How are organizations managed today? What are the best ways to manage people in organizations? How are decisions made about the design of work, the structure of an organisation, and who is accountable or responsible for different activities? Introduction to Management aims to provide an understanding of the challenges of managing people within complex work organisations. On this module we'll learn about some of the fundamental theories of management and understand the key functions that managers serve in organizations. It will explore the languages and practices of contemporary organisations by looking at a wide range of different theories of management, starting with classical management perspectives like Scientific Management or Human Relations Theory, and then considering more contemporary issues like Culture Management and different styles and practices of Leadership.
By taking a case study focused approach, this module will support students to develop key employable skills like a critical thinking so that they can speak confidently about how businesses operate today. Students will also learn to reflect on the ethics and fairness of contemporary forms of work.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
Compulsory to the following courses:
BSc Business and Management and associated programmes
BSc Business and Marketing
BSc Business Analytics and Management
BSc Accounting and Finance
Main assessment methods:
Individual Essay – 1500 words (30%)
Examination, 2 Hour (70%)
Reassessment methods:
100% Examination
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Understand key theories of management including classical and contemporary approaches to managing.
- Apply both classical and contemporary theories of management to the practices of contemporary organizations, evaluating how they have changed over time and the impact of these changes on their effectiveness.
- Understand the relationship between management and different organizational forms.
- Examine the ethics and fairness of classical and contemporary approaches to management.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Organize and present their own analysis as a considered viewpoint.
- Find, select, and synthesise complex information.
- Communicate effectively using a variety of methods appropriate to a management context.
- Plan work and study independently using relevant resources.
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