Graduate School of Business

MBA – Course Outlines for Semester 1

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MarketingManagement

HumanAndOrganisationalBehaviour

BusinessManagement

EconomicsforManagement

HumanResourcesAndIndustrialRelations

ManagementInformationSystems

MARKETING MANAGEMENT_______________________

Module: Marketing Management

Module Code: GSOB8MM

Lecturer: Dr. Maxwell A. Phiri

Contact: Tel: 033 260 5843

E-Mail:phirim@ukzn.ac.za

___________________________________________________________________________

1. MODULE OUTLINE

The module focuses on strategic decision making in marketing. A managerial perspective of marketing will
be presented in the lectures while discussing the various marketing principles familiar to marketing
students. The approach of the module will integrate the marketing principles with other theories of
management to enhance understanding and application in an everyday given environment. The content of
the module is ideal for marketing managers, entrepreneurs and general management practitioners.

2/NA/GSB/MBA2008/MBA1/35185554.docx Page 1
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learners will possess the knowledge and skills to:

 Explain what marketing is and how it can be applied in the daily work environment of
management by looking at the marketing mix elements—the four Ps of marketing.

 Show that marketing management is an integral part of management practices with an intention
of creating value for the organization.

 Be able to apply marketing principles from a managerial perspective in formulating,

implementing and evaluating the organization’s strategies

3. ASSESSMENT

Mark Calculation: Year mark value 50% Examination 50%

Year mark composition: Test (20%)

Individual Assignment (15%)

Group Assessment (15%)

Examination: This module examination is a 4 hour open book paper

4. RECOMMENDED READING

4.1 Prescribed Textbooks:

 Mullins, Walker, Boyd & Larreche. Marketing Management, A strategic Decision Making Approach
(5th Edition): McGraw-Hill, 2005, New York.

Additional reading list

McCarthy & Perreault. Basic Marketing, A global –managerial approach (15Edition): McGraw-Hill, 2005,
New York.

5. ASSIGNMENTS

Individual assignment

a) As a marketing manager of a new generation ozone friendly products company, investigate and
write a report on the effects of the legal challenges in the marketing of a new product in the South
African market.

b) Identify any product on the market which has been launched without the approval of the South
African Bureau of Standards (SABS) certificate and base your investigation and report on the
marketing activities of the company to promote the particular product in terms of communications
and consumer behaviour strategies.

Due Date: 20th March, 2008

Group Assignment

a) As a marketing team for any selected listed company on the JSE, develop a marketing plan for a
newly launched product by the selected company.

b) In your report show financial performance projections with clear net present (NPV) indications
showing the viability or non viability of the launching of the product. In your report outline and
discuss strategies which could be applied in the launching of the product in the marketplace.

c) As a group prepare a 5 minutes presentation to be presented in class on a date to be announced.

All members of the group must attend the presentation in order to get a mark allocation for both
the written report and presentation.

Please note there will be no individual make up assignments to cover the missed marks for the group
work.

Due Date: 14th April, 2008

Test – 24 April 2008

Please note:

 The School penalties will be applied for late submission of assignments as follows: 10% for the first
week or part thereof and 15% for the second week or part thereof. Any later submissions will not
be marked. Students who for valid reasons are unable to submit on time must supply proof for the
late submission, the work will be marked subject to a maximum cap of 50%.

 Any form of plagiarism, unacknowledged sources and cut and paste are offences and will incur
mark penalties which may include a mark of zero, and possible disciplinary action.

6. DISCUSSION TOPICS

Text
Chapter Topic

LECTURE 1 1&2 Introduction to the course, The marketing management

process; Market-oriented perspectives

LECTURE 2 3&4 Environmental analysis; Industry analysis and competitive

advantage

LECTURE 3 5&6 Consumer buying behavior; Organizational markets and buying

behavior

LECTURE 4 7 Marketing research and forecasting

LECTURE 5 8 Market segmentation; Target market selection decisions

LECTURE 6 9 & 10 Positioning decisions; Business strategies and their marketing

program implications

LECTURE 7 11 Product and service decisions

LECTURE 8 12 Pricing decisions

Group Presentations

LECTURE 9 13 Distribution decisions and channel relationships

LECTURE 10 14 Promotion decisions

Group Presentations
LECTURE 11 15 Marketing strategies for the new economy

LECTURE 12 16 Strategies for new and growing markets

LECTURE 13 17 Strategic choices for mature and declining markets

Group Presentations

LECTURE 14 18 Organizing and planning for effective implementation

LECTURE 15 19 Measuring and delivering marketing performance

Exam preparation information

HUMAN AND ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR

 Date Time Lecture Topic / Related Mini Assignments

18:00 to
6-Feb 20:30 Welcome, Introduction, Course Outline,Tests, Assignments and Exams, Group formation

     

Chapter 1: Organizational Behaviour: The Quest for People Centred Organizations and
    Ethical Conduct

     

    Chapter 2: Managing Diversity: Releasing Every Employee's Potential

     

Assignment 1: How would define HOB? Illustrate your definition and the relevance of
    HOB with a

tangible example from the work context. How is HOB similar to or different from other
    subjects you are

studying on your MBA programme. What are the practical implications of HOB for
    managers and leaders

    in the workplace?

