MAS-Part

MAS -Part: Basic Course Programme – an overview

In the first semester the introduction, orientation-courses and the basic courses (9 Modules) take place in Liechtenstein and Austria. The Basic Course ensures that basic knowledge is instilled, and consists of 9 modules with approximately 200 lectures, and an additional self-study equivalent to about 22 lectures per module. The courses are conceived of lectures with seminar-character.

The methodologies of the courses are theoretical inputs, individual-, and group work, case studies, guided discussions, role plays, presentations, sharing experiences, self reflecting and evaluation, videos, simulation games and forums of excellence.

At the end of the modules the students will have to compose a strategic analysis based on a case study, or they have to compose an assignment or essay. In addition, learning results are revised by lecturers during the lectures time by setting tasks and giving feedback.

The Nine Modules

Module 1 | Strategic Management and Management Science
The aim of this module is to give the students an overview about international management strategies, environmental analysis, generic strategies, portfolio analysis, stockholder analysis, value chain analysis and case studies. Further, students get an introduction into the foundations of the philosophy of science and academic writing. Course contents are an assessment of opportunities and threats in global business environments, philosophy of science, academic writing, contextual overview, international trade theories and characteristics of international acting managers.

Module 2 | International Management
Concepts, motives, SWOT analysis, implications of external environment on core corporate strategies and an international business plan are special topics of this module. After having completed this module the participants are able to understand concepts, assumptions and perspectives of international trade, identify motives for going international, perform a cross-functional SWOT analysis, assess the implications of the external environmental factors on core strategies and understand the components of an international business and marketing plan.

Module 3 | International Marketing
Market selection, entry options and customer behaviour are key topics. Concepts and theory are learned through an integrated blend of lectures and a market entry simulation. After having completed this module the participants are able to think critically about global competition, including the problems and perspectives of marketing across national boundaries, analytically prepare marketing decisions facing all firms and can use master tools and practices for structuring and controlling marketing programmes on a global basis.

Module 4 | Cultural Aspects
Cultural aspects of communicating, both internally and externally: This course module deals with the introduction to cross-cultural management, management systems, fundamental cultural concepts, general tips for cross-cultural communications, cross-cultural negotiations, and intercultural organisational learning. This module will help the participants to strengthen the ability to understand, predict and to handle a variety of situations that occur when acting as a manager in a multicultural context.

Module 5 | Leadership and Management
This module is designed to be able to critically reflect on individual approaches to management and leadership, to understand which conditions forced specific trends in management and to be able to evaluate them from a current perspective. Course contents of this module are how organisations are conceptually designed / understood (mechanistic thinking, human relations movement, systems thinking, etc.). The students will gain knowledge of different concepts of change, the meaning of management in the light of different times, leadership – its meaning and how leadership can evolve in (modern) organisations and different leadership styles.

Module 6 | International Finance & Accounting
After having completed the module the students are able to manage and coordinate international financial needs and liquid means across organisational units and borders and to understand the implications of important financial concepts in international management. Course contents are cost-volume-profit-analysis, segment reporting and transfer pricing, relevant costs for decision making, capital budgeting, ratio analysis and cash flow statement.

Module 7 | Supply Chain Management
This module deals with logistics, supply chain management and strategies, modern supply models, collaboration in supply chain, e-supply chain applications, strategic sourcing, outsourcing, network management, vendor managed inventory and SME idiosyncrasies. The module entails an integrative cross-functional case study with team teaching.

Module 8 | Human Resources Management
Course contents are the definition and nature of International Human Resource Management (IHRM); approaches to IHRM; structuring the organisation for IHRM, the role of culture in IHRM, international recruitment and selection of staff, managing employee performance in an international context, employee training and development in an international context, managing the careers of international managers and reward strategies in an international context.

Module 9 | Business Process Management
Course contents are models of organisations, introduction into process management, project management vs. process management, IT as driver and enabler for process change, changing international processes, benchmarking processes, continuous improvement and business process reengineering, and change management.

Grades and Assignments

At the end of each module you have to write an assignment according
to the arrangement with the lecturer.
As part of the assignment ( min. 4,000 max. 5,000 words ) a practical case
study ( for example, a management report ) will be elaborated and submitted,
and assessed by experts. The subject will refer to an element of an
international business plan. You will receive a grade for each module.

Practical Component - Forum of Excellence

At the end of each module a "Forum of Excellence" is organised. These forums serve to bring the participants in contact with representatives from various sectors (for example politicians, chambers of commerce, companies) and to exchange experience with them.

The intention here is to create an added communicative value for the participants as well as a networking opportunity besides the classroom. The informal setting will foster dialogue and reflective learning. It will give further time to the participants in deepening their understanding of knowledge and tools which they have acquired throughout the day.

Forums of Excellence will therefore enable participants to transform applied theory into action.

You can see at the pictures above:

• Business Visit at the Bank of China, Shanghai (China)
• Networking at a Forum of Excellence, Cheltenham (UK)

The extended courses – Study Abroad

...our programme highlights

The extended study ( amounting to about 180 lectures and additional

self-study ) takes place at the partner universities in St. Petersburg,

Cheltenham and Hangzhou/Shanghai. Basic knowledge is consolidated and applied

in terms of case studies, personal contacts and company visits. The

idiosyncratic market conditions in Great Britain, Eastern Europe and Asia

are experienced.

The study visits provide an opportunity to become familiar with aspects of different cultures, as well as to get to know about the different ways in which companies do business. The study visits are completed by assessed assignments respectively.