MBA Online

Graduate School of Business Sciences at University of Tsukuba

Advanced Program

Marketing Communication
Consumer Marketing
Selected Topics in Marketing Science
Distribution System Theory
Advanced topics in marketing and strategic management
Fundamentals in Strategic Management
Human Resource Development
Business and Society
Management in Non-Profit Organizations
Medical and Walfare Management
Topics of Sport Business
Topics of Professional Sport
Budgetary Planning and Control
Capital Market and Business
Advanced Topics in Financial Engineering
Mathematical Finance
Advanced Management Accounting
Advanced Topics in Financial Business
Econometric Methods
Statistical Methods and Their Application
Advanced Statistical Model
Advanced Theory in Stochastic Processes
Applied Probadility Theory
Fundamentals of Mathematical Programming
Logistics
Advanced Techniques of Product Design
Fundamentals of Total Quality Management
Fundamental of Dynamic Systems
Soft Computing
Fundamentals of Management Science
Special lecture on Performance Management
Special lecture on Project Management
Production Management
Special Lecture in Management Science
Software Design and Implementation
Advanced Lectures of Information　retrieval
Intellectual Document Control
Human Interfaces
Information Systems Technology
Issues on Network
Information Management
Special Lecture on Software Engineering
Requirements Engineering
Complex networks
Intelligent systems
Media and Information Management
Information and Media Strategies
Special Lecture on Information Systems
Special Lecture on Computer Sciences
Systems Engineering

Business Communications
This course combines lecture, discussion and presentation. Its subject is communication as it applies to managers in organizations. This course will help you to analyze audiences, develop arguments, test your ability to persuade in writing and speaking, and improve your overall ability to effectively communicate as managers. Students will examine and practice the communication strategies and skills that are essential for success in business as well as learn how to improve their ability to communicate effectively as managers . Course work will primarily involve individual and group presentations; class participation and discussion; exercises designed to sharpen individual and group performance; and both persuasive and expressive writing. More specifically, this course aims to improve your understanding of the four following areas:

(1) Communication Strategy

(2) Managerial Speaking

(3) Managerial Presentation and Writing

(4) Cross-cultural Communication and Group Dynamics

ICS , Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy
[Term 3] Competitiveness of Firms & Clusters (Y. Ishikura) (2009/Term 3&4 (Spring&Summer))

Today, competitiveness is discussed extensively at multiple levels: the level of the firm, city, region, and/or country. There are many competitiveness rankings available, addressing different levels, such as the Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness has become an important issue not only for the firm but also the nation/city/region, partly because of the advancement of ICT (Information & Communication Technology) and of globalization.

This course explores the determinants of competitiveness and economic development viewed from a bottom-up, business perspective. While sound macroeconomic policies, stable legal and political systems, and investment in human and physical capital create the potential for competitiveness, wealth is actually created at the business level. The sophistication and productivity of firms, the vitality of clusters, and the quality of the business environment in which competition takes place are the ultimate determinants of a nation’s or region’s productivity. Wealth is created not by governments, but by companies in the private sector.

This course covers both developing and advanced economies, and addresses competitiveness at the level of nations, regions, or cities within nations, clusters, and groups of neighboring countries. A major theme of the course is that competitiveness and economic development are affected by circumstances and policies at all of these levels.

The course is concerned with the role of government, and also with the roles of firms, universities, and other institutions in determining competitiveness. In modern international competition, the roles of these constituencies have shifted and expanded, and the traditional separation between them has worked against successful economic development.

Under these circumstances, business executives today are expected to play a more active role in shaping the business environment, which determines a nation’s, region’s, or city’s productivity. They are expected to have global and inter-disciplinary perspectives. They can no longer be concerned only with the domestic market or their industry. As world trade continues to increase, an open system for innovation is becoming more prevalent, and financial trouble originating in one market can affect the world very quickly.

Business executives can no longer focus only on the bottom line, as “companies can help create a better society while improving their bottom line, by focusing on contributions aligned with their core competencies and corporate missions…” (quoted from the WEF 2008 summary, Corporate Global Citizenship in the 21st Century”). As was pointed out at the WEF annual meeting in 2008, the collaboration of businesses, governments, and NGOs is perceived to be critical in resolving global issues, such as energy and the environment in today’s globalized world.

This course attempts to address these emerging issues facing future leaders, whether they are in companies, governments, other institutions, or civil society organizations. As such, this course is different from most MBA courses in the following respects. First, it is not purely a management course, but a course focused on economic development and prosperity. While it explores implications for companies and the new, expanded role of business executives, the course discusses the roles of other important constituencies, such as government and social entrepreneurial organizations.

The ability to mount and sustain a competitiveness improvement strategy for a nation or region is a daunting challenge. Thus, the course will explore not only theory and policy, but also the nature of the organizational structure, institutions, and processes required for sustained improvements in competitiveness.

Some of the questions which have emerged from past attempts to deal with the issue of competitiveness, economic development, and prosperity include the following:
• How can the economy move from one that is resource-based (such as those dependent on oil and other natural resources) to one that is investment-based and diversified?
• How can we create an innovative economy?
• How do we make these changes happen, as the process of improving competitiveness involves many diverse organizations with different agendas, mentalities, and thought processes?

