This module will analyse the periods of dramatic managerial change that are occurring in South-Eastern Europe (and beyond) and those that are still to come, with a focus on the crisis and AI and its impact on organisational workforces. By focusing on the impact of intensified global competition, technological change, and deregulation, organisations need to better understand the critical impact this is having on people. So-called business “pressures” have led to the development of new managerial skills and practices concerning the behaviour of employees as well as many aspects that concern the employment contract and re-evaluating how we strategically manage people. This module will concentrate on these skills and practices as well as on the theories and practice that help to explain and sustain their effectiveness given the dramatic shifts occurring.

Performance management is a process which contributes to the effective management of individuals and teams in order to achieve high levels of organisational performance. As such, it establishes shared understanding about what is to be achieved and an approach to leading and developing people which will ensure that it is achieved. It involves the alignment of human resource strategy and organisational strategy to effectively reach organisational objectives. There are different levels of performance, employee, team and organisational all of which contribute to the wellbeing of the organisation. The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the concepts, techniques and processes of employee performance management, reward systems and their importance in achieving organisational growth. Three dimensions will be incorporated to the course:

• performance development and improvement,
• managing behaviour to avoid poor performance and
• leadership

This module will introduce the theory and practice of Project Management and Risk Management and how they support management decisions. Awareness of Project Management and Risk Management practices is critical in modern corporations and assists in impacting both effectiveness and efficiency. The purpose of this module is to cover and contrast the main operational research concepts of the 2 topics according to the methodologies of PMI (USA) and PM2 (EU). There will be a focus on practical project work, founded in theory, and students will be introduced to a range of applicable tools and techniques as well as to several Project Management and Risk Management software packages.

Operations and Process Management is a fundamental module that delves into the pivotal role of Operations Management (OM) in shaping the products and services upon which our society relies. In essence, the creation of products and services lies at the heart of every organisation’s purpose, regardless of its size, industry, or profit orientation. In this course, we will explore the various aspects of operations management and its critical role in navigating the ever-changing business landscape. This module acts as a dynamic guide, leading us through the complex web of contemporary business transitions. These developments include ever-changing customer preferences, the revolutionary impact of internet-based technologies on supply networks, and the expanding expectations of environmental responsibility placed on companies. Promoting the creativity that will allow organisations to respond to so many changes is becoming the prime task of operations managers.

The module objectives unfold in the spring semester. The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to independently undertake a research project on a particular topic of their choice. Students will determine an appropriate research question; review the literature on the subject of examination; develop, design and present a research proposal addressing the subject of examination; recruit participants; collect and analyze data.

This module spans ten weeks and comprehensively explores strategies from foundational concepts to advanced data-driven decision-making. It is designed to equip students with the skills to understand, formulate, and implement effective business strategies while integrating analytics to monitor and refine them in a dynamic environment.
The course begins with an overview of strategic fundamentals, delving into definitions and frameworks that inform strategic decision-making at corporate, business, and functional levels. Students will conduct thorough internal and external analyses as the module progresses, applying practical tools like PESTLE, SWOT, and Porter’s Five Forces to real-world scenarios. They will learn to develop a coherent strategic vision, mission, and values that guide an organization’s actions and how to ensure that these principles align with measurable strategic objectives using the Balanced Scorecard.
A critical component of the module involves exploring strategic problem-solving techniques equipping students with tools like the Five Why Method and Decision Trees to navigate complex challenges. Moving from theory to practice, the focus will shift to understanding corporate-level and business-level strategies, including diversification, mergers, acquisitions, and differentiation strategies. Real-world case studies will provide context for how successful and failed strategies can shape the business landscape.
In the latter weeks, students will dive deeper into the role of data and analytics in strategic decision-making. They will learn to link strategic goals with quantitative and qualitative research, leveraging data to guide strategic initiatives. Topics like big data, data cleaning, and analytics frameworks will demonstrate the vital connection between strategy and data-driven insights. Through hands-on exercises, students will grasp the significance of accurate data in forming reliable strategic decisions, preparing them to tackle real-world business challenges confidently.
This module’s culmination will synthesize the learned concepts into a cohesive understanding of how strategy, data, and analysis intersect, empowering students to develop and maintain robust strategic management systems in a constantly evolving business landscape.

Entrepreneurship is the process whereby an individual or group of individuals whether independently or a part of an established organisation pursue opportunities to create value (economic & social) and grow by fulfilling needs or solving problems through innovation. Innovation is both a survival and a growth imperative. 
Both individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organisations need to possess or acquire the skills, resource mix, structures, systems and processes that are appropriate for the opportunities they seek to exploit through innovation. 
A significant part of this involves promptly identifying emerging trends and disruptions and/or identifying unmet customer needs. This necessitates breaking away from the ‘blinders of dominant logic’ which can stifle openness and receptivity to new ideas, practices and business models. Innovative organisations and entrepreneurs recognise this barrier and find ways to overcome it. 
The students will be challenged to think creatively and critically about potential solutions to customer /societal problems or unmet customers’ needs by coming up with innovative products /services and business models.

Accounting involves the recording, reporting and communication of financial information about a business to help managers, investors and other stakeholders make appropriate decisions. Finance is the process where investment, financing and dividend decisions are made to achieve the key strategic objective of maximising the wealth of a company’s shareholders. The module explores both accounting and finance and the links between them. At a minimum, managers need to understand the basic concepts and techniques of accounting and financial management. This is imperative as managers cannot discuss the cost and finance implications of an activity without an appreciation of the processes, information sources, and methods of presentation of financial information. Irrespective of their specialisation, managers need to be able to interpret and apply financial information in their decision making.

This module aims to familiarise students with a variety of research methods and approaches. Along these lines the module provides essential information on academic presentation, research and writing skills, examines a wide range of research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, with reference to their philosophical base and practical application in marketing & management. Moreover, it familiarises students with the development and the composition of a research proposal, the identification of the proper research methodology with regards to research idea, and advances students’ research and analytical skills.