     

Assignment 2:What practical approaches are there to tackling diversity challenges in an

    organization.

    How would you apply this in the South African context?

     

13- 18:00 to
Feb 20:30 Chapter 3: Organizational Culture, Socialization and Mentoring

     

    Chapter 4: International OB: Managing across cultures

     

Assignment 3:Use an accepted conceptual framework to analyse the culture of a given

    organization.

What would you suggest that could be done in practical terms to change the culture to
    ensure that it is

    productive and healthy

     

    Assignment 4: In todays global village, expatriate managers have a comparatively high

 failure rate on

    foreign assignments. Why is this so? What can be done to alleviate this problem?

   

20- 18:00 to
Feb 20:30 Chapter 5: Self-Concept, Personality, Abilities and Emotions

     

Assignment 5: Rate yourself on the following personality dimensions: self-esteem, self-

    monitoring,

    proactive personality, locus of control, and emotional intelligence.

Provide at least one example to support your assessment for each of these personality
    concepts.

   

27- 18:00 to
Feb 20:30 Chapter 6: Values, Attitudes and Job Satisfaction

     

Assignment 6 : Describe the model of Organizational Commitment. Using the criteria in

    the model

    evaluate your commitment to the organization you work / worked for.

18:00 to
5-Mar 20:30 Chapter 7: Social Perception and Attributions

     

Assignment7 : What is Human Perception? In what way does it have a negative effect on
    productivity and

human relationships in the workplace? Referring to a model of Perception, how could one
    overcome these

    negative effects.

   

12- 18:00 to
Mar 20:30 Chapter 8: Foundations of Motivation

     

Assignment 8:Conditions of service and money are the prime motivators in South African
    industry

and commerce. Examine this statement and evaluate it against the requirements of an
    effective
 motivation theory, then draw your own conclusions and recommendations from this
    evaluation.

   

19- 18:00 to Chapter 9: Improving Job Performance with Goals, Feedback, Rewards and Positive
Mar 20:30 Reinforcement

     

Assignment 9 : Outline a model for improving individual job performance in the

    workplace. Using this

model, apply it to a performance management problem you have encountered in the

    workplace, with

    recommendations for improving individual job performance

   

26- 18:00 to
Mar 20:30 Chapter 10: Group Dynamics

     

Assignment 10: Apply Tuckman’s five-stage theory of group development to a group to

    which you belong.

    Can you recognize these stages of group development?

   

18:00 to
2-Apr 20:30 Chapter 11: Teams and Teamwork

     

Assignment 11: Outline and apply an intervention for improving team and interteam
    effectiveness

    in an organization

   

18:00 to
9-Apr 20:30 Chapter 12: Individual and Group Decision Making

     

    Assignment 12 : Compare the decision making potential of individuals versus groups.

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

    Individual Assignments Due

 16- 18:00 to
Apr 20:30 Chapter 13: Managing Conflict and Negotiation

     

Assignment 13: Conflict is necessary and desirable in an organization. Evaluate this

    statement and reach

    your own conclusions about the role of conflict in organizational life

   

23- 18:00 to
Apr 20:30 Chapter 14: Communication in the Internet Age

     

Assignment 14 : Outline a communication model and use it to assess and improve

    communication

    problems that you have experienced in the workplace.

   

30- 18:00 to
Apr 20:30 Class Test Moved to 23 April -- lecture of 23 will be held on 30 April

   

7- 18:00 to
May 20:30 Chapter 15: Influence , Empowerment and Politics

     

    Chapter 16: Leadership

     

Assignment 15 : What are the main kinds of power exercised by an individual.What

    influence, positive or

negative, could this have on individuals, groups, communication, relationships, leadership

    and

    organizational goals

     

    Assignment 16: Are leaders born or made? Provide evidence to support your response.

     

    Group Assignments Due

   

14- 18:00 to Chapter 17: Creating Effective Organizations

 May 20:30

     

Assignment 17 :As a top manager, what would you do to prevent organizational decline?
    Be specific.

    When should you start?

   

21- 18:00 to
May 20:30 Chapter 18: Managing Change and Stress

     

Assignment 18: Kurt Lewin talks of unfreezing, change and refreezing. What does this
    mean and

outline in practical terms how you would apply these concepts to a practical work
    situation.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Module: Business Management
Module Code: GSOB8BM
Lecturer: Martin Challenor
Contact: Tel: 082 4144 020
E-Mail:challenorr@ukzn.ac.za
______________________________________________________________

1. MODULE OUTLINE
The course introduces a range of issues managers face at the workplace. The course covers the
responsibility of managers to shareholders, stakeholders, society and employees. The course
offers an introduction to strategic management, leadership, globalisation, ethics, corporate
social responsibility, corporate governance, the interpersonal skills of managers,
entrepreneurship and the link to strategy, business aspects of the African Renaissance and the
world of the chief executive officer. Other selected aspects of management are covered. The
2008 course will include a focus on Aids at the work place.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learners will possess the knowledge and skills to:

• upholds the interests of shareholders, stakeholders, society and employees
• participate in a strategic management initiative at their place of employment
• offer leadership at their place of employment
• initiate and sustain global trade
• manage their organisation and employees in a way that upholds business ethics, corporate social
responsibility and corporate governance
• display interpersonal skills so as to understand staff, inspire staff and minimise staff problems
• foster a sense of entrepreneurship at their place of work and in society generally
• trade within the context of the African Renaissance
• conduct themselves at work in a way befitting of a chief executive officer
• effectively manage issues emanating from Aids at the work place.
3. ASSESSMENT
Mark Calculation: Year mark value 50% Examination 50%
Year mark composition: Test (40 %)
Individual Assignments (30%)
Group Assessment (30%)
Examination: This module examination is a 4 hour open book paper

4. RECOMMENDED READING

4.1 PRESCRIBED TEXT

Jones: Gareth R. and George: Jennifer M. Contemporary management Creating value in

organisations. Fourth edition. McGraw Hill International Edition. Boston 2006. ISBN 0-07-30764-3

IF YOU have not got this edition, please do not worry. Please acquire the latest edition.

Additional reading list

I DO not expect students to buy these books. These are the texts from which my lecturers are drawn.

2. Cronje: GJ de J; Du Toit: GS; Marais: A de K; Motlatla: MDC. Introduction to business management sixth edition. Cape Town 2004.
Oxford Southern Africa 0 19578129 5

3. Hellriegel: Don; Jackson: Susan E; Slocum: John; Staude: Gavin and associates. Management, South African Edition. 2001. Oxford
Southern Africa. Cape Town. 0 19 571920 4

4. Hitt: Michael; Black: J Stewart; and Porter Lyman W. Management International edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. 2005 Isbn 0-13-
124851-0
5. Kinicki: Angelo; and Williams: Brian. Management a practical introduction. McGraw Hill International Edition. New York 2006. Isbn
0-07-310051-X

6. Kirby; David A. Entrepreneurship. McGraw Hill. London 2003.

7. Luiz. John. Editor. Managing business in Africa. Practical management theory for an emerging market. Oxford Southern Africa. ISBN
019 576276 2 Cape Town 2006

8. MacLeod. Guy; and Terblanche: Barrie. Starting your own business in South Africa: 10 the edition. Oxford University Press. Cape
Town 2004.
9. ISBN0 19 578484 7

10. Marx S; van Rooyen DC; Bosch JK; and Reynders HJJ. (Editors) Business management. Second Edition. JL van Schaik. Pretoria
2004. ISBN 0 627 02319 3.

11. Meyer: Edgar; Ashleigh: Melanie; George: Jennifer M. and Jones: Gareth R. Contemporary Managements European edition.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education. London. 2007. ISBN 13 978-0-07-711115-1

12. Naylor: John. Management. Second Edition. Prentice Hall. Harlow. 2004. ISBN 0 273 67321 1

13. Robbins: Stephen P; and Coulter: Mary. Management. Eighth edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Eighth edition. New Jersey 2005. isbn
0-13-127272-1
 14. Robbins: Stephen P; and DeCenzo: david A. fundamentals of management. Essential concepts and applications. Pearson Prentice
Hall. Fifth edition. New Jersey 2005. isbn 0-13-196871-8

15. Rossouw: Deon. Business ethics in Africa. Second edition. Oxford Southern Afrrica. Cape Town 2002. ISBN 0 19 5780825

16. Rue: Leslie W, and Byars: Lloyd L. Management skills and application. McGraw-Hill international edition. Eleventh edition. Boston
2005. ISBN 0-07-111184-0

17. Smit: PJ, Cronje: GJ de J, Brevis: T, Vrba: MJ. Management Principles a contemporary Edition for Africa. Fourth Edition Juta. Cape
Town 2007. ISBN.978 0 7021 7295 3

5. ASSIGNMENTS

There are three individual assignments, a group assignment and a test.

Individual assignments

Assignment one

Interview a manager to learn more about his/her world. The person must not be a friend or a relative, or a
business partner and not a customer. The person must not work for the government at any level, nor a
parastatal and must not be a student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I am not looking for a report on
the person interviewed, but your interpretation of their world.

Email submission only. 1 000 words maximum. No references, appendices or cross headings.

Submit: March 3

Assignment two

Interview an entrepreneur to learn more about his/her world. The person must not be a friend or a relative,
or a business partner and not a customer. I am not looking for a report on the person you interviewed, but
your interpretation of their world.

Email submission only. 1 000 words maximum. No references, appendices or cross headings.

Submit: April 23

Assignment three

Interview a person involved in international trade to learn more about his/her world. The person must not
be a friend or a relative, or a business partner and not a customer. I am not looking for a report on the
person you interviewed, but your interpretation of their world.

Submit: May 10

The interviews will be marked according to this schedule:

Insight into their world 20

Reflection of their world 20
Business sense 20
Maturity 10
Thought 10
Martin’s discretion 20
100%

Group presentation

Choose a business that the group wants to buy or open. Write up an association of agreement
document. The agreement would set out the basis on which you work together in the business.
Cover such issues as people leaving the business, new people coming in, death, disputes, initial
contributions and purpose of the business. Also write out a supporting business plan. Explain the
steps you would undertake to select the business venture that suits your group. I am looking for
research on the industry, references to justify your decision, and how you would finance your
operation. Give an indication of staff, profits and losses, assets and liabilities. Many partnerships
fall apart. Tell me why your group would succeed.

Please do not list the benefits of a CC as opposed to a PTY LTD. Please be very wary of presenting me with
a business that one of the group members has already set up. I will argue that little learning took place. This
cannot be a business that is already trading, and cannot be a report on the experiences of a person in the
group.

Length: Approximately 20 A4 pages, apart from references, exhibits, financial statements. This is not an
academic assignment, but a business plan, but I still want a bibliography. Each member of the group must
include a one page CV.

Please consult the text by MacLeod.

In marking this work, I will sit partly as a bank manager and ask the question: would I lend this client the
amount of money they have asked for? My answer to this question will influence the mark you will get.
Bank managers look for viability and the personal qualities of the business people.

Marking schedule:

Strength of association of agreement 30

Thought 10
Understanding of the industry 10
Appreciation of tasks 10
Feasibility 20
Visual and presentation quality 10
Martin’s discretion 10
100%

Please note:

 The School penalties will be applied for late submission of assignments as follows: 10% for the first
week or part thereof and 15% for the second week or part thereof. Any later submissions will not
be marked. Students who for valid reasons are unable to submit on time must supply proof for the
late submission, the work will be marked subject to a maximum cap of 50%.
  Any form of plagiarism, unacknowledged sources and cut and paste are offences and will incur
mark penalties which may include a mark of zero, and possible disciplinary action.

6. DISCUSSION TOPICS

Week Topic Presenter/s

One Tuesday February 5
Introduction
Introduction to the course, assignments and goals

Two Tuesday February 12

A first look at strategic management

Three Tuesday February 19

Managers in society

Responsibilities of managers to shareholders, employees, customers,

stakeholders and society
the creation of meaning for managers
classes within a capitalist society
towards a definition of management

Four Tuesday February 26

A new interpretation

A new interpretation of the role of managers - the end of plan, lead,

organise and control
management in a changing environment
industry and product life cycle
Boston Consulting Group Matrix

Five March 4
At the top: where the CEO sits

A reflection on the view from the top: the world of the CEO
decision-making in management
Six March 11
Interpersonal demands on managers

Interpersonal skills of managers

emotional intelligence
organisational conflict and politics
political action within an organisation
communication

Seven March 18
Leadership

Eight March 25
Peters and Waterman: eight points

Managers of the future: autocratic or democratic

Nine April 1
Globalisation and management

Ten April 8
Entrepreneurship
 The role of entrepreneurs, intrepreneurs and the link to strategy

Eleven April 15
Business with Africa

Twelve April 22
Back to strategy
Competitive Advantage

Thirteen April 29
Ethics, corporate social responsibility and
corporate governance

Fourteen May 6
Strategic cohesion - control
selected management topics Aids

Fifteen May 13
Group presentations
Sixteen May 20
Group presentations

ECONOMICS FOR MANAGEMENT

Module: Economics for Management 

Module Code: GSOB8EM
Lecturer: Dr Mihalis Chasomeris
Contact: Tel: 031 260 25 75
E-Mail: chasomerism1@ukzn.ac.za
Room 113, GSB, level 1
___________________________________________________________________________

1. MODULE OUTLINE

Economics is the study of scarcity, the continuous confrontation between unlimited wants and limited
resources. This module is designed for learners who have had modest or no exposure to economics –
“the science of choice”1. The primary aim of the course is to provide learners with a wide, and
sufficiently solid, foundation in economic principles, so as to enable learners to apply this theory within
a practical business setting. The module covers a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from firm level to
economy-wide concerns. The contact sessions provide guidance and enhance understanding of the
core economic concepts. Emphasis is placed on the application of economic theory to contemporary
domestic issues and policy formulation in South Africa.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learners will possess the knowledge and skills to:
 use macroeconomic concepts and tools to measure the performance of an economy
 be able to use microeconomic concepts and tools to measure the performance of markets
 use economic concepts and tools to improve the performance and profitability of the firm
1
  show how market structure affects market behaviour
 contribute to policy debates on various contemporary economic issues
 source, graph and interpret trends in economic data
 use economic theory to improve decision making

3. ASSESSMENT
Mark Calculation: Year mark value 50% Examination 50%
Year mark composition: Test (40%)
Individual Assignment (30%)
Group Assessment (30%)
Examination: This module examination is a 4 hour open book paper

4. RECOMMENDED READING
4.1 PRESCRIBED TEXT

Essentials of Economics, 7th International Edition

Bradley Schiller, American University
ISBN: 978-0-07-128348-9
Copyright year: 2009

“Essentials of Economics is the market leader for the one-semester survey course. In just
about 400 pages, it provides a solid introduction to the core concepts of economics with an
emphasis on real-world examples and current events. Essentials has earned its popular
success because, unlike other books on the market, it is free of the abstract and complex
theory that requires more time than this course allows. Instead, the text is clean and concise,
with many examples of significance to students today, including Headlines and Policy
Perspectives that use current events to help illustrate the topics discussed. This real-world
policy emphasis is a distinctive feature of Schiller’s text and is integral to its dominance of
the survey text market.”2

In addition to the prescribed text, short handouts (for example, statistical tables and readings
dealing with topical issues) may be provided at contact sessions. Be prepared for each contact
session. Prepare by completing the prescribed readings and any required written work. The topics
covered in the module, as well as the details of the prescribed reading, are set out below. All the
material is examinable.

