BA (Hons) in
Business (Project Management)

This module introduces Organizational Behavior (OB) theory and research to help students gain an understanding of the range of individual, group and organizational factors which can influence the way that employees behave in the workplace. Students will apply the theory to case studies of organizations to explore how it can be used as an analytical tool to gain a clearer understanding of the complex causes of workplace behavior in order to develop effective management interventions.

10 ECTS

This module develops the comprehensive knowledge of business functions, skills and professional acumen required to allow students to make the desired impact when seeking a career. They will be introduced to key business subject areas and develop and apply their learning to a business scenario through practical activities. This module will also enhance communication and personal presentation skills to give students more confidence in business contexts such as networking and interviews.

10 ECTS

Economics are present in almost every aspect of our lives. Knowledge of economics will therefore provide students with essential insight into how markets work, how firms and consumers make decisions in market economies, and how businesses identify opportunities and potential threats in the environment in which they operate. This module develops students’ understanding of the core principles of micro- and macroeconomics and uses economic models and theories to explore current economic issues.

10 ECTS

This course provides students with knowledge of the behavior required to transition into third level education. The course builds upon existing learning and equips the student with the skills required in an academic and the business context. This course provides students with the practical strategies to thrive both as individuals and in teams in a third level environment. The course is specifically designed to develop the following skills and competencies: academic and referencing, the ability to operate in groups, and the techniques of effective public speaking.

This module assumes no prior accounting knowledge. Students learn how to prepare accounts for small businesses and then apply that knowledge to larger organizations. They examine accounting statements to assess just how well a business is performing; identify and analyze business costs to aid decision-making relating to the control and viability of projects; and identify and discuss sources of finance. This basic financial knowledge is essential to anyone wishing to pursue a career in business, whether on a self-employed basis or in a larger corporation.

10 ECTS

Being able to apply an enterprising mindset is highly desirable in today’s fast-moving business environment, where managers must react to gaps in the market or competitor actions, deal with uncertainty, make decisions and act. Building on and integrating the other first-year business function modules, this teaches students how to channel their creative energy, recognize the difference between a business idea and a business opportunity, decide which approach is most beneficial, and then design and implement an appropriate plan of action. The module helps students to understand the relevance and interaction of these elements within a business context, and to provide transferable skills that can be applied in any organizational situation. Students are encouraged to demonstrate these skills and to reflect upon their progress.

10 ECTS

This introduction to the fundamentals of marketing gives students a basic understanding of the current and emerging marketing principles and techniques within the business environment. It seeks to establish that sustainable market success within a highly competitive environment can only be achieved by developing products or services based upon an understanding of the external environment and customers’ needs and wants. During the module, students learn how to add value for customers and other stakeholders and to assess the impact of marketing activities on consumers’ lives.

10 ECTS

This course will introduce students to the principles, concepts and techniques required to understand the core components of business finance and internal/external financial analysis. Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of finance in the key areas of financial reporting, budgeting, variance analysis, performance evaluation and the role of various stakeholders.

This module develops essential competencies for future employment in the business world: the ability to use spread sheets for quantitative analysis, and the skills to interpret and communicate the results of data analysis. These are key skills required by the Chartered Management Institute. Students will gain the confidence and experience to prepare an analysis of real data that will inform a business decision or underpin a business strategy. These skills also prepare students for evidence- based analysis required in other program modules, including finance, marketing and strategy. This module contributes to the CMI accreditation for BA (Hons) Business Management students.

10 ECTS

This module provides students with knowledge of the principles of responsible leadership by exploring concepts of ethics, global social responsibility, and the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value for organizations and corporations. The module encourages students to consider the importance of these issues from the perspective of the organization and other stakeholders, and to reflect on the relevance of responsible leadership as a basis for sustainable competitive advantage. The module equips students with the knowledge and understanding of the complex ethical issues that are commonly encountered by organizations.

10 ECTS

This module explores the area of study between the fields of international relations, economics and politics. It analyses topics such as the relation between states and international institutions or multinational companies, but also the politics and policies relating to international trade and investment. It focuses on the relation between “politics” and “money” at an international level by exploring issues such as global governance and the international financial crisis or the effects of the imposition of structural adjustment programs by the World Bank and the IMF.

10 ECTS

The course will provide the environment to assist the student to apply ethical principles in a given situation whether in business practice or in research. The importance of leadership and teamwork in relation to ethical practices will be appraised. Learners will be encouraged to scrutinize both Irish and international government legislations, policies, and company responsibilities in relation to ensuring ethical business and research practices. The course will be delivered using a combination of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, case studies, published research papers, and self-directed learning. In addition, the course will provide workshops enabling students to debate and apply their knowledge to practical business situations.

The module provides a framework for understanding the crucial role of operations to business success. It examines how people, capital, materials, equipment, knowledge, technology, information and time are combined to produce goods and services. This module will also provide students with opportunities to experience real workplace operations scenarios where their skills and knowledge can be applied in a practical way with real organizations or in valid case study situations. It provides an overview of the key areas of operations management, particularly in maintaining and improving the quality of goods and services and making sure that this is also reflected in company performance.

