Theory and Practice of Management
| Module title | Theory and Practice of Management |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEP1080 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Lucrezia Nava (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module will introduce you to the major contemporary developments in business and the most influential contemporary management theories, encouraging seminal debates about management practice. While you are encouraged to reflect on past developments, the overall focus of the module is on the likely future direction of management practice and on the key explanatory factors.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the module is to introduce you to a range of significant issues in today's business and management landscape. Its primaryobjective is to equip you with a solid understanding of the management process—planning, organising, leading, and controlling—while exploring its practical applications in diverse organisational contexts. You will explore the interplay between theory and practice, gaining insights into their application in real-word scenarios.
The module investigates several key aspects of management, including:
-
The historical development of management thought and its relevance to modern practices
-
The dynamics of globalisation and corporate social responsibility, and their impact on managerial decision-making
-
The role of ethics and decision-making frameworks in shaping organisational behaviour and culture
-
Strategic planning tools and strategies for achieving competitive advantage
-
Principles of organising, including delegation, organisational design, and managing diversity and inclusion
-
Leadership theories and styles, and their practical application in motivating teams and resolving conflicts
-
Control systems in management, including performance measurement, financial controls, and employee coaching
Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and interactive activities, the module aims to develop your ability to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to the challenges of contemporary management practices.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. assess the impact of different historical developments in management and organisation studies
- 2. evaluate the changing characteristics of organisations and explain the causes of key contemporary developments in their management
- 3. explain the role of the manager in different organisational settings
- 4. identify the increasing impact of regulation, technology, innovation and sustainability on the managers role
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. be able to develop and justify arguments, evidence critical thinking, and contrast and evaluate different assumptions and perspectives
- 6. work effectively and be self-motivated, to work effectively in a group, and present an argument in front of an audience
- 7. analyse an organisation's environment and evidence an awareness of strategy
- 8. demonstrate awareness of contemporary issues in management such as those relating to the management of change, ethics etc
- 9. Highlight the principles of organisational behaviour in relation to the management of people.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. prepare and organise work individually and in groups using a range of available technologies
- 11. work positively and collaboratively in groups, managing any conflict arising
- 12. prepare reports to which everyone in their group contributes and then present it succinctly
- 13. lead a tutorial presentation and discussion session
- 14. work on case study based materials, comparing different personal approaches to research and organisation, whilst developing an effective and convincing team presentation
Syllabus plan
- Module Introduction and the management process
- History and evolution of management thinking
- Globalisation and its impact on organisations
- The regulatory environment and government policy on business
- The response of managers to social and demographic change
- Individual and organisational performance management and review
- Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility and community
- Technology, enterprise and innovation
- Decision making and ethics
- Strategic management, leadership and team working
- Revision week
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 118 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10 | Tutorials |
| Independent and group study work to be managed by the student | 118 | Independent and group study work to be managed by the student |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutor feedback on draft group presentations | Written plan of no more than 1,000 words outlining focus of presentation, relevant sources of data and academic literature, roles of individuals within the group and break down of tasks. | 1-14 | Written and verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 50 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation | 30 | Video presentation of a maximum of 10 minutes, with accompanying commentary notes of no more than 1,000 words | 1-14 | Written and verbal |
| Examination | 70 | 2 hours | 1-5; 7-9; 12; 14 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation | PowerPoint slides of presentation along with commentary notes of no more than 1,000 words (30%) | 1-14 | Referral/deferral period |
| Examination | Examination (2 hours, 70%) | 1-5; 7-9; 12; 14 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
A student will be referred in all components of the student fails the module with a mark of below 40% overall.
A student if deferred via a single component will be reassessed in that componentonly.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Compulsory Text:
Taylor, S (ed) (2013): Theory and practice of management. Custom published text. Harlow, Prentice Hall.
Additional reading:
Daft, R. (2010) New Era of Management, 9th edition, Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage.
Dicken, P. (2015). Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy. (New York: Guilford).
Fundamentals of Management by Mike Smith. Second Edition. London, McGraw Hill. 2011.
Weekly core text compulsory sections reading list will be given, plus additional optional articles on tutorial
and contemporary topics.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=5906
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Web based and electronic resources: will be released, as recommended during classes
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/09/2014 |
| Last revision date | 15/01/2025 |
