Course description
Microeconomics
This is an introductory course which presents to the student the basic fundamentals of microeconomic theory. The objective is to introduce to the student the concept and methodology of microeconomics and the tools it uses in problem solving. The course aims to develop an understanding of the competitive environment facing firms through analysis of market structures. After taking this course the student will be able to have a better understanding of the fundamental issues in microeconomics such as demand and supply, market structure analysis (oligopoly, monopolistic competition, etc.) cost concepts, price determination and pricing practices. The course also addresses some basic macroeconomic issues (e.g. income expenditure, aggregate demand and aggregate supply, monetary theory, balance of payments, the labor market, etc.) that have a profound impact on the business environment.
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Marketing
The course provides students with a basic introduction to marketing. The objective is to give them a basic foundation upon which they can build and develop their competency in the field. The course is also a prelude to the more advanced courses in marketing given in the second and third years of the program. In this introductory course, the focus will be on a better understanding of marketing theory and concepts. Particular issues which will be addressed include the following: the marketing concept, market structure, conduct and performance, consumer and organizational buying behaviour, market segmentation, distribution policy and selection of marketing channels, product policy, planning and development, advertising and sales promotion.
Recommended readings:
- Baker, M.J., Marketing: An Introductory Text, Macmillan, London (latest edition)
- Kotler, P., Principles of Marketing: European Edition, Prentice-hall, 2004
Management
In this course participants will be introduced to the fundamental principles, practices, issues and debates associated business, public and third sector organizations. The frameworks, concepts and theories covered in the course are introduced to explain how managers deal with the diversity of issues faced in the effective management of contemporary organizations. At the end of the course students will be able to have a better understanding of the following issues: the various functions of management, systems and behavioural approaches to management, organizational management levels, characteristics and skills required by managers. They should also be able to effectively discuss current management issues and characteristics of today's workplace. The course sets the stage for the study of more advanced courses in management at the second and third years of the program.
Recommended readings:
- Robbins, S.P. and Decenzo, D.A., Fundamentals of Management: Essential Concepts and Applications, Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2005
Principles of Accounting and Finance
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts, methods and practices of accounting and finance. The core principles of accounting and finance are introduced in a way that is easy to understand. At the end of the course students will be able to acquire the basic skills and knowledge necessary for the understanding of accounting and finance functions in a modern business enterprise. Areas to be covered include: the use of accounting information, understanding financial statements, the accounting treatment of assets and liabilities, budgeting, working capital management, cash flow statements, financial statement analysis, etc.
Recommended readings:
- Atril, P. and McLaney, E., Financial Accounting for Non-Specialists, Pearson (3rd edition), 2002
- Atril, P. and McLaney, E., Financial Accounting for Decision makers, Pearson (4th edition), 2005
Legal Environment of Business
The course introduces the students to the basic fundamentals of business law and its impact on managerial decisions. It is designed to provide the students with an overview of various legal concepts and principles impacting business It prepares the manager to make business decisions within the legal and ethical framework. Managers make decisions within the constraints of the legal system and government regulations. They face legal liability and legal consequences for their decisions. The objective of the course therefore is to bring to the students an awareness of the legal parameters governing the environment of business. Topics covered include: the legal system, the regulation of business, law of contract and tort, environmental and antitrust law, employment law, the ethical and global environment of business law, etc.
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Organizational Behavior
This course will help the students become more effective in dealing with the human element in a business enterprise. The objective is to provide the students with an appreciation of the human resources aspects of management. More specifically, students will gain an understanding of some of the factors that determine personality and how these factors impact the behaviour of organizations. Topics covered include individual factors such as personality, attitudes, perception and motivation, group factors such as communication, leadership, power and politics, group dynamics and conflict. Examples of organizational factors such as organizational structure and culture, as well as managing change will also be introduced. On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: describe the multidisciplinary origins of the study of organizational behaviour, describe the evolution of leadership theories, analyze organizational leadership positions in order to determine a leader's source of power, etc.
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Human Resources Management
The aim of the course is to introduce to the students the fundamentals of management of human resources in a modern business enterprise. Human resources function includes a wide variety of activities, key among which is deciding what staffing needs the organization has and whether to use independent contractors (i.e. outsourcing) or hire employees to fill these needs, recruiting and training the best employees, ensuring they are high performers, dealing with performance issues, and ensuring that personnel and management practices conform to various regulations. Topics covered include: basic overview of human resources management, getting the best employees, employee compensation (pay and other benefits), employee training, ensuring compliance to regulations, ensuring safe work environments, sustaining high performance employees, etc.
