BSc Business and Management

BEA1013: Introduction to Accounting

Summary:

This module is intended for Business and Management students who would like an introduction to the role of accounting from the perspective of the modern manager.
Additional information:

Internationalisation

The internationalisation of accounting standards and management accounting practices is emphasised in the teaching of the module. This would allow students not only to get an understanding of working abroad in accounting and general business departments, but also to consider the development and future prospects of related developments.

Sustainability

Sustainable and unsustainable practices will be discussed throughout the module. Corporate accounting is examined as a whole, not only looking at the financial elements, but also trying to identify patterns and explain the social and environmental ones.

Employability

Since students will be taught current national and international corporate accounting practices, they will acquire an understanding of basic accounting knowledge that is necessary for working in accounting or general business departments in the UK or abroad. They will also be able to develop their transferable skills in basic writing, problem solving, numeracy, communication, and time management

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BEE1034: Economics for Management

This module focuses on problems that arise with decision making in firms, and how you as a manager can address these problems using economics. The course takes a problems solving approach. You will be presented with problems that have arisen in real world firms and shown how these problems can be addressed using ideas from economics. The course requires the ability to critically analyse readings and is based on problem sets. GCSE level maths or equivalent will be required.

Economics offers powerful insights into the world of business. This introductory economics course aims:

• to provide an essential, simple, useable body of economics- based tools, which will both provide the basis for further study and equip students with a real understanding of the role of economics in business.
• to encourage students to understand how we as managers can make decisions more effectively and why we can sometimes make poor decisions
• to give students an understanding of how businesses use economic theory to make decisions
• to illustrate how economics is relevant to a number of areas of management.

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BEM1019: Fundamentals of Marketing

Everyone comes into this course with some knowledge concerning marketing because, as consumers, you are continuously exposed to marketing practices such as advertising and personal selling. However, additional knowledge is needed in order to understand how businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental institutions utilize marketing to achieve their objectives.

This module is designed to introduce you to a marketing process. You will learn about the basic concepts, practices, and analytical methods of marketing and study how successful organizations conduct marketing strategy to build sustainable competitive advantage over their competitors.

The aim of this module is to provide a basic introduction to the marketing environment, the marketing mix, marketing management, and the role of marketing in a global society. This course provides a consumer-oriented perspective that extends beyond traditional economically based marketing knowledge in order to help understand the roles of socio-cultural and psychological forces in the planning of marketing strategies.

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BEM1024: Statistics for Business

This module will familiarise you with the principles and practice of performing statistical analyses within a range of management, marketing and business analytics settings. The module introduces the ways in which statistical analyses and hypothesis testing can contribute to business knowledge. Discipline-relevant examples from the research literature will be used to illustrate practical applications of statistics and you will gain practical experience in how to perform statistical analyses through software-based tutorial sessions using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Weekly structured learning activities will provide you with ongoing learning through re-engagement with prior module learning and introductory material for subsequent weeks' learning.

The module aims to provide:

A strong foundational knowledge regarding the importance of statistical analyses; how to apply statistical analyses within management, marketing and business analytics settings; and how statistics are used in decision-making processes.

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BEM1071: Discovering Management Theory

This module provides an introduction to organisations and their management. It introduces you to major elements of management theory, both historic and contemporary in nature. Through this module you will be exploring the future of management practice, and you will be engaged with key pieces of research emerging from the Business School.

This module is designed as a foundational element of the degree programme, upon which other content areas will build. As such there are no pre-or co-requisites for this module.

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BEM1072: Discovering Skills for Management

This module provides a foundation for all Management programmes. Through a combination of tutorials, lectures, group work and independent study, this module will support you as you transition to University-level study of the management discipline. Delivered in combination with your academic tutor and subject-matter experts, activities will focus on laying the foundations for successful study throughout your degree and underpinning your development as an independent researcher and future management professional. It will prepare you to become a reflective, pro-active learner and introduce you to the skills, mindset and tools needed to thrive in an evolving global workplace.

This module is available on Management programmes ONLY and is not open for optional module selection.

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BEA2010: Managerial Accounting

This module introduces management accounting concepts and techniques such as traditional and activity-based costing, transfer pricing, flexible and activity-based budgeting as well as simple and multiple regression analysis in the context of cost estimation. In addition, it discusses employee motivation, performance evaluation and compensation systems. Further, it evaluates the behavioural impacts of various management accounting techniques and systems as well as their implications for control system design. You will acquire a clear understanding of how to use and apply the techniques of managerial accounting as well as their behavioural implications.

Additional information

Internationalisation

This module takes an international perspective and considers the effectiveness of management accounting methods in different countries.

Employability

You will acquire knowledge and understanding of managerial accounting that concern practitioners and researchers and which have practical relevance in the workplace (careers in management accounting, internal control, management control and consultancy). In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop analytical, problem-solving, and argument-building skills during the seminar classes and while completing various activities, skills which are essential in the workplace.