10 ECTS

Managing the performance of staff is essential to the smooth running of organisations. This module analyses the range of human resource management (HRM) activities undertaken within organisations to manage the performance of its employees and explores the devolution of many of these roles and responsibilities to line managers. It provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills required to undertake these activities professionally and effectively in the workplace. By the end of the module students will be able to analyse the causes of poor performance within organizations and the principles and practices of effective performance management and explain how these practices can be integrated into high performance work systems (HPWS).

10 ECTS

This module will focus on the interlinking components of supply chains and examine the role that each has and how the environmental impact of these can be reduced. It will address issues such as existing and planned technology, and examine the contribution of effective management. Key current themes and perspectives on globalization are covered, along with performance management and financial control, and hierarchies and networks. Knowledge management is included to provide students with a more rounded and integrative framework. Students will critically examine sustainability in supply chains across a broad representation of industries and differing and often conflicting perspectives from both academics and business practitioners will be presented. There will be a strong emphasis on practical applications. The module will be up to date with both the latest critical and evaluative thinking in supply-chain sustainability and the current practices and approaches that facilitate overall organizational development and direction. It encourages students to develop a wider global/national perspective, increase awareness of the impact that logistics and supply chain management has on the environment and the competitive position of the organization, and develop critical/analytical, problem-solving and strategic decision-making skills.

10 ECTS

The course is designed to give students a deeper appreciation of the roots of political economic perspectives existing in the world today, in order to understand the free-market approach and the government interventionist approach of policy. Students will also apply the theoretical frameworks provided in lectures to individual markets/industries and wider macro environments to enable them to develop a more sophisticated view of the political economic events taking place in the real-world context.

This module studies global business using a combined strategic and economic approach. The recent major global economic shifts are explored, and current international business events are analyzed. Students will study the key theoretical underpinnings, trends and challenges of international trade and foreign direct investment. They will analyze the importance of government and institutions in controlling/regulating international business behavior. The long-term sustainability of businesses in the ever-changing, and often hostile, global business environment is considered, in order to understand the critical role played by strategic management.

10 ECTS

Improvements to processes, services, products, people, and systems are core to the strategy of organizations. Improvements bridge the gap between current and required performance to add value and achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in the long-term. Effective consultation and project management using appropriate business improvement and research methodologies is key to the successful implementation of change. In this module students will explore how to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources to achieve defined goals, on time and to agreed cost and quality criteria. Using a consultative approach, students will be challenged to make decisions based on their own research to provide practical advice and solutions to real-life scenarios taking into consideration the organization’s constraints. They will liaise with employers, establish agreed objectives and present their findings in a clear, business-focused report and presentation.

10 ECTS

Students will gain a thorough understanding of the added complexities involved in global marketing and how these impact on the formulation of marketing plans and strategies through this module. It builds on the knowledge and concepts acquired earlier in the program. This model familiarizes students with a range of issues and concepts encountered by international marketers, and provides the theoretical framework for analyzing and implementing them in a real-life business situation. Assessment is coursework-based, designed to enable students to demonstrate their ability to approach a business challenge as a marketer and business manager. The assessment methods used on this module will also help develop key skills desired by employers, such as critical analysis, business report-writing and presentation skills.

10 ECTS

This module examines the concepts of leadership and management. It explores the similarities and differences in the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers in the workplace and the development of leadership theoretical approaches as well as the practical application of these within organizations. Students will analyze the skills and competencies of effective organizational leaders and examine alternative methods of leadership development to enhance these.

10 ECTS

Improvements to processes, services, products, people, and systems are core to the strategy of organizations. Improvements bridge the gap between current and required performance to add value and achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in the long-term. Effective consultation and project management using appropriate business improvement and research methodologies is key to the successful implementation of change. In this module students will explore how to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources to achieve defined goals, on time and to agreed cost and quality criteria. Using a consultative approach, students will be challenged to make decisions based on their own research to provide practical advice and solutions to real-life scenarios taking into consideration the organization’s constraints. They will liaise with employers, establish agreed objectives and present their findings in a clear, business-focused report and presentation.

10 ECTS

This module draws together two pertinent strands operative in international relations between states: the process of sustainable development and the regulation of international business transactions. Students explore and analyze the theory and practice of sustainable development, as well as international business transactions as it relates to the sale of goods and the provision of services. The module engages students with live and contemporary development problems facing governments and then allows them to apply functional and realistic business solutions to said problems. The module places the student at the heart of sustainable international business and fosters problem-solving, creativity, enterprise, critical analysis and innovation for the purpose of direct impact. To bolster this, the module will engage and interact with the Government Department for International Development and the British Council through guest speakers and projects offered by these institutions. The assessment is through coursework and will require students to analyze a series of case studies and implement a sustainable business transaction.

10 ECTS