Introduction to Accounting

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 1

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the terminology, techniques and procedures of financial and management accounting currently in use in business entities. The module will equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge and insights to understand how and why financial accounts are created and how they have developed in the past and will likely develop in the future.

Central to the unit is the introduction of applied analytical skills that will give you the capability of analysing decision-making within business entities giving you greater insight into business behaviour. The module will also create a firm base for specialisation in appropriate accountancy courses in subsequent years. This module will involve the you in group, quantitative and communication exercises that will develop and enhance essential employment related skills and professional skill development.

Introduction to Business and Management

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

The module provides an introduction to management and organisation. It will introduce you to concepts related to the practice and theory of management and organisation that will be explored and discussed further in other modules on the management and business studies course. 

The module includes discussion and analysis of the relationship between people, the organisation and training, and introduces concepts of ethics, innovation, enterprise and globalisation.

Introduction to Business Law

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

This module equips those on business programmes with a structural and methodological appreciation of the basis elements of contract and tort law.

The module is divided into three parts:

1. the English legal system
2. contractual obligations; and
3. tortious liability.

Introduction to Economics

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 1

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of economics. The first half of the course deals with microeconomic issues including the behaviour of individuals and firms, their interaction in markets and the role of government. The second half of the course is devoted to macroeconomics and examines the determinants of aggregate economic variables, such as national income, inflation, and the balance of payments, and the relationships between them. This course also provides students with a basic introduction to mathematical economics, covering solving linear equations, differential calculus, and discounting.

Introduction to Marketing

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 1

This module explores various aspects of the marketing process, including environmental scanning, marketing mix, customer relationship management, and sales and supplier management. Through case study analysis and practical application, you will explore how to use marketing to gain and sustain competitive advantage.

Principles of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 1

The broad aim of this module is to introduce you to the study of behaviour in organisational contexts, with a focus on individual and group processes and actions. The module will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to function more effectively in organisations, and draws upon a broad and extensive theoretical and practical knowledge base to advance understanding of the complexities of human behaviour in organisations and to inform management thinking and activity.

Critical thinking skills are enhanced through the application of theory to current managerial issues and is supported through the exercise of teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills. You will also be given the opportunity to reflect upon your own capabilities and contribution to team performance.

Professional Skills and Development for Stage 1

0 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 1

This module is one of four (one per year) which together aim to equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes to operate as flexible and independent lifelong learners with the capabilities to meet the changing needs of employers in a global knowledge economy.

The focus across the four levels is on equipping you with the competences required to develop their potential whilst on their programmes and also to provide them with the tools to explore career and professional pathways beyond their studies. Underpinning this there will be a process of fostering and facilitation of a reflective and selfdevelopmental approach in you.

The four modules combine to 'escalate' your skills and developing professional awareness as they progress, and to leverage and integrate in-house resources (CEC) to do so. Consultation has been undertaken with CEC.

The module is non-credit bearing and activities are non-contributory. It is designed to be delivered across the five undergraduate courses but at various times that can be 'flexed' to incorporate professional and career development issues specific to each - for example invitations to speakers from professional bodies appropriate to courses.

The module runs parallel to the 'professional placement programme'(with synergies to be explored in roll-out) in years two and three, but in year four (when you 'return') there is provision of opportunities for debrief and reflective activities - and cascading to the cohorts in the placement preparaton phase.

The 1st year iteration commences in the induction period and is built upon through periodic interventions across both teaching blocks, with events (conference style plus 'breakouts') planned in weeks 3 and 7of TB1, and weeks 2 and 7of TB2.

The 1st year course addresses issues of meeting the challlenges faced by our students arising from the transition into Higher Education (and specifically Sussex) learning, introducing the protocols, support and tools (Sussex Plus: Skillclouds, e-portfolio, Pebblepad) available, and to foster the process of self development and career awareness and professional identity

Information Systems

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 2

The module introduces you to the application and management of information systems in an organisational environment. It adopts a management perspective to appreciate the identification, analysis, development, organisation and impact of appropriate information systems. Foundations of intra- and inter-organisational systems are examined along with their economic, social and organisational impacts.

