MSc Business and Management

BEAM045: Accounting for International Managers

Summary:

Managers are constantly making decisions which have financial consequences:

• How much to charge for X?
• How much does Y cost to make?
• How much profit could be made if...?
• Should there be investment in this new venture, product, or market?

Questions are always being asked by a wide range of stakeholders:

• How successful is the business?
• Should I invest in it?
• Work for it?
• Buy from it?
• Sell to it?
• Lend to it?

Management and financial accounting information support internal and external business decision-making by all those with an interest and influence.

BEAM045 recognises that good managers need to be able to appreciate and use a variety of accounting information and techniques with professional scepticism in business decision-making.

This module also introduces and encourages skills in providing and professionally communicating content that is relevant and understandable to a range of non-financial clients.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation:

• The concepts and techniques explored in this module have global application; Learning is undertaken in an international context, and you are encouraged to share knowledge and experiences from your own and other countries.

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility:

• These are embedded within all topics studied: concepts and techniques are taught to reflect that it is the responsibility of all organisations to make ethical financial decisions and actions, and to provide financial information so that stakeholders can make their own informed decisions.

Employability:

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BEAM052: Corporate Governance and Finance

Summary:
The module bridges the gap between corporate finance and corporate governance. It introduces the concept of corporate governance, discusses its theoretical underpinnings, and details the role of various internal and external governance mechanisms in addressing agency problems arising in modern corporations. The module also highlights the differences between governance systems across the world. The course material is based on seminal readings as well as more recent academic research in the area and it demonstrates the relevance of corporate governance issues to both business and policy makers. The teaching is organised in the form of lectures and smaller-group seminars.

Additional Information:
Internationalisation
Cross-country differences between governance systems around the world are one of the key issues the module focuses on. In particular, the syllabus highlights the variation in relevance and prevalence of various corporate governance mechanisms in different legal systems.

Sustainability
All of the resources for this module (except for the core textbook) are in electronic form only. The syllabus covers some aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its relevance for corporate governance while discussing emerging topics in corporate governance.

Employability
Students learn to apply insights from the recent academic literature in the context of real-life governance problems. They also develop their skills in team-working, presentation, and independent thinking in this module.

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BEMM114: Managing Operations

Summary:

The aim of the module is to introduce you to the importance of the operations functions of an organisation and how operations performance can impact on the success of the whole organisation. The module discusses the role played by operations managers in setting an operations strategy through which products and services can be designed and delivered. The module focusses not only on systems, processes and facilities in the production and flow of goods and services, but also on the general principles an organisation can use to guide its decision-making. Particular attention is given to operational objectives, capacity management, project management and the process choice decisions facing organisations in pursuit of 'delighting' the ever demanding customer; the customer who today typically expects; quality, value for money, and consistently excellent customer service.

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BEMM264: Current Issues in International Business

The focus of this module is to engage you with a variety of issues pertinent to International Business Managers. Drawing from cross-disciplinary scholars from different fields such as Marketing, Finance, Management, Leadership, and Economics, we will explore International Business Issues from a variety of stakeholder perspectives. This module enables you to learn from experts within their respective fields of study that use current research and thinking in International Business. The seminars are specifically designed to train students to look at business problems from a variety of different perspectives that ultimately inform organisational decision-making and strategy.

You will be guided by a single module coordinator/lecturer who will lead each session and invite guest speakers. The aim here is to help you make connections between your previous experiences, business practice and cross-cultural perspectives. You will learn how to take a cross-disciplinary perspective on international business issues and integrate them into your own worldview. Through a series of lectures/workshops and interactive discussions we will equip you with international practice-based knowledge that you can take into the workplace.

