Sport Management - BA (Hons)

Management Principles aims to provide an understanding of the challenges of managing people within complex work organisations. The experience of work and employment are being affected by rapid change as a result of a number of factors including new technology, the growth of global competition and the changing demographic profiles and values of the work force. These developments are considered within an historical context. An exploration of their implications for management practices and organisational forms will be conducted.

Students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories through readings and discussions of the main authors in the field. Case studies will be used to show how these concepts can impact upon management decision making within work organisations.

The module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of human responses and adaptations to sport and exercise. Using a psychological approach, students acquire knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise performance and exercise adherence to promote health. Lectures and seminars provide forums for discussion and understanding of cognitions, affect and behaviour and the complex interactions between these. A key module aim is to provide an understanding of the application of theory to real ‘applied’ situations within sport and exercise settings.

A synopsis of topics included in this module are:

- Introduction to sport and exercise psychology

- The learning and performance process

- Feedback

- Attention and concentration

- Personality and individual differences

- Motivation

- Self-confidence

- Arousal, stress and anxiety

- Social facilitation and audience effects

- Sport and exercise psychology in action

This module will cover topics including, but not limited to: Introduction to referencing and plagiarism, Introduction to academic writing style, Introduction to history of science, Introduction to critical thinking, Introduction to research methods, Introduction to statistical concept and research ethics.

The main aims of this module are to explore and gain knowledge of human physiology. Students will study the major systems of the human body including the musculoskeletal system, the cardiovascular system and the nervous system. Students will gain an understanding of their structure and function.

This module looks at the systematic processes involved in testing fitness. Consideration is given to the evaluation of fitness in both the field and in the laboratory. A range of fitness tests for a variety of parameters of fitness are covered. Students are taught to consider the reliability and validity of the tests as well as the specificity of the test to the population they are working with.

A synopsis of topics included in this module are:

- Health screening

- Fitness assessment & evaluation

- Principles of sport & exercise training

This module will cover the key concepts of microeconomics and theories related to the individual, firm and industry in the short and long run, underpinned by existing evidence on past and current economic trends in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

• Key microeconomic concepts such as opportunity cost and equity versus efficiency

• Supply and demand; elasticity

• Cost and revenues

• Profit maximisation under different market structures

• Input markets; labour and capital

This module provides students with an introduction to the basic principles of Sport and Exercise Nutrition. Students will explore the macronutrients and micronutrients and Fluid guidelines. A strong physiological understanding underpins much of the module content

Macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein and fat Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals, Fluid regulation, Thermoregulation and fluid guidelines, Competition nutrition.

The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in key statistical techniques required to analyse effectively business data and data relevant for business. The content includes:

• Maths and statistical skills for business; revision of algebra and basic mathematical functions.

• Summarising data with histograms, bar charts, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion.

• Spreadsheets: features and functions of commonly-used spreadsheet software including: workbook, worksheet, rows, columns, cells, data, text, formulae, formatting, printing, graphics and macros, charts and graphs, data management facilities, data validation, spreadsheet security and documentation.

• Probability: The relationship between probability, proportion and percent, addition and multiplication rules in probability theory and Venn diagrams.

• Common Probability Density Functions.

• Sampling and its use in inference, and applications of sampling in business management.

• Regression and correlation: scatter plots; simple regression; interpreting computer output.

• Forecasting using spreadsheets.

The module introduces to students the importance of marketing in competitive and dynamic environments. The key topics of the module are:

• The marketing concept

• The marketing environment

• Market segmentation & targeting

• Brand development and management

• Management of the marketing mix

• Marketing research and new product development

• The implications of internationalisation for marketing managers

• Ethical issues in marketing

To identify the structure of the Sports Industry

To discuss the structure of a situational analysis, including the micro and

macro environment.

To discuss market segmentation and targeting.

To discuss the 7 P’s Marketing Mix.

To discuss primary and secondary research within a business context.

To discuss the construction of a market research plan.

