Synopsis for MBA
SUBJECT / CODE / SYPNOSIS / TOPICS COVERED / MAIN TEXT BOOK
Legal Environment of Business for Managers / GBML1013 / This subject equips students with a sound understanding of the various legal issues relating to business and commerce. Students are made aware as to legal issues affecting business organisations like partnerships and limited companies. Employment and industrial relations sub-topics are also included to enable students to appreciate issues pertaining to human resources. / I Introduction
Business Organizations
II. Legal Issues Affecting Partnership and Limited Companies
III. Issues in Labour Laws and Industrial Relations Laws /
  1. Ayadurai, D. (2004). Industrial relations in Malaysia – law and practice (3rd ed.). Kuala Lumpur: Malayan Law Journal.
  1. Rachagan, S., Pascoe, J., & Joshi, A. (2005). Concise principles of company law. Kuala Lumpur: Malayan Law Journal.

Operations Management / GBMM1013 / The central theme of this subject is examination of how an organisation can best manage its resources to produce goods and deliver services that are valued by the customer. The subject investigates the concepts that are fundamental to achieving high performing, competitive operations across different sectors and across different types of organisation. In particular it addresses service operations management, quality management, planning and control, order fulfilment, supply chain management concepts, JIT and lean concepts, facilities planning, operations strategy and project management. The need for integrated, holistic perspectives in operations management is stressed. / 1. The Context of Operations Management (OM)
2. Process Analysis & Design
3. Product Design & Process Selection
4. Product Design for Services
5. Service Designs
6. Project Management (PM) Process
7. Planning Capacity, Location & Layout
8. Employee Productivity
9. Controlling : TQM
10.Operation Scheduling & Purchasing
11.Supply Chain Management & JIT
12.Technology Management, BPR and Synchronous Manufacturing /
  1. Russell & TaylorI, B. W. (2006). Operations Management: Quality and Competitiveness in a Global Environment (5th ed). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
  2. Davis, M., and Heineke, J. (2005). Operations Management: Integrating Manufacturing and Services (5th ed). NY:McGraw-Hill.
  3. Heizer, J., and Render, B. (2006). Operations Management (8th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
  4. Krawjewski, L. and Ritzman, L., and Malhotra, M. (2007). Operations Management: Processes and Value Chains (8th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
  5. Slack, N., Chambers, S., and Johnston, R. (2007). Operations Management (5th ed). Essex: Pearson Education.
  6. Stevenson, W. J. (2007). Operations Management (9th ed). NY:McGraw-Hill

Organisational Behaviour and Analysis / GBMM1023 / The subject is designed to allow students to understand behavior in organizations at the individual and group levels. It also provides students with a wider perspective of analyzing organizations as open systems. A range of concepts, theories, methods of enquiry and paradigms on the processes of organizations will be explored. / Part I: Introduction
Introduction to Organizational Behaviour (OB)
Part II: Individual Process and Behaviour
Part III: Interpersonal Process and Behaviour
Part IV: Organizational Process /
  1. Daft, R. L. (2007). Understanding the theory and design of organization. Ohio: South-Western.
  1. Hitt, M. A., Miller, C. C. & Colella, A. (2006). Organizational behavior: A strategic approach. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Strategic Management for Corporations / GBMM1033 / This subject examines how an organisation’s strategies may be developed and implemented in response to internal and external factors and trends. The delivery of the knowledge base is supported by seminars and consultancy work where case studies, along with student experience are used to develop competencies in the use of a range of frameworks used to analyse the environmental factors and to evaluate and select strategic options. / 1. Introduction to Strategy
2.Three Schools of Thought on Strategy
3. Strategic Analysis
4. Strategic Choice
5.Strategic Implementation
6. New Developments /
  1. De Wit, B., & Meyer, R. (2005a) Strategy - process, context - an international perspective.
(3rd ed.). London: Thompson.
  1. Fitzroy, P. & Hulbert, J. (2005). Strategic management: creating value in turbulent times. London: John Wiley & Sons.
3. De Wit, B. & Meyer, R. (2005b). Strategy synthesis: resolving strategy paradoxes to create competitive advantage: concise version. London: International Thomson Business Press.
International Business / GBMB1013 / This subject is designed to give graduate students a better platform and knowledge about international business. Components of the subject include: Multinational Corporations’ (MNCs) motivations and mentalities; environmental challenges associated with the increasingly global nature of the world economy; strategic and competitive challenges; strategic collaboration and alliances between MNCs; organizational challenges for MNCs; challenges associated with the need to create worldwide learning organizations in order to compete effectively; challenges associated with individual managers; and future challenges for MNCs. / 1. International Business: An Overview
2. Comparative Environmental Frameworks
3. Theories and Institutions: Trade and Investment
4. World Financial Environment
5. The Dynamics of International Business – Government Relationships
6. Operations: Overlaying Tactical Alternatives
7. Ethics Social Responsibility
8. Future Challenges and Changes /
  1. Daniels, J. D., Radebaugh, L. H., & Sullivan, D. P. (2007). International business – environments and operations. (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
  1. Hill, C. W. L. (2007). International business: competing in the global marketplace. (6th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Irwin.

