PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
MBA731	Financial Accounting	18
MBA732	Management Information Systems	18
MBA733	The Economic Environment	18
MBA734	Organisational Behaviour	18
MBA739	Business Statistics	18

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
MBA736	Human Resource Management	18
MBA737	Financial Management	18
MBA738	Marketing Management	18
MBA849	Corporate Governance	18
MBA835	E-Commerce	18

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
MBA740	Business Research Methods	18
MBA845	Strategic Management	18
MBA832	Entrepreneurship	18
MBA841	Change Management	18
MBA844	Project Management	18

Level 2 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
MBA851	Business Leadership	18
MBA850	Dissertation	90

 

1. MODULE SYNOPSES

MBA731 Financial Accounting

The module deals with accounting principles and conventions. It will attempt to develop accounting skills and enhance appreciation of accounting related information. The main topics include record keeping and double entry, the preparation of the profit and loss account and balance sheet, profit measurement, valuation of assets, company accounts, legal and regulatory framework, international accounting standards, some aspects of auditing, some aspects of taxation.

MBA732 Management Information Systems

The module exposes students to modern information management strategies.  Topics to be covered include; Concepts of systems and organisation, strategic uses of information technology computer system resources (computer, hardware, computer software, file and data base management systems).  The internet and office communication, applications of information systems to functional business areas, tactical and strategic information systems to business applications, decision support and expert systems, planning and the development of information systems, management of information systems and end user computing, security and ethical issues of information systems.  

MBA733 The Economic Environment

The module analyses the economic fundamentals that drive the behaviour of the macro economy. It seeks to explain the behaviour of key macroeconomic variables such as output, employment and inflation. It also analyses the environment in which the macroeconomic policy in Zimbabwe is conducted.

MBA734 Organisational Behaviour

The module is intended to equip post graduate students and /or   practitioners with concepts and models that provide home-grown solutions to organizational behaviour related challenges facing organizations. The emphasis is in-depth understanding of the under-pining   OB concepts /theories and their application in the real world of work.

Contemporary issues to be covered   include, inter-alia;

Foundations of behaviour in organizations, Practical implication of OB in the 21^st century, counterproductive and productive workplace behaviours, organizational culture &climate, organizational ethics, organizational structures & designs, the learning organizational model, leadership and power, managing organizational change, motivating employees, decision-making, managing conflicts, stress and politics in organizations.

MBA736 Human Resource Management

This module is targeted at everyone in a managerial position or who will someday be in a managerial position. It explains why the human resource of an organization is the most important asset and the need for every line manager to appreciate and embrace some HRM duties in their organizations. It clearly outlines the role of HR practitioners and the need to adopt the appropriate HR practices, systems, policies and procedures which are well linked with the overall strategy of the organization. This leads to the implementation of HR systems that result in efficiency and effectiveness in the management of the flow of people into, within and out of the organization is discussed. How a strategic approach to the various HR practices like recruitment and selection, training and development, knowledge management, etc results in employee self commitment and loyalty leading to better performance outcomes for the organization is discussed. The evolution of the HR profession is given with emphasis being on the current drivers that continue to make the profession dynamic.

MBA737 Financial Management

The module is intended to offer the participants the principles and major analytical approaches that are applied in financial management to facilitate decision-making.

The module should facilitate the formulation, implementation and evaluation of financial management practices or strategies by businesses within their environments that are dynamic.  Having studied the module, students should be equipped with decision-making skills that should enable them to perform completely in an ever-changing business environment.

MBA738 Marketing Management

The module aims to provide strategic insights into the broader understanding of marketing management and its critical role to the success of a business.  It is, therefore, necessary to understand marketing from its basics such as the several definitions from several distinguished marketing gurus, and schools of thought, the development of marketing as a science, the main functions of marketing and concepts, the marketing environment, analysis of consumer and industrial markets, market segmentation, matching company capabilities and market opportunities (using SWOT and Portfolio tools), establishing the competitive edge through the marketing mixes and the marketing implementation and control (through the development and implementation of marketing plans).

MBA739 Business Statistics

This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts of data analysis useful in a management decision-making environment. The approach will emphasize practical management problem-solving using quantitative reasoning skills rather than the theoretical development of statistics. This understanding is also intended to assist students in developing a rigorous quantitative research methodology for the research report. Topics include Basic Concepts of Statistics, Graphical and tabular descriptive techniques, Numerical descriptive techniques, Probability and sampling Distributions, Data collection & Sampling, Confidence Interval Estimation, Inference about comparing two populations, Chi-Squared tests, Simple Linear Regression and Correlation Analysis and Time series analysis

 MBA740 Business Research Methods

This module will provide an understanding of integrated research methodology which will enable students to undertake a study commensurate with the master’s level.

The module will show how academic theory is developed and will provide research training in the individual components of research design, implementation and reporting.

The module will outline the basic steps in the formulation of research questions and the way in which this should be used to derive a data specification and method of data collection. Strengths and weaknesses of different data collection methods will be emphasized and students will be encouraged to develop their own research skills.