Sustainability

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BEM2007: Operations Management

Summary

Operations management is concerned with managing processes, and how organisations create value in the production of goods and services. This field of study is applicable in manufacturing and the service sector, from small retailers and professionals to banks and insurance companies, hospitals and utilities. We study how firms achieve competitive success through improving the processes involved in delivering products and services, and reducing costs through increased efficiencies. The module covers operations strategy, process design, production planning and capacity management, project management, process and value stream mapping, lean production, inventory management, and decision making.

Additional Information

Internationalisation

Diversity is encouraged and celebrated through the analysis of a wide range of global case studies and examples. Operations plays a key role in identifying how the traditional distinction between countries being 'developed' or 'less developed' is being replaced by 'innovation rich' vs. 'innovation poor' countries.

Sustainability

Sustainable supply chain frameworks and management philosophies are an essential feature of operations management through the provision of modern and eco-efficient customer solutions.

External Engagement

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BEM2021: Human Resource Management

Internationalisation

The content of this module is largely based on the UK model of Human Resource Management which is highly regarded internationally. Good practice in Human Resource Management is very applicable to other contexts and internationally translatable.

Sustainability

All of the notes from the lectures will be made available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

Employability

In this module, students acquire an understanding of human resource management and how to operate as a line manager with people management responsibilities. They also develop their skills in team working, conflict resolution, and motivational leadership; and they enhance their understanding of good practice in recruitment selection, performance management, discipline and grievance, and they learn how to manage others.

• To introduce students to the context, theory and practice of human resource management
• To develop a critical orientation toward the subject matter and an awareness of the complexity of managing people.

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BEM2047: Organisational Behaviour

This module builds your knowledge of organisations, and your ability to analyse organisational life. It explores organisational behaviour theory in order to develop your ability to appraise the functioning of organisations. It will therefore develop a critical mind-set, built from a strong understanding of organisational theory to enable you to operate as an effective future organisational leader.

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge of organisational theory, your awareness of the complexity of managerial and organisational problems, and to equip you with the skills needed to analyse how and why organisations behave as they do. You can develop your knowledge and skills through discussion and exploration of real-world organisational issues.

Employability:

This module equips students with the ability to understand and unpick organisational 'problems', providing clear, managerially relevant solutions. Students will develop their abilities to produce management reports, critically discussing and appraising differing views on phenomena.

Internationalisation:

The module draws from the international experience of our faculty, and uses global examples to illustrate concepts, and differing approaches to structuring organisations and their management.

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BUS3002: Business School Industrial Experience

Summary:

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement during the third year of a four-year With Industrial Experience WIE' programme. To progress to this module, you will have completed the employability modules BSD1002 and BSD2002 in your 1st and 2nd year, and will have secured a suitable (33 week minimum) placement which has been approved by the Business School.

Having developed the career management skills necessary for a competitive graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to put the theory learned into practice in the workplace and to focus on your professional skills development.

Throughout your 'industry' year, you will receive guidance from an academic 'WIE tutor' and the Careers team, who will support and encourage you to fully maximise the developmental opportunities provided by your work experiences. Your personal development will also be supported through the completion of an assessed placement 'WIE PORTFOLIO', submitted in stages as you advance through your placement year.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You can undertake a work placement in the UK or elsewhere in the world. Overseas placements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

External Engagement

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BUS3000A: Year Abroad (Study and Work Placement)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study and work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. With this module you can spend one semester studying at a European or non-European partner institution and 6 months' work placement abroad in a country of your choice.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university and undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.

The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.

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BUS3000B: Year Abroad (Study)

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to study abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'With Year Abroad' programme. With this module you can spend an academic year at one of the Business School's European partner institutions, a partner institution outside of Europe, or combine one semester study at a European and one semester at a non-European partner institution

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By studying at another university as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or not include learning of a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment. You will also have access to a range of modules, potentially in areas not offered at Exeter, taught in a different learning culture and therefore broadening your overall academic experience.

The module introduces you to the experience of academic study outside the UK, and, for some of you, a different language. It aims to challenge preconceptions and assumptions about higher education learning by exposing you to a different approach to academic study.

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BUS3000C: Year Abroad

This module is for undergraduate Business School students to work abroad in their 3rd of 4 years on the 'with Year Abroad' programme. To progress to this module, you would have completed BSD2005 and would have found a suitable placement abroad (outside of UK) for a minimum of 24 weeks and a maximum of 33 weeks.

An important element of international business is for you to understand the political, economic, and cultural differences between countries. By undergoing a work placement abroad as part of your degree programme, you will learn to think globally and come to understand how the world is interconnected through business. Adding an international component to your business degree, which may or may not include learning a foreign language, will make you more competitive in today's multicultural, global business environment.

The module assessment is designed to give you the opportunity to present and evaluate the knowledge and skills that you have developed and gained while on your year abroad work placement.

