Melbourne Business School & FEAL Masters Program

The MBS Syllabus

Program Modules

This subject is based on state-of-the-art neurobiological research that sheds light on the obstacles we face when making decisions. By discovering the roots of many of these difficulties we can also learn solutions to the problems created by our biological history.

• Neurobiology and Neuroanatomy

• Judgemental biases: Framing, Priming and Anchoring

• Expectations and stereotypes – when is the gut feeling right?

This subject examines critical strategic principles related to the management of human capital. It is designed from the perspective of providing business professionals from all functional domains the skills needed to gain maximum productivity from a diverse workforce. It focuses on basic principles for managing people effectively such as:

• strategic management of human capital recruitment, planning, and selection strategies

• performance management, feedback and discipline

• using compensation and incentives to motivate superior performance

Participants will develop a fuller understanding of the management task, including legal, ethical and moral obligations and interrogate their own values on a range of managerial issues;

• Gain an understanding of the meaning of moral concepts in the management context, such as integrity, courage and virtue, and broaden moral vocabulary

• Explore the ethical issues involved in areas including managing international businesses, environmental and crisis management

• Identify and evaluate applications and strategies for enhancing ethics in the workplace

This subject examines the history of, and reasons for, merger & acquisition activity providing a rationale for the study of the following elements of the process of merger:

• the search for and evaluation of strategic targets

• the legal and operational due diligence processes

• offensive and defensive M&A tactics by both acquirers and targets

• valuation and financing of acquisitions and the importance of post-deal integration

Corporate Finance discusses the major financial challenges faced by organisations: Financing growth; evaluating investment projects; managing risk and managing working capital. The best set of financial policies to integrate finance with group strategy in for-profit and for-member organisations is developed in a framework that is rigorous but light on maths.

The key themes underpinning the module include understanding and managing brand equity, looking at various research and valuation methods, developing a strategic approach to building brands and reviewing and improving the brand architecture of funds.

The Data Analytics module is designed for managers and leaders who wish to learn how data analytics can transform their decision-making. Organisations have huge volume of data, but most can only leverage a fraction of the full potential of their data. This module explores the strategic opportunities presented by data, shifts the mindsets of participants to become more data-based, and provides some essential tools in obtaining insight from data.

This subject builds insight into personal leadership style and uses this to enhance impact and effectiveness. Drawing on organisational behaviour theory students will explore individual personality differences, factors influencing motivation and job satisfaction and successful communication in the workplace.

Successful organisations constantly innovate, adjust quickly to new business conditions, and seize emerging opportunities. These organisations are created by leaders who are capable of meeting the difficult challenge of implementing effective change. Through lectures, case studies and innovative case-in-point methodologies this course will develop practical approaches to leading effective change.

This program will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of both the theory and application of strategic management tools and principles. Through lectures, case studies and practical exercises, students will discover no-nonsense approaches to developing and implementing strategy. Participants will learn how to apply models and frameworks to challenge their traditional thinking, improve their own decision making processes and deliver better outcomes for their organisations.

In this module students will learn how to lead and manage effective change strategies, improve their influencing skills and negotiate agreement with others. Participants will gain a powerful strategic framework to negotiate successfully and be more influential leaders in their personal and professional lives. This includes strategies to influence others, ways to deal with conflict and cultural diversity and powerful approaches to leadership and managing change.

This module will lead participants to discover how to gain and sustain a leadership position by creating value for customers. The program will challenge assumptions about optimal segmentation, targeting and value propositions. Participants will acquire a powerful framework for delivering alternative marketing strategies. This includes identifying opportunities to create and sustain customer value, deliver long term organisational growth and to harness e-business tools and online media solutions to drive customer loyalty.