The purpose of this introductory module is to provide product design students with access to foundational knowledge in the area of management and strategy theory and practice. The module introduces students to the theoretical underpinnings of this broad field. Students are required to develop an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of management, an ability to apply managerial concepts to real world problems and to appreciate the impact of the external and organisational contexts on managerial decision making.
Managing and the manager’s job
- the management functions
- levels of management
- different areas of management
- skills of managers
- the science and art of management
Traditional and contemporary management perspectives
- the role of theory and history in management
- the classical management perspective
- the behavioural management and quantitative management perspectives
- integrating perspectives for managers
- contemporary management issues and challenges
The environmental context of managing
- the organisation’s external environment
- the organisation’s internal environment
- the organisation’s culture
- the multi-cultural environment
- the ethical and social environment
Planning and decision making
- the planning process
- the nature of decision making
- barriers to effective decision making
- group decision making in organisations
Managing strategy and strategic planning
- the nature of strategic management
- the strategic planning process
- Types of strategy
- Formulating strategy
Organising for management
- the basic elements of organising
- designing jobs
- grouping jobs – departmentalisation
- forms of organisational design
- organisation change and innovation
Managing leadership and influence processes
- the nature of leadership
- leadership and management
- leadership and power
- generic approaches to leadership
Control in management
- the nature of control
- types of control
- managing control in organisations
