Business Administration

Business Administration
CODE
9987001106
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The general objective is that the student recognizes and understands the basic workings of a
company, from the perspective of organization, management, control, and administration.
As a result, he or she should be able to identify, comprehend, and analyze the important
changes that occur in the company environment in its general operation.
ECTS CREDITS
6
RELEVANCE WITHIN CURRICULUM
A student qualified in Business administration will face many problems related to company
administration and its relationship with its environment. The contents of this course provide
the knowledge base that is necessary for the student’s professional future.
This course should enable the student to understand in depth:
• The nature of the administrative functioning of a company
• Its planning, organization, management and control
GENERAL SKILLS
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Organization and Planning skills
Change management
Result-orientated operations
Initiative and Entrepreneurial spirit
Problem-resolving
SPECIFIC SKILLS
Define, apply, and explain the administrative process and identify the distinct phases that
compose it: planning, organization, management, and control.
• Know and understand the concepts and importance of a company, and its place in a modern
market economy.
• Know, understand, analyze, and apply the strategy process studying the following phases:
strategic analysis, strategic planning, and strategic control- all within the company
administrative process.
• Know and understand the organizational function within a company, including division of
labor, departmentalization, lines of authority, and coordination.
C/ Tajo, s/n. Villaviciosa de Odón. 28670 Madrid / uem.es
• Understand and apply new trends in business administration: people-leadership skills,
knowledge management, emphasis on innovation, etc. that allow for better business success• Enabling the student to experience the role of leadership, through understanding and
applying the different leadership theories to practical business cases.
• Understanding the importance of motivation in the development of a company, by studying
and practicing its use
SUBJECT CONTENT
Theme 1: Business Administration
1.1. Organizations and the need for administration. Effectiveness and Efficiency
1.2. Introduction to the administration process.
1.3. Management levels and qualities.
1.4. The administrative challenge
1.5. The company and its management as a system
1.6. Company administration in the twenty-first century
1.7. The development of administrative thought. A general vision
Theme 2: Decision-making
2.1. The essence of a manager’s work.
2.2. Detecting problems and opportunities.
2.3. Types of problems and types of decisions.
2.4. The rational model for decision-making
2.5. Decision environment.
2.6. Problem resolution in an environment of uncertainty
2.7. Problem resolution in an environment of risk
2.8. Limited rationality and conformism.
2.9. Group decision-making. Creativity and innovation
Theme 3: From strategic planning to strategic management
3.1. The planning function.
3.2. Strategic and tactical planning.
3.3. The planning elements
3.4. Evolution of the strategic concept and the rise of strategic management
3.5. The process of strategic management.
3.7. Evaluation and selection of strategy.
3.8. Implantation of strategic
3.9. Strategic control
Theme 4: Organizational design and organizational structure
4.1. The division of labor.
4.2. Departmentalization.
4.3. Designing the structure or control network.
4.4. Coordination mechanisms.
4.5. Design and organization
4.6. Variables which determine the organizational structure.
C/ Tajo, s/n. Villaviciosa de Odón. 28670 Madrid / uem.es
4.7. Level of formalization in the organization- mechanisms.
4.8. Organizational structures
4.9. New structural configurations
4.10. Evolution and change in the organizational structure
Theme 5: The management function- Leadership and motivation
5.1. Introduction to the management function
5.2. Strategic and cultural dimension
5.3. Definition of leadership
5.4. Traditional explanative theories of leadership
5.5. Concepts and elements of motivation.
5.6. Basic ideas of motivation.
5.7. The theory of needs.
5.8. Motivation techniques: from theory to practice.
5.9. Contingency focus- Leadership and motivation.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Class lessons: lectures by the teacher on theoretical aspects necessary to understand the
subject
Case Method: Discussion of real cases: using real situations to apply in a practical way the
knowledge and theory acquired. Each case also allows for follow-up analysis and discussion.
Co-operative learning: students learn to cooperate with others (both classmates and teachers)
to creatively solve problems that arise in the operation of a company. Activities can be formal
or informal, ranging from games and puzzles to role-play simulations.
Problem-based learning: focusing on introducing the student to the reality of business
administration. Real problems are put to the student for them to solve in teams.
ASSESSMENT
The evaluation will be of a continuous nature, and will be carried out both at an individual and
group level (depending on the nature of the activity being evaluated).
The evaluation process for the ‘ordinary’ exams will have the following characteristics:
• Written tests will not count for more than 50% of the final grade
• The rest of the grade will be evaluated by a combination of some or all of the following
activities:
• Individual exercises
• Group exercises
• Presentations
• Case studies
• Class participation
• Rebates
• Reports
• Involvement in Forums
• Other activities by the student, with the student being aware of the weight and evaluation
process beforehand, and these activities being in line with the learning objectives of the
subject
C/ Tajo, s/n. Villaviciosa de Odón. 28670 Madrid / uem.es
In the ‘extraordinary’ exam, the student will only have to carry out the activities and written
tests no passed during the course, with the result that they can still achieve the maximum
grade.
The exams will carry the same weight in both examination periods (ordinary and
extraordinary), never being more than 50% of the total grade.
Under no circumstances will the class attendance of the student form part of the final grading
process.
Detailed information regarding the evaluation process can be found on the space allocated to
each subject in Moodle.
SPECIFIC NORMS
1. Punctuality: students are expected to be on time and regular late-comers will not be
allowed in the classroom after the lesson has started.
2. Respect for others: games, mobiles, emails/internet are prohibited during lessons.
3. Prepare: read all related material posted on the web before each lesson and bring all
necessary equipment/photocopies/print-outs to class.
4. Participation: active participation during lessons is encouraged. If possible, all doubts must
be raised during the corresponding lesson -we ALL learn from each other’s doubts!!
5. English: this is a bilingual course. Language doubts must be solved by you before lessons and
exams.
6. Computer skills: knowledge of Word, Power Point, Excel is required.
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C/ Tajo, s/n. Villaviciosa de Odón. 28670 Madrid / uem.es
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C/ Tajo, s/n. Villaviciosa de Odón. 28670 Madrid / uem.es