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Intercultural Communication
In this course students will learn the basic concepts and techniques of communicating across cultures. The overall objective of the course is to familiarize the students with the principles underlying intercultural communication. Topics covered include: cultures as context for communication, defining culture, defining communication as an element of culture, approaches to communication studies, intercultural communication ethics, culture's influence on perception, barriers to intercultural communication, dimensions of culture, comparative cultural patters and their impact on communication.
Recommended readings:
- Jandt, F.E., An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community, Sage Publications, 4th edition, 2005
Fundamentals of Operations Management
This course introduces students to the fundamental process of managing and controlling a variety of operations. It offers the student an overview of the component of operations management. The course defines each of the components and introduces the student to the concepts of quality. Participants will learn the basics of acquisition and allocation of resources to support the production and delivery of goods and services to customers. Both manufacturing and service sectors are covered. After taking the course the student will be able to know how to choose the different types of operations, identify definitions of the components of operations management, identify the types of quality management tools, etc.
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Strategic Management
This is an advanced course in management. In order to be allowed to take it participants must show proof of successful completion to the course “Fundamentals of Management” offered in the first year of the program. In the present course the principles and practice of Strategic Management are analyzed. The focus is on the firm, its industry and competitive environment, its long-term direction and strategy, its resources and capabilities, and its prospects for success. Here the concepts and tools of strategic management are presented in an integrated approach and applied to real business context; Topics covered include: the three strategy-making tasks (vision/mission, objectives, strategic choice), industry and competitive analysis, company situation analysis, strategy and competitive advantage, matching strategy to a company's situation, corporate diversification strategies, strategic analysis of diversified companies, implementing strategy, etc. The course provides the basis for the International Management specialization in the third year.
Recommended readings:
- Hill, C.W.L. and Jones, G.R., Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach, 7th edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2006
Marketing Management
Participation in this course requires the successful completion of the course “Principles of Marketing” offered during the first year of the program. Marketing Management is therefore an advanced marketing course which builds upon the foundation course in the first year. Marketing management is concerned with the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives. In this course students will learn the concepts and practice of modern marketing as applied in a wide variety of settings. A practical and managerial approach to marketing is adopted throughout the course. Cases are used in order to illustrate managerial relevance; specific topics covered include: the nature of marketing, the environment of marketing, marketing strategy, global competition and international marketing strategy, analysis of consumer and organizational buyer behaviour, market segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies.
Recommended readings:
- Kotler, P., Marketing Management: Analysis, Planning, Implementation, and Control, Prentice-Hall International (latest edition)
Financial Management
This course build upon the foundation course “Principles of Accounting and Finance” completed during the first year of the program. Successful completion of the foundation course is a prerequisite for taking the present course. The main objectives of the Financial Management course therefore are: to introduce and explain a range of financial securities and the markets in which they trade, to provide a conceptual framework of the firm's investment and financing decisions, to examine the management of equity and financial income investments, to analyze individual securities, the formation of these securities into portfolios. After completing the course the students will be able to have a thorough understanding of financial markets and instruments, the international financial markets, portfolio theory, fixed income securities, options markets, swaps, etc.
Recommended readings:
- Pike, R., and Neale, B., Corporate Finance and Investment, Prentice-Hall, 1993 (or later edition)
- Brealey, R.B. and Myers, S.C., Principles of Corporate Finance, McGraw-Hill, 1991 (or later edition)
e- Commerce
Electronic commerce and supporting technologies are evolving at such a rapid pace that it is difficult to comprehend the basic principles fuelling this revolution. The course will introduce participants to the recent developments in this field thus providing them with an in-depth understanding of the business opportunities as well as the strategic and management issues that companies face in the electronic world. More specifically the course will analyze the impact of electronic commerce on business and marketplace transformation in the context of business-to-business as well as business-to-consumer e-commerce.
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Managing People in the International Environment
One of the key elements of a successful leadership in any organization involves managing people. The present course builds upon the basic concepts and theories of the Human Resources Management (HRM) course in the first year of the program. A prerequisite for taking the present course therefore is that students have successfully completed the HRM course in the offered in the first year of the program. Successful management of human resources involves a variety of activities such as: deciding on your staff needs, how to fill these positions within the budget, recruiting, orienting and training employees, and ensuring they perform well. HRM also involves managing employee benefits and compensation, employee records, legal issues and relations with unions. These issues constitute the basic objective of the present course.