5. ADDITIONAL READING AND RESOURCES

If you find a particular topic problematic, it might be helpful to try a different text for an alternative
approach or a different explanation. To this end, students may wish to consult:

 Mohr, P., Fourie L., and Associates (2003) Economics for South African Students (3rd
edition) Pretoria: JL van Schaik.

2
  Haydam, N., (2002) The Principles of Macroeconomics (Second Edition) Pretoria: JL van
Schaik.
 Sloman, J. Economics (5th edition). New York: FT Prentice Hall.

In a module of this nature, it is a good idea to read business newspapers and magazines such as
The Economist, Forbes and Fortune. For a domestic perspective, it would be useful to read article
from the Weekly Mail and Guardian, FIN Week or Financial Mail. A wide range of publications can
also be accessed via the Internet. International sources include:
 Resources for Economists (http://econwpa.wustl.edu/EconFAQ/EconFAW.html)
 The Economist (http://www.economist.com)
 CNN Financial News (http://cnnfn.com)

A good starting point for sites relating to domestic economic issues is:
 South African Internet Resources ( http://www.polity.org.za/lists/sanet.htm.#Research), which
provides links ranging from Community-Based Organisations to the South African Reserve
Bank.
 Another good website dealing with domestic industrial and trade issues is: The South
African Trade and Industrial Policy Secretariats website: (http://www.tips.org.za).
 Statistics South Africa (http://www.statssa.gov.za)

Other potentially useful sites include:

 The Mail & Guardian (http://www.mg.co.za)
 Independent Newspapers (http://www.independent.co.za)
 South African Financial Forum (http://www.finforum.co.za)
 South African Government Sites (http://www.polity.org.za/gnuindex.html)
 Financial Mail (http://www.fm.co.za)

A good website dealing with international trade, finance and development issues, is the United
Nations Centre for Trade and Development’s website:
 (http://www.unctad.org).
6. ASSIGNMENTS

You will be expected to submit 1 individual assignment for this module.

Topic 1 Due date: Please see Assessment Calendar

South Africa suffers from the dual problems of considerable unemployment and shortage of skills at the
same time. Discuss the pros and cons of allowing skilled foreign immigrants to practice their professions in
South Africa, considering characteristics of the domestic labour market.

OR

Topic 2 Due date: Please see Assessment Calendar

Addressing South Africa’s high and persistent unemployment levels is among the government’s top
priorities (ASGISA, 2007). Discuss the characteristics of South Africa’s unemployment and two specific
policy measures that the government has adopted to deal with the problem.
Word limit: 1500 - 2000 words (excluding bibliography and appendix).

Show your word count on the assignment.

You will be expected to complete 1 group task for this module.

Topic 1. Monetary Policy Due date: Please see Assessment Calendar

(i) Compare and contrast the views of the Keynesian and monetarist schools of thought on
monetary policy: its purpose in the economy, its effectiveness and the way it should be applied.
(ii) Present a structured argument concerning whether or not inflation targeting is an appropriate
monetary policy framework for South Africa.
(iii) Compare the effects of inflation targeting in South Africa since its implementation with those in
two other countries (one developing and one developed), which also use inflation targeting.

OR

Topic 2. General Macroeconomic Policy Due date: Please see Assessment Calendar

The five macroeconomic objectives that can be used to measure the performance of an economy are:

a) Economic growth
b) Full employment
c) Price stability
d) Balance of payments stability
e) Equitable or socially acceptable income distribution.

Analyse how these five macroeconomic objectives can be met most effectively using a combination of
monetary and fiscal policy in South Africa.

Word limit: 5000 words (excluding bibliography and appendix).

Show your word count on the assignment.

All assignment must be typed. A 12-point font size should be used with 1.5 spacing. You need to
show that you have at least made use of the library and the internet.
Suggested outline:

Title

Introduction
Body:

a) Economic growth
b) Full employment
c) Price stability
d) Balance of payments stability
e) Equitable or socially acceptable distribution of income.

Conclusions

References
Appendix

Please note:

 The School penalties will be applied for late submission of assignments as follows: 10% for the first
week or part thereof and 15% for the second week or part thereof. Any later submissions will not
be marked. Students who for valid reasons are unable to submit on time must supply proof for the
late submission, the work will be marked subject to a maximum cap of 50%.
 Any form of plagiarism, unacknowledged sources and cut and paste are offences and will incur
mark penalties which may include a mark of zero, and possible disciplinary action.
7. DISCUSSION TOPICS

Dates TOPIC & PRESCRIBED READING Presenter/s

FROM SCHILLER, 2009

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS
24/07 (Thursday) Chapter 1 The Challenge of Economics
24/07 & 31/07 Chapter 2 The US Economy (SA Economy)
31/07 Chapter 3 Supply and Demand
MICROECONOMICS
7/08 Chapter 4 Consumer Demand
14/08 Chapter 5 Supply Decisions
21/08 Chapter 6 Competition
30/08 Chapter 7 Monopoly
(Saturday 8:30-1pm) Chapter 8 The Labour Market
(2 Lectures, Video)
4/09 Chapter 9 Government Intervention
(Please study Chapter 9 before the video on 30/08)
MACROECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
11/09 Chapter 10 The Business Cycle &
Chapter 11 Aggregate Supply and Demand
18/09 Chapter 12 Fiscal Policy
25/09 Chapter 13 Money and Banks
2/10 Chapter 14 Monetary Policy
9/10 Chapter 15 Economic Growth
16/10 Test
23/10 Chapter 16 Theory and Reality
30/10 Chapter 17 International Trade

Exams 7-22 November

 HUMAN RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COURSE:

GSOB 8HR (MBA 1)
2008

General Information

Lecturers: Norman Adendorff Les Owen

Tel: (work) 031-7003151 (work) 031-7003151
(cell) 083-2597949 (cell) 083-4433143

Prescribed Human Resources Management

Textbooks:
Noe RA; Hollenbeck JR; Gerhart B & Wright PM:
Human Resource Management 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill

Industrial Relations

Erasmus, BJ; Nel PS

South African Employment Relations, Theory and Practice
6TH Edition Van Schaik Publishers

Optional Recommended Human Resources Management in South Africa by P. Grobler

Textbook: 3rd Edition - Thomson Cengage

Duration: 16th July 2008 to 29th October 2008 inclusive. (Timetable attached).

Time: Wednesday evenings: 18h00 to 20h30.

Attendance: Attendance is expected but please advise if unable to attend.

Evaluation:
Class Assessment Individual Assignment 30% IR
Group Assignment 30% HR
Class Test (Closed Book) 40% HR & IR
Year-end Examination: (open book)
This course is entitled “Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations”. Because of the
severe time limitations (40 hours only of contact time), it has been necessary to divide the
programme into two equal parts.

The first set of lectures will focus on the Industrial Relations (IR) component and the lecturers will
cover the key strategic issues such as the employment relationship, employment law, collective
bargaining, law of unfair dismissal, comparative IR systems and the effects of globalisation on the
South African labour market.

The Human Resources (HR) Management component will specifically cover:

 The Role and Function of HR
 The Acquisition and retention of Staff
 Performance Management and Change Management
 Leadership
 Reward and Remuneration
 Strategically Managing the H.R Function

The emphasis will be on a shift from operational to the strategic managing of the HR and IR
function within a rapidly evolving business environment.

Assignment Evaluation

There will be two (2) assignments; one an individual assignment, comprising a ten-page essay; the
second being a group assignment. The purpose of these assignments is intended to give the
student the opportunity to research, and read more widely, on the nominated topics.

Criteria used for evaluating assignments will include some or all of the following:
 Content and depth/breadth of coverage.
 Integration of material.
 Grasp and insight.
 Clarity and insight.
 References
 General – presentation, use of visual aids where appropriate, typing and overall attractiveness.
Dates for the completion of these assignments will be as follows:-

 Group Assignment Please see Assessment Calendar

 Individual Assignment Please see Assessment Calendar
 Class Test Please see Assessment Calendar

Please note: no extension on hand-in date will be considered for ANY reason

DEGREE OF LATENESS PENALTY TO FINAL MARK

Day 1 - Day 7 10% Subtracted

Day 2 – Day 14 15% subtracted

15 Days and Beyond At discretion of Lecturer, capped at 50%

COURSE TIMETABLE
Human Resources and Industrial Relations – GSOB 8HR (MBA1)
DATE LECTURE SUBJECT LECTURER

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

July 16 1 IR Overview & the Employment Relationship NA

23 2 Labour Legislation NA

30 3 Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment LNO

August 06 4 BEE – 2 x Guest Speakers LNO

13 5 Employment Equity NA

20 6 Law of Unfair Dismissal NA

27 7 Case Law (Landmark Judgements) LNO

September 03 8 Collective Bargaining & Negotiation Skills LNO

HUMAN RESOURCES

10 9 The Role & Function of Human Resources NA

17 10 Reward and Remuneration NA

24 11 Public Holiday -
October 01 12 Pay Structuring – Guest Speaker NA

08 13 Performance Management LNO

15 14 Leadership LNO

22 15 Class Test NA/LNO

29 16 Strategically Managing the HR Function LNO

16 lectures x 2.5 hours = 40 hours

PRESCRIBED READING -
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
(South African Employment Relations – Theory and Practice)
P.S. Nel, B.J. Swanepoel et al

Compulsory Lecture
Chapter Title Lecturer
Y/N No.
Introducing the Fundamentals of Employment
1 Y 1 NA
Relations
The Employment Relations Role Players & Stake
2 Y 1 NA
Holders
Y The Development of Employment Relations in
3 1 NA
2ND Part South Africa – Sections 3. 5, 3.6, 3.7