International Marketing

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 2

Few companies these days could claim to be purely domestic. While the firm may confine its activities to the domestic market, the market itself is unlikely to be so restricted and may be served by firms headquartered in or operating from a number of other countries or regions. Knowledge of international issues is therefore of importance to all firms whether they are actively involved in marketing in foreign markets or have foreign competitors at home. This module represents an introduction to international marketing and aims to develop knowledge of the international environment and international marketing. The increased scope, risk and complexity faced by the international marketer is due to the increased level of uncertainty from operating in diverse and less understood environments. Emphasis is placed on the identification of challenges presented by international marketing to equip students to deal with differences, opportunities and threats emerging from diverse economic, demographic, political/legal, cultural, technical and competitive environments. The impact of international issues is related during the module to the marketing decision-making task at three levels; the macro level at which country selection decisions are made; national level at which market entry decisions are made; and market level where marketing mix decisions are made.

Management of Innovation

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 2

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge to understand and the skills to manage innovation and change at the operational level. The management of innovation and change is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-functional, so we aim here to provide an integrative approach. Specifically, we aim to integrate the management of market, technological and organisational change to improve the competitiveness of firms and effectiveness of other organisations. We shall argue that the process of innovation management is essentially generic, although organisation, technological and market specific factors will constrain choices and actions. We present a number of processes that contribute to the successful management of innovation, which are based on internal knowledge and competencies, but at the same time fully exploit external sources of know-how.

Marketing Strategy

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 2

On this module you will explore various aspects of strategic marketing including e-commerce, marketing measurement, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and industrial marketing through case-study analysis and practical application.

Project Management

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 2

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concept of project management as a way of managing. The role of project management as a key resource in the process of managing at the strategic level and the management of change in general will be examined and developed. Project Management concepts, the roles and responsibilities of project managers, organisational structures within which project management operates, project implementation, project teams, project leadership, project communication, relationships with clients, end-users and funding bodies, client briefing and network analysis will all be scrutinised. Qualitative and quantitative aspects and approaches will also be introduced and critically examined and developed.

Research Methods for Managers

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 2

This module introduces you to the nature of business and management research and the tools often used managers. The module prepares you for applying their respective dissertations in an organisational or industry context; and for undertaking management interventions in the workplace.

Outline of topic areas:

1. Nature of business and management research what is it and who cares?
2. Formulating research aim(s) and objectives to solve business and managerial problems
3. Overview of the philosophy of thinking and claims which can be made;
4. Research designs and methodologies (case study, survey, etc.): paying particular attention to the interplay between research questions, analytical approaches and methods of data collection;
5. Sampling strategies and their implications for design choices contextualised for students studying business and management;
6. Data collection and analysis: sources of information; questionnaires, interviews, literature reviews, policy documents, observations, measurement, statistical techniques; qualitative data analysis; sources of bias and error; reporting research, etc., contextualised for business and management problem solving
7. Research ethics and project planning for business professionals

Tools and Techniques for Marketing and Market Research

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 2

This module is a comprehensive exploration of the key aspects of marketing and market research, and reveals how vital they are to the formulation of effective marketing and business plans.

You will cover all the essential elements, from research methods and analysis, to the creation of research proposals and research reports enabling effective and powerful marketing decisions. 

Law of Business Organisations

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 2

This module aims to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the law of business organisations including the formation and constitution of business organisations, the financing of companies and the management, administration and regulation of companies.

Managing Change

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

This module gives you detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of how to manage change in a variety of contexts. You will examine the principles of managing change at a number of levels, building progressively throughout the module from individual change to team change, and from organisational change up to complex change at the meso­-macro level in complex economic systems (eg large projects of regional and national importance). 

Topics include: cognitive and psychodynamic theories of change; the constitution of teams and their dynamics; and models and approaches to organisational change (including cultural change, restructuring, and mergers/acquisitions). The application of specific tools for change will also be a key feature of the module, including tools for planning and project management (and when to use them), as well as team member and stakeholder engagement techniques.

You will engage with theoretical concepts and real life empirical case material, which will form the main focus of the interactive seminars. Seminars will employ diverse methods (role­plays, debates, presentations, and team­-based problem solving) to discuss case studies, and to gain practical skills from applying tools for managing change.

New Venture Creation and Business Planning

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

This module delivers a systematic understanding of the integrated component parts that constitute a start-up enterprise. It begins with an overview of the entrepreneurial attributes that underpin the development and implementation of an enterprise. Theoretical perspectives of entrepreneurship and models for assessing added value will form the basis of analysis of the process of start-ups. The module assists students in understanding strategic issues using appropriate frameworks to critically evaluate how entrepreneurs undertake the development of functional processes and to make informed strategic decisions. The theoretical underpinnings will also facilitate analysis of start-ups in a global market environment. Leading on from this, students will develop a critical understanding of the key processes involved in start-ups including web design, marketing, customer relationships, security and legal and ethical issues. The academic rigour of the module is enhanced by the linking application with the use of theory as presented in business models, and business plans.

