Core block 2

Corporate Strategy

This module complements the content introduced to you in the Strategic Leadership module (which focused on business strategy) to discuss central themes in corporate strategy.

You will focus on the key questions faced by multi-business firms: under what conditions should firms engage in horizontal diversification? What are the pros and cons of vertical integration versus outsourcing? How can companies compete successfully in the international arena? How can corporate strategy be successfully implemented?

In addition to introducing you to the fundamental theories of corporate strategy, you will focus on the application of those theories in real-life situations via case study discussions.

Learning outcomes

Develop the abilities of strategic thinking, analysis and judgment
Analyse and characterise the nature of a strategic situation facing the firm in conditions of imperfect knowledge
Assess strategic responses for suitability
Formulate and recommend the means for implementing the chosen strategy.

Operations Management

The rationale for Operations Management is to develop skills for a general manager, to understand and improve organisational efficiency.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to conceptual models and frameworks to enable them to recognise when the models should be applied. The focus will thus be on "how to" skills and applications.

Learning outcomes

Recognise operational situations using process frameworks and be able to dissect relevant improvements
Understand an organisation's business processes in the context of its strategy
Demonstrate communication and interaction skills
Demonstrate decision making skills
Suggest improvements to improve efficiency and to improve alignment with organisational goals
Effectively interpret results of consequent analyses
Demonstrate critical think and problem solving skills.

Business Economics

The aim of this module is to give students a practical understanding of the tools and language used by economists to analyse individual and organisational behavior (microeconomics), and the functioning of economies and networks of economies as a whole (macroeconomics). This in turn is intended to give students an appreciation of the relevance to business of economic thinking, news about the economy, and high-level policy debates.

Learning outcomes

develop practical and analytical skills to examine cost and production concepts and the pricing and output behavior of firms operating in different market structures
make informed and critical judgments about commentary and analysis written by professional economists and economic journalists.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The aim of this module is to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the social responsibilities of a modern business organisation. This module provides a framework to address the complex issues of CSR and corporate governance in a systematic way.

Learning outcomes

Outline the theoretical and practical context of the social responsibility of enterprises, and recognise the importance of recognizing and considering a broad set of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues in corporate management
Debate the nature and application of corporate governance in modern organisations, including the role and function of boards of directors
Evaluate current theoretical issues in corporate governance, including: agency, stakeholder and stewardship theories. Explain the need for organisations to address CSR issues
Articulate critically the case for CSR in a business context
Appreciate the necessity for multi-stakeholder dialogue and the creation of platforms of collaboration that involve key players from business, government, and society
Recognise the necessity for ethical managerial behaviour
Be confident in the analysis and evaluation of CSR issues.

Analytics for Business

Quantitative analysis of business data provides a key skill for success in the modern, data rich business environment. This module focuses on some of the most widely used techniques, related to data summary and sampling. The intention is not only to equip you with the practical skills to implement the necessary techniques, but to acquire the skills of discretion in choice of appropriate method and clarity in the interpretation of the output from such methods and extraction of the information of most importance to the business decision maker.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to some of the most important statistical tools used in business analytics, focussing on descriptive and predictive analytics. The focus is on application and interpretation of the tools and results.

Learning outcomes

Develop analytical skills in structuring and analysing business decision problems.
Build analytical models for a variety of problems in a number of functional areas.
Understand usefulness and limitation of selected techniques.
Use software to generate computer solutions of the models.
Demonstrate skills in interpreting the business significance and communicating the analysis and results of business decision problems.

Financial Markets and Instruments

This module will provide you with a basis for investment and financial analysis, and a foundation for a more in-depth study of the subject if you wish to go on and specialise in finance in your MBA. Comprising of three parts - first focusing on capital budgeting and investment decisions; the second focussing on financial instruments and derivatives; and the third, passive and active investments.

The aims of the course are to familiarise you with the role of finance in business: to help understand the nature of available financial instruments and determinants of the prices of marketable securities; to be able to appraise investment projects. This is all set within a contemporary financial markets context.

Learning outcomes

Know and understand basic milestones of finance and major concepts of investment and financing including:#

Net present value and capital budgeting, WACC and CAPM
Valuation of Bonds, Stocks and Businesses
Derivatives and risk management
Portfolio Theory.

Continuing professional development

The Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme runs across Blocks 1 and 2 for sustained career support. To offer you a broad range of CPD skills, the programme will include the online Mathematics for Managers pre-programme module and the Business Academic Writing module.

This course will provide a number of skills to help your personal and professional development within your organisation.

The aims of the course are to provide some core compulsory skills as part of induction and then you will engage in further CPD courses across the programme.

Learning outcomes

Achieve a higher level of self-awareness in relation to your interaction with others
Understand your interpersonal and leadership styles in more depth
Use argument and evidence
Use the skills learnt to further your career path
Use the skills learnt within the workplace
Understand the importance of Continuing Professional Development
Demonstrate the professional skills acquired
Realise the extent and limitations of your skill base.

Return to Executive MBA in Dubai programme timeline