4 Y Core Labour Legislation 2 NA

2
5 Y Other Legislation in South Africa NA
5

6 Y Collective Bargaining and Negotiations 8 LNO

7 Y Industrial Action and Strike Handling 2 NA

8 Y Organisation - Level Mechanisms and Processes 6 NA

Industrial Democracy, Participation &

9 Y General -
Cooperation
H/R
10 Y Human Resource Perspective NA
Section
 PRESCRIBED READING -
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
(Gaining a competitive advantage)

Noe – Hullenbeck – Gerhart – Wright – McGraw Hill

Compulsory Lecture
Chapter Title Lecturer
Y/N No.
HR Management – Gaining a Competitive
1 Y 8 NA/Guest
Advantage
2 Y Strategic HR Management 8 NA/Guest
The Legal Environment – equal employment Covered in
3 N 2
opportunity and safety IR
4 N The Analysis and Design of Work N/C -

5 Y Human Resource Planning and Recruitment 9 NA

6 Y Selection and placement 9 NA

7 Y Training N/C -

8 Y Performance Management 13 LNO

9 Y Employee Development N/C -

10 N Employee Separation and Retention N/C -

11 Y Pay Structure Decision 12 NA/Guest

12 Y Recognising Employee Contribution with Pay 10 NA

13 N Employee Benefits N/C -

Covered in
14 N Collective Bargaining and Labour Relations 7
IR
15 Y Managing HR Globally 16 LNO

16 Y Strategically Managing the HRM function 16 NA/LNO

 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

MBA 1
Human Resources and Industrial
Relations
Course No.: GSOB8HR 200

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT – Choose one

(1) Topic only
Question 1

a) With the aid of a diagram, illustrate and discuss the main elements of the Labour Relations Act No. 66 of
1995

b) Thereafter with reference to the diagram you developed fully discuss the implications of the major elements
on the employment relationship

OR

Question 2
Assume that you have just been appointed to the position of Human Resources Manager for a newly established
manufacturing business that will be producing component parts for the motor industry.

Develop a comprehensive RECRUITMENT, SELECTION AND PLACEMENT STRATEGY for the Company for the
following categories of staff

a) Unskilled and semi-skilled factory workers

b) Skilled Artisan/Engineering staff, admin and office staff and mid management

c) Senior Staff

Detail what processes, procedures and safeguards you will put in place in order to successfully recruit, select and
Graduate School of Business

MBA 1
Human Resources and Industrial
Relations
Course No.: GSOB8HR 2008

GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Read the following two judgements:

Avril Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped v CCMA & Others
[2006] JOL 17623 (LC)

and

Sidumo & another v Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd & Others (2007) 12 BLLR 1097 (LAC) 24 (2)

Now indicate the effect both judgements will have on the holding of disciplinary hearing at the
workplace.
 ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTION

1) The group and individual assignments must be completed and submitted on the
dates as outlined in the Assessment Calendar.

PLEASE NOTE: No extension on the hand-in date, for whatever reason, will be
considered.

2) Late submission will incur the following penalties:

DEGREE OF LATENESS PENALTY TO FINAL MARK

Day 1 - Day 7 10% Subtracted

Day 2 – Day 14 15% subtracted

15 Days and Beyond At discretion of Lecturer, capped at 50%

3) Assignments should not be less than ten (10) and no more than fourteen (14) typed A4
pages.

4) Pages should be presented in 1½ line spacing in a common type font, such as Arial or
Times New Roman and a type size of 12 pt.

5) Assignments must include an Executive Summary and a full Bibliography, including all
Internet references.

6) All quotes are to be fully acknowledged!

7) The individual assignment will carry a weighting of forty percent (30%) towards the
attainment of a D.P. Certificate.
 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MIS COURSE OUTLINE 2008

TOPIC STUDY MATERIAL

GROUP RESEARCH
DATE
WEEK TOPICS/CASE STUDIES

Introduction to Course.
15th July 2008
1 Overview of Strategy
Concepts and
Framework

The impact of IT on
22nd July 2008 “Business Driven traditional business location
Information Systems in
2 Information Systems” paradigms in South Africa
Business
Chapter 1
Cases in Chapter 1

The need for Business

29th July 2008 “Business Driven Process Management in
Strategic Decision
3 Information Systems” South Africa
Making
Chapter 2
Cases in Chapter 2

Suggest how e-business can

5th August 2008 “Business Driven revolutionise the business
4 E-Business Information Systems” model of a SA organization
Chapter 3
Cases in Chapter 3

“Business Driven Corporate Governance in

12th August 2008 Ethics and Information
5 Information Systems” SA with particular reference
Security
Chapter 4 to IT

Cases in Chapter 4

19th August 2008 “Business Driven

The state of open source in
6 IT Architectures Information Systems”
South Africa
Chapter 5
Cases in Chapter 5

7 26th August 2008 Data Resource

Management
“Business Driven
Information Systems”
Chapter 6 Knowledge Management in
 South African organisations

Cases in Chapter 6

2nd September 2008 Networks, “Business Driven

How could the use of RFIDs
8 Telecommunications & Information Systems”
assist in World Cup 2010?
Wireless Computing Chapter 7
Cases in Chapter 7

9th September 2008 “Business Driven

Supply Chain The role of SCM in time-
9 Information Systems”
Management based competition
Chapter 8
Cases in Chapter 8

