Program

▶ Managerial Accounting

Objectives

To master the “language of managerial accounting” and to learn the fundamental concepts, methods and tools for measuring and managing the performance of your company

Topics

• Activity Based Costing
• Principles of cost management
• Performance management concepts
• Key Performance Indicators
• Planning and budgeting concepts and methods
• Investment appraisals
• Balanced Scorecard
• Management Control Systems
• Incentive systems

▶ Managerial 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

▶ International Marketing

Objectives

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

Topics

▶ Advanced Seminar in Business Development

Objectives

Participants will be exposed to various marketing and strategy tools within a sectoral, regional, international and/or intercultural setting. This module may take place at a foreign partner university (currently Pfeiffer University, Charlotte, USA). Participants are expected to deepen their knowledge in the field of international marketing and strategy and its relevance to corporate activities. 

Topics

▶ Digital Business

Objectives

Enable students to analyze, explain, and assess digital business models, their structure, and their components, thereby preparing students to assume an active, leading role in the development, implementation, management, and ongoing improvement of digital business models. Empower students to (help) design, plan, manage, and support the digital transformation of a company.

Topics

• industry 4.0 – from technologies to economic aspects
• business models – general overview, structure, components, and basic types
• digital business models – the digital perspective, categories, and examples
• the digital transformation – impact on companies, markets, and competition; planning and management
• funding digital businesses – investors and how to work with them

Syllabus | Digital Business

Short description of course content and goals:

Enable students to analyze, explain, and assess digital business models, their structure, and their components, thereby preparing students to assume an active, leading role in the development, implementation, management, and ongoing improvement of digital business models. Empower students to (help) design, plan, manage, and support the digital transformation of a company
Students receive an overview of the relevant conceptual dimensions (layers), spanning technology, processes, organizational, business, and market aspects. Students work in groups to tackle case studies based on their "real life" business context. Thereby, they not only develop their individual and social skills, but also become familiar with an interdisciplinary setup and performing in a cross-functional environment.

Table of Contents (preliminary):

I. Industry 4.0

1. Terms and Fundamentals of Industry 4.0/ Digitization
2. Technologies 4.0
3. Chances of Industry 4.0
4. Necessities Industry 4.0
5. Status Quo Industry 4.0
6. Examples Industry 4.0
7. Basics on Economical Calculations of Effects in Industry 4.0/Digitization
8. Case Study
9. Digital Transformation Strategy

II. Business Models

1. Introduction to Business Models
2. Definition and basic structure
3. Characteristics and evaluation criteria
4. Value capturing models – the revenue side
5. Value creation models – the production side

III. Digital Business Models

1. The Digital Perspective
2. A Framework for Analyzing Digital Business Models
3. Digital Business Models: Categories and Examples

III. The Digital Transformation

1. A look at industries in Transformation: case studies
2. Defining the Digital Transformation
3. Information products: fuel for the Digital Transformation
4. The Digital Transformation of companies
5. The Digital Transformation of markets and competition
6. Planning the Transformation
7. Managing the Transformation

IV. Funding Digital Businesses

1. The investor's perspective
2. Working with investors

Literature:

Wirtz, B.: Digital Business Models – Concepts, Models, and the Alphabet Case Study; Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2019.

Iansiti, M.; Lakhani, K. R.: Digital Ubiquity: How Connections, Sensors, and Data Are Revolutionizing Business, Harvard Business Review Nov. 2014, available online at: https://hbr.org/2014/11/digital-ubiquity-how-connections-sensors-and-data-are-revolutionizing-business; accessed June 20, 2018.

Porter, M. E.; Heppelmann, J. E.: How Smart, Connected Products Are Transforming Competition, Harvard Business Review Nov. 2014, available online at: https://hbr.org/2014/11/how-smart-connected-products-are-transforming-competition; accessed June 20, 2018.

Grading Criteria:

Grading for the course will be based entirely (100%) on a group case study. Groups of 3 to a maximum of 4 students will be assigned a case study to be addressed by the entire group. Groups will work outside class, conduct research, perform analyses and develop content in order to prepare a presentation (power point or comparable format, total presentation time 60 minutes + 30 minutes discussion). Every group member is required to present a part of the case study solution. Grading will reflect both the group achievement as well as individual presentations.

Selection of Case Studies:

Every group is expected to identify (or define) a topic related to the context of manufac-turing or production of physical goods, which should originate from the employer of (at least) one group member. Based on that choice every group will develop a digitization roadmap for their respective company as the first part of their case study. As the second part, every group will assess the current business model of that company, develop a possible digital business model, and sketch a feasible path for the transformation.

▶ Foundations of Business Administration

Objectives

After completing this module 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

▶ Leadership Competence

Objectives

The focus of this module 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

▶ Research Skills, Case Studies and Projectscourse

Objectives

This module 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

▶ 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

▶ Financial Accounting

Objectives

This module 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)

▶ Selected Topics in Financial Theory and Practice

Objectives

Topics

▶ 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 or German language. The time allotted to this assignment is four months. Candidates, subject to approval, may propose a theme or project of their own choice, preferably out of their own professional background.