The course was originally created by Professor Michael E. Porter at the Harvard Business School. It is offered not only in the Harvard University community, but also simultaneously by professors at other universities around the world.
Course Structure

The course consists of Three Modules. Module I discusses Firms, Industries, and Locations. Module II covers the Microeconomic Business Environment, which is the main topic of the course. Module III refers to the Economic Strategy for Nations, States and Regions. Advanced topics will be covered as well.

The course will build on topics such as “firms and industry competition” (covered in the Competitive Strategy course in Term 1) and problem definition and implementation (covered in the Problem Solving course in Term 2). The course will also touch upon issues such as the Mission, Vision, and Value of individual leaders, which will be covered during the Knowledge Week offered in June.
Teaching Method

The course will be taught using the case method, together with readings, lectures (both real and virtual), and guests (both real and virtual).

As it is a joint course with HBS and other institutions throughout the world, content is shared via the Internet.

We will show some videos of Michael Porter’s lectures and of the guests at the Harvard Business School. In addition, we plan to have some guests just for ICS.

Business Communications (EKM 3414)

This course discusses concepts, techniques, and the application of business communication. The primary focus of discussion is to build effective writing and oral communication skills, to enhance the understanding of contemporary communication, and to understand the concepts of communication ethics and employment communication.

Course Structure for 2008/09

There are success skill courses, knowledge courses and elective courses. Candidates are required to complete all four success skills courses, nine core courses and a total of six elective courses.
SUCCESS SKILLS COURSES
Business communication (half course)
Business ethics and law (full course)
Creativity and business innovation (full course)
Leadership (half course)
CORE KNOWLEDGE COURSE
Accounting for business decisions
Competitive strategy
Corporate finance
Decision and risk analysis
Global Economy
Managerial economics
Organization behavior
Strategic information systems
Strategic marketing management
ELECTIVE COURSES
Advanced Corporate Finance
Business Law
Current Topics in Human Resource Management
Derivative Securities
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation
E-Transformation
Fast Companies
Game Theory and its Application in Business
Marketing Research and its Business Application
Project Management
Risk Management
Strategic Marketing Management

Curriculum
Length of curriculum

The curriculum shall extend over not less than two academic years of part-time studies in Shanghai.
Completion of curriculum

To complete the curriculum candidates shall follow instructions on the prescribed syllabuses, attend the required seminars and tutorials, complete satisfactorily the prescribed written assignments, case workshops, class tests and projects, and such other practical exercises as may be prescribed, and satisfy the examiners in the prescribed examinations.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Part Time MBA Curriculum

The HKUST MBA curriculum is designed to develop your ability to operate successfully in a global economy, and manage effectively in the Asian context. There are two main components: required cores (~65%) and advanced electives (~35%).

Required Cores
The required cores cover areas in
Accounting,
Economics,
Finance, Marketing,
Operation Management,
Organization Behavior,
Strategy, Communications,
Business Laws and Ethics.
They are arranged in three tiers - foundation,
function, and integration - to provide a foundation for further study in chosen areas.

Advanced Course
The advanced electives comprise over 35% of the HKUST MBA curriculum, allowing participants to strengthen their expertise in chosen areas.

Course Delivery and Assessment
Course delivery methods range from lectures, discussions, seminars and case analysis to simulation, individual and group projects, and presentations. Assessment may include class participation, individual assignments, group projects and presentations, quizzes and exams, depending on the nature of the course. Faculty members select the appropriate mix of delivery and assessment for the best teaching results.

The language of instruction is English.

Required Coures
The required cores are arranged in three tiers - foundation, function and integration. These provide fundamental management knowledge and a foundation for further study in chosen areas.

Foundation Cores
Financial Accounting Foundations
Helps you master the art of accounting, from reading and analyzing financial statements to understanding incentives in selecting different accounting methods.

Introductory Statistics for Business
The statistical concepts essential to business decision-making. Covers probability models, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression.

Managerial Accounting Foundations
Applications of management accounting concepts and principles that help firms make value-creating decisions. Real-world cases explore planning, control, investment, contracting and performance evaluation.

Managerial Communication
Improves communication skills with the focus on five critical areas: active listening, productive meetings, professional interviewing, high-impact presentations and effective writing. Uses group work, simulations and role-play.

Managerial Microeconomics
Introduces the economic concepts and tools every manager must understand: demand and supply, monopoly and competition, pricing policy and game theory. Cases and project work focused on decision-making applications.

Managerial Problem Solving
The first core course hones your skills in problem-solving, case analysis and presentation, team-building and leadership. Includes dynamics of group decision-making and provides personal insights through assessment of leadership style and experiential learning.

Function Cores
Corporate Finance
Analytical framework for the major types of investment and financing decisions made by firms. Includes corporate investment decisions and how firms decide between alternative sources of financing.

Fundamentals of Information Technology Management
Application of IT to various business models and processes to create and sustain competitive advantages. Balanced perspective on opportunities and challenges, together with a sampling of technology.

