INTRODUCTION TO DECISION MAKING - 2019/0
Module code: MAN0002
Module Overview
This module focuses on business decision making in an applied context. Students will study basic approaches associated with behavioural and management science and undertake evaluative exercises to assess the desirability of outcomes. Financial and data-driven decision making will be explored. Underlying ethical themes such as sustainability and equality and diversity will be examined alongside drivers such as profitability and innovation.
Module provider
Surrey Business School
Module Leader
WHITE Erivan (SBS)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 3
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 106
Lecture Hours: 22
Seminar Hours: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Behavioural and management science models of decision making
• Socio-economic drivers in the decision making process
• Data analysis and its influence on decision making
• Evaluating outcomes in organisations
• The impact of ethical influences
• Profitability
• Innovation
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| School-timetabled exam/test | Multiple choice test paper (Week 13) - 1 Hour | 50 |
| Oral exam or presentation | Timed stimulus-response exercise with group presentation (Week 10) | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
In place of summative assessment in Week 10 students may conduct the exercise individually
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of models to help understand and analyse real world dilemmas. They will work together on taking and explaining decisions when faced with data from real world scenarios and consider the impact of competing drivers.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
• One multiple choice test paper
• One timed stimulus-response exercise with group presentation
Formative assessment and Feedback
The practice multiple choice test paper will enable formative feedback in verbal and written form. Students will practice their responses to different stimulus material and present in groups for feedback from other students and tutors in seminars. This will enable them to receive valuable peer evaluation before they undertake the summative assessment in this format.
Module aims
- Identify and explore prominent models of decision making developed by behavioural and management scientists
- Examine critically the desirability of decision making models and explore their impact upon outcomes in relevant environments
- Explore the key drivers behind decision making, including data driven and ethical aspects
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the models and approaches which facilitate business decision making and apply them to real world contexts | CKP |
| 002 | Critically analyse and evaluate data driven decision making and identify competing drivers | CPT |
| 003 | Communicate and critically evaluate findings | CPT |
| 004 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different influences upon decision making and imperfect outcomes | CKP |
| 005 | Demonstrate awareness of ethical factors which may impact upon decisions and outcomes | CK |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to introduce students to the complexity of decision making in organisations. It will enable them to unpick the drivers behind decision making and suggest and critically evaluate alternatives. They will explore current newsworthy issues and suggest ways in which adverse outcomes may be ameliorated. Financial and ethical drivers will be explored and their comparative influence in different contexts assessed. Risk will also be examined. Scaffolding will gradually give way to a flipped learning approach.
The learning and teaching methods include:
• Lectures (1 hour per week)
• Seminars (2 hours per week)
• Guided reading and research
• Independent study
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN0002
Other information
N/A
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business and Retail Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Business Management With Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Business Management (Marketing) With Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Business Management (HRM) With Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Accounting and Finance With Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Business Management (Entrepreneurship) With Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| International Business Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| International Event Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| International Hospitality Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| International Tourism Management with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.