• University of Exeter Business School
• Module

Discovering Management

Module description

This module provides an introduction to organisations and their management.  It introduces students to major elements of management theory, both historic and contemporary in nature.  We have a major focus on exploring the future of management practice, and will engage students with key pieces of research emerging from the Business School.  This module is designed as a foundational element of the degree programme, upon which other content areas will build.  As such there are no pre- or co-requisites for this module. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically evaluate major management theories, developing arguments about their worth to managers and/or application within organisations
• 2. Discuss major contemporary trends in the political, regulatory economic, social and demographic environments in which organisations compete, their contemporary and likely future significance
• 3. Explore the role of the manager within a contemporary organisational context

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Develop and justify arguments, evidencing critical thinking, through the evaluation of different assumptions and perspectives
• 5. Analyse environments that organisations are located within, demonstrating an emerging awareness of organisational strategy

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Work both on independent assignments and within group-based contexts, developing your ability to work positively with others, managing any conflict arising
• 7. Analyse case study material, developing your capability to produce a credible management report
• 8. Present in depth analysis in both written and verbal forms through, for example, leading a tutorial presentation and discussion

Syllabus plan

Indicative content for this module includes:

• Studying business and management
• The history of management thinking
• Business models and competitive advantage
• Demographic and societal changes
• Globalisation
• Technology and innovation
• Stakeholder theory and management
• Change management
• Organisation culture
• Sustainability, CSR and ethics
• Managing for creativity
• Risk and reputation management
• Managing people
• International and cross cultural management

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Reassessment will take the form of resubmission of revised drafts.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Boddy, D. (2017) Management: An Introduction. 7th Edition.  Harlow: Pearson. 
• Cameron, S. (2016) The Business Student's Handbook: Skills for Study and Employment. Sixth Edition. Harlow: Pearson.
• Daft, R. L. (2015) Management. Cengage Learning.
• Gallagher, K. (2016) Essential Study and Employment Skills for Business and Management Students. Third Edition.  Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Hamilton, L. & Webster, P. (2015) The International Business Environment. Third Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
• Wetherly, P. & Otter, D. (2018) The Business Environment: Themes and Issues in a Globalizing World. Fourth Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

 Relevant Academic Journals:

• Harvard Business Review
• British Journal of Management
• Academy of Management Journal

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Students will have access to an ELE page which will provide extensive material to support the lecture programme including lecture notes, and short explanatory videos.

Key words search

Business, Management, Organisations, Organisational Theory, Management Research