The course provides an historical context for the study of business by reviewing the evolution of management thought and the ethical implications of each stage of thinking from scientific to behavioral to systems/management systems. Through class discussion, debate and student research, the class will review current issues and speculate on the evolution of management thought through the information age. The course also uses fine art as an expression of ethical tensions in society, providing business leaders with managerial insight.

    

The course will assist students in understanding and using information technology tools in order to improve and position a firm’s operations and management, finding an ideal fit with the firm’s competitive strategy, marketing priorities, and financial parameters. Students will understand how appropriate information technology unveils new business models and operations. Students will learn how to use information technology as business leaders, in developing products, assessing and designing organizational structures, improving customer care, and achieving optimal operations.

   

After briefly reviewing prior learning in HR Management, students will define best practices and research on motivational theory, recruitment & learning, employment law, and global management practices. Students will explore how these theories and practices can be tied to meeting the contemporary challenges of the organization and enhancing the community in which the business functions.

 

Students will engage the use of financial/accounting information as a source for managerial decision making, planning and evaluating performance. Topics will include profit planning, cost analysis, activity based costing and management, expense and capital budgeting, contribution and value chain analysis and product costing. Concepts will be applied to case studies to be done both individually and in groups.
     

The course applies prior learning in operations and change management as well as supply chain theory. The course emphasizes problem resolution by means of linear programming, sensitivity analysis, decision tree analysis, quality issues and the quality house trade-off matrix. Use of Excel Solver for optimization analysis and resolution is used. Thus familiarity with spreadsheet use and Microsoft Excel is required. Topics include: the logistic issues of firms conducting business and specific operational and strategic concerns of multinational players.
   

The course reviews international business subjects (political, economic, cultural factors underlying international business, international trade theories, etc.) and uses these in analyzing international business operation cases. Advanced issues that concern multinational corporations will be discussed. Topics include: the logistic issues of firms conducting business beyond their domestic markets, NAFTA countries, the Pacific Rim business environment including South and East Asia, Latin America, European Union countries, and specific operational and strategic concerns of multinational players.

     

The course provides the necessary skills and tools to do proper research work both for the academic and the corporate sectors. Topics covered in the course include research methods, designs, statistical analysis and reviews of the current issues on research studies. Students will conduct a detailed literature review of a business topic of interest to them, but approved by their faculty mentor.

 

The course will assist students to explore the interrelationship between business and community from a variety of perspectives, including economic, humanitarian, strategic. Students will define a personal understanding of the role of community in business, including community facilitation among employees, specific business contributions to the local community, and community development among businesses. Cases defining best practice will be studied, providing current insight into best practice of corporate social responsibility and business integration.

 

The course will study the role of creativity and design in current business practice. Through a variety of cases and course facilitators (such as fine artists, film producers, and recording artists), students will gain understanding of the artistic process and its use in adding value to a product and a company. Outcomes will include the ability to create and assess strategic innovations, analyze key issues in product transfer and marketing, and facilitate new venture creation. Tasks will be assigned to “Innovation Teams” for analysis, re-engineering and then presented to the class via media integration.

 

The course synthesizes prior academic work, integrating practical experiences, academic content, and personal development throughout the program. Students will study contemporary leaders, current writing on personal development, and entrepreneurial business cases. Students will appreciate critical thinking, comparative analysis, and self awareness as key tools in resolving issues and challenges. Students will also review goals established at the beginning of the MBA program, reviewing life direction and vocational fulfillment.

 

Students will be exposed to real-world issues of global business ethics, global marketing, risk management, and entrepreneurship in non-western nations. Students will live in community at the level of the average income in the nation they visit. The course will include meetings with local business leaders, government officials, and nonprofit managers. Students will practice local customs while engaging in risk-management in a local context. The course requires pre-reading, additional writing and research before and after the experience.