School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate (FHEQ level 5) |
| Period: |
Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 40%, EX 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: The aim of this unit is to develop students' understanding of the rhetoric and reality of management practice in global firms through the study of a selection of relevant practical problems and theoretical frameworks. The unit will focus (but not exclusively) on global professional service firms (e.g. accountancies, management consultancies, law firms, etc.), given the growing importance of these organisations for the modern world economy and for our understanding of the future of management. It will begin with a critical introduction to the concept of 'globalisation' before considering a range of key issues related to global management, including why/how firms internationalise; how national cultures influence global firms; and how power/politics shape cross-national work. The unit will then go on to explore a number of substantive areas that lie at the heart of the global firm (e.g. knowledge management, talent management, global teams, etc.) using both theory and real-life examples. Students will gain an in-depth and well-rounded understanding of what it means to manage and work in global organisations. Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, the student will be able to: * Explain how global firms are managed/organised in practice * Explain why and how globalisation and national cultures/institutions influence the management of global firms * Differentiate between 'mainstream' and 'critical' approaches to understanding management practice in global firms * Apply relevant theoretical frameworks to reflect on and explain real-world management dynamics in global firms * Explain how the various course topics to be studied in this unit interrelate. Skills: By the end of this unit, students will have acquired the following skills: A. Intellectual skills * Understanding of key concepts and theories used to make sense of global firm management (T/F/A) * Ability to apply analytical and critical thinking to international management dynamics (T/F/A) * Understanding of cultural/institutional differences and their influence on the management of global firms (T/F/A) B. Transferable Skills * Ability to develop and communicate an argument based on an evaluation of prior research and evidence (T/F/A) * Ability to juxtapose theory and practice (T/F/A) * Analytical and critical skills (T/F/A) * Research and writing skills (F) * Communication skills (F) Content: * Understanding globalisation * Designing the global firm * Operating across national cultures * Home/host country effects on the global firm * Conflict and politics in the global firm * Managing talent across national borders * Managing knowledge across countries * Building global teams * Understanding the role of language in global firms. |
| Programme availability: |
MN20377 is Optional on the following programmes:School of Management
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