Cultural, social, personal & psychological factors relating to consumer

behaviour.

Evaluate a range of marketing campaigns

The module starts by considering the multi-dimensional nature of health to broaden student’s understanding of the many factors – individual or environmental - that could contribute to personal experience of health & what that means to different members of the population. Key aspects of Sport and Exercise promotion are considered, culminating in students completing a sport or exercise promotion event of their own as part of the assessment for the module. Whilst there is an emphasis on theoretical issues in the module, students are encouraged to apply these principles to the various aspects of sport and exercise promotion practice.

- Introduction – What is health, sport and exercise?

- Determinants of health, sport and exercise

- Concepts and theories of health & health promotion

- Health promoters & their roles

- Sport development agencies and their roles

- Guidelines for agencies involved in developmental work

- Identifying population needs in relation to health & Sport needs

- Motivation & behaviour change

- Planning & evaluating a health, sport or exercise promotion activity

Leadership in the context of sport and exercise is becoming increasingly recognised as providing the ‘spark’ that drives successful sport organisations.

In this module, students will become more aware of styles of leadership and types of communication used in the sporting context.

- Role of the coach & coaching philosophy

- Coaching / teaching styles

- Learning styles

- Planning a coaching / teaching programme

- Communication & motivation

- Analysing performance

- Feedback

A synopsis of the curriculum:

To discuss Human resource / personnel policies specifically in relation to recruitment and selection activities in sport settings.

Working with Volunteers in Sport

Discuss performance management / appraisal processes

Investigate training and development activities to include graduate training programmes, development assessment centres, job shadowing and succession planning.

The module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of human responses and adaptations to sport and exercise. Using a psychological approach, students acquire knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise performance and exercise adherence to promote health. Lectures and seminars provide forums for discussion and understanding of cognitions, affect and behaviour and the complex interactions between these. A key module aim is to provide an understanding of the application of theory to real ‘applied’ situations within sport and exercise settings.

A synopsis of topics included in this module are:

- Individual differences and personality

- Attributions and perceived control

- Exercise behaviour

- Motivation

- Emotions in sport

- Attention and focus

- Group dynamics

- Leadership

- Communication

- Goal setting

- Psychophysiology in sport and exercise

This module will provide students with a grounding in training theory and application, specifically looking at programme design and implementation in health and athletic performance.

Indicative content includes:

- Principles of sport & exercise training

- Training methodology

- Programme design & organisation

- Adaptations to training

The module is intended to provide students with an understanding of research design, planning and data analysis. The first half of the module is dedicated to learning about inferential data analysis and the use of SPSS to understand basic statistical concepts (the normal distribution) and perform parametric and non-parametric statistical tests (e.g., Student’s t-test). The second half of the module is dedicated to research design and planning. IN this part of the module, students will develop a research proposal that will ultimately become the basis of their year 3 dissertation.

A synopsis of topics included in this module are:

- A range of statistical tests analysing parametric and non-parametric data

- The process of forming a research question and hypothesis

- Ethics in research

- Scientific writing skills

- Supervisor contact

- Presentation of current dissertation projects

The topic areas covered in this module build upon the knowledge gained in SS348 Introduction to Fitness Testing & SS570 Fitness Training Methods, which covers the fundamental aspects of exercise testing and prescription. Special populations are those groups of individuals that may need some adaptation or modification to an exercise prescription or programme, to take into consideration a limitation, whether that be physiological, biological or psychosocial. The emphasis is on promoting health, fitness and safety in exercise, as well as some consideration being given to performance environments.