This module enables you to learn from a variety of examples of current research and thinking in International Business through attending and engaging in a programme of research seminars led by leading academic scholars. Because there is no 'one way' to approach International Business, we will draw from a range of different business disciplines, which include accounting, marketing, economics, leadership, and management to provide you with a cross-disciplinary perspective on International Business issues. This module simulates real issues in International Business, which are essential tools for understanding and applying International Business strategy and essential to knowledge production. The aims are to:

• explore current debates in International Business by actively experiencing research presentations, offering you opportunities to interact with researchers and build knowledge
• develop your understanding of International Business research via exposure to research seminars, which include both formal and informal interaction.

The assignment is designed to:

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BEMM384: International Business Plan

The International Business Plan Experience is designed as a cap-stone course that will help you to integrate the knowledge that you have gained over the course of terms one and two and apply that knowledge towards a Business Plan model. Building from the foundational and applied knowledge that you have developed over terms one and two from the disciplines of Marketing, Accounting , Management, Leadership , , Entrepreneurship, and International Business, you will be offered the opportunity to write an individual business plan. This project will use an applied, simulated, data-driven approach to understanding an international business issue. This practice-based approach will help to equip you with the skills research consultants and brand managers use in developing international business strategy.

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BEMM800: Foundations to Business Communication

This module is designed to support your transition to postgraduate level study in the use and practice of communication skills around your programme assessments. This module will provide you with key foundational communication skills in reading and writing that you can take into your other courses on the programme as well as into future business employment. A core focus of this module is to help you develop foundational knowledge in critical reading and writing skills. As a critical reader, you will learn how to evaluate academic writing, and how researchers communicate a coherent and convincing argument. As a critical writer, you will learn techniques on how to develop and position your own arguments. As part of this experience, you will learn how to leverage academic scholarship within your work.

One challenge faced by all new postgraduate students is acclimating to a new programme of study. Students are required to quickly calibrate their existing communication knowledge base with programme expectations in order address any potential skills gap. The problem is that students often do not realise how significant their communication skills gap is until after they have completed a full-term of study. This post-reflective form of student practice means that students often complete a full-term of study before understanding areas that they need to address.

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BEMM820: Organisational Behaviour

This module explores the dynamics of behaviour in an organisation. It will address how to identify and understand behavioural patterns and how to develop skills in managing this behaviour in ourselves and others. Understanding behaviour is fundamental to effective management and personal development. Organisational behaviour (OB) pervades all other activities in an organisation as long as people are involved in it. This module will examine our everyday understanding of behaviour and explore new insights into OB in a theoretical and practical manner. No prior study of OB is required.

• Provide students with an understanding of behavioural theories in the context of organisations, at the individual, group and organisational level.
• Enable students to translate behaviour theory into practice, through applied work
• Develop student's confidence in assessing and managing their own behaviour and the behaviour of others that they can take into the workplace.

This module runs in Term 2 (Spring Term) for January starters only.

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BEMM059: International Human Resource Management

The aim of this module is to equip you with a solid understanding of the complexities of international human resource management (IHRM) as well as with the strategic knowledge needed to manage these complexities. The context, theory and practice of IHRM will be explored, e.g. cultural and institutional theoretical frameworks to understand differences across global contexts, comparative HRM practices around selected countries as well as challenges of managing expatriation, global staff and multi-cultural teams. The module also aims to foster critical perspectives on sustainability and ethics within the realm of IHRM by addressing CSR in Multinational companies and drawing attention to international labour practices and human rights. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it encourages you to reflect on how IHRM can promote 'Decent Work and Economic Growth' (SDG 8), and 'Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10).

Internationalisation
This module looks at International Human Resource Management and how it responds to globalisation, so countries all over the world are brought into consideration. How companies manage their expatriated staff in international assignments is a major theme in this module.

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BEMM069: Marketing and New Product Innovation

Marketing is the term given to those activities that occur where an organisation and its customers come into contact and result in a mutually beneficial and satisfying exchange relationship. It is the driving force behind modern business and is concerned with ensuring the closest possible fit between what an organisation does and what its customers need and want. This involves offering the 'right' marketing mix.

