MBA (Information Systems)
The Master of Business Administration (Information Systems) is a three-semester, one-year program (90 ECTS). Courses comprise formative and summative assessment as well as group work and presentations. Learning assessment methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, group and individual projects, examinations and reports.
This pathway provides students with advanced skills and knowledge of business management as well as a comprehensive understanding of the key tools and methodologies required to design and implement strategic information systems.
Program Structure
To successfully complete this program, students must successfully complete four core courses and a specialization course in semester one and three core courses and a specialization course in semester two. Studies culminate in a dissertation which is undertaken in semester three.
(30 ECTS)
Global Issues for Management
Show detailsThis course will equip students with the knowledge and skills to take a holistic, environmental, analytical and critical approach to major issues in the management of organizations in a global context. The course will involve detailed evaluative studies of the modern international business context to provide students with knowledge of the complexities of cross-cultural management and the skills to produce academic and business relevant reports on issues in the international business environment.
5 ECTS
Strategic Marketing Analysis
Show detailsMarketing is a concern for all people and organizations at all times. Successful marketing analysis is based on an organization wide philosophy that identifies, selects, provides, communicates and delivers value to chosen customer groups. Strategic Marketing Analysis as a management subject consists of a set of concepts and principles for choosing target markets, evaluating customer needs, developing products and services that satisfy wants, delivering value to customers and profit or benefit to the company or organization. This course is designed to provide a thorough emphasis on the managerial analytical perspective of marketing. Students will apply specific marketing tools and marketing frameworks for evaluating companies’ marketing-mix that take best advantage of the conditions in which the firm finds itself. A strategic marketing analysis approach is evident throughout the course design and delivery. In all seminars, students will be required to analyze marketing practices in relation to different marketing case studies. Their individual assessment will be the analysis of a company marketing strategy following a systematic approach.
5 ECTS
Managerial Financial Analysis
Show detailsThis course will provide students with knowledge, skills, concepts and tools necessary to understand and respond to the increasing complex, volatile and dynamic financial world. This course will provide a financial decision-making platform for business managers and enable students develop a knowledge and understanding of the implications of financial information and an ability to apply this information to practical management scenarios.
5 ECTS
Research Methods I
Show detailsThe course provides students with the theoretical foundation for research that will allow them to contextualize the more practical aspects of research that they will engage with in Research Methods 2. During this course, students will be provided with an overview of the main research philosophies, designs and methodologies, while also being introduced to the ethics of research. An overview of the stages of the research process will also be provided, introducing the student to the concepts of a literature review, data collection and analysis and presenting and discussing findings. During this course, students will be encouraged to identify their research topics and begin to refine and focus that topic toward a research question/hypothesis. This consideration of research topics and potential questions/hypothesis will require the student to adapt and synthesise their learning and experience from other courses.
5 ECTS
Strategic Information Systems
Show detailsThis course looks at three fundamental questions:
• What information systems do businesses build?
• Why do businesses build these information systems?
• How does businesses approach build these information systems?
Through investigating these questions, students will gain an in-depth awareness of how the digital economy impacts and shapes the policies, structures and processes that define the digital firm. This course will provide participants with the necessary models, theories and frameworks that can be used to elaborate a firm’s digital strategy and to realize this articulated strategy in terms of a coherent implementation program. As part of the implementation program, participants will obtain an understanding of the different phases and methods involved in information systems development.
10 ECTS
(30 ECTS)
Applied Strategic Analysis
Show detailsThis course will provide the student with in-depth knowledge, skills, tools and frameworks necessary to critically appraise and respond to complex global, volatile and dynamic contexts in which organizations function today. The course will involve detailed evaluative studies in the nature of strategy content, and of strategic processes in a variety of industry and organizational settings. This course is designed to enhance the students’ business research and problem-solving capabilities. The course develops students’ analytical and evaluative skills in the field of strategic management. It allows students to build on the knowledge acquired in Semester one in courses such as Managerial financial analysis and Global issues for Management specifically.
10 ECTS
Dynamic Leadership Development
Show detailsLeadership and motivation skills have become a crucial element of an effective manager’s toolkit. This course will equip the student with the skills and insights they need to be an effective leader and motivator. It will provide students with a review of best practice leadership and motivational approaches and help them to develop self-awareness of their leadership preferences and behaviors, together with the skills to effectively lead others. They will be asked to identify appropriate leadership and motivational styles in a variety of contexts while focusing on optimizing job and organizational performance and to adopt a reflective approach to their own leadership development journey.
5 ECTS
Research Methods II
Show detailsThis course builds on principles and procedures covered in Research Methods in Semester 1 by applying them within an in-depth examination of the planning and management of a dissertation. The course develops the student’s ability to produce an appropriate literature review relevant to the research aims, objectives and questions. An emphasis in this course is guiding students to effectively apply research methods to research questions whilst taking into account ethical considerations in preparing a research proposal. This course equips students with the requisite skills to plan, investigate, critique and present data using qualitative and quantitative research methods which underpin the independent research process.
5 ECTS
Innovative and Disruptive Technologies
Show detailsThis course provides students with the key concepts of innovation and disruptive technologies that ensure businesses are fit for purpose in a digitally empowered world. In every industry, the introduction of innovative digital technologies and the rise of new disruptive opportunities or threats are transforming business models and processes. To stay competitive, companies must fundamentally change how they operate. This course equips students to evaluate new innovations and disruptive technologies that enable organizations to profit from technological developments and understand how companies can take advantage of various technological advances by changing business processes and offering new products and solutions.
10 ECTS
(30 ECTS)
Dissertation
Show detailsThis course synthesizes learning in a dissertation. It comprises of research project or dissertation, consolidating students’ research capability, theoretical knowledge and applied skills through the production of a dissertation. This should combine both research and technical skills to investigate, design, produce and evaluate the solution put forward. This involves researching a problem with significant implications for a chosen organization or industry, applying key concepts and techniques from business to deliver a solution, the construction of an artefact implementing the chosen solution, or the creation of new knowledge or add value to the business world with the critical evaluation and defense of the project outcomes.
30 ECTS
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate theory and deploy best practice methodologies and tools used for design and implementation of strategic information systems.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of the nature, role and importance of technological disruption and innovation in strategic business environments.
- Critically evaluate theory and practice from cross-functional areas of business in private, public and not for profit organizations, both nationally and internationally.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of contemporary information, tools and techniques in management, policy and performance in organizations both nationally and internationally on business trends, drivers and inhibitors.
- Demonstrate leadership skills to achieve individual, group and organizational goals.
- Critically evaluate approaches to primary and secondary data and select the most suitable method from qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in the resolution of a specific business problem.
- Formulate and apply strategic solutions in a business context for the resolution of specific business problems.
- Critically appraise the advanced diagnostic tools which inform business decisions within the global business environment and wider society.
- Demonstrate an ability for enhanced ethical judgements by demonstrating critical awareness of social, political, economic environments.
- Exhibit an ability to work independently and collaboratively to build effective and efficient relationships in dynamic business environments.
- Synthesize previous professional and learning experiences to inform a wide-ranging appreciation of the business world and solidarity with social norms and relationships.
- Develop professional communication skills to present solutions in a cogent manner to a critical audience.
- Conduct in-depth research in a specialized area of business administration to deal with a particular research problem that adds value or new knowledge to the business world.
