Principles of Management

Centro Internacional de Español - PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT

1. Introduction
Companies are currently facing increasingly complex environments as laws, competitors, and technologies multiply. Moreover, when it comes to achieving international business objectives, managers find it difficult to immediately adapt. More complex relationships inside and outside the firm, hostile environments, and dynamic markets require skilled managers. While the skills required by start-ups and large global enterprises are different, there are some issues that are common to the management staff of any enterprise, regardless of its size.

2. Course Objectives
This course provides a close look into the common problems managers experience and the ways that these problems are solved according to different management styles. The course will demonstrate the important role played by management in optimal company performance. Just as companies can best be understood in relation to their environment, so too can managers be better understood in relation to their companies. The course also explores the distinction between short-term and long-term decisions and how both relate to a master strategy. Students will also consider current issues in management and learn how to develop managerial skills.

3. Syllabus
I. Managerial context

• a. Managing and Performing
• b. The External and Internal Environments

II. From tactics to strategy

• a. Managerial Decision Making
• b. Planning and Strategic Management

III. Current issues in management

• a. Ethics
• b. Corporate Responsibility
• c. Entrepreneurship

IV. Organizational skills

• a. Organization Structure and Agility
• b. Human Resource Management

V. Management Skills

• a. Leadership and motivation
• b. Teamwork
• c. Communication
• d. Managerial Control

4. Bibliography
Bateman, T. S., & Snell, S. A. (2014). Management: Leading & Collaborating in a Competitive World. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Jones, G. R., & George, J. M. (2008). Essentials of contemporary management (3rd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

5. Evaluation system
5.1 Attendance and Participation (20%): a) To show interest during the lectures; b) Selecting appropriate readings for the students to read; c) Reading/watching the selected material for each lecture; d) Appropriate comments and questions during the lectures; e) Taking part in class activities such as quizzes and short presentations.
5.2 Written and Assignments (40%)
- 5.2.1 Midterm Essay (20%): A 3000-words essay on a topic suggested by the lecturer. Citation and style should be written in APA (6th Ed.) format.
- 5.2.2 Oral Presentation (20%): A 15 to 20-minute presentation on a topic suggested by the lecturer. Before the presentation, students must give to the lecturer a document with the bibliography used for the presentation.
5.3 Exams (40%)
- 5.3.1 Midterm Exam (20%): Multiple choice test (between 15 and 30 questions). Four options, one correct. Penalty of 33,33%.
- 5.3.2 Final Exam (20%): Analysis of a given management case. The student should analyse the problem and propose a solution according to the concepts and techniques learned in the course.

6. Assignment policies
All papers, projects and essays, including homework, are to be handed over at the beginning of the due date’s class, or the end of the time assigned in Campus Virtual platform. Otherwise it will be considered late.

7. Attendance policy
Attendance is obligatory. More than 20% of unexcused absence from class will endanger an officially certified completion of the course (grading + certificate). Medical absences are excused with the prompt receipt of proper documentation. It is expectedthat students arrive to class on time and that they return promptly to class after any given class break. Tardiness is figured into the absence policy.

8. Class protocol
Students are required to be involved in class activities. They are expected to show their preparation by participating in discussions, by asking relevant questions, being critical and analytical with the contents presented in class as well as by sharing their ideas and opinions. In class the student is required to maintain a polite demeanour always and under every circumstance. Students are asked not to eat in class and to put their cell phones on silence. With the exception being for class presentations, laptops are not to be used in class.