This unit of study involves all essential aspects of global strategic management. It includes a strong emphasis on the application of theory. Students are expected to bring a prior understanding of the theoretical material to class to be prepared to discuss the boundaries of theories as well the limits to their application in certain business contexts. The unit is built around four broad strategic issues facing international business managers; (1) Whether to diversify the organization¿s activities across different countries and/or regions? (2) Where (in which specific geographic markets) should the organization compete? A geographic market can be conceptualized as a collection of buyers and sellers doing business in a specific geographic location. (3) What form(s) should the organization¿s international business activities take? and (4) When should the organization enter or exit a given geographic market? The unit explores each of these four broad issues and how, although relevant also for managers in domestic businesses, they are particularly important in the context of international business.

What distinguishes successful from unsuccessful managers when doing business internationally? This unit addresses this question by exposing students to experiential teaching methods and state-of-the-art theory. The unit starts with a self-assessment of individual competencies, traits and assumptions. This assessment serves as a ground for students' developmental journey throughout the unit, in which they explore the cultural, ethical, and social factors affecting management practice. In particular, students are asked to reflect upon a variety of management assumptions, different leadership styles and team management approaches, various decision making processes and communication patterns in order to achieve a higher level of global management practice competency. This unit of study explores these issues using theory, empirical evidence, case studies, role plays, self-reflection, and group projects to both enlighten and challenge participants.

There is an increasing recognition that businesses are more than profit making entities. This notion goes beyond being socially responsible and environmentally aware. Poverty alleviation and profits are co-equal in their importance and occur simultaneously. This perceived contradiction raises a myriad of ethical and moral challenges. This unit is designed to critically evaluate the role of business, specifically poverty alleviation and its links with profitability. Basic theories and frameworks relating to the motivations of businesses are critiqued. Poverty is defined as not only income deprivation but capability and freedom deprivation. Contemporary ideas relating to the purpose of business, such as Shared Value is evaluated. The Base of the Pyramid thesis is critically evaluated, including co-creation of value with the poor, marketing to the poor, transformative consumer research and cross sector collaborations.

This unit uses an institutional economics approach to explain characteristic features of the Chinese economy, such as the prevalence of networks, local autonomy and organisational choice. Economic institutions are understood as the rules that inform the behaviour of corporations, governments at different levels as well as their complex interactions. Through the use of case studies students develop an understanding of how the combination of endogenous and exogenous institutional change contributes to China's highly dynamic business environment.

This unit provides communicative language skills in standard modern (Mandarin) Chinese engaging students in the subject matter and asking them to relate the Chinese language to their own lives. Upon completion students should be able to communicate effectively in a Chinese business context using an introductory level of language skills together with broader cultural and professional business communication skills. They are taken to a level where further self-study is possible to reach a higher level of language competency. This unit enables students to engage more effectively in a Chinese business context and be more aware of the broader issues that are critical to effective business relationships in China. In addition, students gain a greater understanding of the requirements to effectively manage a more diverse workforce and communicate more effectively with Chinese stakeholders.

The CEMS Business Project provides students with practical experiences in applying their management knowledge and skills in business analysis and team-working to researching a significant business challenge or opportunity in a host organisation and preparing and presenting an evidence-based business report of a high professional standard. Most students are already familiar with various business disciplines through course work; however the interdisciplinary use of this knowledge and the capacity to translate it into practical solutions is often a new challenge. The project permits students to combine theory and practice - by learning how to analyse problems, develop recommendations and propose solutions to the problem. In addition to providing hands-on experience on how to deal with a business problem, the unit also offers a unique opportunity to hone research skills in a cross-functional team context. Students work in small groups of four (4) or five (5) and partner with a real organisation over a ten (10) week period to research and recommend solutions to a real business problem identified in consultation with the partner organisations. Projects range from social entrepreneurship programs, where students work with community groups and NGOs, through to consultancy projects for large multinational corporations. Projects are overseen by a specifically appointed consulting mentor and students have access to business mentors throughout the project. Following preparatory learning in advanced applied research methods, students design and undertake investigative research on an agreed business issue, deliver a presentation and provide a written report to the client organisation, as well as to create and disseminate a Thought Leadership Piece on a topic linked to their challenge.

