be familiar with the contents of at least one of the following (or a similar text): Dibb, Sally, Lyndon Simkin, William Pride & O.C. Ferrell. 2005. Marketing: Concepts and Strategies. 5e.
Houghton-Mifflin. ISBN: 978-0618532032 ***
Hooley, Graham, John Saunders, Nigel Piercy and Brigitte Nicoulaud. 2007. Marketing Strategy and
Competitive Positioning. 4e. FT/Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978-027*******
Jobber, David. 2006. Principles and Practice of Marketing. 5e. McGrawHill Higher Education. ISBN:
978-0077114152
Kotler, Philip & Kevin Keller. 2008. Marketing Management. 13e. Pearson Education. ISBN: 978-0131357976 Kotler, Philip, Gary Armstrong, Veronica Wong & John Saunder. 2008. Principles of Marketing. 5e.
FT/Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978-027*******
MODULE RELATED PRE-READING
The following articles relate to the Term 1, core modules. Some articles are foundational, some are used within the first session of the module and some are used during the module. It is desirable that these are read before the module commences. If you are unable to obtain and read copies of these papers prior to registration, copies will be provided during your induction week.
Issues in Marketing: Theory & Practice
Achrol, R. S. & Kotler, P.(1999). Marketing in the network economy. Journal of Marketing. 63: 146-163.
Gulati, R (1998), Alliances and networks, Strategic Management Journal, 19(4): 293-317.
Kietzmann, J.H., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I. P., & Silvestrem, B. S. (2011), Social media? Get serious!
Understanding the functional building blocks of social media, Business Horizons, 54:241-251.
Vargo, S.L. & Lusch, R.F.(2004). Evolving to a new dominant logic for marketing. Journal of Marketing. 68: 1-17.
Issues in Strategy: Theory & Practice
Ghemawat, P. 2002. Competition and Business Strategy In Historical Perspective. Business History Review.
76 (Spring). 37-74
Whittington, R. 2006. Completing the Practice Turn in Strategy Research. Organization Studies. 27:5. 613-634 Environment of Business
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Agency Theory: An Assessment and Review, Academy of Management Review.
14:1. 57-74
Griseri, P. and Seppala, N. (2010). Business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. Hampshire:
Cengage
Letza, S, Sun, X. & Kirkbride, J. (2004). Shareholding Versus Stakeholding: A Critical Review of Corporate
Governance. Corporate Governance: An International Review. 12:3. 242-262
Research Methods for Marketing & Strategy
Churchill, Gilbert A. 1979. "A Paradigm For Developing Better Measures Of Marketing Constructs". Journal of Marketing Research. 14 (Feb). 64-73
Sandberg, J. (2005). "How Do We Justify Knowledge Produced Within Interpretive Approaches".
Organizational Research Methods. 8:1. 41-68
Jick, T. (1979). "Mixing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: Triangulation in Action". Administrative Science Quarterly. 24:4. 602-611
Please note that the pre-module readings for Term 2 and Term 3 modules will be indicated at an appropriate time after registration.