A synopsis of topics included in this module are:

- Exercise, physical activity & health

- Fitness assessment issues related to special population groups

- Children & physical activity

- Females & exercise issues

- Exercise considerations for a sedentary population

- Exercise & the older adult

- Special Exercise considerations & adaptations for special populations

- Risks & benefits of exercise for special populations

- Psychosocial issues & strategies for exercise / physical activity adherence

The module introduces to students the importance of marketing in competitive and dynamic environments. The key topics of the module are:

• The marketing concept

• The marketing environment

• Market segmentation & targeting

• Brand development and management

• Management of the marketing mix

• Marketing research and new product development

• The implications of internationalisation for marketing managers

• Ethical issues in marketing

Managing People and Teams aims to provide an understanding of the key concepts within management theory. This core knowledge is applied to a range of organisational settings so that the influence of management theory on management practice is understood. The role played by specialist management functions within Human Resource Management (HRM) and Employment Relations is investigated.

Students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories through readings and discussions of the main authors in the field. Case studies will be used to show how these concepts can impact upon management thinking and decision making within work organisations.

Indicative topics are:

• Groups and teams

• Motivation in the workplace

• Communication theory and practice

• Power and control

• Job design

• Flexible working practices

• Diversity in the workplace

• Managing learning

• Managing change

This module aims to enable students to understand the social and economic changes that have raised the status of enterprise, small business and entrepreneurial ventures in the global economy. It examines the diverse nature of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations, as well as the barriers and issues facing entrepreneurs when planning and establishing a new venture.

The key topics of the module are:

1) Factors that have influenced the growth of the enterprise culture in the UK.

2) The role and relevance of SMEs in the UK economy; definitions of SMEs; statistical information; Government policies and initiatives, and support agencies.

3) Whether entrepreneurs are born or made; whether enterprise skills can be taught or learned, and whether entrepreneurs differ from business owners and other managers.

4) Enterprise and innovation development in organisations.

5) Differences in attitudes, objectives, skill requirements and business strategies between small and large firms.

6) Surviving the early stages of business development, including failure rates in new and small enterprises and barriers to growth and development.

7) The planning process for starting a new venture – including risks and liabilities; problems and pitfalls, and potential profit and success.

8) The protection of ideas and intellectual capital.

9) Funding a new enterprise, including via 'friends, family and fools', business angels and venture capitalists.

10) Enterprise in different contexts, including corporate enterprise, public sector enterprise and social enterprise.

The module provides a structured opportunity to put into practice theoretical and practical knowledge and skills that students have acquired during their studies, in the context of delivering an event relevant to their programme of study. As such, this module will provide opportunities for students to develop appropriate vocational and applied academic knowledge.

Students will work as part of a small group in the process of proposing, planning, implementing, reviewing and evaluating an actual event, students will need to integrate market research, marketing, human resource management, leadership, health and safety issues, security, logistical and financial management in an appropriate way. The emphasis is on the processes that surround the actual event itself.

• An introduction to the events industry

• The planning cycle for major events

• Market research and the development of an event concept

• Human resource planning and management required for running an event

• Financial planning and management of an event

• Marketing the event

• Health, safety and security legislation and procedures

• Establishing timelines and checklists.

• Event implementation

• Event evaluation

The module provides a structured opportunity to combine appropriate developmental work experience with academic study. The placement will provide the opportunity for students to develop appropriate vocational and applied academic knowledge. In order for the student to take this module they must secure a placement. The placement should be appropriate to the student's degree, experience and potential career aspirations. All placements will be subject to the module convenor’s authorisation.

This module takes basic nutrition to the next level in an applied manner. The different needs of different sports persons are considered. Students will gain critical knowledge of common nutrition data collection and analysis methods.

A synopsis of topics included in this module are:

- Elements of Digestion, absorption and energy metabolism

- Nutrition requirements for different sports and different types of individuals

- Changing body mass and related issues

- Nutritional Strategies

- Nutrition data collection and analysis

This module aims to enable students to understand the social and economic changes that have raised the status of enterprise, small business and entrepreneurial ventures in the global economy. It examines the diverse nature of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations, as well as the barriers and issues facing entrepreneurs when planning and establishing a new venture.

The key topics of the module are:

1) Factors that have influenced the growth of the enterprise culture in the UK.

