BUSM 121
Management Principles and Practices
3.0 Credits
Description
Management Principles and Practices is designed to give you a basic understanding of the role and functions of a manager and to explain the principles, concepts, and techniques used by managers in carrying out their work. The course is intended for persons who presently hold, or desire in the future to hold, management responsibilities in an organization or enterprise. A central concept of the course is that there is a general framework for understanding management that applies to managers in all organizations--large or small, public or private, product-oriented or service-oriented.
Topics covered in this online course include values and ethics, communicating, planning, decision making, organizing, leading, controlling, and innovating. The course emphasizes the skills needed to apply management principles and concepts to real-life situations; you will analyze management issues and problems and how to formulate realistic, practical plans to resolve them. These practical skills are developed through case studies in the course assignments, and through applying course concepts to your own situation and approaches.
Delivery Method
This course outline reflects the content of the new Web-based version of BUSM121. Delivery is self-paced, allowing you the flexibility to proceed through the course according to your own schedule. TRU-OL has no admission requirements and you can register for this course at any time throughout the year.
Prerequisites
None. BUSM 100 or 101, or business experience is recommended.
Exclusions
Only one of BUSM 121, ADMN 122, and ADMN 312 may be taken for credit.
Objectives
The overall aims of this course are to increase both your knowledge of management and your ability to manage effectively.
At the end of the course, you should be able to do the following:
- Describe your own view of management, values, ethics, and perception, and what you bring to your role as manager.
- Comment on what is expected of managers in terms of general competencies.
- Explain the differing approaches to defining management and the standard cycle of the management process.
- Explain how the values that management holds can impact an organization.
- Examine how a manager can add value to an organization.
- Recognize the value of delegating.
- Analyze the leadership styles of managers.
- Examine what and how to motivate your employees.
- Understand and apply leadership and motivation theories.
- Understand the use of roles when working as a team.
- Understand the communication process.
- Identify successful communication.
- Identify your predominant decision making style.
- Recognize your own commitment levels and the commitment levels of others to the organization's goals.
- Explain how planning adds to an organization's goals.
- Define the concept of organizational structure.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of organizational design options.
- Understand contingency variables.
- Explain the concept of the 'boundaryless organization'.
- Understand the benefits of a 'learning organization'.
- Define control as a function of management.
- Assess when control is useful and when it is not.
- Identify situations in which you monitored and modified plans.
- Analyze the role of creativity in organizations.
- Assess the importance of managing positively in a changing environment.
- Explain the use of creative planning techniques for corporate innovation and growth.
Course Outline
There are five modules.
Module 1 - Introduction to Management
- Topic 1 - What is Management?
- Topic 2 - Management as a System; Ethics and Social Responsibilities
- Topic 3 - Adding Value to the Organization
- Topic 4 - Environmental Constraints on Managers
Module 2 - Leadership
- Topic 1 - Leadership
- Topic 2 - Motivating Your Employees
- Topic 3 - Managing Work Teams
- Topic 4 - Communication Skills
- Topic 5 - Decision-Making Styles
Module 3 - Planning and Organizing
- Topic 1 - Commitment to the Planning Process
- Topic 2 - Organizational Planning
- Topic 3 - Organizational Structure and Design
- Topic 4 - The Boundaryless Organization
- Topic 5 - Strategic Management
Module 4 - Controlling
- Topic 1 - What is Control and Why Engage In It?
- Topic 2 - Measuring, Monitoring, and Modifying
Module 5 - Creativity, Change, and Innovation
- Topic 1 - Creativity and the Competitive Advantage
- Topic 2 - Creativity and Innovation
- Topic 3 - Managing Change and Innovation
Major Project
In the major project, you will:
- Examine your views on management.
- Describe your leadership style.
- Summarize the knowledge and skills you have gained.
Maximum Completion
30 weeks. The normal completion time is 14 weeks.
Required Text and Materials
Robbins, S. Fundamentals of Management. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada, 2008.
Type: Textbook with CD Rom. ISBN:978-0-13-198879-8
5th Canadian ed.
Additional Requirements
A computer with web access and a CD-ROM is required. Refer to "Web-based Courses Delivered by TRU-OL" in the TRU-OL Calendar or on the TRU-OL web site for computer requirements (see: http://www.tru.ca/distance/services/online_courses.html#web).
Tutor Information
A course tutor is available to assist students, primarily through the course's Blackboard mail facility. Students may also talk to their tutor on the phone when mutually convenient.
Assessment
There are five assignments and a major project in BUSM 121. Grades awarded for this course will be based on the marks earned on assignments and on the major project, components of which are completed throughout the course. Students must obtain at least 50% in the major project and in the course overall to pass the course. The proportion of the final grade represented by each assignment and the project is as follows:
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