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Project Management
This course provides students with an advanced knowledge in the field of Project Management. It builds upon the foundation course, “Fundamentals of Management” taken in the first year of the program. Successful completion of this course is therefore a prerequisite for taking the present course. Project management has grown in importance and popularity during the last few years. It is now used in virtually all sectors of the economy and mid-level managers with project management skills are in short supply. By completing the Project Management course, students will understand how to improve productivity, effectively organize projects, understand the project life cycle, master the basic project management skills, link realistic objectives to stakeholder needs, establish dependable monitoring techniques, estimate project costs, agree on realistic time schedules.
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Leadership
The present is an advanced course which build upon the introductory courses “Principles of Marketing” and “Fundamentals of Management” courses in the first year of the program. Successful completion of these courses is therefore a prerequisite for taking the present course. This course will enable students develop the skills and competencies of leadership in the new economy. The course combines an emphasis on behavioural skills, such as group dynamics, communication and managing diversity, with critical thinking designed to surface and challenge deeply held assumptions. Becoming more self-aware, reflective and able to challenge the taken-for-granted frames which constrain innovation and adaptation enable students to lead and govern their own organizations more effectively. The students will be able to learn these skills in this course.
Recommended readings:
Marketing Communication
A study of the role of communications in stimulating demand for marketable products and services constitute the subject matter of the present course. It builds upon the foundation courses “Principles of Marketing” and “Intercultural Communication” courses given in the first year of the program. Successful completion of these courses is thus a prerequisite for taking the present course. In the Marketing Communication course students will learn mass communication techniques including promotion, advertising, and public relations and how to apply these in communicating a product's relative competitiveness in the marketplace. The course is designed for students who will become decision-makers in almost any area of responsibility concerned with consumer/customer communications including: advertising, public relations, promotions, Internet marketing, media and client organization. Students will learn and practice message and touchpoint integration with special attention to effectiveness and measurable results.
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Concentration areas
1. International Management
International Business
The aim of this course is to provide the students with an advanced insight into the theories of international trade and investment and the practice of firms operating across borders. After taking the course students will be able to have an enhanced understanding of the processes and mechanisms of internationalization and their impact on organization operating in national and international markets. The course will also help the students better understand developments in the environment that have influenced the internationalization of business. Specific topics which will be addressed in the course include: patterns of international business, international business theories, foreign exchange and international money markets, the international monetary system, the international trade framework, the international legal environment, global business strategy, and multinational operations management.
Recommended readings:
- Robock, S.H. and Simmonds, K., International Business and Multinational Enterprises, Richard Irwin Publishing
International Economics
The course aims to provide students with the tools for understanding the implications of policy changes, shocks and disturbances in the international economy. Topics addressed include: labor productivity and comparative advantage, resources and trade, economies of scale, international trade, the instruments of trade policy, exchange rates and the foreign exchange markets, price levels and the exchange rate, etc.
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International Strategy
The course is designed to provide students with an overview of the key dimensions of international strategy requirements for successfully operating in today's global marketplace. The focus of the course is on practical strategy in an international setting. The emphasis therefore is on strategy processes and the management of strategy. The course will help students develop their skills in analyzing, formulating and planning for the implementation of strategies, throughout emphasis will be placed on managerial aspects of strategy. Cases will be used throughout to illustrate real strategy issues in the international environment.
Recommended readings:
International Finance
The course outlines basic principles essential for participation in international financial markets and for financing international operations. After completing the course students will be able to have a thorough understanding of the international financial system: Specific topics covered include: international monetary market, an overview of the international financial system, foreign exchange and currency risk management, exchange rate determination, international parity conditions, foreign exchange derivatives, global financing, corporate foreign exchange risk management, valuation and the structure of multinational operations, international portfolio investment and asset pricing.
Recommended readings:
International Marketing
The aim of this course is to introduce to the students the particularities of international marketing management, and familiarize them with the strategic dimensions that constitute the decisions concerning the presence of products and services in the foreign market. The course will provide students with the knowledge necessary for participating in the creation of a marketing plan adapted to international conditions. Topics covered include: the scope and challenges of international marketing, the international business environment, the impact of culture on international marketing, assessing international market opportunities, developing international marketing strategies, international distribution system, pricing for international markets, organizing international marketing activities, etc.
Recommended readings:
- Cateora, P.R. and Ghauri, P.N., International Marketing: European Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1999 (or later edition)
2. Finance
International Finance
The course outlines basic principles essential for participation in international financial markets and for financing international operations. After completing the course students will be able to have a thorough understanding of the international financial system: Specific topics covered include: international monetary market, an overview of the international financial system, foreign exchange and currency risk management, exchange rate determination, international parity conditions, foreign exchange derivatives, global financing, corporate foreign exchange risk management, valuation and the structure of multinational operations, international portfolio investment and asset pricing.