2) The role and relevance of SMEs in the UK economy; definitions of SMEs; statistical information; Government policies and initiatives, and support agencies.

3) Whether entrepreneurs are born or made; whether enterprise skills can be taught or learned, and whether entrepreneurs differ from business owners and other managers.

4) Enterprise and innovation development in organisations.

5) Differences in attitudes, objectives, skill requirements and business strategies between small and large firms.

6) Surviving the early stages of business development, including failure rates in new and small enterprises and barriers to growth and development.

7) The planning process for starting a new venture – including risks and liabilities; problems and pitfalls, and potential profit and success.

8) The protection of ideas and intellectual capital.

9) Funding a new enterprise, including via 'friends, family and fools', business angels and venture capitalists.

10) Enterprise in different contexts, including corporate enterprise, public sector enterprise and social enterprise.

The understanding and application of enterprise knowledge is seen as a transferable skill that can have cross-school application within the University, in that it has relevance to students from a broad range of academic disciplines who might be considering self-employment after graduation.

The curriculum is based on the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (National Standards-setting body for small business) Standards for Business Start-up, but has been expanded to include contemporary issues such as Intellectual Property and recent legislation.

The module will include the following areas of study:

1) Why firms become insolvent – economic financial and operational reasons for business failure; risks & liabilities; skills requirements for business ownership; self-development planning; sources of advice, and support for businesses.

2) The new business planning process and format - developing and evaluating the business idea, and producing a business plan for potential lenders.

3) Financial aspects – budgetary planning and control; cash-flow and working capital; understanding financial accounting and key financial documents; break-even analysis; credit control, and debt recovery.

4) Market research, competition and barriers to market entry - identifying customers; market segmentation; planning the sales and marketing processes; customer perceptions and customer care, and developing quality standards for the business

5) Legal issues - reporting requirements; UK & EU law relevant to small businesses; business formats and trading status and their respective risks and liabilities; insurance; insolvency, and intellectual property rights such as patents and copyright.

6) Planning and employing staff - planning and obtaining premises; physical and financial resources, and the phased implementation of the business plan.

The aims of this module are to develop an insight into the key concepts and theories of human resource management (HRM) and organisational behaviour (OB). It will develop in students an understanding of the links between HRM policies and practices and organisational performance, and the factors that influence the management of employees

Content will include:

1) An introduction to Human Resource Management (HRM) and Organisational Behaviour (OB)

2) Strategic HRM

3) Performance Management

4) Strategic Recruitment and Selection

5) Leadership

6) Power, Politics and Decision Making

7) Making the business case for diversity

8) Organisational Culture and International HRM

9) Pay, Performance and Reward

10) Managing Innovation and Change

11) HRM and Ethics

A synopsis of the curriculum

The curriculum is organised into two parts.

Part I:

Understanding the European Business Environment (Autumn)

The European Business Environment (PESTEL), History and Development of the EU, Political and Institutional Framework of the EU. Impact of EU policies on business operations: from Single Market to Single Currency, EU Competition and Social Policies, Regional Policy and Industrial Policy, EU Trade Policy.

Part II:

Doing Business in the 'New' Europe (Spring)

Formulating a European Business Strategy, Identifying Market Opportunities and Evaluating Modes of Entry. Understanding the impact on business of cultural diversity. Management within a European environment. Finance, Marketing and HRM issues for European Business.

The course takes the form of an individual research study. There are initially 4 taught lectures covering, ethical considerations and the management of a research project. The research projects are then conducted with the supervision of a School tutor who will advise the student on issues such as methodology, analysis and presentation, but it is the student’s responsibility to organise, conduct, analyse and present the research as required.

- Exercise prescription for the asymptomatic older adult

- Physical activity & cardiovascular diseases

- Physical activity & metabolic diseases

- Physical activity & neurological impairment

- Physical activity & orthopaedic diseases

- Physical activity & pulmonary diseases

- Exercise in cardiac rehabilitation

- Exercise psychology