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)
Transformational Management & Leadership
Show detailsThis course introduces the knowledge framework of management and how it differs from leadership. It examines in depth the management of processes and management functions, including organizational processes such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Transformational leadership is essential in the fast-paced changing environment and students will analyze the four key elements: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individual consideration.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Organizational Behavior
Show detailsAn analysis of organizational behavior in the context of contemporary business, both locally and globally, is presented during this course. Students will review factors affecting the behavior of individuals and groups within organizations and how organizations affect their internal culture and respond to their environments. The course will be broadly divided into three parts: (a) individuals in organizations, (b) group or team processes, and (c) organizational processes. Students will also be asked to consider current challenges for managers, such as the impact of today's rapidly changing socio-cultural environment, globalization, evolving technology and shifting employment relationships.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Financial Reporting & Analysis
Show detailsAn understanding of financial and management accounting fundamentals for managers, stockholders, financial analysts and creditors and other professionals. The first part of the course focuses on financial accounting by understanding how economic events like operating activities, corporate investments and financing transactions are recorded in financial statements (i.e., income statements, balance sheets and statements of cash flow). The second part provides both a framework and the essential tools for analyzing financial statements. The third part examines management accounting from the perspective of a decision-maker to help students develop a framework for understanding managerial reports.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Marketing in a Digital World
Show detailsThe course focuses on the shift of power toward the customer and on creating and capturing customer value and trust. The course also dives into understanding new customers – Gen Y and Gen Z, which are the current and next frontiers for marketers. It demonstrates how to connect with customers and discover their wants and needs, as well as examining methods for identifying new customers, market segments and target groups and for successfully communicating a product’s value proposition.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Data Analysis for Managers
Show detailsThis course is designed to introduce the essential quantitative methods for analyzing business situations, making business decisions and finding optimal data- based management solutions. In this course, students will acquire a greater comprehension of the importance of the business analytical approach, particularly when dealing with complex contexts, thus minimizing risk and uncertainty. Students will explore the most important theories and practical applications of data mining, data assembly and data assessment. This course will encourage students to examine different cases critically emphasizing the role of data in drawing conclusions.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Negotiation
Show detailsThe seminar focuses on the need for negotiation skills, which arises whenever joint decision making is necessary. It develops student confidence in their negotiation skills, abilities, and enables them to become better decision-makers with clear goals and objectives. A unique element of the seminar is that students experience the interaction of need, compromise, and fear-based negotiations, focusing on the possibility of losing the deal. This seminar also offers an opportunity to discover and experiment with different techniques that help lead to the desired outcomes and clearer decisions.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Consulting Lab
Show detailsThis seminar provides a unique opportunity for the student to learn-by-doing with a real business or institution, solving real problems. Students will work in teams on a project operating much like a consultancy firm. Using a consultative approach, students will be facing decision-making situations, and learn how to successfully present the consultancy project to the clients.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Business Immersion Week
Show detailsBusiness Immersion Week is dedicated solely to business-related activities outside the classroom. Students take part in a wide range of events including company visits, escape rooms, managerial problem-solving games and entrepreneurial endeavors. Through this intense week of dynamic activities, students hone their business skills and put theory into practice.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
(30 ECTS)
Corporate Finance
Show detailsThis course covers the source, uses and management of corporate finance. Students learn to analyze and create alternative investment projects and to prepare corresponding budgets. Topics include the managerial approach to financial analysis, budgeting, planning and control, the management of working capital, long-term assets and long-term financing.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
People & Talent Management
Show detailsThis course analyses the micro-functions of human resources management and explores its importance in developing, motivating and retaining employees. Students will learn about recruitment and talent acquisition, training, mentoring and promotion, appraisal, fair compensation, conflict resolution and legal issues. The 21st century brings new challenges to the field of Human Resources (HR), owing to changing employee–employer relationships and changing employee expectations. Throughout the course students are encouraged to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of HRM decisions, which can affect stakeholders and the organization’s reputation.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Global Economics for Managers
Show detailsInternational managers in industry and organizations need a comprehensive understanding of how economic, environmental, social and political change impact their work and decision making. This course examines basic economic principles used in managerial situations. Topics include: global interdependence and the benefits of trade; market forces of supply and demand; supply, demand and government policies; measuring a nation’s income and cost of living; production and growth; savings, investment and the financial systems; unemployment; the monetary system; and money and inflation.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Strategy & Decision Making
Show detailsThe strategic positioning of an organization is instrumental to its success. Having a clear vision and mission that runs throughout the organization is key to both internal and external branding. To optimize the overall performance of a firm or a business unit within a firm, students learn to identify and analyze the drivers of performance and identify external changes that may affect optimal results. This course reviews the main concepts, methods and tools used in formulating strategies and implementing processes.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Management Information Systems
Show detailsThis course provides a comprehensive overview of the functions, costs, and implications inherent in the use of Information Systems and technology today. Students explore how companies make the most of their investment for managing and tracking data as well as communicating both internally and externally at a time when global issues have led to rapid, unprecedented change, forcing companies and individuals to adapt to professional work conditions via an ever-increasing reliance on computer systems and technologies.
3 CH | 4 ECTS
Communication for Success
Show detailsThis seminar focuses on effective oral and written communication in a business setting. Emphasis is placed key principles that will enhance communication and effectiveness, as well as the development of skills and attitudes appropriate for business communication, especially in public speaking.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Legal Issues & Business Ethics
Show detailsAs businesses are increasingly required to adapt their strategies to meet ethical standards, a sound understanding of the legal complexities of such issues is essential. Businesses today must embrace a plethora of ethical issues and practices or risk expensive litigation or damage to their reputations. This short seminar introduces the concept of ethics and the growing demands made on businesses. Then it enumerates some issues where law and ethics intersect in business issues, such as the concept of stakeholder capitalism; IPR and access to medicines; and data protection and privacy. Finally, the course discusses a few case study examples that highlight the issue.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Business Immersion Week
Show detailsBusiness Immersion Week is dedicated solely to business-related activities outside the classroom. Students take part in a wide range of events including company visits, escape rooms, managerial problem-solving games and entrepreneurial endeavors. Through this intense week of dynamic activities, students hone their business skills and put theory into practice.
1 CH | 1 ECTS
Business Strategy Simulation
Show detailsThe effective manager must understand a wide range of technical and social relationships and be able to integrate them within the cost, performance and time constraints of her/his area of responsibility. A computer-based management simulation (CAPSTONE Business Simulation) is created, which allows the student to test alternative actions of an operating business in a competitive environment without incurring costs or the risk of implementing them in a real setting. The simulation is played over several time periods.
3 CH | 4 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.