Unit Outline
BMA501
Managing Contemporary Organisations
Semester 2, 2024
James Mbiru
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
James Mbiru
Email: James.Mbiru@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit offers an investigative insight into the fundamentals of management. Encompassing platform leadership and organisation theory, a brief history of management theory will be followed by investigations into different theories of organisations. You will explore topics under three key areas being: underpinning knowledge/theories; applying theory to practice; contemporary and future management issues. You will be offered the opportunity to advance your understanding of fundamental management principles which can be applied in various organisational settings, ranging from private sector entities to NGOs, public sector taxpayer-funded organisations and start-ups. All students will be invited and expected to discuss topics from across the scope of this unit and the management discipline. To support discussions, assorted readings and other learning material will focus on foundational management approaches and management theories. You’ll be expected to read widely, being aware of current business affairs and applying capabilities associated with self-directed learning. You are invited to bring your ideas and questions to workshops for deeper exploration of topics of interest with the group. You will explore management theory and review case studies for the purpose of strengthening your ability to identify and address business problems and research possible solutions. You will explore ways and means to create and sustain a workplace where people are given the best opportunities to succeed and in doing so, support organisational goals. Embedded in each of the modules are case studies to support and direct discussions during workshop sessions.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Critically appraise management practice in the context of local and global organisations
2.
Create solutions to contemporary organisational challenges congruent with applicable UN SDGs.
3.
Evaluate how managerial competencies apply and their value in complex organisations.
4.
Communicate knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences within a collaborative environment.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)
XPD507
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To be determined.
 
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1h workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1h of content, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2h workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Independent Learning
5h independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1h workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1h of content, once a week
1
Weekly
Online Class
1h workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
1
Weekly
Independent Learning
5h independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator.
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Underpinning theory ‘quizzes’
See the MyLO site for the due date
15 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Individual Case Study
Week 7
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Team Consultancy Report
Week 13
45 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Underpinning theory ‘quizzes’
Task Description:
A series of theory-based quizzes aims to solidify your knowledge of module content and the topics explored. The quizzes will consist of ten questions on the topics that you have explored and discussed. A time limit of 10 minutes will be applied (1 minute per question). The questions will consist of a range of topics and will be drawn from a bank of randomised questions.
Task Length:
 
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Recognise and apply underpinning theory associated with management practice
LO1
2
Apply management theory and concepts
LO2
3
Compare, contrast and evaluate management theory and concepts
LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Individual Case Study
Task Description:
Using a case organisation, your task is to explore contemporary business issues with a particular focus on risk to organisational strategy. Putting yourself in the role of CEO, you will provide an overview of risks posed by external factors (e.g. global, national, regional) with a view to developing adequate organisational responses. Particular attention should be placed on sustainable business practices illustrating alignment to the UN SDGs.
Task Length:
2000 words
Due Date:
Week 7
Weight:
40 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Critically appraise organisational risk and identify links to strategy
LO1
2
Develop and justify responses to identified risks
LO2
3
Communicate arguments in a persuasive manner utilising appropriate source material to clearly substantiate reasoning.
LO4
4
Determine managerial responses to mitigate organisational risk and improve strategic outcomes
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Team Consultancy Report
Task Description:
In teams, you will present a report to the CEO and board of an organisation or your choice or an allocated case study organisation.

You are to create a strategic management proposal providing resolutions to specific contemporary organisational problems with due regard to internal and external factors. Your consulting group must consider matters associated with people, ethics and sustainable business identifying appropriate managerial competencies required to deliver on recommendations. Overt connections to the way in which your recommendations recognise and advance the intent of applicable/relevant UN SDGs must be made.

The individual component regarding communication and collaborative working will be assessed separately via a peer review process. This component will form 20% of the overall mark for this assessment task.
Task Length:
3000 words
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
45 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Critically apply appropriate management theory to the analysis of the case study organisation’s operation.
LO1
2
Develop considered recommendations with a clear connection between the identified problem for resolution and recommended managerial actions.
LO2
3
Peer review reports indicate collaborative working and good communication among team members illustrating fair contribution of effort.
LO4
4
Develop recommendations that identify how managerial actions reflect the intention of relevant UN SDGs.
LO3
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 

 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Please see each weekly topic for recommended readings.  Most readings are available as electronic resources.
The unit will be making use of the following textbooks which are available from the UTas Library as e-resources.
  • Blok, V 2021, The Critique of Management : Towards a Philosophy and Ethics of Business Management, Taylor & Francis Group, Milton.
  • Robbins, S, Coulter, M, DeCenzo, D, & Woods, M 2022, Management : The Essentials, Pearson Education Australia, Melbourne.
  • Schermerhorn, JR 2019, Management, 7th Asia-Pacific Edition, Wiley, Melbourne.
 
Recommended reading materials
Bateman, TS & Snell, SA 2011, Management, 2nd edn, Irwin, Chicago.
Bartol, K 2011, Management. A Pacific Rim focus, 6th edn, McGraw-Hill, Sydney. Davidson, P 2009.
Management: Core concepts and applications, 2nd Australasian edn, Wiley, Brisbane.
Hitt, MA, Black, JS, Porter, LW & Hanson, D 2007, Management, Pearson, Frenchs Forest. Robbins.
SP, DeCenzo, D, Coulter, M, Woods, M 2013, Management: the essentials, 2nd edn, Pearson, Frenchs Forest, NSW.
Samson, D, Donnet, T & Daft, R 2021, Management: Asia-Pacific Edition, 7th ed, Cengage, South Melbourne
Schermerhorn, John R., Paul Davidson, Aharon Factor, David Poole, Peter Woods, Alan Simon, Ellen McBar. Management: Asia–Pacific Edition, 6th Edition. John Wiley & Sons
 
Other required resources
In addition to the texts/software recommended above, you are also expected to be familiar
with the key academic journals in the discipline from which useful insights may be derived.
In particular, you are encouraged to review regularly the relevant papers that are published
in the Content Section of the MyLO shell for this unit.
Academy of Management Executive
Academy of Management Journal
Academy of Management Learning and Education
Academy of Management Perspectives
Academy of Management Review
Asia-Pacific Journal of Human Resources
Asia-Pacific Journal of Management
Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management
Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal
Human Resource Development International
Human Resource Development Quarterly
Human Resource Management Journal (UK)
Human Resource Management Review
Business Review Weekly
California Management Review
Harvard Business Review
Journal of Management
Sloan Management Review