MBA5312 MBA 3

Topic 1: Business analytics

Understanding the sources, uses and value of the flow of information through an organisation can give executives a competitive advantage and drive their innovation. Firms can leverage deep insights into business performance to enhance their value proposition and competitiveness. Business Analytics focuses on providing students with a managerial knowledge of the tools, methods and practices used to understand the vast amounts of data available to businesses, and its use in forecasting and in making strategic and operational business decisions. Descriptive and predictive analytics are explored, data mining and data visualisation techniques are addressed, and a wide range of cases are used to demonstrate the application of models and techniques.

Topic 2: Economics and society

The economic lens for reasoning in business is a critical understanding for practising executives and business leaders. In a turbulent, global economy, tackling macroeconomic challenges such as sustainable models, demographic shifts, climate change and income inequality demands economic literacy. This unit covers the main macroeconomic and microeconomic issues for business organisations, including market structures, supply and demand functions and pricing concepts. The importance of social relationships to economics is addressed, and the relationship between economics and politics is explored in the context of the regulatory environment. To access the most advanced ideas in this broad-based field, the unit will draw on the expertise of university colleagues in relevant faculties and research centres and external organisations where required.

Topic 3: Global business strategy

In a global world, conducting business is complex. Organisation leaders require robust models to understand globalisation and the implications for 21st century firms. Companies must understand the political, economic and social environments in which they operate. To engage globally, executives need to address a range of critical issues relating to the internationalisation of their business. These include marketing internationally, choosing locations for key activities, new ways of organising international business, and processes for managing across borders.

The aim is to prepare students to manage international business effectively. The topic examines the changing international environment for business, the dynamics of international competition, international relations and government-business interactions and the principles and practices of global business strategy. Further, the unit helps the student to develop the ethical and cross-cultural mindset and competence to succeed in global business. Cases and applications address models of international business and the management of innovation in multinational companies and settings; expert policy-makers and practitioners in the field will contribute to the unit.