Management of Organizations
Concepts of effective management and leadership in a rapidly changing world. Focuses on individual and group decision-making, effective motivation of employees, negotiating skills, managing organizational culture and directing change.

Marketing Strategy and Policy
Provides understanding of the decisions facing managers at the marketing operations level. Develops skills in marketing analysis, marketing mix strategies, monitoring and controlling marketing action plans.

Operations Management
Key concepts, tools and best practices related to managing operations in a globalized world. Examines process analysis, supply chain, inventory management and quality management.

Integration Cores
Business Law and Ethics
Builds understanding of the legal environment and sharpens legal sense for business decision-making. Looks at different legal systems on issues, such as contracts, corporate governance and conflict resolution in an international context.

China in the Global Economy
Develops understanding of the Chinese economy in a macroeconomic context, with frequent cross-cultural comparisons. Builds skills to anticipate changes in the macro economy and economic policy, and introduces tools to evaluate the impact of these changes on the business environment.

Strategic Management
Examines successful strategies to help firms achieve superior performance and create value for shareholders. Analysis of competitive advantage a central theme

Advance Course
Advanced courses provide students with more in depth knowledge which allow them to develop additional expertise in areas such as Information Technology Management, Operations Management, Marketing and Financial Services.

Below are samples of advanced courses offered for Shenzhen MBA program in recent years (subject to change by the program office):
Business Optimization
Global Supply Chain Management
Global Macroeconomics
Investment Analysis
International Management
Business Simulation Game

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
Application Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Executive MBA program must:a. Possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an approved institution, or possess recognized professional qualifications equivalent to a degree;
b. Have at least 10 years of significant full-time work experience after obtaining their bachelor’s degree or professional qualifications; and
c. Have company sponsorship and support.

For applicants who were educated at institutions where the primary language of instruction was not English and whose native language is not English, a satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required.

In addition to an academic background, the candidates should be able to demonstrate that:a. Their organization sponsor considers they are outstanding and have potential within the organization;
b. They are holding, or will soon hold, positions of executive responsibility that make the program of value in furthering their career; and
c. They have both the time and the motivation to make the commitment to attend classes and prepare assignments.

Each Executive MBA participant is required to have his or her own portable personal computer. Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with word processing, email and spreadsheet analysis on PCs prior to the beginning of coursework. They must also maintain personal email accounts to facilitate communication with the Executive MBA program office, the faculty and other Executive MBA participants.
The target size for each Executive MBA class is 50-60 students.

French (Business French) at Business School (SIFT)

French (Business French) four years

This project is intended to cultivate advanced and specialized personnel for foreign economics and trade departments and enterprises, foreign-fund enterprises, multinationals and overseas enterprises. Students graduating from this program will be acquainted with the basic concepts and general practices of international trade and economics, while at the same time acquire solid basis of French language and convincing abilities of listening , speaking, reading and writing, especially the ability to apply French language to business field. Moreover, students will have deep understanding of French society and culture and good mastery of English communication skills.

Major courses include: French Intensive Reading, French Listening and Speaking, Survey of France, Business French, Marketing French, French Correspondence and Negotiations of Foreign Economics and Trade, French Journal Reading, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, International Trade Practices, International Finance, Business French, Marketing Rationales, Second Foreign Language.

Disciplined teaching, professional service, enlightened conversations and creative exercises are the core benefits of the Cheung Kong EMBA. Our world-class faculty combines Western management theories with Chinese applications in the classroom. Students are encouraged to develop their individual potential while bonding with each other through teamwork.

Innovative Course Scheduling and Design
The program lasts 20 months, with classes meeting once a month on a four day weekend, thus minimizing intrusion into a regular work schedule.
The curriculum is designed on the basis of modules to facilitate simultaneous learning. Students are required to spend extensive time at school in order to become familiar with learning tools and each other.
Classes held on different campuses are independent from each other, but a portion of all courses are held at the Beijing Campus for networking purposes.
A broad range of electives are offered to complement the core curriculum.

Collaborative Teaching and Learning Environment
The main working language is Chinese, with simultaneous translation and printed bilingual materials provided for those taught by non-Chinese speaking faculty members.
Teaching methods include lectures, cases, computer simulations, group discussion, and seminars, with a strong emphasis on communication between students as well as between students and faculty.
At the conclusion of each class, the students will be asked to evaluate the faculty member’s performance to ensure the quality of teaching.
While the majority of the courses offered at the Beijing campus will be local, 2 to 3 weeks are set aside for field trips which include studying the local economy, visiting well-known local companies, and engaging in discussions with local business and government leaders. The purpose of these field trips is to provide solutions for the problems faced by the local economy and its businesses.
In addition to the course offerings, numerous industry-specific organizations and geography-specific alumni associations provide additional opportunities for exchanges and networking.

A Program with Global Vision
The 15-day International Residency Program (optional and non-credit granting) offered in collaboration with other top business schools includes classroom learning and visits to some of the world’s best known companies.
“Learning with the Masters”, and “The Cheung Kong EMBA Forum” provide additional platforms for students to develop their individual learning potential, leadership skills, entrepreneurial spirit and humanistic values.