Strategic Human Resource Management / GBMH1013 / This subject focuses on the strategic issues of human resource management by applying theory to an organizational problem/issue. / 1. Corporate Strategy
2. The Nature of Strategic Human Resource Management Organisation Design and Culture
3. KeyExternal Considerations - Demographic Change, Political, Economic and Legal Changes
4. The Contribution of Information Management and Technology to Strategic Human Resource Management
5. Transformation of Strategic Decisions into Practical Policies, e.g.: Employment, Retention, Training and Development Policies
6. Human Resource and Strategic Planning
7. Strategic Staffing
8. Enabling and Evaluating Performance
9. Human Resource Development /
  1. Millmore, M., Lewis, P., Saunders, M., Thornhill, A., & Morrow, T. (2007). Strategic human resource management: Contemporary Issues. Financial Times Press.
  1. Armstrong, M. (2006). Strategic human resource management: A guide to action (3rd ed.). Kogan Page.

Quantitative Methods / GBEQ1013 / It includes descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, T-test, multivariate techniques, One-way ANOVA and Two-way ANOVA, Covariance and Cronbach Alpha. This module supports students in their Research Project module by providing a sound base in social research. Students will be required to use SPSS software for performing statistical analysis. Hence, this course also covers an introductory session on SPSS. / 1. Introduction to Statistics
2. Descriptive Statistics
3. Inferential Statistics
4. Two-sample Tests
5. Extended Two-sample Test
6. Simple Linear Regression Analysis Using SPSS
7. Introduction to Multivariate Analysis
8. Examining Data
9. Factor Analysis
10. Multiple Regression Analysis
11. Multiple Discriminant Analysis
12. Logistic Regression Analysis
13. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA / 1.Coakes, S. J. (2005). SPSS analysis without anguish – Version 12.0 for Windows. Queensland: John Wiley and Sons Australia Limited.
2.Hair, J., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (2006). Multivariate data analysis. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
3.Lind, D. A., Marchal, W. G., & Wathen, S. A. (2005). Statistical techniques in business & economics. (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
4.4. Keller, G. & Warrack, B. (2003). Statistics for management and economics. (6th ed.). Ohio: Thomson/South-Western.
Managerial Economics / GBEA1013 / This course is about application of economic principles to decision-making in competitive and uncertain business environment. It integrates the use of economics, maths, and financial analysis to make good business decisions. / 1. Introduction
2. Demand and Supply Analysis
3. Quantitative Demand Analysis
4. Production Analysis
5. Cost Analysis
6. Applications of Cost Theory
7. The Nature of Industry
8. Perfect & Monopolistic Competition
9. Pricing Techniques and Analysis /
  1. Baye, M. R. (2006). Managerialeconomics and business strategy (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
  1. 2. Hirschey, M. (2006). Managerial economics (10th ed). Ohio: Thomson/South-Western.
  1. 3. McGuigan, J. R, Moyer, R. C., & Harris, F. H. (2005). Managerial economics: applications, strategy and tactics (10th ed.). Ohio: Thomson-South-Western

