Modules - MBA School Giessen - Friedberg

The program is devoted to intensive study of the basic business disciplines required for all students. The curriculum is designed to balance general management subjects with marketing & sales deepening courses.

MBA II, abroad stay, IM 2, Pfeiffer University, Charlotte, USA

Picture: MBA II, abroad stay, IM 2, Pfeiffer University, Charlotte, USA

Course 01 - Foundations of Business Administration

Objectives

After completing the course participants should be in a position to define and interpret the basic concepts of business administration. A business management game will provide participants with an opportunity to practice newly acquired skills. 

Topics

  • principles of planning and controlling a business
  • performance measurement and accounting systems
  • basic terminology used in business administration / financial and economic indicators
  • core functions, i.e. procurement, production, sales, human resources management and controlling
 

Course 02 - Strategic and Operative Management

Objectives

To provide the skills needed to analyze and interpret dynamic environments; to formulate company strategies, and establish organizational capabilities in line with market requirements. Particular attention will be paid to the development of relevant skills in change, project and operative management required to implement strategies. 

Topics

  • environmental analysis (political, economic, consumers/demand, competitors, stakeholders)
  • analyzing organizational strategies and capabilities
  • formulating and implementing strategies and capabilities
  • change management
  • project and operative management
 

Course 03 - Managerial Accounting

Objectives

To gain insight into cost effectiveness; to create an understanding for targets and tasks of managerial accounting; to interpret prerequisites and stages and systems of cost effectiveness; to develop a general appreciation for accounting issues. 

Topics

  • Cost structure analysis
  • Product costs, sales profits per product
  • Revenue planning system; principal agent problems
  • Reporting
  • Introduction to product calculation
  • Sales controlling, revenue generating incentives
  • Advanced product calculation
  • Applied sales controlling
  • Investment appraisals
  • Cost centre accounting; cost saving incentives
  • Activity Based Costing
  • Case studies
 

Course 04 – Managerical Economics

Objectives

Corporate ventures into international activities should be preceded by a systematic and professional analysis of the external (economic/political etc.) environment of the host country. Economic stability forms one of the basic requirements for the achievement of adequate returns on investment and as such substantially influences the strategic planning process of multinational enterprises. The course will provide a sound introduction to these topics and will make participants familiar with methods to assess macroeconomic risks and policy concepts. 

Topics

  • measuring economic activity and performance
  • commercial banking and capital markets
  • aggregate demand and supply, business cycles and short-term macroeconomic policy options
  • structural market inefficiencies, supply side economics and long-term macroeconomic policy options
  • central bank systems and monetary policy options
  • issues in international economics: balance of payments, reasons for and barriers to international trade, exchange rates and the international monetary system
 

Course 05 - International Leadership Competence

Objectives

The focus of this course will be on the development of leadership skills required to accept senior managerial responsibilities. In addition, staff involved in international operations will need specific social and intercultural competence in counseling, communicating and negotiating. The unit will therefore focus on both cognitive and applied points of view as well as aspects of intercultural training and communication. 

Topics

  • fundamentals of leadership
  • principles and rules of intercultural communication
  • aspects of the negotiation process in specific cultural settings
  • essentials of intercultural communication
  • cultural sensitivity (verbal and non - verbal communication)
  • managing intercultural relationships
 

Course 06 - Financial Accounting

Objectives

This course develops the student's ability to read, understand, and use corporate financial statements. It is oriented toward the user of financial accounting data (rather than the preparer) and emphasizes the reconstruction of economic events from published accounting reports such as balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flow. The course covers not only the German Accounting Rules (HGB), but also International Accounting Standards (IAS). 

Topics

  • techniques of financial accounting, the revenue / cost matching process
  • compiling, analyzing and presenting financial statements including balance sheets
  • ratio analysis
  • international accounting standards (USGAAP and IAS)
 

Course 07 - International Marketing I

Objectives

Participants will acquire essential knowhow in the field of international marketing based on the international marketing mix. 

Topics

  • the global environment and strategies for internationalization
  • preconditions for international market entry
  • strategic and operative market research
  • culture-related buying behavior
  • managing the marketing mix
 

Course 08 - International Sales Management

Objectives

To analyze the key (sales management) success factors used by international firms and how these can be transferred and applied across cultural boundaries. Particular attention will be paid to the business-to-business sector. 

Topics

  • methods of organizing international
  • sales structures and processes
  • systematic market development
  • instruments for directing and controlling
  • international sales
  • setting up sales information systems
  • establishing customer relationships
  • sales staff leadership and motivational practices in an intercultural context
 

Course 09 - International Marketing II

Objectives

Participants will be exposed to the use of various marketing tools within an international and intercultural setting. Participants are expected to deepen their knowledge in the field of international marketing and its relevance to corporate activities. The students stay a week at the Pfeiffer University Charlotte, NC/USA 

Topics

  • marketing and distribution as elements of a corporate, interdepartmental management system
  • planning, direction and control of international marketing activities
  • optimal, country specific, distribution systems
  • solving intercultural problems (troubleshooting) resulting from various conflicts of interest
 

Course 10 - Research Skills, Case Studies and Projects

Objectives

This course will provide an opportunity to apply theoretical processes to 'real-life' cases. Particular importance is attached to the transferability of such knowledge to the individual participants' workplace environment. Students are expected to explore new concepts and apply creative solutions to business processes and problems. Included is also a two-day case study module with the Bergamo Master course in Italy. In addition, basic research skills required to conduct scientific (market based) research, will be developed. This course may be used to develop the basic structure for the master thesis. 

Topics

  • application of the case study method to work-place problems
  • acquisition of basic research skills: research design, quantitative and qualitative analysis
  • market research: primary and secondary research, questionnaire design, data collection and evaluation
 

Course 11 - MBA Thesis

Candidates completing the master's thesis are expected to use their theoretical understanding to deal with a practical business issue in a methodologically appropriate manner. The thesis is written in the English language. The time allotted to this assignment is three months. Candidates, subject to approval, may propose a theme or project of their own choice, preferably out of their own professional background.

(Note course 11 as Stay Abroad module for internationally unexperienced applicants -as stated in the brochure- is not needed anymore -The "old" course 12 MBA Thesis moved to Number 11).