The Major

The Management degree is designed to prepare well-rounded students for the realities of the changing business world by exploring the dynamics of four major aspects of change as they impact organizations and as organizations react.

Social, Political, and Economic Change Management—Courses in this area explore the processes by which the noneconomic interests of stakeholders affect organizations and how organizations respond, with emphasis on understanding the political process of change. Each course examines particular aspects of power and influence from the perspectives of both the organization and the stakeholders. Taking historical or contemporary views, these courses examine how a variety of agents, such as government, unions, and social institutions, interact with organizations and organizations with them. The goal is for students to better understand how managers can anticipate changes in the political economy and incorporate these changes into their organizations.

Forming and Transforming Organizations— Management courses in this area examine the dynamics that create organizations as well as how and why organizational structures and processes are altered to maintain internal and external ‘fit’. Courses exploring the creation of organizations examine various aspects of the entrepreneurial process, with emphasis on the formation of new organizations. Courses on the process of adaptation explore such topics as organizational and environmental analyses, how and when organizations detect misalignment, the benefits and detriments of various organizational structures, and the use of systems to encourage continuous adaptation. The goal is for students to better understand how and why organizations come into being and how they can continue to maintain alignment of their structures and processes with the external environment.

Understanding Workplaces—This area of management explores the evolving nature of employment in organizations. Courses examine such topics as how change in an organization or its environment affects the employment relationship; what it means to be a member of an organization, and how that meaning can change over time; and how the changing composition of the workforce affects organizations. The goal is for students to recognize the constantly changing nature of the workplace so that as managers they will be able to anticipate and account for the resulting impacts.

Globalizing—Courses in this area explore globalization as an ongoing, sometime contested process with many constituencies. The focus is on the different aspects of the internationalization process, with emphasis on the antecedents and consequences of “going global.” Topics include how global opportunities are identified, how global expansion impacts the need for change in organizational systems, and what the noneconomic impacts can be on the organization and the host country. The goal is for students to better understand that the decision to compete in the global market not only requires numerous changes in the organization but also has consequences for its members at home and abroad.

Study in these four areas equips students to analyze the complex issues and conditions involving organizational change. They also learn to conduct dialogues on the possible consequences of change, to consider and develop innovative courses of action, and to evaluate the multiple ramifications within and beyond organizations in a globalizing social system. Overall, the aim is for students to understand the interconnection of the four areas as well as the entire change process.

Students majoring in Management are required to take the SOM lower level (ACCOUNTG 221 and 222, MANAGMNT 260, and SCH-MGMT 210), and upper level (MANAGMNT 301, MARKETNG 301, FIN 301, OIM 301, SCH-MGMT 310 and MANAGMNT 494BI) core courses. Honors students may major in Management, write an honors thesis, or take Management courses on an honors basis.

Management Major Course Requirements

Students must take a minimum of one course from each of the four “aspects of change” areas:

Social, Political, and Economic Change

366 Foundations of Sustainable Enterprise or 391B Women and Men in Organizations or 462 Social Entrepreneurship

Understanding Workplaces

314 Human Resource Management or 330 Organizational Behavior

Forming and Transforming Organizations

331 Organization Design and Change or 341 New Ventures
343 New Ventures Organizing & Growth

Globalization

394G Behavior in the Global Economy or 448 International Management or SCH-MGMT 391A Intro to Global Business

Students must also take three additional courses to further their understanding of the “aspects of change.” These may include any of the courses designated above or any pre-approved upper-level university courses that fit within the “aspects of change” framework. A listing of pre-approved courses (both School of Management courses and university courses from other departments) is available in the department office. Course selections should be discussed with a student’s adviser (or approved by him or her).

An organization cannot build a good team of working professionals without good human resources. The key functions of Human Resources Management include recruiting people, training them, performance appraisals, and motivating employees, as well as workplace communication, workplace safety, and much more.  All of these are of vital importance to the success of any organization.

Concentrations

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Concentration

The concentration is aimed at a pressing national interest: to speed the diffusion of innovation and new businesses throughout the economy. Students will learn how to evaluate the commercial applicability of a new product or service. Once a new idea is determined to have a realistic chance of acceptance in the marketplace, students will learn the methods of bringing the idea to life, including business planning and finding access to capital.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Concentration Course Requirements

The new 15-credit undergraduate concentration will consist of both new and existing courses, and will serve Management majors of the Isenberg School.  

Of the 15 credits, nine are required and six are electives chosen from an approved list of entrepreneurship related courses taught in Isenberg.  The 3 required courses are: MANAGMNT 341, MANAGMNT 342, and MANAGMNT 343.

Human Resource Management Concentration

This concentration is aimed at teaching students the various elements of Human Resource Management.  Students who are interested in a career in HR need a stronger background in the content of HR than they did in the past. In addition, many organizations now require their HR people to hold some type of certification for advancement. Our concentration of both required and elective courses will supply students the content (e.g., staffing, compensation, labor relations) and skills (e.g., interpersonal skills) necessary not only to obtain a job in Human Resource Management, but also to advance within their organization.

Human Resource Management Concentration Course Requirements

The new 15-credit undergraduate concentration will consist of existing courses, and will serve Management majors of the Isenberg School.  

Of the 15 credits, nine are required and six are electives chosen from an approved list of Human Resource Management related courses taught in Isenberg. The 3 required courses are MANAGMNT 314, MANAGMNT 330, and MANAGMNT 482.

Sustainable Business Practices Concentration 

The Management Department also offers a concentration in Sustainable Business Practices. The concentration is intended to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to (1) make meaningful contributions to firms' ongoing sustainability efforts and, (2) identify business opportunities created by the range of emergent environmental and social issues. The underlying knowledgebase required to make such contributions include (1) an understanding of the significant environmental and social concerns facing our global economy, (2) appreciation for the role of professional management and modern business structure in addressing pressing social issues, (3) knowledge of various metrics that can be used to assess firms' environmental and social performance, and (4) awareness of sustainability practices and strategies currently being adopted by leading firms and an understanding of what constitutes "best practice" within various industries.

Sustainable Business Practices Concentration Course Requirements

Students are required to take 15 credits, 9 are required and 6 are electives chosen from an approved list of sustainability related courses taught in Isenberg as well as other departments across campus. The 3 required courses are MANAGMNT 366, MANAGMNT 462, and MANAGMNT 488.