Information Technology for Corporations / GBAI1023 / Information technology (IT) plays a critical role in a hypercompetitive, global business environment, helping organizations to gain competitive advantage and improve organizational effectiveness. This unit introduces strategic, managerial, operational and organizational aspects of information technology, examines IT planning frameworks and models, illustrates business applications of IT, discusses the use of IT in business decision making, explains IT investment evaluation, considers international IT management and reviews IT security and control measures. / 1. Business and organizational context of IT
2. Business Applications of IT
3. Enhancing Management Decision Making
4. Evaluating IT investment
5. Managing International IT
6. IT Security and Control / Turban, E., Leidner, D., McLean, E. & Wetherbe, J. (2008). Information technology for management (6th ed.). New York, NY: Wiley.
Financial Information and Control / GBAM1013 / The unit aims to provide students with an introduction to finance, to develop an ability to understand and to act upon financial information and to understand the effect of financial information on human behaviour. The unit also aims to develop student analytical and evaluative skills / 1. Financial Accounting and Reporting
2. Product / Service Costing
3. Budgetary Planning and Control
4. Financial and Non-financial Performance Indicators
5. Financial Management /
  1. Brigham, E. (2004). Fundamentals of financial management. (10th ed.). Fort Worth: HarcourtCollege.
  2. Drury, C. (2000). Management and cost accounting. London: International Thompson Business Press.
  3. Horngren, C., Foster, G., & Datar, S. (2000). Cost accounting: A managerial emphasis. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Business and Professional Ethics / GBAE1023 / Business professional who maintain a high degree of integrity, honesty and accountability to both shareholders and stakeholders in the manner they handle business transactions. Integrity and ethics is exercised even in the absence of a system of corporate governance in a company, and is driven more by personal values and principles /
  1. Introduction: Ethics and Business Responsibility
  2. The Corporation in Society
  3. 3. The Corporation and Public Policy
  4. The Corporation and Natural Environment
  5. Responding to Primary Stakeholders
/ 1. Archie, B. C., & Buchholtz, A. K. (2005). Business & society, ethics and stakeholder management. (6th ed.). Ohio: South-Western.
2. 2. Lawrence, A. T., & Weber, J. (2007). Business and society: stakeholder relations, ethics and
public policy. (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Entrepreneurship / GBTE1013 / This unit covers the essentials of entrepreneurship including ethics and social responsibility, and the various components of a business plan. / 1. The Entrepreneurial Revolution and Concept
2. Intrapreneurship
3. The Entrepreneurial Perspective
4. Developing the Entrepreneurial Plan
5. Initiating Entrepreneurial Ventures
6. Growth and Development of Entrepreneurial Ventures
7. Profiles in Entrepreneurship /
  1. Kuratko, D. F., & Hodgetts, R. M. (2007). Entrepreneurship: Theory, process, and practice (7th ed.). Ohio: South-Western.
  2. Barringer, B. R., & Ireland, R. D. (2006). Entrepreneurship: Successfully launching new ventures. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  3. Buskirk, B., & Lavik, M. (2004). Entrepreneurial Marketing: Real stories and survival strategies. Ohio: South-Western.
  4. Dollinger M. J. (2003). Entrepreneurship: Strategies and resources. (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  5. Kao, R. W. Y., & Tan, W. L. (2001). Entrepreneurship and enterprise development in Asia. Singapore: Prentice Hall.
  6. Lambing, P. A., & Kuehl, C. R. (2007). Entrepreneurship (4th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  7. Nelson, D. C., & Bell, J. D. (Eds). (2004). Profiles in Entrepreneurship: Leaving more than footprints. Ohio: South-Western.
  8. Zimmerer, T. W., & Scarborough, N. M. (2005). Essentials of entrepreneurship and small business management (4th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Business Consulting Skills / GBTE1023 / The unit comprises:
  1. Purpose of Consulting
  2. Marketing Consultancy Services
  3. The Consulting Process
  4. Current Consulting Opportunities
/
  1. Consultants’ Roles
  2. Overview and Attributes of a Typical Consulting Process
  3. Types of Consulting Engagement
  4. Professionalism, Legal and Ethical Issues
  5. Commitment to Continuous Learning and Professional Development
  6. Consulting Skill Sets, Competency and Capability
/
  1. Bagranoff, N. A., Bryant, S. M., & Hunton, J. E. (2002). Core concepts of consulting for accountants. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  2. Block, P. (2000). Flawless consulting: A guide to getting your expertise used (2nd ed.). New York: Jossey - Bass/Pfeiffer.
  3. Greiner, L., & Poulfelt, F. (Eds). (2005). Handbook of management consulting: The contemporary consultant. Ohio: South-Western.