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BEA3008: Finance for Managers

Summary:

Note: cannot be taken with BEA2018 Corporate Finance, BEA3018 Advanced Corporate Finance, BEE3059 Asset Pricing or BEE3034 Financial Decisions and Markets 2.

BEA3008 introduces students to corporate finance theory and to the key financial decisions/problems faced by financial managers and corporate decision makers (mainly, investment, financing and dividend decisions, together with the management of risk). In addition, the module provides students with opportunities to apply the theory to these problems using the key tools and techniques of corporate finance.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation
The content of this module takes an international perspective, particularly when considering the financial market, and the cross-cultural activity involved.

Employability
Students acquire knowledge in this module, including a solid understanding of basic financial theory, which is highly relevant to jobs related to finance and accountancy. This module also offers an opportunity to develop their numeracy and logical thinking skills.

Sustainability
All of the resources for this course are available on the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment).

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BEM3065: Strategy

Strategy may be defined as 'determination of the long-term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals.' (Alfred Chandler, 1962).

Building upon foundational knowledge developed in earlier parts of your degree programme, you will understand a deeper perspective on the multifaceted nature of strategy implementation processes. This will allow you to explore in more detail some of the core and emerging issues facing organisations today.

You will address common strategic challenges by helping to develop an understanding of how organisations arrive at strategies for competitive advantage and how they address issues relating to firm growth and development. You will take a holistic view of the strategic management process and explore key concepts, theories, frameworks, and issues of relevance to each of its dimensions:

• strategic analysis
• strategic formulation
• strategic implementation

The module aims to achieve three key objectives:

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BEM3022: Purchasing and Supply Management

Summary:

Purchasing & Supply Management (PSM) is an emerging new field in business management which reflects the worldwide trends of globalised trading and the concept of the extended supply chain. While traditional functions such as buying and logistics have traditionally been considered tactical functions within the firm, 'PSM' has grown to becoming a strategic activity which manages supplier relationships, enables network innovation, reduces cost, and mitigates the impact on society and the natural environment. As Purchasing & Supply Management is recognized as one of the cornerstones of 21st century competitive advantage, 'PSM' increasingly attracts great interest from both industry practitioners and academic researchers.

Additional Information:

Please note that, with the exception of the recommended core text, all of the resources for this module such as lecture slides and PDFs are available on the ELE.

Internationalisation

Students taking this module will get an understanding of purchasing and supply chain management in the UK and Europe, as well as global sourcing and supplier selection methods around the world. In addition they will learn about global brand names such as: Rolls Royce Engines, Tesco, IKEA, Volvo Car Corporation, Dell, as well as public government organizations e.g. defence, health.

Sustainability

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BEM3046: Managing Human Resources: Advanced Issues

From your studies and experience to this point in your degree you will appreciate that managing people at work is a fascinating and important topic in both theory and practice, and frequently comes with more questions than there are answers Nevertheless, in today's competitive business context it is the strategic responsibility of human resource professionals to provide an appropriate framework to guide managerial employment practice. In this module you will learn more about the connection between human resource practices and the delivery of organisation objectives through a number of topics that are at the leading edge of people management practice.

BEM2021 is a pre-requisite for this module.

The module aims to broaden your understanding of the theory and practice of managing people from a Human Resource Management perspective. In this module we will take an in-depth analytical approach to contemporary people management topics that will help you to understand the complexities and challenges of HRM in a variety of organisation contexts. Studying this module will assist you in being able to analyse organisations with the purpose of advising on HR solutions.

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BEM3052: Managing Change and Crisis in Organisations

This module examines how organisations manage change and cope with crisis. The complex cultural, political and ethical issues faced by leaders, managers and change agents will be examined in detail. In addition, we will examine the role leaders, managers and consultants play in designing and facilitating organisational change. Consideration will be given to how managers can be better prepared for the unpredictability, unintended outcomes and possible harmful consequences of change.

The module aims to provide an understanding of both particular approaches and techniques for managing change, and the limitations of these approaches/techniques when applied in practice. The module aims to pay particular attention to the role of the leaders, managers and consultants in the change management process. There will also be a focus on how change is communicated within an organisation.

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BEM3082: Building Resilient Leaders

This module combines leadership development with the multilevel neuro-affective model for developing resilience (Tabinia, 2020). It is a blend of case studies, reflective exercises and resilience training. Using experiential and critical reflection, students will explore how to become resilient in the face of adversities and challenges. Throughout the module students will be asked to embark on a journey of self-awareness, self-leadership and self-compassion, three key elements for resilience. Students will plan, implement and evaluate their own resilience development programme. In the module we will function with a strong sense of common identity which will support the individual journey.

The aims of the module are structured around 4 sections:

• Section 1: Understanding leadership and resilient leaders
• Section 2: Understanding stress and resilience
• Section 3: Practical tools for developing resilience
• Section 4: How to ensure successful resilience development?

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