The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of strategic and change management models, as well as the ability to review strategic plans, to propose strategic options, to create implementation plans and to lead organisational changes. 

Learning Outcomes:

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of the key principles and practices of leadership. This will enhance the individuals’ knowledge, skills and attributes to effectively engage in the role and responsibilities required of an effective team player and leader of a team; being proactive in innovation and  improvement to inform strategy and business planning within the organisation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the principles, concepts, differences, and approaches to contemporary leadership.

• 1.1 Explain the meaning and importance of leadership.
• 1.2 Contrast the main approaches to the study of  leadership.
• 1.3 Critically evaluate the role of leadership in strategic  management.

2.  Understand how leadership  influences individuals, teams and  the organisation.

• 2.1 Critically compare the relationships between leaders  of work groups, and leaders of teams.
• 2.2 Distinguish between the influence of leadership on  groups and teams, and on formal and informal  groups.
• 2.3 Critically evaluate the characteristics of an effective  work group and team.

3. Understand the impact of leadership on the organisational performance.

• 3.1 Assess the nature of organisation effectiveness and  performance.
• 3.2 Critically explore the main features and requirements  of leadership development.
• 3.3 Provide criteria for assessing an organisations strategic effectiveness from a leadership perspective.

4. Understand ethical decision making and organisational value.

• 4.1 Critically explore the exercise of leadership power  and influence.
• 4.2 Critically review the importance of ethics, values  and corporate social responsibilities to an organisation’s value.
• 4.3 Critically evaluate leadership and sustainability  concepts and trends.

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of how the effective strategic management of human resources supports the achievement of  organisational objectives in different contexts. Learners will evaluate the contribution of strategic human resource management, and the application of  leadership and management theory for organisational benefit.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the role of management of human resources

• 1.1 Critically justify the importance of human resource management in organisations.
• 1.2 Assess the role and purpose of the strategic human resource management function and activities in an organisation.
• 1.3 Evaluate how human resource management is related to other functional areas.

2. Be able to create a human resource plan for an organisation.

• 2.1 Assess the business factors to consider before human resource planning.
• 2.2 Determine human resource requirements in different organisational contexts.
• 2.3 Develop a human resource plan for an organisation.

3. Understand the role of legal and ethical issues in developing human resources policy.

• 3.1 Explain the purpose of human resource policy.
• 3.2 Assess the impact of regulatory and legal requirements on human resource policies in an organisation.
• 3.3 Assess the impact of business ethics, CSR, and sustainability requirements on human resource policies for an organisation.

4. Be able to plan develop human resource strategies.

• 4.1 Critically analyse the impact of an organisational strategy, structure and culture on the management of human resources.
• 4.2 Develop a structured, relevant and comprehensive HR strategy.
• 4.3 Critically monitor the effectiveness of human resources management.

5. Understand HRM approaches within organisations and their relationships with organisational performance.

• 5.1 Critically evaluate the relationships between business strategy and human resource management.
• 5.2 Explain the implementation and measurement of HR approaches using relevant metrics.
• 5.3 Monitor and evaluate a human resource strategy that supports organisational mission, vision, values and objectives.

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ ability to prepare for various types of academically based management research through the development and design of a research proposal. Learners will develop a critical understanding of the philosophical, practical and ethical concepts of research within the  context of the business environment.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Be able to develop research approaches in a relevant context.

• 1.1 Appraise business research problems.
• 1.2 Develop and justify appropriate research aims and objectives within a defined scope and timeframe.
• 1.3 Critically explore, select and justify research approaches.

2. Be able to critically review literature on a relevant research topic.

• 2.1 Critically analyse different theoretical approaches to a research problem.
• 2.2 Create a structured and thorough critical literature review.

3. Be able to design business research methodologies.

• 3.1 Critically evaluate relevant research methodologies to reflect the research objectives.
• 3.2 Design an appropriate methodology in terms of the research objectives for a defined population.
• 3.3 Justify the methodology selected in terms of the research objectives within agreed ethical guidelines.

4. Be able to develop a research proposal.

• 4.1 Create a research question, literature review and methodology.
• 4.2 Propose techniques for use with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ ability to enable learners to apply financial principles relevant to management in an organisational context, including analytical techniques and theories/models of management accounting, evaluation of budgetary processes, recommending funding sources and appraising investment options.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Be able to apply the tools and techniques of cost accounting.

• 1.1 Critically analyse the concepts, features and importance of cost accounting in an organisation.
• 1.2 Apply tools of costing design and costing systems to an organisation.
• 1.3 Recommend improvements to the costing and pricing systems of an organisation.

2. Be able to critically analyse the financial performance of businesses.

• 2.1 Analyse financial statements to assess the financial position of an organisation.
• 2.2 Recommend organisational decisions based on evaluation of financial statements using financial ratios.
• 2.3 Propose managerial recommendations on the strategic portfolio of an organisation based on financial analysis.

3. Be able to evaluate the budgetary processes of organisations

• 3.1 Evaluate budgetary targets for an organisation.
• 3.2 Develop a master budget for an organisation.
• 3.3 Critically evaluate budget and budgetary processes in an organisation.

4. Be able to recommend effective long term and short-term sources of funding.

• 4.1 Assess the need for short term working capital and long- term funds for an organisation.
• 4.2 Appraise appropriate sources of short term and funds for an organisation.
• 4.3 Justify choices of sources of funds using a range of criteria related to cost and risk.

5. Be able to critically appraise investment options.

• 5.1 Apply financial appraisal methods to analyse competing investment projects in different kinds of organisations.
• 5.2 Justify strategic investment decision for an organisation using relevant financial information.
• 5.3 Critically analyse strategic investment decisions using information.

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the basics of business processes and strategies related to enterprise and entrepreneurship, developing knowledge of enterprise and entrepreneurship in global contexts.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Be able to critically analyse the concepts and process of entrepreneurship

• 1.1 Critically analyse the nature, characteristics and challenges of establishing different kinds of enterprise.
• 1.2 Critically assess own entrepreneurial skills and attributes.
• 1.3 Evaluate what makes a successful commercial or social entrepreneur.

2. Be able to evaluate innovative and entrepreneurial management processes for a project or organisation.

• 2.1 Evaluate methods for encouraging creativity and innovation in organisations.
• 2.2 Evaluate potential creative and innovative management ideas.
• 2.3 Critically explore how to lead others to positively embrace innovation and change.

3. Be able to critically assess proposals developed from

• 3.1 Analyse business ideas.
• 3.2 Evaluate production and marketing feasibility of new business ideas.
• 3.3 Produce business planning forecasts using financial techniques.

4. Be able to develop a business plan

• 4.1 Develop a business plan for a new business.
• 4.2 Develop a control and monitoring mechanism for the business plan