Business Negotiation / GBTE1033 / This module comprises:
  • Nature of negotiation
  • Negotiation - strategizing, framing and planning
  • Distributive bargaining – strategy and tactics
  • Integrative negotiating
  • Perception, cognition and communications
  • Negotiation leverage and ethics in negotiation
/
  1. Introduction to Negotiation
  2. Preparation & Planning in Negotiation
  3. Distributive Bargaining
  4. Integrative Negotiation
  5. Perception, Cognition, and Communication
  6. Leverage and Ethical Consideration
  7. Taking Negotiation Talents Global
  8. Third-Party Approaches in Negotiation
/ Lewicki, R. J., Saunders, D. M., & Barry, B. (2006). Negotiation (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill / Irwin.
Malaysian Mergers and Acquisitions / GBFF1123 / The unit comprises of:
  1. Malaysian Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions(15%)
  2. Theoretical Motives for Mergers and Acquisitions (15%)
  3. The Legal Framework(20%)
  4. Due Diligence(30%)
E. Share PriceBehaviour (20%) / 1. Malaysian Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions
2. Theoretical Motives for Mergers and Acquisitions
3. The Legal Framework
4. Due Diligence
5. Stock Price Behaviour /
  1. Mat Nor, F. (2003). Malaysian mergers & acquisitions: theory and selected cases. Petaling Jaya, Selangor: Prentice Hall.

Business Research Methods / GBEZ1013 / This course includes understanding the various types of research, dealing with the conceptual issues of research, preparing literature review, research design, data processing and finally writing the research report. / 1. Understanding research
2. Dealing with practical issues of research
3. Dealing with conceptual issues of research
4. Starting a research
5. Theoretical framework and research questions
6. Literature review
7. Methodology
8. Processing data
9. Writing a research report / 1. Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2003). Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students (2nd ed.). New York: Palgrave MacMillan.
  1. 2. Hart, C. (1998). Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science research imagination. London: Sage.
  1. Kumar, R. (2005). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
4. Heppner, P.P. & Heppner, M.J. (2004). Writing and publishing your thesis, dissertation & research: A guide for students in the helping professions. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Marketing Management / GBTM1013 / The unit concentrates on decision making associated with marketing mix variables. It familiarizes students with the operational process of marketing and how it is integrated into the environment of the modern business entity. Using the resources available to the organizations to satisfy the needs of customers and generate adequate levels of return is critical to business success and an ultimate goal of marketing strategy. / Understanding Marketing Management
Capturing Marketing Insights
Connecting with Customers
Building Strong Brands
Shaping the Market Offerings
Delivering Value
Communicating Value
Creating Long-Term Growth /
  1. Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2006). Marketing management. (12th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
2. Wood, M. (2005). Marketing plan handbook and marketing plan pro. (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall
Research Project / GBMZ2016 / Students will be guided by respective supervisors in completing the research projects. Support classes will be given to the students in the form of workshops. The workshops will cover research methodology to prepare students for conducting their research projects. The workshops serve as preparation for GBMZ2016 Research Project and do not carry any credit. Students may be required to learn SPSS for Windows for doing data analysis. / The specific content will vary according to the students’ chosen project area. /
  1. Fisher, C. (2004). Researching and writing a dissertation for business students. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
  1. Zikmund, W. G. (2003). Business research methods. (7th ed.). Ohio: Thomson/South-Western
  1. Kirkpatrick, L.A., & Feeney, B. C. (2005). A simple guide to SPSS for Windows. Wadsworth.
  1. Clark, R., Szivas, W., & Wood (2000). Research and writing dissertation in business and management. London: Thomson Learning.
  1. Heppner, P., & Heppner, H. (2004). Writing and publishing your thesis, dissertation & research: a guide for students in the helping professionals.Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole.

Taxation for managers / GBAT1013 / The subject deals with the basic and important concept set out in the Income Tax Act, Service Tax Act and Sales Tax Act. Emphasis is placed on the principles applicable to said taxes and their application. Where relevant, the subject also deals with case law principles and the practice of the Inland Revenue Board. The computational aspect of the taxes will also be taught. /
  1. Tax compliance and administration in Malaysia.
  2. Scope and basis for Malaysian taxation.
  3. Business income
  4. Employment income
  5. Other source of income
  6. Personal taxation
  7. Taxation of business/ partnership
  8. Sales tax and service tax
  9. Anti-avoidance and investigation
/
  1. Choong, K.F. (2006). Malaysian taxation: principles and practice.Kuala Lumpur:Infoworld
  1. Veerinderjeet, S. (2005). Malaysian taxation:administrative and technical aspects. Selangor:Longman Malaysia.