Management Theory
- Management Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 106 pages
- 1 units
This course, Management Theory, is a two-credit unit compulsory course for Business Administration students. It explores the evolution of management theories, from classical to modern approaches. Key topics include scientific management, bureaucratic theory, human relations, and systems theory. Students will learn to apply these theories to organizational settings, understand organizational politics, and analyze decision-making processes. The course aims to equip students with the latest knowledge on administrative theories and principles for effective management.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BUS330, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BUS330 · MODULE 2: SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT AND CLASSICAL ADMINISTRATIVE THEORIES
In the seventeenth century, concurrent with the cottage system and eventually superseding it as the dominant form of production, the factory system slowly began to take form. The industrial revolution is usually considered to have begun around 1700, and the technological progress that defines the industrial revolution provided the means for a vastly increased scale of production.
What you should be able to do
- Apply management theories to achieve results in an organization
- Understand organizational politics in the context of the theories
- Master the procedures involved in applying management theories
- Appreciate the uses and importance of Management Theories
- Be familiar with the principles contained in the theories
What it prepares you for
- Business Manager
- Project Manager
- Human Resources Manager
- Management Consultant
- Administrator
- Public Sector
- Private Sector
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Consulting Firms
- Educational Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Scientific Management and Classical Management Theory
Unit 4: Bureaucratic Theory
Bureaucratic Theory requires understanding of complex organizational structures and abstract concepts of authority, legitimacy, and rationalization, which may be challenging for students without prior exposure to sociological theories.
- Module 3: Neo-Classical or Human Relations Theory
Unit 3: Decision Making Theory
Decision Making Theory involves understanding various decision-making models and applying them to complex organizational scenarios, requiring critical thinking and analytical skills.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Concepts of Administration, Management and Theory
Unit 1: Concepts of Administration and Management · 3 hours
Read the introduction to administration and management.. Define administration and management.. Understand the characteristics of administration..
- Week 2Module 1: The Concepts of Administration, Management and Theory
Unit 2: Concept of Theory · 3 hours
Define the concept of theory.. Understand theory constructs.. Explore the characteristics and importance of theories..
- Week 3Module 2: Scientific Management and Classical Management Theory
Unit 1: Early Development of Administration and Management · 3 hours
Explore the early development of administration and management.. Understand the origins of public management.. Appreciate the influence of Ancient Rome..
- Week 4Module 2: Scientific Management and Classical Management Theory
Unit 2: The Scientific Management Theory · 3 hours
Understand the Scientific Management Theory.. Examine the fundamental principles of scientific management.. Study the contributions of Frank Gilbreth..
- Week 5Module 2: Scientific Management and Classical Management Theory
Unit 3: The Main Classical (Henry Fayol, Urwick, Luther Gulick) · 3 hours
Study the main classical theories (Henry Fayol, Urwick, Luther Gulick).. Understand Fayol's principles of management.. Explore the contributions of Gulick and Urwick..
- Week 6Module 2: Scientific Management and Classical Management Theory
Unit 4: Bureaucratic Theory · 3 hours
Understand Bureaucratic Theory.. Examine the characteristics of bureaucracy.. Explore the merits and demerits of bureaucracy..
- Week 7Module 3: Neo-Classical or Human Relations Theory
Unit 1: The Hawthorn Experiment and Other Contributors · 3 hours
Study the Hawthorn Experiment and other contributors.. Understand the impact of the Hawthorne studies.. Explore the ideas of Mary Parker Follett and C.I. Barnard..
- Week 8Module 3: Neo-Classical or Human Relations Theory
Unit 2: Administrative Leadership Theory · 3 hours
Understand Administrative Leadership Theory.. Examine different leadership styles.. Apply leadership theories to organizational settings..
- Week 9Module 3: Neo-Classical or Human Relations Theory
Unit 3: Decision Making Theory · 3 hours
Study Decision Making Theory.. Understand the decision-making process.. Explore different decision-making models..
- Week 10Module 3: Neo-Classical or Human Relations Theory
Unit 4: Communication in an Organization · 3 hours
Understand Communication in an Organization.. Examine different communication channels.. Apply communication theories to improve organizational communication..
- Week 11Module 3: Neo-Classical or Human Relations Theory
Unit 5: Organizational Conflict · 3 hours
Study Organizational Conflict.. Understand the causes of organizational conflict.. Explore different conflict resolution strategies..
- Week 12Module 4: Modern Theories of Management
Unit 1: Behaviourism and Motivation · 3 hours
Explore Behaviourism and Motivation.. Understand different motivational theories.. Apply motivational theories to improve employee performance..
- Week 13Module 4: Modern Theories of Management
Unit 3: Systems Theory, Contingency Theory and New Public Management · 3 hours
Study Systems Theory, Contingency Theory and New Public Management.. Understand the principles of systems theory.. Explore the contingency approach to management..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking management theories to real-world examples.
- Practice applying different leadership styles to case studies.
- Review key terms and definitions from each module weekly.
- Focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.
- Prepare summaries of the main contributors and their ideas.
Questions students ask about this course
What is BUS330 about?
This course, Management Theory, is a two-credit unit compulsory course for Business Administration students. It explores the evolution of management theories, from classical to modern approaches. Key topics include scientific management, bureaucratic theory, human relations, and systems theory. Students will learn to apply these theories to organizational settings, understand organizational politics, and analyze decision-making processes. The course aims to equip students with the latest knowledge on administrative theories and principles for effective management.
How many units does BUS330 have?
BUS330, Management Theory, has 1 unit across 1 module, over 106 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BUS330?
BUS330 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Management Sciences.
Is BUS330 hard?
BUS330 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does BUS330 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 1 units.
How is BUS330 assessed?
BUS330 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with BUS330?
Business Manager, Project Manager, Human Resources Manager, Management Consultant and Administrator.