How can managers understand their environment, industry, resources and capabilities to achieve business success? This unit explores different levels of strategy, including corporate and business-level strategy for both established and start-up ventures. Strategy is, fundamentally, about making choices and deliberately choosing to be different. Strategic management seeks to understand how these choices and differences can (and sometimes cannot) create sustainable and exceptional value for shareholders, customers, employees and other related stakeholders. Questions addressed include: How can market opportunities be reviewed and understood? How can creativity and opportunity be harnessed across all phases of start-up, growth and maturity? How does a firm (or individual) build and develop resources and capabilities in a global and local competitive environment? When is collaboration preferable to competition? How can risk and uncertainty be evaluated and managed? The unit highlights the challenges of strategic implementation as well as analysis and planning. Insights from entrepreneurial practice and theory are integrated throughout the unit.

This unit focuses on the theory and practice of financial decision making and financial management within organisations. Its subject matter includes a review of the economic logic of financial decisions, drawing on the modern theories of finance and management accounting. Topics covered include capital budgeting, costing for pricing, real options valuation, and all of the other fundamental elements of financial decision making. Decision making within a management context is emphasised. The unit requires an understanding of not only economic principles but also broader behavioural and organisational considerations. The objective of the unit is to balance the need for quantitative and qualitative management tools. The philosophy is that in a sophisticated organisation, these are inseparable essentials of successful financial management.

This unit introduces students to the management of people and organisational processes, with attention to the international context of management practice. It explores the functions of management and the critical role of effective human resource management and leadership of the business enterprise. Key managerial decisions covered include: effective teamwork; managing organisational change and innovation; and the central role of leadership in all areas of the business enterprise. Students are exposed to insights from the following three business knowledge streams: Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, and Cross-cultural Management.

A core skill for managers in an increasingly competitive world is applying marketing principles within the context of the international marketplace. This unit equips students with key decision-making tools, helping them answer critical questions about managing the marketing effect in the global market place. The unit introduces fundamental marketing concepts and theories, and demonstrates their practical application within the international arena. Topics include market and competitive analysis, market segmentation and product positioning, brand and product management, pricing issues, integrated marketing, communications, measuring return on marketing investment, and managing the international organisation and external relationships responsible for successful implementation. Case studies are used to illustrate concepts and their practical application.

Quantitative analysis is a key activity in developing successful business strategies in the areas of business management. Successful business strategies are generally based on diverse forms of analysis on information collected from a wide range of sources. This unit provides an introduction to the theory and principles of quantitative analysis of business markets through lectures, computer workshops, and practical assessments requiring the analysis of various types of data. Through classes and assessments designed to specifically teach students how to undertake quantitative research in a practical manner, students are able to conduct their own quantitative analysis of market places.

Projects are key to the success of organisations be it through the introduction of new products, the implementation of new processes or the opening of new markets. It is not enough though for a project to be delivered in isolation. Consideration must be given to how projects relate to other projects and the broader organisation. The foundation of this unit is the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) where the essential components of project management and how to manage a project to success are covered. Building upon this students learn how to maximise the value of the project. Students come to understand the benefits, and mechanics, of programmes, project management offices and effectively managing any organisational change with a project. This unit can contribute to the achievement of internationally recognised accreditation from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Business in China is an intensive immersion unit of study that is delivered in China. The unit introduces students to the Chinese business environment of both the private and state sectors. Integrated with the unit's delivery are site visits to businesses in China, and an insight into the cultural features of the Chinese economy. While the company engagements may vary from year to year, the topics to be addressed will likely include areas such as the management challenges of entering new markets, managing across cultures and regulatory environments, identifying and realising new opportunities and management and coordination challenges in multinational firms. The learning in this unit of study will be supported by industry and academic experts working in China.

Digital innovation is transforming markets, organisations and management itself. It is an important means for businesses in creating value for customers, and a necessary aspect of a modern manager¿s mindset. On the one hand, managers have to be able to critically examine the nature and promises of digital technology to make sense of unfolding trends and to avoid the trappings of technological fashions. On the other hand, the field of digital innovation offers new managerial techniques and tools for effective organizational management in changing environments. In this unit students learn to re-imagine the way in which business is done through digital technology and to employ managerial innovations such as agile methods and insight generation and design thinking for creative problem framing and solving. Learning is based on hands-on in-class activities, case study analysis, and classroom discussions.

This unit introduces students to a range of analytical tools and skills to understand, unpack, evaluate and influence the future of business. A range of megatrends, issues, crisis and concerns (such as digitisation and technology, resource scarcity, demographic change and smart cities) confronting both the public and private sectors are examined and the ways in which they can be addressed are explored. The unit of study has two main purposes: (1) to build problem-solving skills which allow students to think creatively about the future needs of stakeholders and (2) develop students¿ ability to work efficiently in a team environment. The unit provides a variety of learning experiences through which students get to practice these skills in the real and digital space and reflect on the experience of working in a small team with real stakeholders.
This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Management programs.