“Business Driven IT’s contribution to

16th September 2008 Customer Relationship
10 Information Systems” Relationship Selling in South
Management
Chapter 9 Africa

Cases in Chapter 9

Best practice in ERP

“Business Driven systems – relevance for
Enterprise Resources
11 23rd September 2008 Information Systems” South Africa
Planning &
Collaboration Systems Chapter 10
Cases in Chapter 10

30th September 2008

7th October 2008 Group Assignment
12 & 13
Presentations

14th October 2008 “Business Driven

14 Systems Development Information Systems”
Chapter 11 Cases in Chapter 11

Chapters 1 to 11 of
“Business Driven
Information Open Book
15 21st October 2008 TEST
Systems”/”Information
Systems Project
Management” Olsen

16 28th October 2008 Project Management & “Business Driven The relevance of Change
Outsourcing Information Systems” Management for IT Projects
Chapter 12/“Information in South Africa
Systems Project
Management” Olsen Cases in Chapter 12
Important Dates

Written document plus individual

Individual Assignments
1 18th August 2008 PowerPoint presentation in electronic
hand-in to Admin
format

Written document signed by each

Group Assignments Group Member who participated plus
2 29th September
Hand-in to Admin PowerPoint presentation in electronic
format

Presentation of Group Assignment

30th September & Group Assignment PowerPoints – each Group Member
3
7th October Presentations to present a component of the
Assignment

4 21st October Test Open book

Assessment Weightings

1 Test Open Book 40%

Individual Document +
2 30%
Assignment PowerPoint

Group Document +
3 30%
Assignment PowerPoint

Individual Assignment
Background:

In his book “The Future of Management”, Gary Hamel discusses the new challenges of the volatile
environment facing 21st Century businesses:

 As the pace of change accelerates, more and more companies are finding themselves on the
wrong side of the change curve
 Deregulation along with the de-scaling effects of new technology, are dramatically reducing the
barriers to entry across a wide range of industries
 Increasingly companies are finding themselves enmeshed in “value-webs” and “ecosystems” over
which they have only partial control
 The digitization of anything not nailed down threatens companies that make their living out of
creating and selling intellectual property
 The Internet is rapidly shifting bargaining power from producers to consumers
 Strategy life cycles are shrinking
 Plummeting communication costs and globalization are opening up industries to a horde of new
ultra-low-cost competitors

Given this, Hamel suggests that organisations face three difficult challenges:

1) Dramatically accelerating the pace of strategic renewal in organisations, large and

small (“Little can be said with certainty about the future except this: sometime over the next
decade, your company will be challenged to change in a way for which it has no precedent”.)
2) Making innovation everyone’s job, every day. (“In a world where strategy life-cycles are
shrinking, innovation is the only way a company can renew its lease on success”.)
3) Creating a highly engaging work environment that inspires employees to give the very
best of themselves. (“There seems to be something in modern organisations that depletes
the natural resilience and creativity of human beings, something that literally leaches these
qualities out of employees during daylight hours.”)

Required:

• Select a South African organisation with which you are familiar (or have access to), which has
actively embraced management information systems/information technology.
• Using information where possible from personnel in the organisation, and other sources, including
a study of the industry in which the firm operates, evaluate:
– How the organization rates on these challenges versus their major competitors
– Unpack the issues contributing to the situation, using basic root cause analysis
– Evaluate the effectiveness of the organisation’s information technology/MIS in
contributing to the organisation’s readiness to meet these challenges
 Prepare a recommendation for the executive of this organization for utilizing IT/MIS as an
enabler for meeting these challenges, and helping it remain competitive over the next
decade.

Your assignment should be presented in the form of a written document, as well as an electronic
version of the document, and a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the top-line results of your
research together with your key recommendations.

Group Assignment
Background

Service delivery by Government has been criticized in recent months particular as it affects the poor and
lower income categories, living in rural, peri-urban and urban areas.

Although Government has articulated coherent strategies in many of these areas of concern, there
appear to be deficiencies in most caused by ineffective service delivery ‘on the ground’ including the
areas of:

• job creation
• health (particular focus on HIV/AIDS and provision of antiretrovirals)
• education
• crime
• the justice system
• housing
• poverty relief
• provision of social benefits
• provision of basic infrastructure – power, water, sewerage etc.

Required

Your group is required to look holistically at these issues and their interrelationships, and evaluate the
limitations and root causes contributing to poor service delivery, in at least three of the above.

Then you are required to review latest developments in IT which could be leveraged to provide innovative
self-sustaining models to:

- enhance service delivery in terms of optimizing the supply chains involved.

- create opportunities for employment
- ensure that the value chain rewards participants in an equitable manner
- enables services to reach the consumer at lowest cost and within significantly shortened
cycle times.
Prepare recommendations for the design of these models, and a strategy going forward.

Develop a series of pilot projects that should be embarked on to give effect to your recommendations,
setting out the key activities for each, a projection of timeframes, and a broad-based analysis of
anticipated costs.

You should also do a risk analysis for each project, providing risk ratings and mitigating action plans for
each risk identified.

Your group assignment should be presented in the form of a written document, as well as an electronic
version of the document, and a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the top-line results of your research
together with your key recommendations.

Your Group will also be required to make a presentation to the class.