Discovering Management

Module title	Discovering Management
Module code	BEM1023
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	30
Module staff	Mr Chris Reedthomas (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	12	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	650

Module description

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. We have a major focus on 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.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to equip you with a foundational understanding and awareness of management practice in an organisational context. You will be engaged with both long standing and emerging research through the lecture programme, and develop your ability to critically analyse issues.

Employability

During this module, you will acquire confidence and skills in presenting, writing reports, conducting independent research, working in teams, managing conflicts, and working to deadlines. You will also get an understanding and experience of working in informal networks, coaching, peer review, and reflective writing.

Sustainability

This module covers sustainability related issues, and links with Exeter’s research related to the Circular Economy.

Internationalisation

Lectures and seminars draw upon international examples and case studies. The broad scope of this module means that internationalisation is an embedded part of the education programme. Globalisation will be discussed in depth as one of the core content areas.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Critically evaluate major management theories, developing arguments about their worth to managers and/or application within organisations
2. Discuss major contemporary trends in the political, regulatory economic, social and demographic environments in which organisations compete, their contemporary and likely future significance
3. Explore the role of the manager within a contemporary organisational context

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Develop and justify arguments, evidencing critical thinking, through the evaluation of different assumptions and perspectives
5. Analyse environments that organisations are located within, demonstrating an emerging awareness of organisational strategy

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Work both on independent assignments and within group-based contexts, developing your ability to work positively with others, managing any conflict arising
7. Analyse case study material, developing your capability to produce a credible management report
8. Present in depth analysis in both written and verbal forms through, for example, leading a tutorial presentation and discussion

Syllabus plan

Indicative content for this module includes:

Studying business and management
The history of management thinking
Business models and competitive advantage
Demographic and societal changes
Globalisation
Technology and innovation
Stakeholder theory and management
Change management
Organisation culture
Sustainability, CSR and ethics
Managing for creativity
Risk and reputation management
Managing people
International and cross cultural management

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
48	252	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	24	Whole cohort lecture sessions
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	24	Small group seminars organised around study skills and content areas
Guided independent study	144	Assessment preparation
Guided independent study	108	Pre-session and post-session reading and revision

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Formative Presentation	10 minutes	1-8	In class verbal feedback from peers and tutor
Portfolio surgery	1 x draft portfolio	1-5, 8	In class tutor feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group case study report	30	3000 words	1-8	Feedback through ELE/grademark
Individual reflective portfolio	70	3000 words	1-5, 8	Feedback through ELE/grademark

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 case study report	Individual case study report	1-8	Referral/Deferral period
Individual reflective portfolio	Individual reflective portfolio	1-5, 8	Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Reassessment will take the form of resubmission of revised drafts.

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Boddy, D. (2017) Management: An Introduction. 7^th Edition. Harlow: Pearson.
Bolden, R., Gosling, J. and Hawkins, B. (2023) Exploring Leadership: individual, organizational, and societal perspectives. 2^nd Edition, Oxford University Press.
Cameron, S. (2016) The Business Student's Handbook: Skills for Study and Employment. Sixth Edition. Harlow: Pearson.
Daft, R. L. (2015) Management. Cengage Learning.
Gallagher, K. (2016) Essential Study and Employment Skills for Business and Management Students. Third Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Hamilton, L. & Webster, P. (2015) The International Business Environment. Third Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Laasch, O. (2021) Principles of Management: practicing ethics, responsibility, sustainability. 2^nd Edition, Sage.
Wetherly, P. & Otter, D. (2018) The Business Environment: Themes and Issues in a Globalizing World. Fourth Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Relevant Academic Journals:

Harvard Business Review
British Journal of Management
Academy of Management Journal

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Students will have access to an ELE page which will provide extensive material to support the lecture programme including lecture notes, and short explanatory videos.

Key words search

Business, Management, Organisations, Organisational Theory, Management Research

Credit value	30
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	Cannot be taken with BEM1028 or BEM1016 / BEM1016a
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/07/2019
Last revision date	22/03/2024