MBA Online

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 4] Design & Creativity (T. Kamegai) (2009/Term 3&4 (Spring&Summer))

Learning how to be creative is one of the great managerial challenges in the Knowledge Economy. What was once central to companies – price, quality, and much of the left-brain, digitized, analytical work associated with explicit knowledge – is being shipped off to developing countries. The new core competence is increasingly becoming the right brain that smart companies are harnessing to generate top-line growth. The challenge is no longer just making assembly lines run more efficiently, but creating consumer experiences, not just products, and reconceiving entire brand categories, not just adding a few more colors.

Companies are beginning to realize that design is often the path to innovation as well as the source of competitive advantage. Apple and Samsung are recent cases in point. In these creative companies, design is starting to play a key role in connecting with their customers’ emotions, linking R&D labs to consumer needs, recalibrating employee incentives to emphasize creativity, and constructing maps that show the path to innovation. These creative companies mastered a new design thinking and created products that address consumers’ unmet, and often unarticulated, desires. They built an innovation DNA and culture that bring about high success rates, routinely beating competitors.
Course Structure

The course is structured to empower your creative mind by learning the following:
(1) Strategic approaches to create great design
(2) Synergy of visual images and touch/feel
(3) Building creative relationships with others
Teaching Method

The course will be based on “learning by doing.” We will engage in projects and activities that will make use of both your mind and body.

ICS , Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy

[Term 3] Negotiation (S. Akutsu) (2009/Term 3&4 (Spring&Summer))

The goal of this course is to enable students to be more effective negotiators. In many situations, such as transactions between suppliers and buyers, deals between venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, conflicts between management and unions, and alliances between two firms, different parties typically have different interests, perceptions, and values; thus, negotiation skill is a key factor for success.

The course will provide a brief introduction of game theory, behavioral decision-making theory, and social psychology, which are fundamental to effective negotiation. The course will also emphasize practice so that students will have a chance to test theories and understand them based on hands-on negotiation experience.

Since this is a relatively short, basic course, the focus is limited. The focus is to provide a conceptual framework, which will help students analyze problems, and to provide a general approach, which will help students reach successful outcomes. Thus, while the course will draw on examples from a variety of contexts, each situation may be simplified to clarify the point at the cost of discussion of details. Students are encouraged to apply what they have learned in this course to real, complex situations, such as job hunting, negotiation with venture capitalists, etc.
Course Structure

In the first session, the course overview, some basic concepts and negotiation frameworks will be presented. Thereafter, students will go through different kinds of negotiation exercises, such as developer-tenant negotiation, cross-cultural joint-venture negotiation, and negotiation for corporate change. The last session will synthesize what has been learned to wrap up the course.
Teaching Method

While this course will be primarily exercise oriented, lectures, videos and guest speaker sessions will be effectively combined to teach both theory and practice. On top of participation, each exercise will typically require students to be well prepared before negotiation, and to reflect on and discuss key lessons after negotiation. Lectures by the instructor and insights of guest experts will help students better prepare and reflect on negotiation exercises.

ICS , Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy

[Term 2] Corporate Restructuring (R. Yasuda) (2008/Term 1&2 (Fall&Winter))

The objective of this course is to enable students to grasp the essence of success and failure in corporate restructuring, master the basic skills required for corporate restructuring, familiarize them with the key players and their activities including private equity firms and turnaround managers, and apply what they learn to real case examples.

Although the crisis created by NPLs (non-performing loans) seems to have peaked, there are still many corporations that need urgent turnaround. Furthermore, in order to respond to the recent economic recovery, survival alone is not enough for true corporate restructuring. Value creation after restructuring becomes more and more important. Corporate restructuring should change the old corporate culture and establish the business platform for future growth.

On the other hand, private equity funds have become increasingly active in investing in troubled companies and capturing value created through a series of corporate restructuring measures. As such, corporate restructuring is now one of the key issues of corporate executives and investors.
Course Structure

This course will be offered each Wednesday throughout the spring semester. The course will examine key issues of corporate restructuring in the current economy.

First we will cover the five steps of turnaround management:
(1) Quick diagnosis and assessment of the crisis
(2) Short-term cash flow generation and balance sheet restructuring
(3) Business portfolio restructuring
(4) Recovery from bankruptcy
(5) Rehabilitation for future growth

For each step, the basic concept and required financial and operational skills will be discussed.

Then we will review how private equity funds (PEFs) identify turnaround opportunities and enhance value through various types of restructuring of the acquired company. We will cover how PEFs assess the hidden value of troubled companies, how they structure financial schemes, how they enhance corporate value, and how they exit successfully.
Teaching Method

The course will comprise three elements: (1) lectures on basic concepts and methodology, (2) class discussions with students, and (3) application of theory to two types of cases. For each theme, a lecture will be given first, followed by analysis of the first case, which will give students an opportunity to apply basic methodology to the case. Many of these analyses will be conducted in the form of homework assignments. The second case, which focuses on an actual company’s case, will be used in the class discussion. This will give the students a chance to get a more comprehensive picture of turnaround management, including interactions with banks, human and organizational issues, as well as financial and strategic issues.

The pattern of “lecture/application of methodology to cases/discussion of actual cases” will be repeated in each theme. Guest speakers will also be invited to share their turnaround experiences.

