Business Management (Top-up)BA (Hons)

Financial Decision Making for Managers

Financial decision-making is important for any and every business. This natural mental process needs to be informed to select a course of action from several alternative options. One of the most essential elements that help to facilitate the implementation of the business strategy in an organisation is Finance. The financial manager of an organisation plays a central role in making decisions on optimum utilisation of financial resources and assess the implications for shareholders and other stakeholders, and the need for effective corporate governance. Therefore, managers require critical understanding of key financial management issues, performance indicators and methodologies relating to financial management frameworks. Managers use these tools when they are faced with making financial decisions in the business environment. This module provides students with knowledge about financial decision-making approaches and control systems businesses use to make managerial decisions.

The module also provides the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate the impact of financial decisions. It enable learners of today, who are managers of tomorrow, to participate in decision making processes concerning the utilisation of finances in investment, financial and risk management, and the delivery of value for money in achieving the objectives of the business. Although managers are not always required to perform detailed financial analysis, they need to have a clear understanding of how the process of financial management and decision-making work to ascertain that decisions are properly made and implemented and that apposite risk management system are in place.

The module focuses on fundamentals of financial management, the need for accounting and finance, financial governance, making capital investment decisions, balancing risk and return, tools of financial analysis, interpretations and planning, reading financial reports, cost challenges in decision making, working capital management, sources of finance, cost-volume-profit analysis and its use in managerial decisions and planning.

Leading Innovation

This final-year core module “Leading Innovation” aims to enable students to study and apply in practice:

a range of leadership theories and techniques to critically evaluate and develop their own personal leadership style
a range of leadership theories and techniques to critically evaluate contemporary innovation practice, and organisations in a range of industries engaged with innovation practice
a range of innovation theories and techniques to critically evaluate contemporary innovation processes, and organisations in a range of industries that innovate
the synergies between leadership and innovation in a range of contexts

The Module will be based around two themes:
(i) Theme 1: Leadership, where they will study, reflect on, and use leadership theories and techniques to assess and develop their own personal leadership style. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating classic and contemporary theories, and directly applying the ideas from these theories to their own experience and ambitions.
(ii) Theme 2: Innovation, where they will study, analyse, and evaluate the innovation processes of selected organisations and industries (by critiquing, for example, Case Studies), and how innovation is achieved and operates within the contemporary economy (by critiquing, for example, classic and contemporary examples). In addition, students will study the synergies between leadership and innovation, an emerging area in academic research and in practice. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating innovation practice and performance, informed by the leadership theories and techniques covered in Theme 1.

Each theme will conclude with an assignment: Theme 1 will conclude with a team-based formative assignment, and Theme 2 will conclude with a pairs-based summative assignment. Once complete, this Module aims to enable students to understand a long-term timeline. Firstly, students will ‘look back’ and be exposed to classic and contemporary leadership texts, so they can critically evaluate and develop their own personal leadership style. Secondly, they will ‘look forward’ and critically evaluate how innovation can further emerge in the economy and society, and how contemporary and future organisations and industries can ensure sustainability through enhanced innovation, blended with enhanced organisational leadership.

Practising Business Strategy (with simulation)

Strategy is a crucial subject, concerned with the development, success and failure of all kinds of organisations, from multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups, from charities to government agencies, and many others. Accordingly, strategy constitutes a key element of all professional business and management qualifications.

It equips aspiring managers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and techniques required to critically analyse contemporary organisations within changing environments nationally and globally; to formulate, evaluate and defend realistic and creative proposals for future strategic direction; and to plan for the effective implementation of the strategy selected.