MBA845 Strategic Management

The students are initially introduced to the basic concepts, principles and the main analytical approaches that are used in strategic management. The emphasis is on formulation, implementation and evaluation of long term strategies utilized by business organizations. The issues that will be factored in include the environment, the constant flux of society and the strategies required for the management of that flux. Main topics include: the role of analysis and planning, mission, objectives, values, ethics and goals. Also analysed will be issues relating to markets, industries, competitors, stakeholder’s internal capabilities, value chains, resources and portfolios core and generic strategies, structure, culture and organizational design, strategy evaluation, implementation and control.

MBA832 Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a module that is all about starting and running your own business. It is much more than a set of knowledge or skills, and a set of attitudes that everyone can benefit from. This module is a very dynamic, practical, and hands-on type of course where students are allowed to both practice what they have learned and even practice what they have not yet learned. A great attitude, work ethic, creativity, and sense of adventure are required for success in this course. 

In addition to providing students with an understanding of entrepreneurial activity, the aim of this module is also to give student participants a rigorous and honest insight into the realities of entrepreneurial activity by focusing on the manifold requirements necessary to turn a rudimentary idea into a feasible and attractive new enterprise. By the end of the module, students will have a clear idea of the nature of the Entrepreneurial environment and the risks and rewards of self-employment. They will also be well equipped to write a credible and informed business plan; assess whether or not the entrepreneurial route could be an appropriate career choice; and, if it is, be able to embark with some greater confidence on the process of converting an idea into commercial reality. If students already have or are working on an idea for a new business, this module provides an ideal opportunity to develop, refine and test the idea or concept. For those students wishing to take their idea further and to raise external resources, the module provides direct experience in how to conceive, present and communicate an attractive and credible business plan

MBA844 Project Management

This module involves a detailed study of the entire Project through the Project Life Cycle from initiation to termination. This involves coming up with a business case, resource loading and leveling, monitoring and evaluation up to project commissioning. Emphasis is put on the management of the quadruple constraints namely time, budget, quality and scope in achieving project objectives. The module involves a detailed study of network analysis and scheduling techniques. The main topics include the following: Strategic Project Management, Project Life Cycle, Project Planning and Scheduling, Project Team Dynamics, Project Organisational Structures, Project Feasibility Studies, Project Appraisal and Risk Management, Earned value Analysis, Project Budgeting and Procurement,  Code of Ethics and Responsibility code, Contracts Management, Project Leadership and Integration and Management and Control  of Donor Funded Projects and the application of Project Software in Project Management with emphasis on MS Project, MS Access, MS Visio and Excel. The module gives emphasis on the alignment of the Project Strategy to the overall organisational strategy which is commonly referred to as project maturity. The EMBA module gives emphasis on managerial application of theoretical concepts.

MBA841 Change Management

The module focuses on the management of change in organizations. It will also swell on the types of organizations that are in existence, and how the differing structures of these organizations impact on change management. The main topics covered include the following: Performance, design strategies, concept of power, organizational politics, change, renaissance, Organisational theory, models of growth and decline, structural forms, organizational and the management of change.

MBA835 E-Commerce

The module looks at computer-based transactions. It includes E- Business i.e. the transaction of business via electronic gadgets.  It analyses the usage and effect of the internet, Electronic Fund transfers, computer based transactions, consumer responses e.g. as we look at the future, the hole of the computer on business transactions is increasing in importance.

MBA849 Corporate Governance

Corporate governance deals with the complex set of relationships between the corporation and its board of directors, management, shareholders, and other stakeholders. In the recent years, the regulators and legislators have intensified their focus on how businesses are being run. They are endeavoring to create a template for new corporate governance and disclosure measures, which is beneficial for both the stakeholders and controllers. Students will be exposed to challenges of good Corporate Governance by comparing different systems and approaches. This will enhance their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of direction setting and strategic thought process. The module will provide cross-functional insight on the effective integration of corporate performance and conformance roles. In the process we hope to create a core team of trained directors with determination, focused intelligence, creativity and innovativeness, to lead the wealth creating organs of society. Some of the key areas include: history of corporate governance; powers and rights of the relations between directors and shareholders’ financial reporting and auditing.

MBA851 Business Leadership

It is more than ever that organizations are appreciating the relationship between leadership and performance. Leadership ultimately determines the kind of organizations that we have and the quality of life that we enjoy. Thus the module seeks to impact leadership skills to managers for the betterment of the organizations and society at large.  The areas of focus include; Framework for studying Business Leadership; Leadership theories; Leadership Styles; Leadership roles; measurement of effective leadership.

MBA850 Dissertation

The dissertation is carried out by a student in his/her chosen area of interest in the field of business administration. It equips the student with competencies in conducting independent research, thus encompasses identifying a research problem, conducting a literature review, writing the research methods section, conducting data analysis and report writing. The candidate is expected to apply knowledge acquired from the business research methods module to solve business administration problems. The dissertation shall be supervised by one or more lecturers, from one chapter to the next, and be approximately 20 000 words, excluding preliminary pages and appendices.