MBA Program, 1997-1998

College of Business Administration

 

Coordinator:

Mason Gerety

Date Modified:

June 27, 1997

Office #:

114B

Course Title:

Systems, Orientation, and Training

Office Hours:

3:00-4:00 p.m., MWF

Course #:

BA 650

Phone:

520-523-7355

SLN #:

40311, 40075

Fax:

520-523-7331

Semester:

Summer Session II

E-mail:

Mason.Gerety@nau.edu

Credit Hours:

2

 

Catalogue Description: Role of the MBA in workgroups, organizations, and society; Overview of systematic management techniques; Definition of MBA program expectations and development of requisite skills; Group performance dynamics; Introduction to quality management; Customer focus orientation.

Prerequisites: acceptance to MBA program; successful completion of common body of knowledge requirements.

Co-requisite: BA587

Course Objectives: This course is intended to introduce the student to systematic management techniques. The course will use case methodology to not only provide the student with a background in customer focus and management techniques, but will also assess and develop the skills necessary for successful completion of the MBA program. This course will introduce students to successful oral and written communication skills.

Course Content: (Accounting, CIS, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Statistics) (32):

  1. Socialization into MBA Program
    1. Expectations
    2. Case Methodology
    3. Assessment
    4. Ethics and Social Costs
    5. Group Process Issues
  2. Systems View of Firm (4)
    1. Introduction to Systems (1)
    2. Decision Theory (1)
    3. Strategic Management
    4. Value Creation
  3. Customer and Market Orientation (3)
  4. Simulation

 

Teaching Methods: Techniques include class discussion, case study, lecture, small group discussion with individual accountability, and simulation techniques.

Evaluation: The faculty team will determine student performance by using a combination of written assignments, assessments of contributions to class discussions and a final exam. Course grades will be based on the following point distribution:

 

Written Assignments and Class Participation 700 points

Take home Final Exam 300 points

---------------

Total 1,000 points

 

Assignment Schedule

Week One

 

 

July 7

Expectations and the Case Method

 

Faculty:

Ozmun, Savage, and Gerety

 

Assignment:

None

 

Due:

None

July 9

Assessment

 

Faculty:

Gerety

 

Assignment:

Alchain and Demsetz, "Production, Information Costs, and Economic Orgainzation"

Case Discussion: Polaroid

 

Due:

Case Write-up: Polaroid questions

July 11

Introduction to Simulation

 

Faculty:

Ozmun

 

Assignment:

 Read Players Manual

 

Due:

 Decision Assignment

Week Two

July 14

Ethics and Social Costs

 

Faculty:

Gerety and Lockwood

 

Assignment:

Gerety and Lindsay, Chapter 17

   

Developing Management Skills, Whetten and Cameron, pgs. 62-71

   

Case 5,6,10,15, separate reading packet available in lounge

 

Due:

 

Problems 1, 2, 5, 6, Chapter 17

Decision 3-1

July 16

Group Process Issues

 

Faculty:

Anderson

 

Assignment:

Conducting Meetings (Chapter reprint); "When Team Mates Raise the White Flag" (Article); Work Habits and Time Management (Chapter reprint); "Inner Leadership" (Article)

 

Due:

TBA

July 18

Systems View of the Firm

 

Faculty:

Anderson, Lockwood, and Savage

 

Assignment:

Robbins, "Organization Theory", Chapters 1, 2, 3

 

Due:

TBA

Week Three

 

July 21

Systems View of the Firm

 

Faculty:

Anderson, Lockwood, and Savage

 

Assignment:

Katz & Rosenweig Article #26 (reprint), Senge, "Fifth Discipline" Chapters (reprint) 2 & 3, Katz and Kahn Article #24 (reprint)

 

Due:

TBA

Decision 3-2

July 23

Systems View of the Firm

 

Faculty:

Anderson, Lockwood, and Savage

 

Assignment:

Assignment: Connoly, Conlon & Deutsch, "Organizational Effectiveness: Multiple Constituencies Approach"; Article 33 (reprint);

 

Due:

TBA

July 25

Decision Theory and Economic Organization

 

Faculty:

Gerety

 

Assignment:

Coase, "Theory of the Firm", Jensen and Meckling, "Agency Cost", Gerety and Lindsay, Chapter 11

 

Due:

Problems 11: 4, 5, 7

Week Four

July 28

Strategic Management Model

 

Faculty:

Lockwood

 

Assignment:

 

 

Due:

 Decision 3-3

July 30

Value and Value Creation

 

Faculty:

Donoho

 

Assignment:

Monroe, "Value Analysis", Mitchell, "Equilibrium", Case: "Deere and Company"

 

Due:

Case Write-up and Presentation

August 1

Simulation

 

Faculty:

Ozmun

 

Assignment:

 

 

Due:

Decision 3-4 Due by noon

Decision 4-1 Due by 5:30

Week Five

August 4

Simulation

 

Faculty:

Ozmun

 

Assignment:

 

 

Due:

Decision 4-2 Due by noon

Decision 4-3 Due by 5:30

August 6

Simulation

 

Faculty:

Ozmun

 

Assignment:

 

 

Due:

 Decision 4-4 Due by noon

 

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SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY

NAU's Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to prohibit discrimination and promote the safety of all individuals within the university. The goal of this policy is to prevent the occurrence of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status and to prevent sexual harassment, sexual assault, or retaliation by anyone at this university. 

You may obtain a copy of this policy from the college dean's office. If you have concerns about this policy, it is important that you contact the departmental chair, dean's office, the Office of Student Life (523-5181), the academic ombudsperson (523-9368), or NAU's Office of Affirmative Action (523-3312). 

 

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If you have a learning and/or physical disability, you are encouraged to make arrangements for class assignments/exams so your academic performance will not suffer because of the disability or handicap. If you have questions about special provisions for students with disabilities, contact the Counseling and Testing Center (523-2261). 

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If the Counseling and Testing Center verifies your eligibility for special services, you should consult with your instructor during the first week in the semester so appropriate arrangements can be made. Concerns related to noncompliance with appropriate provisions should be directed to the Disability Support Services coordinator in the Counseling and Testing Center. 

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