Overall, the module aims to:

• Develop the knowledge and understanding to critically apply a range of practical strategic management tools for strategic analysis, choice-making and implementation across public, private and not-for-profit organisations of all sizes across all sectors;

• Enable students to translate their analysis of contemporary organisations and contexts into persuasive, creative and realistic proposals for an organisation’s future strategic direction;

• Enable students to apply structured insight into the realities of an organisation’s internal and external context in order to develop implementation plans which help maximise achievement of strategic objectives; and

• Enhance student employability by developing transferable skills such as research, analysis, evaluation, decision-making, presenting data and influencing others across different cultures, within both existing organisations and entrepreneurial start-ups.

The Practice of Management

This final-year core module “The Practice of Management” aims to enable students to:

- study and apply a range of management theories and techniques to critically evaluating their personal development and management style
- study and apply a range of management theories and techniques to critically analyse large PLCs, plus to wider global issues.

The Module will be based around two themes:
(i) Theme 1: Personal and Academic Development, where they will study, reflect on, and use management theories and techniques to assess their own qualities and career ambitions. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating classic and contemporary theorists, and directly applying the ideas from these theorists to their own experience.
(ii) Theme 2: Professional Development, where they will study, analyse, and evaluate the management and performance of large corporations, and, looking ahead, consider these corporations in light of the UN’s Global Sustainability Goals 2030, justifying ways in which their selected PLCs will need to be strategically re-aligned and managed internally in order to contribute to these long-term external goals. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating management and business strategy and performance, and creatively re-designing corporate strategy to contribute to wider social, political, and cultural objectives.

Each theme will conclude with an assignment: Theme 1 will conclude with an individual formative assignment, and Theme 2 will conclude with a pairs-based summative assignment. Once complete, this Module aims to enable students to understand a long-term time line. Firstly, students will ‘look back’ and be exposed to classic and contemporary texts, theories, and techniques, which they will apply to their personal and professional development. Secondly, they will ‘look forward’ and evaluate how contemporary PLCs can contribute to future wider global socio-political objectives, namely the UN’s Global Sustainability Goals 2030, which will strengthen their professional development.

Consultancy Project

The Professional Consultancy / Project is a capstone module in which students will be required to undertake a business project aimed at enhancing their employability as well as providing a platform for further professional development.

This module requires students to undertake and write up an individual project that gives them the opportunity to not only consolidate their learning on the programme, but also to clearly apply their learning in a real-world context. Furthermore, it will provide students with the opportunity to showcase their professional competences built throughout the programme.

If in employment students may choose to use a work-based consultancy project (subject to agreement from their employer). Alternatively, they may choose a project which is research-based.

Students will also be required to present their project via an on-line presentation or podcast. This module gives them the opportunity to demonstrate their professional credibility and to use their academic, business and technical skills in a professional context.

Professional Consultancy Project aims to:

1 Demonstrate the ability to utilise and contextualise knowledge by applying analytical skills to a business situation or problem
2 Demonstrate the ability to assemble a coherent and a sustained piece of writing that evaluates a business/project problem/solution
3 Create an opportunity to further develop a range of skills associated with research including analysis, interpretation, written expression, formal report writing, and self-managed study
4 Engage students on a complex, integrated activity that will consolidate and integrate previous skills and learning
5 Provide students with a ‘showcase’ opportunity that allows them to demonstrate their ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to a significant and specialised task

Dissertation

This module aims to enable students to complete a research focused dissertation on a chosen topic or issue appropriate to their undergraduate degree. Students are required to reflect on relevant research questions, theoretical concepts/hypotheses, prior literature, ethical approaches, research methodologies and data analyses in an independent and disciplined manner. Students are expected to develop an in-depth understanding of their chosen research topics, research methods/approaches and the ability to appropriately seek out data samples required for research in a selected topic. The module aims to develop analytical, critical thinking, referencing and time management skills in independently undertaking and reporting on a research project.

Creative Media Practice and Music Business Models

This module will analyse and critically evaluate new and conventional models for music and media business in theory and practice, focusing on change and creative business innovation. Theoretical models will be examined with particular attention to monetisation of music by means of streaming, software/apps and blended experiences. Such creative enterprise phenomena apply to novel modes of delivery, content, devices and media convergences. Opportunities and threats including lateral [digital strategies] phenomena are analysed through the lens of entrepreneurship and corporate decision-making in theory and practice.

Students will critically evaluate business market positioning, examine best sources of reliable research information concerning new types of business customers and end users, and examine tactical alliances in music services and media markets.

Innovation and change are also explored, ranging from traditional portfolio development to new delivery methods, to emerging business strategies. This will be done by utilising and confronting key concepts in strategic management and recognising the relevance of cultural knowledge in this area of creative industries. Case study research and business simulation methods will be encouraged in analysis, with the aim of developing new approaches to business modelling and innovation.

Module Aims:
This advanced module aims to equip students with a refined and robust skillset for analysis, evaluation and implementation in business modelling and strategic practice.

1. Mapping and analysing patterns of change in innovative industry practices through the transformation of key sectors and enterprises.
2. Exploring specific contexts within which management of innovation takes place and fully contextualise the analysis of enterprise practice behind the development of new business models
3. Developing multidisciplinary syntheses of creative management, innovation and implementation in experience/service portfolios, identifying multiple factors that shape music/media business modelling in practice
4. Addressing conceptual solutions, operations and skills sets utilised for monetisation of cultural/creative value by means of innovation and strategic management in music/media contexts
5. Applying the understanding of strategy and tactics within the context of music/media business innovation

Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English)

Please check the Open Language Centre for confirmation of language level.

Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English)

Please check the Open Language Centre for confirmation of language level.

Marketing Communications in Practice (Context Fashion)

With the challenges presented by new media, shifting media patterns, and divided consumer attention, the optimal integration of marketing communications takes on increasing importance. The module is designed to enable students unlock the power of integrated marketing communications (IMC) by taking advantage of the unique strengths of different communication options, and combining and sequencing them strategically.

The module provides students with key industry-standard skills needed to develop a successful career in marketing communications, digital marketing and social media. It enables students to gain a first-hand experience in setting up live marketing communications campaigns in different contexts by combining both traditional media and new digital options.

The module content includes critical reflection on the academician–practitioner gap in understanding how marketing communications might work; developing a marketing communications pitch in response to a strategic creative brief and creative deliverables; crafting message strategy and creative strategy supported with Adobe Creative Cloud; media planning and buying - advanced measurements and calculations of traditional and digital media buys using advanced Excel program; campaign implementation and scheduling process using Microsoft Project software; practical challenges in monitoring and controlling IMC campaigns, setting campaign metrices and contingency plans; addressing regulatory, legislative and ethical issues and the interrelationships between marketing communications, culture and society. Additionally, students will be encouraged to successfully complete online courses including Advanced Google Analytics and Google Analytics 360 which are highly sought-after skills by employers.

This module builds on Level 5 modules knowledge and aims to:

• Develop an advanced understanding of marketing communications theory and practice with focus on both strategic and operational-level IMCs.
• Enable students to develop effective IMC campaigns in both Business to Consumer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B) contexts.
• Provide students with key skills in response to a strategic creative brief and creative deliverables.
• Develop realistic media planning and buying strategy as well as measures of IMC campaigns.
• Develop critical awareness and competence in suggesting ethical and sustainable strategic alternatives to local as well as global organisations.

The module also aims to assist students in the acquisition of the following skills:
- Researching and analysing
- Academic and highly specialist writing and reading
- Application of knowledge and presenting data
- Critical thinking and being creative
- Communicating/presenting, orally and/or in writing
- Digital Literacy and IT skills

Organising and Managing Across Cultures

This module explores a range of topics connected with working and managing across different social cultures. It examines cross-cultural management in both international and intra-national contexts, and draws on perspectives from social anthropology, social psychology, organisational behaviour and management theory.

One of the summative assessments, the group presentation, enables students to experience some of the challenges of working across cultures first hand. The work undertaken in this module in teams also addresses one of the course outcomes to which this module contributes and enables students to build valuable related skills.

The module is designed with weekly lectures followed by interactive seminar sessions. This design, together with the research for, and feedback from the presentations feed forward to the second assessment, the report. In producing individual analytical reports, students will develop analytical and evaluation skills relevant both to this module and to the related course pathways.

The content and design of the module underpin the broader objectives of the courses of which it is part. The content will substantially contribute to developing students’ understanding of management theories, models, frameworks, tasks and roles, and in particular implications for the management of people in international or cross-cultural contexts. The design and assessment frameworks reflect a student-centred learning approach, where students learn with and from each other, and where students progressively learn to discuss, debate and evaluate key organisational issues.

The content of this module reflects the socio-cultural breadth in our student body and staff, with over 140 nationalities represented on the campus (londonmet.ac.uk, 2020).

Personal Finance

This module has been nationally promoted by the UK financial regulator the Financial Services Authority (FSA), [now Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)], as a ‘unique idea’ in their ‘National Strategy for Financial Capability in Higher Education’ (2009), and disseminated to all universities as an exemplar for raising student interest, expertise and enthusiasm in personal finance. FSA refers to London Metropolitan University as one of only four universities awarded the FSA Curriculum Development Grant for “unique ideas” put forward for the creation of a financial capability module, the unique idea for this University being the innovative Competency Based Action Learning (CoBAL) curriculum which is the outcome of doctoral level research conducted in collaboration with real-world organisations such as the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), the FSA, and the National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy (NRDC).

The module underlines the role personal judgement plays in personal finance, and the many perspectives that inform personal judgement, enabling the student to formulate and employ Action Learning strategies for the development of knowledge, skill and attitudinal competencies in personal finance, and for increased ability and confidence in dealing with the complexities of making financial decisions in the five domains of financial capability identified by the FSA.

This is an Extension of Knowledge (EoK) module which any student on any course in the University is able to take as an option module subject to their course incorporating a relevant slot in their course structure. The module’s EOK status recognises the need for students of all subjects to have a good grasp of Personal Finance.

Service Excellence for Creative industries

‘Service Excellence for Creative Industries and Aviation’ investigates practices and strategies used in managing exceptional relationships between customers and service providers. Consistent delivery of high-quality service increases customer loyalty, businesses reputation and competitive advantage, hence the module focus lies in the exploration of all aspects of excellent service delivery.

The aim of the module is to provide students with understanding of the importance of service excellence, including reflection on their own professional conduct practices, and equip them with analytical ability to assess and improve service delivery.

Social Marketing

This module aims to introduce the students to a developing specialist new field associated with marketing. It provides the students with the opportunity to build on their knowledge about marketing to apply it to situations where the aim is to help address social problems. Students will learn how this developing new science makes use of several disciplines, in addition to marketing, to help improve the welfare of our societies. This field has been successfully applied to many social ills ranging from obesity, drinking and driving to discrimination and domestic violence.
Students will be first introduced to the history and concepts of social marketing and shown the procedures used by social marketers to address social problems. The students will be encouraged to develop their critical as well as applied abilities during their studies.
By the end of the module the students will not only be able to appreciate the benefits of social marketing but also learn very useful skills about how to apply it. The knowledge and skills of this module will combine with previous skills achieved by students in the course, to enable them to understand and apply their marketing skills to both commercial as well as social situations. It will also help develop a socially responsible attitude as well as enable them to consider pursuing this professionally rewarding specialist area for their career.

Strategy in Tourism and Travel

This module critically analyses the theories and models that guide the development of business strategy for the travel sector with reference to current issues and case studies. Students will apply principles to practice through ‘live’ examples, for example strategies of start-up airlines entering scheduled routes.

The aim of the module is to apply theories and models of sustainable competitive advantage to the travel sector with particular reference to liberalization of travel markets, and continuing barriers to market entry. It also aims to examine the significance of organizational structure and people management for business strategy in the travel sector.