However, marketing also depends on the constant updating of ideas and development of new products and services. Consumers can be fickle and change their needs and wants, competitors alter their strategies, and forces within the marketplace regularly change. These factors require organisations to implement New Product Development (NPD) programmes, with a view to integrate and coordinate their marketing efforts through strategic decision-making, reflected in the production of marketing plans.

The module will provide students with the relevant skills and techniques necessary for implementing marketing strategy and planning around the framework of developing a new product/service development programme. Working in project teams, students will develop their project management, communication and team-working skills during the development of a formal presentation of their marketing plan. Students will be asked to reflect on the reasons for new product/service development and how businesses develop a product into a commercial idea.

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BEMM116: Principles of International Business

Business is international in scope as managers take advantage of the comparative advantages countries around the world offer through complex and geographic dispersed value chains, not only to sell products but also to access inputs, knowledge and skills. This module provides the theoretical foundations of international business and its practical applications in explaining the dynamics and constraints of firms' international strategies. It analyses changes in the international economic environment as a result of globalization as well as the increased interdependence between countries and firms in terms of flows of goods, services, finances and people. The module considers also political, economic and institutional differences around the world and the strategies companies adopt when conducting business across national boundaries. While many practical examples are provided, focus is given to developing an analytical approach to addressing these questions, drawing on several theoretical perspectives.

Internationalisation

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BEMM126: Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

In today's global business environment, firms compete through complex supply chains rather than as isolated entities. Purchasing & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) is crucial for cost efficiency, supplier collaboration, risk management, and sustainability. This module provides a structured approach to PSCM, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical industry applications, focusing on value creation, strategic sourcing, and supply chain resilience.

Through lectures, case studies, and interactive exercises, students will analyse procurement decisions, risk mitigation strategies, and supplier management, exploring challenges faced by companies as well as public sector complexities. The module integrates cutting-edge research on low-carbon procurement and closed-loop supply chains.

Designed for students from diverse backgrounds, it balances academic research with industry best practices and aligns with Chartered Institute for Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) standards. By the end, students will be equipped to drive sustainable and competitive supply chain strategies.

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BEMM190: Digital Transformation

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of digital transformation through study of a range of practical examples. Organisations must position themselves for success in the digital era to be sustainable. For new ventures, it means creating structures and working practices appropriate to the dynamic environment. For established organisations, it means transforming existing structures and ways of working to meet current and future needs while continuing to meet the expectations of existing clients, employees and other stakeholders. Consequently, digital transformation activities are becoming increasingly strategic across public, private and third sectors.

You will also assess the implications for career development within these disruptive environments. This means building the digital skills required for success such as effective workplace communications across hybrid locations, the use of collaborative online tools, and the importance of ethical behaviour and wellbeing.

This module will help you to:

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BEMM394: Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation

This module introduces both the theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship and new venture creation. It adopts various perspectives to provide a holistic picture of the entrepreneurial process, including, but not limited to, the practical aspects of the intellectual, behavioral, and emotional demands of starting a new venture. The module is intended to provide rigorous insight into the realities of entrepreneurial activity and an understanding of the role that small and medium-sized businesses play in the modern economy. This may be achieved by creating a new independent firm or organizing a new enterprise within an existing firm.

If you already have an idea for a new business or are working on one, this module offers an opportunity to develop, refine, and test it.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You will have the opportunity to develop the ability to think globally and understand international cultures through working on global sustainability problems with classmates from diverse cultures. Diverse teams enable understanding of global problems from multiple perspectives and the development of viable solutions.

External Engagement

This module draws on academic and entrepreneurial experts to enrich your learning journey.

Sustainability

You are encouraged to tackle sustainability-related issues in your group activities and individual assignments.

Employability

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BEMM786: Service Design and Innovation

This module offers an interdisciplinary and applied introduction to service innovation, with a strong focus on how organisations can design, analyse, and improve services to enhance customer experience and remain competitive. It is particularly relevant if you are interested in the practical challenges of creating value in today’s service economy and in using digital techniques and technologies to inform service innovation.

Building on core ideas from operations management and marketing, the module introduces you to the concept of the service delivery system and explores how customer experience shapes service design, delivery, and evaluation. You will develop technical and consultancy skills that will equip you for the workplace, using real-world data and service improvement examples throughout the module.

The module is research-led and draws on insights from the VISTA AR project, a €7.8m ERDF-funded project focused on digital innovation in cultural heritage sites. This gives you the opportunity to engage with contemporary service challenges and examples of innovation in practice.

There is a strong applied focus throughout, with lectures and practical workshops introducing tools for customer experience analysis and advanced approaches such as eye-tracking and natural language processing. As part of the assessment, you will analyse real-world service examples and make recommendations for improvement and innovation.

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BEMM801: Entrepreneurship: Business Simulation

This module is integrated with a sophisticated simulation package that allows you to gain an authentic learning experience whilst running a business as an entrepreneur. Underpinned by experiential learning and gamification, this module is designed to allow you to learn a wide range of aspects about running and growing a business in a simulated environment.

This practice-based module will focus on the various functions of a business at different stages of development to equip you with tacit knowledge of the complex nature of running and growing a business. You will have the opportunity to enhance your understanding on how the decisions you make will generate impact on the various aspects of your business by running the day-to-day activities for your business in the simulation.

No prior knowledge skills or experience required to take this module as the simulation itself offers very detailed instructions and explanations for various concepts. No pre-requisite and co-requisite modules needed.

This module is suitable for business specialist and non-specialist students; however, it is worth noting that those without a business background may find that it takes longer to get familiarised with the business concepts.

This module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

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BEMM839: Unlocking Innovation

Research demonstrates that innovative organisations outperform those that fail to innovate, whatever environments they are operating in. Innovation is often misunderstood as a distinctive "flash of genius," but for successful organisations, it is a disciplined management process essential for survival in a volatile global economy.

Unlocking Innovation serves as the backbone of your study of innovation and its management, moving beyond buzzwords to master the fundamental mechanics of bringing new value to life. In the module you will adopt the core process model (Search, Select, Implement, and Capture) to navigate the journey from a raw idea to a market-ready reality. You will learn how to scan the environment for opportunities (Search), make tough strategic choices on where to invest resources (Select), manage complex project development (Implement), and sustain value from your efforts (Capture).

The module bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application. Whether you aspire to launch and scale a disruptive start-up or drive transformation within an established multinational or public sector organisation, you will develop the "dynamic capabilities" required to manage risk, navigate uncertainty, and turn global challenges into competitive advantages.

The management of innovation is professionalising fast. This is your essential toolkit for becoming a proactive innovation manager in a digital, sustainability-focused world.

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BEMM841: Protecting Innovation

Innovation operates within competitive and dynamic environments shaped by rapid socio-economic change associated with technologies such as artificial intelligence, sustainability challenges, market uncertainties, evolving innovation policies, and geopolitical pressures. In this context, the ability to protect innovation is central to long-term organisational success.

In this module, you will explore how organisations and governments protect, manage, and responsibly share innovation while safeguarding it from imitation and misappropriation. You will examine both the strategic importance of innovation protection and the practical tools organisations use to secure and sustain competitive advantage.

The module introduces formal and informal protection mechanisms and covers key contemporary themes, including national and regional innovation strategies, innovation policies, intellectual property (IP) regimes, global production networks, and technology sovereignty. These topics provide the foundation for understanding how innovation protection strategies are shaped by technological, economic, geopolitical, legal, and related contexts.

Through case studies, applied exercises, and analytical discussions, you will learn how organisations and governments protect innovation, anticipate and respond to emerging risks and uncertainties, opportunities and shifts in the innovation landscape.

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