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 core courses (ACCOUNTG 221 and ACCOUNTG 222, MANAGMNT 260, and OIM 210), and upper level (MANAGMNT 301, MARKETNG 301, FINANCE 301, OIM 301, SCH-MGMT 310 and MANAGMNT 494BI). 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
MANAGMNT 366 Foundations of Sustainable Enterprise or MANAGMNT 462 Social Entrepreneurship
Understanding Workplaces
MANAGMNT 314 Human Resource Management or MANAGMNT 330 Organizational Behavior
Forming and Transforming Organizations
MANAGMNT 331 Organization Design and Change or MANAGMNT 341 New Ventures or MANAGMNT 343 New Ventures Organizing & Growth or MANAGMNT 344 Corporate Entrepreneurship
Globalization
MANAGMNT 378 Intro to Global Business, MANAGMNT 379 Behavior in the Global Economy or MANAGMNT 448 International Management
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
This 15-credit undergraduate concentration consists 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
This 15-credit undergraduate concentration consists 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 4 required courses are MANAGMNT 314, MANAGMNT 330, MANAGMNT 334, and MANAGMNT 335.
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.
Additional Aspects of Change Electives
Management 342 New Venture Financing
Management 360 Labor and Employment Law for Human Resources
Management 361 Contracts in Business Relationships
Management 362 The Law of Enterprise Organization
Management 363 The Law of Organizations and the Natural Environment
SCH-MGMT 350 Professional Ethics in Contemporary Society
SCH-MGMT 550 Business Strategy & Stock Analysis
Junior/Senior BBA Core Courses in the Management Department
Management 301 Principles of Management
The Capstone Course for Isenberg BBAs is MANAGMNT 494BI Business Policy and Strategy or 488 Strategic Management for a Sustainable World