Courses Master Display 2014-2015

Course Description To PDF
Course title Managers @ Work
Course code EBC4045
ECTS credits 6,5
Assessment None
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
5 13-4-2015 5-6-2015 X/E X/E
Level Advanced
Coordinator Wil Foppen
For more information: w.foppen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
1) stimulate critical reflection on assumptions regarding management in Organisational theories and research studies as well as in professional publications; 2) familiarize students with settings in which managers operate, their actual roles and activities; 3) enhance awareness of the applicability of theory and advice in management practice, particularly with regard to leadership and leading Organisational change.
Description
Much of what is written about managers differs dramatically from the reality of everyday managerial work. Although academic research has tried to shed light on what managers do and what makes them effective, managerial work is often poorly understood and it is difficult to develop images of it that make sense to students who get involved with managers or who may become a manager themselves. The course provides ample opportunity for exploring the context of management and the work of managers by raising relevant questions like: What is the actual contribution of management and what does the manager's job in reality look like? How do managers actually perform? Which challenges do managers have to meet during their career? How do they develop their skills and competences? Do they fully understand their business models, including the ins and outs of strategy and of long term sustainability? Are they willing and capable to turn their businesses around? How does management relate to leadership and leading Organisations? Do managers practice corporate citizenship, set examples and do they live up to the impact of diversity and the claim for integrity?
Academic research, professional literature and relevant news analysis will be confronted with evidence on managerial experience and practice in real life settings. While the focus of this course is on managerial practice, it requires students to exercise critical judgment in many forms. Academic articles must be scrutinized for their underlying assumptions and the limitations of their methods of gathering and analysing data. Professional and popular publications need to be critically examined with regard to the evidence behind their claims. All sources will have to be examined for the authors' (implicit) purpose and the use of rhetoric. In a final paper or through a so-called e-documentary, based on studying the literature, an interview with at least one manager and the discussions in groups, students are required to demonstrate their insight into the relevance of management and the complexity of the work of managers. Next to that students are explicitly invited to give feedback on the course referring to their personal learning outcomes.

Note: assessment methods:
Final paper or e-documentary and FULL participation will be part of the final grade!
Literature
The leading, compulsory reference book is:
Henry Mintzberg, Managing, (FT Prentice Hall) 2011.
Next to that two articles will be prescribed to read, prepare and discuss per session.
Prerequisites
Courses and workload are very demanding for all IB Master courses. Participants should have a bachelor degree with a major in Business or Economics. This also applies to exchange students. Exchange students need to major in organisation in their Master.
An advanced level of English
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) PBL / Presentation / Lecture / Assignment / Groupwork
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Final Paper / Attendance / Participation
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
Master Business Research IB Electives
Master Business Research Track OR IB Electives
Master Human Decision Science Electives
Master International Business Track Accountancy Electives
Master International Business Track Controlling Electives
Master International Business Track Entrepreneurship Electives
Master International Business Track Finance Electives
Master International Business Track Organisation Electives
Master International Business Track Organisation Organisation
Master International Business Track Strategy and Innovation Electives
Master International Business Track Sustainable Finance Electives
SBE Exchange Master Master Exchange Courses
SBE Non Degree Courses Master Courses