The aims of the Milpark Business School MBA programme are to enable the student to:

• analyse complex issues, think critically and appreciate alternative perspectives related to core business management issues.
• apply, evaluate and synthesise current management theories in the main functional areas of financial management, human resource management, marketing management, ethics, governance, operations management, global economics and leadership.
• appreciate and contribute to the development and implementation of the responsibilities that business has towards society in general, local communities and the environment.
• apply the theoretical and practical aspects of the strategic development of organisations in an integrated fashion.
• develop creative and imaginative, yet credible, solutions to management issues.
• promote the development of personal and interpersonal skills, notably reporting, presenting, critical analysis, imagination, emotional intelligence, creativity, group work and independent learning.

Year 1 – Semester 1
0	Business Report Writing, Quantitative Analysis and Presentation Skills
1	General Managerial Environment
2	Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
3	Social Responsibility and the Environment (sustainability)
Year 1 – Semester 2
4	People Management (1 required)
5	Operations and Technology Management (1 required)
6	Marketing and Sales Management (1 required)
7 - 1	Business Research Methodology (0 required)
Year 2 – Semester 1
8	Management Accounting and Finance (Part 1)
9	Leadership and Change Management (2, 3 & 4 required)
10	Global Trade (Macroeconomics; BRICS; developing markets)
Year 2 – Semester 2
11	Management Accounting and Finance (Part 2)
12	Integrated Business Strategy (1 — 10 required)
13	Elective (select one): Entrepreneurship and Innovation (0 — 6 required) Information and knowledge management (0, 1 and 5 required) Public management (0, 1, 4 and 5 required) Primary banking operations (0, 1, 4 and 5 required)
7 - 2	Dissertation (0 - 7 required)

MODULE DESCRIPTIONS

Business Report Writing, Quantitative Analysis and Presentation Skills
This module is proposed to assist students/candidates to improve their skills up to entry level to ensure competence in writing and research skills. It aims to improve quality of written research assignments and will ensure a seamless entry into the business research module and dissertation.

The Management Environment
The framework that this module provides will give the student an understanding of the nature of the principal functions of management and how they constitute the role of the manager.

Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
The student is exposed to perspectives and philosophies on moral ethics and ethics in business. Students will develop the skills to identify and manage issues related to ethical practice and decision-making, and will be exposed to the requirements and practice of good corporate governance.

People Management
This module is aimed at equipping students as future managers to deal with the most important asset – people. Organisations that acquire, develop, and retain high performing employees with the appropriate skills and competencies are better able to respond to the needs of their stakeholders and changes in their external environment.

Social responsibility and environmental management
Students are empowered to understand the influence and impact of business enterprises and their responsibilities. Social, ethical and environmental issues faced by business and other kinds of organisations are examined, providing business executives, managers and leaders with a theoretically underpinned analytical perspective of CSR and enabling them to critically assess CSR issues, initiatives, drivers and responses.

Management Accounting and Finance (Part 1)
This module provides the knowledge and skills needed for financial analysis: the annual financial report, budgetary planning and control, capital appraisal, and costing and pricing techniques. In addition, working capital management, taxation of companies, cost-analysis, profit-analysis, volume analysis and evaluation of the sources of finance are addressed.

Management Accounting and Finance (Part 2)
The focus of this module is on understanding corporate-level finance. Capital markets, long-term finance, the valuation of businesses, risk-reduction techniques and strategic corporate governance are addressed.

Operations Management and Technology
A number of topical, strategic issues are examined to demonstrate how strategy and tactics at an operational level impact on the development and implementation of corporate strategy. The second part of this module will enable students to develop competency in evaluating and planning technologies for future operations.

Marketing and Sales Management
An international focus on current theory and practice in marketing is provided: globalisation, micro-marketing, relationship marketing, standardisation and harmonisation are covered. Appropriate strategies for product, price, promotion/communication and distribution are considered along with their balance in the marketing mix. The second part of this module addresses sales management.

Leadership and Change Management
Effective and exemplary leadership is essential in private, public and civil organisations. This module develops and refines the student’s knowledge and practice of leadership and change management in order to ensure responsible action and sustainable business.

Global Trade
The aim of this module is to understand the global economy, to identify the relevant threats and opportunities and to design appropriate strategies around them. A strong focus will be placed on emerging economies as represented by the BRICS countries comprising South Africa, Brazil, India, China and Russia.

Integrated Business Strategy
Students are provided with the opportunity to consolidate knowledge and skills across core areas. All aspects of the business organisation are addressed in a focused strategy.

Business Research Methodology and the Dissertation
After a strong foundation in business research methodology, students proceed to independent research that aims to develop and test the ability to conceptualise, investigate, appraise and critically evaluate a significant research topic in the field of management and leadership in the form of a dissertation.

ELECTIVES (ONE ONLY):

Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Entrepreneurship is the practice of starting new business ventures or revitalising mature companies (intrapreneurship), ventures which often require unique sources for funding. This module looks at the various ways in which new venture creation may be supported and also addresses the contribution of innovation in new business.

Primary Banking Operations
The nature of banking and the functions of banks as well as the role and functions of central banks are investigated. The position of banks in the financial system is also assessed.

Public Management
The context of public sector management is analysed and the role of the state in society, with specific reference to social contract theory and the issue of legitimacy, is addressed. Students learn to identify and apply the principles of good governance in a public sector setting. The differences between public and private sector management are addressed within the context of an exposition of the system of government in South Africa. The role of local government in a democracy is also evaluated.

Information and Knowledge Management
Information Management is the collection and management of data and its dissemination to enhance decision-making. Knowledge Management is the identification, representation and distribution of information to support the organisation’s ability to know what it knows. This module integrates information and knowledge management to enhance strategic management and leadership.