Outline content

The business planning process
Idea generation / development / evaluation
Market identification including exposure to market players
Researching the resources required including equipment, people, funding, seed corn, angle funds,
Segmentation / positioning & differentiation / targeting
Developing the marketing mix (7 P's),
Use of technology to enable the business
Financial planning leading to development of financial statements and realistic related assumptions
Government, Regional and professional organisations/body support systems

Operations Management

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 2

This module will provide you with an understanding of how the fundamental principles of operations management can support the improvement of management performance in both public and private organisations. During the module you will apply these principles to both manufacturing and service operations.

You will also examine the systemic and interactive nature of operations management problems and their relationship to the external environment. You will develop quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, through guided problem-based activities and case study analysis.

Buyer Behaviour

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 3

Knowledge, work and organisations

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

This module looks at the pivotal role that knowledge workers play in the creation, application and diffusion of knowledge within and between firms.

You will consider new approaches to managing learning processes in the firm, including developments such as knowledge management and communities of practice, and the novel organisational structures that have emerged to coordinate knowledge-­work activity.

You will explore the diffusion of knowledge between firms through different types of knowledge-worker communities and networks, as well as the role of labour mobility. You will also consider how certain skills are emerging to play a critical role in the knowledge economy - for example, consulting services and knowledge brokering. Finally, you will consider how labour market institutions that impact careers, skills and training of knowledge workers, shape different approaches to knowledge generation. 

Marketing Communications

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

Public and Nonprofit Management and Organization

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 3

This module provides an introduction to organization and management in the public and nonprofit sectors. It combines perspectives from organization studies, management, economics, sociology, political science, and public policy. The first part of the module aims to develop insights into why public action is needed and how it is implemented including the governance of courses and projects, their budgeting and management, and the demonstration of their effectiveness. The second part of the module will examine the nonprofit sector. In addition to comparing the scope of activity, means of delivery and approaches to evaluation in this sector with the public sector, the second part of the module will examine the problems of mobilising support for nonprofit activities including fundraising, the enrolment of volunteers, and the role of professional staff. Seminars will develop more deeply the topics treated during the lectures by considering specific experience in both Anglo-American and more international contexts.

Strategy

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 3

This is a final-year integrative module in strategy, which develops your understanding and skills as a prospective future manager, specifically for formulating an organisation's overall strategic direction.

The module will help you to develop an understanding of the different approaches to strategy: how choices are made between different possible approaches; the content in which choices are made; and how strategies and structures are designed and implemented.

This module will complement and build on the various management skills already developed through earlier business and management modules.

Business Strategy Report

15 credits
Autumn teaching, Year 3

This module provides the opportunity for you to prepare a report on the strategic position of a business or organisation (governmental or not-for-profit) of your choice. You will have the opportunity to integrate the skills they have developed in their previous courses into one extended research project. The project requires students to research the strategic position (including market environment and resources and cababilities) of an organisation. Based on this analysis the students will propose a strategy for the organisation over the next five years. The final report should reflect the students' research skills and understanding of previous course material. Duyring the first two weeks of the course students will receive research methods training, supplementing the Research Methods course in their second year.

Critical Perspectives on Management and Organisations

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

This module aims to introduce you to a number of advanced topics in the field of organisation and management studies. It draws upon contemporary research and adopts a critical and analytical perspective to study complex issues that surround the management of organisations today.
Some of the topics that will be covered are:

1. Organising in post-modernity
2. Unpacking the foundations of institutions
3. The turn to (theory and strategy of) Practice
4. Managing boundaries
5. Organisational identity & Organising Identity
6. Sense making in organisations and organisational learning
7. Power/Knowledge, Resistance and Politics in organisations
8. Management fads & fashions

Entrepreneurship and Small Firms

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

The module provides you with a broad understanding of entrepreneurship and of small firms. Its central theme is that small firms are not simply scaled-down versions of larger firms. 

Please note, this module does not provide practical training in how to start or run a new firm.

Innovation Systems

15 credits
Spring teaching, Year 3

Research Project

30 credits
Autumn & spring teaching, Year 3

This module provides the opportunity for you to undertake a significant and independent research project. This may be a dissertation in the form of a literature-based analysis of a research problem, or a dissertation in which some primary empirical data is collected and synthesised by you. In BOTH cases, the dissertation is expected to address clear research questions. The research project provides you with the opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge from the degree programme, and to develop research skills. During the first four weeks of the course you will receive research methods training, supplementing the research skills acquired in their first year. Thereafter, you will meet twice a term with an assigned project supervisor.