Finally, students are encouraged to choose a real case at the beginning of the course and apply what they have learned to design their own restructuring plans in groups.

Introduction
The part-time MBA at HKU is designed to help you comprehend, come to grips with, manage and capitalise on the region’s dynamic and fast-evolving business environment. As the Asian economy continues to grow, it is vital that business leaders from the region are exposed to cutting-edge business education which is tailor-made for achieving success in the dynamic Asian arena.

The HKU MBA adopts an experiential-learning approach, with a strong focus on China and Asia. You will learn how to apply business principles and models to real-world business problems in China and the region. All the courses are taught using context-rich business scenarios and cases based on actual experiences at well-known Asian and global companies.

Five essential themes critical to the success of multinational and regional firms in Asia today are featured in our courses:

1. China and the Global Economy
2. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
3. Finance
4. Services and Marketing Management
5. Technology and Operations Management.

These five themes identify the various challenges faced by firms in Asia as they build their sustainable corporate advantage. We believe that by acquiring up-to-date knowledge, analytical tools and management skills related to these themes, MBA students would be well prepared for their careers as senior executives in Asia.

Weekday and Weekend Modes

HKU MBA is now offered both in weekday and weekend modes. Students may choose the most suitable study mode depending upon their work commitments. Upon approval, a certain degree of flexibility between weekday and weekend mode courses may be allowed. Weekday or weekend mode applies to core courses only, while electives are offered from a common pool which consists of weekday and weekend mode courses.

Weekday Mode

Students study at the heart of the city in our Town Centre located in Admiralty. Classes meet twice a week on weekday evenings. Evening classes will be held from 6:30pm to 9:45pm.

Weekend Mode

Classes will be held on Saturdays at our Town Centre located in Admiralty, HKU main campus in Pokfulam or our new centre located at Cyberport. As classes will be conducted only once a week on Saturday, students will be expected to dedicate the entire day from 10am to 7pm.

Full-time MBA
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and its unique MBA Programme is a major participant in, and contributor to, the business culture of Hong Kong and Mainland China.
MBA students today demand an approach that can set them up for success both regionally and across a wider world; a learning experience that bestows upon them a first-class education, real-world experience, and a deep understanding of international business, and cultural differences and nuances. Our MBA Programme is specifically designed to produce those outcomes. The Asia-Pacific and China focus gives our students a unique advantage to build their career in the region and beyond.

Learn business where the business is
Mainland Chinese come to HKU to look at their country from the outside, and to learn the business methodologies of the West; while overseas students get to experience China and Asia firsthand. Both are able to relate their knowledge to a global playing field.

Diversity is key
Our location in a city with such a rich business and entrepreneurial heritage is an immense advantage for students.

Not surprisingly, Hong Kong has become a magnet for MBA students from all over the world. A significant percentage of our student body is from overseas and the PRC, which, combined with local students, produces an exciting and stimulating mix of backgrounds. Our professors are all distinguished in their fields and come from different countries, creating a truly international experience.

Partnerships
The unique partnerships with world-renowned business schools such as London Business School and Columbia Business School offer our students unmatched opportunities in terms of educational experience and networking. Our existing partnership with Fudan University in China further complements the overall experience.

Industry Analysis (EKM 3410)

This course is designed to sharpen students’ capability to analysis the industry as a basis of strategy formulation. The aim of the course is to enhance students’ understanding of the industry structure and characteristics, the key success factors and driving forces in the evolution of the industry, and the analysis of their impacts on strategy formulation and implementation.

Advanced Accounting I (EKA 3101)

This course examines accounting topics for partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, business combinations, and discusses other advanced topics beyond the topics introduced in the first-year prerequisite courses, such as foreign currency translation and partnership accounting. It is designed to prepare students to interpret and analyze financial statements effectively. Therefore, prior to taking this course, students are expected to have a sound grasp of the basics of financial accounting.

Advanced Accounting II (EKA 3102)

As a follow on from Advanced Accounting I, this course explores in a greater depth financial reporting topics introduced in Advanced Accounting I as well as other transactions not covered in that prerequisite course. Special emphasis is put upon specific problem solving in accounting for partnerships, business combinations and consolidations, inter-company transactions, and other aspects of inter-corporate stock ownership necessary for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. Intensive class participation is required for the success of the learning process.

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.

The University of Hong Kong

Bachelor of Business Administration (Information Systems)

[BBA(IS)] {in conjunction with BEng(CS)}*

Jointly offered by the School of Business and the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering, this is a four-year, double-degree programme. The BBA(IS)/BEng(CS) programme aims to train information technology (IT) specialists and the managers of tomorrow by blending two strategic disciplines into a single programme for the bright and highly motivated. It provides both IT and essential business training to give students a unique edge in their quest for business success.

After successfully completing the first three years of study, students will be awarded a BBA(IS) degree. After an additional fourth year, they will obtain the Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science [BEng(CS)] degree.

*Please note that the fourth year of this double-degree programme operates on a self-financing basis, and the fees are therefore slightly higher than the usual undergraduate fees. Those requiring financial assistance can apply for non-means tested loans, repayable at an interest rate to be determined by the Government.
Admission Requirements

For admission to the programme, applicants are required to satisfy the following requirements in addition to the University Entrance Requirements: