MBA5212 - MBA 2 - 2018

Topic 1: Design thinking

The success of practising managers in designing and delivering project to outcomes is a critical factor in their career success. Design thinking applies the skills and strategies developed by designers to a wide range of problems and situations. These include a range of conceptual and communication approaches, ways to explore and reconsider the context in which work is undertaken, as well as what should or could be achieved. Design thinking brings together several approaches known in the sciences and humanities, such as analysis and synthesis, but applies them in ways that are particular to a design approach. Design thinking can enable a more flexible approach to problem solving, and a more nuanced engagement with the complex issues of our contemporary world. Formal project management models and competencies will also be explored. The pedagogy will include a range of cases and applications.

Topic 2: Economics and society

The economic lens for reasoning in business is a critical understanding for practising executives and business leaders. In a turbulent, global economy, tackling macroeconomic challenges such as sustainable models, demographic shifts, climate change and income inequality demands economic literacy. This unit covers the main macroeconomic and microeconomic issues for business organisations, including market structures, supply and demand functions and pricing concepts. The importance of social relationships to economics is addressed, and the relationship between economics and politics is explored in the area of the regulatory environment. To access the most advanced ideas in this broad-based field, the unit will draw on the expertise and experience of university colleagues in relevant faculties and related research centres where required.

Topic 3: Business finance

Business finance introduces the resourcing theories and practices that contribute to the sustainable, strategic management of organisations. The unit takes a value-impacting approach to interrelated issues of investment, financing, budgeting and operations. Drawing on cross-disciplinary perspectives and recent advances in theory and practice, Business finance develops frameworks for analysis and decision-making of relevance to executives and managers in contemporary organisations. The unit examines how financial and economic information is used to gain forward intelligence on the ability of the organisation to create sustainable value. An experiential, case-based pedagogy is adopted.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

Topic 1: Design thinking

1. demonstrate understanding of the concepts of design thinking and their application
2. identify and analyse real-world project problems and relevant design thinking approaches
3. apply design thinking methods and approaches to project-based problems and develop, test and evaluate original proposals in response to those
4. develop the competencies to initiate, scope, coordinate, implement and close complex projects in dynamic situations.

   Topic 2: Economics and society

5. evaluate and explain the economic, societal and regulatory issues of relevance to business
6. apply the tools and techniques of economics to global problems
7. integrate information from multiple sources to address complex social and economic issues
8. develop the capabilities to contribute to future generators of sustainable economic, social and environmental value for society.

   Topic 3: Business finance

9. critically evaluate the firm as a financial entity and to appreciate the definition and measurement of value
10. apply finance theories and practices such as the quantification of risk and return and the valuation of firms
11. explore and critically evaluate financial decisions regarding capital investment, financing, dividend policy, capital structure and mergers and acquisitions
12. develop the competencies of financial analysis to evaluate the goals and performance of the firm, including the interpretation of financial data.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average six/eight hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information