Recommended readings:
Financial Accounting
Financial Accounting is concerned with recording, summarizing, communicating and distributing data about the financial activities of a business. One of the key tasks in financial accounting is the setting of standards by which the reporting of companies will be undertaken. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is an example of a standard setter. The IASB attempts to achieve more agreement on a global basis aimed at the harmonization in accounting standards. Participants in this course will be able to learn the principles of financial accounting, including the role of important organizations such as IASB in achieving harmonization of accounting standards around the world.
Recommended readings:
- Kimmel, P.D. et al, Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Making, Wiley & Sons (3rd edition), 2003
Financial Management
The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of financial management, including the management of financial risks. The primary focus is on the risk management techniques implemented by financial institutions, such as the value at risk approach. The course aims at offering a critical analysis of such techniques based on the studies of practical cases and on insights from economic theory. Other topics covered include: The role of financial management, the financial environment, the valuation of securities, financial analysis, working capital management, capital budgeting, etc.
Recommended readings:
- Van Horne, J.C., Fundamentals of Financial Management, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey (latest edition)
Investment Analysis
The objective of this course is to introduce to the student the basic tools used by investment professionals in the investment of marketable securities. The focus is on investment environment and process. The investment environment includes the kinds of marketable securities that exist and where and how they are bought and sold; The investment process is concerned with how an investor should proceed in making decisions about what marketable securities to invest in, how extensive the investments should be, and when the investments should be made. Students will be able to learn these of analyzing and evaluating these matters in this course.
Recommended readings:
- Alexander, G.J. and Sharpe William, Fundamentals of Investments, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey (latest edition)
International Marketing
The aim of this course is to introduce to the students the particularities of international marketing management, and familiarize them with the strategic dimensions that constitute the decisions concerning the presence of products and services in the foreign market. The course will provide students with the knowledge necessary for participating in the creation of a marketing plan adapted to international conditions. Topics covered include: the scope and challenges of international marketing, the international business environment, the impact of culture on international marketing, assessing international market opportunities, developing international marketing strategies, international distribution system, pricing for international markets, organizing international marketing activities, etc.
Recommended readings:
- Cateora, P.R. and Ghauri, P.N., International Marketing: European Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1999 (or later edition)
Fundamentals of Supply Chain management
In this course the concept of integrated operations management is introduced as a key process for success in the international business environment. The objective is to acquaint the students with the use of integrated supply chain management approach at the global level as a source for a company's competitive advantage. The course examines information systems technology that supports modern supply chain operations at the global level, including: planning systems, management execution systems, and transaction processing systems used in the creation and delivery of goods and services. Similarly, integrated functions of global supply chain management such as transportation, warehousing, materials handling, packaging, inventory control, customer services, and logistics information systems will be studied in this course.
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Logistics
The concept of logistics is introduced in this course as one key processes for success in the international business environment. The objective is to acquaint the student with the use of logistics management theory and techniques for analyzing and controlling global manufacturing and operations management activities. The course examines information systems technology that supports modern logistics operations at the global level including transaction processing systems used in the creation and delivery of goods and services. Similarly, integrated functions of global logistics within the supply chain such as transportation, warehousing, materials handling, packaging, inventory, control, customer service and logistics information systems are thoroughly examined.
Recommended readings:
Operations Management
The course introduces operations as a functional area of management and helps the student understand the link with other functional areas of the firm. Students will learn about the acquisition and allocation of resources to support the production and delivery of goods and services. Both manufacturing and service sectors are covered. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the e-enabled aspects of operations management. The rationale of the course draws upon the need to develop an in-depth decisive understanding of business processes for successfully implementing supply and demand management concepts within an e-commerce framework. Contemporary issues in operations management such as total quality management, lean manufacturing, just-in-time approaches, MRP, ERP, and process re-engineering to improve productivity and control costs will be addressed.
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Information Systems and Technology
The course examines the current techniques and practice of effective information systems management. Analysis of emerging technologies with application to business processes and thoroughly examined. The course also looks at the role of management in effectively implementing a management information systems strategy in the organization.
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BBA Project Report
The project report represents a total of 12 ECTS credits. Participants are free to choose the theme of their project as long as this is within their area of concentration. The project is completed in the last semester of the program. It must be based on either a company consultancy assignment of three months or an internship of a similar duration in an organization. The report is to be defended in front of a panel comprising faculty members from CASS and the University of Nice, France.
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