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PAD724

Public Enterprises Management

This course introduces postgraduate students to the principles and practices of public enterprise management. It explores the philosophy, classification, organization, management, and control of public enterprises. The course also examines capital structure, funding mechanisms, and reforms, particularly in the Nigerian context, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of these enterprises in promoting economic growth and development.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
208 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of PAD724, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PAD724 · UNIT 1 MEANING/DEFINITION OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

In this unit, you will be introduced to the concept of public enterprise. This is to enable you know the definition and meaning of public enterprise as well as the philosophy behind public enterprises. The comprehension of any concept depends on analysis of its features and this is the reason you are being introduced to them firstly.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define and discuss the philosophy behind public enterprises.
  2. Trace the origin and growth of public enterprises.
  3. Identify the characteristics of public enterprises and state reasons for their establishment.
  4. Identify the various classifications of public enterprises.
  5. Explain the organisation, management and control of public enterprises.
  6. State the capital structure and sources of funds for public enterprises.
  7. Evaluate performances of public enterprises in Nigeria and factors responsible for their under performance.
  8. Explain the various reforms that public enterprises have undergone.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Public Sector Manager
  • Policy Analyst
  • Management Consultant
  • Financial Analyst
  • Government Advisor
Where it is applied
  • Government Agencies
  • Public Utilities
  • State-Owned Enterprises
  • Consulting Firms
  • Financial Institutions

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Organisation, Management and Control of Public Enterprises

    Unit 1: The Theory of Principal and Agent

    The principal-agent theory involves understanding complex relationships and potential conflicts of interest between stakeholders, requiring critical analysis and ethical reasoning.

  • Module 3: Capital Structure and Funding of Public Enterprises

    Unit 5: Budgeting Process of Public Enterprises

    Budgetary control requires a strong understanding of financial management principles and the ability to analyze and interpret financial data, which can be challenging for those without a finance background.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 44 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 1: Definition/ Meaning and Objectives of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Define public enterprises and their objectives.. Explain the meaning of public enterprises.. State the objectives of public enterprises..

    • Unit 2: Origin of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Narrate events that led to the emergence of public enterprises across the globe.. Narrate events that gave birth to public enterprises in Nigeria.. Highlight key factors that contributed to the growth and development of public enterprises in Nigeria..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 3: Nature and Scope of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Explain the nature of public enterprises.. Discuss the scope of public enterprises..

    • Unit 4: Characteristics, Creation and Reasons for the Establishment of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      State the different characteristics of public enterprises.. Discuss how public enterprises are created.. Give reasons for the establishment of public enterprises..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Fundamentals of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 5: Classifications of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      State classification of public enterprises by economic activities.. State classification of public enterprises by legal consideration.. State classification of public enterprises by responsibilities..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Organisation, Management and Control of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 1: The Theory of Principal and Agent · 2 hours

      Explain the principal agent theory.. Explain its essence in the management of public enterprises..

    • Unit 2: Organisation and Management of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Describe the organisational structure of public enterprises.. Describe the management of public enterprises..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Organisation, Management and Control of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 3: Control and Accountability in Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Define the concept of control.. Define the concept of accountability.. State the various control measures available to public enterprises.. State objectives for the control of public enterprises..

    • Unit 4: Performances, Probes and Commission into Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Assess the performance of public enterprises in Nigeria.. Discuss probes and commissions of inquiry into public enterprises.. Discuss government's efforts towards repositioning public enterprises..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Organisation, Management and Control of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 5: Factors Affecting Performance of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      State the problems of public enterprises in Nigeria.. Explain how these problems have affected the performance of public enterprises..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Capital Structure and Funding of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 1: Capital Structure of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Discuss the capital structure of public enterprises in Nigeria.. State the various sources of funding available to public enterprises..

    • Unit 2: Government Appropriations as a Source of Funding · 2 hours

      Explain government appropriation as a source of funding for public enterprises.. Explain the relevance of government appropriation to the capital structure of public enterprises..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Capital Structure and Funding of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 3: Private Investments as a Source of Funding · 2 hours

      Explain private investments as a source of funding for public enterprises.. State the various forms of private investments available to public enterprises..

    • Unit 4: Self Financing as a Source of Funding · 2 hours

      Define self-financing as a source of fund for public enterprises.. Explain the concept of plough-back earnings for public enterprises.. State the various self-financing options available to public enterprises..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Capital Structure and Funding of Public Enterprises
    • Unit 5: Budgeting Process of Public Enterprises · 2 hours

      Define control and state its various types.. Explain budgetary control methods..

  10. Week 10Module 4: Public Enterprises Reforms
    • Unit 1: Meaning of Reform and Public Sector Reforms · 2 hours

      Define the concept of reforms.. State the various forms of public sector reform..

    • Unit 2: Public Enterprise Reforms: Privatization · 2 hours

      Define privatization.. State the goals of privatization.. State arguments for and against privatization..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Public Enterprises Reforms
    • Unit 3: Public Enterprise Reforms: Commercialization · 2 hours

      Define commercialization.. State the objectives of commercialization..

    • Unit 4: Privatization and Commercialization in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Discuss the practice of privatization within the Nigerian context.. Discuss the practice of commercialization within the Nigerian context..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Public Enterprises Reforms
    • Unit 5: Challenges of Privatization and Commercialization in Nigeria · 2 hours

      State challenges associated with privatization and commercialization of public enterprises in Nigeria.. Give possible suggestions on addressing challenges associated with privatization and commercialization of public enterprises in Nigeria..

  13. Week 13Module 5: Context of Civil Service in Public Enterprises
    • Unit 1: Definition and Principles of Civil Service · 2 hours

      Define and state what a civil service is.. Discuss the salient principles guiding the civil service especially in Nigeria..

    • Unit 2: Features and Functions of Civil Service · 2 hours

      List the features of civil service.. Identify the functions of civil service..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a detailed study schedule, allocating specific time slots for each module and unit.
  • Summarize key concepts and definitions from each unit to aid retention.
  • Practice applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios and case studies.
  • Review past assignments and tutor-marked assessments to identify areas for improvement.
  • Focus on understanding the objectives and goals of privatization and commercialization, and their impact on public enterprises.
  • Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 to understand capital structure and funding sources.
  • Practice budgeting exercises from Unit 5 to reinforce financial management skills.
  • Review the evolution and structure of the Nigerian Civil Service from Module 5, Units 3-5.
  • Familiarize yourself with the key features and functions of the civil service.
  • Prepare concise summaries of the Udoji Commission, the 1988 Civil Service Reforms, and the Ayida Panel.

Questions students ask about this course

What is PAD724 about?

This course introduces postgraduate students to the principles and practices of public enterprise management. It explores the philosophy, classification, organization, management, and control of public enterprises. The course also examines capital structure, funding mechanisms, and reforms, particularly in the Nigerian context, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of these enterprises in promoting economic growth and development.

How many units does PAD724 have?

PAD724, Public Enterprises Management, has 25 units across 5 modules, over 141 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PAD724?

PAD724 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Management Sciences.

Is PAD724 hard?

PAD724 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does PAD724 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 25 units.

How is PAD724 assessed?

PAD724 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with PAD724?

Public Sector Manager, Policy Analyst, Management Consultant, Financial Analyst and Government Advisor.

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