Course Activity

Week 1
Topic 1: What is Management?

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No
1

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2.
3.
4.
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2.
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4.
5.

Definition of Management
Who are Managers?
Types of Managers
Evolution of Management Theory
Explain the meaning of management;
Identify the functions of management;
Appraise the role of managers;
Review the main skills of managers; and
Discuss the different perspectives in management.

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name
Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 1
After reading through the topic, you should be able to explain the meaning of management and describe the
functions of management, the roles played by managers, the skills of managers and the different
perspectives in management.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

There are four functions in management. Can you describe them? Which of these activities do you engage
in while at work? Which do you like to do?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Managers play many roles including roles as a figurehead, a leader, a spokesperson and a negotiator.
Which roles do you or your manager play? Which is the most prominent role? Which roles would you be
able to perform if you were a manager?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

The concept of management evolved through time with many contributions from various gurus like Henry
Fayol and Frederick Taylor. Can you describe the evolution of the management concept? Management can
also be looked at through different perspectives. Discuss these perspectives and give your own views.

Online Activity: Practise Self-Test and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions in myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 2
Topic 2: Planning
Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1.
2.
3.
4.

Definition of Planning
How to plan Effectively
Types of Planning
Advantages and Disadvantages of Planning

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Define planning;
Apply the processes in planning;
Explain the features of smart objectives;
Explain the methods of establishing commitment;
Identify the types of planning; and
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of planning.

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 2

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What do you understand by planning? Do you use planning in your daily life? Give some examples of the
planning that you do. Share this with your friends in the forum.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the different types of plans available in management? Can you describe them? Are there any
differences between the different types of plans?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Planning is supposed to be one the main functions in management. What are the main advantages of
planning? Are there disadvantages too? Discuss them.

Online Activity: Practise Self-Test and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions in myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 3
Topic 3: Decision Making
1. Decision Making Environments
2. Rational Decision Making Process
Topics

3. Limitations in Rational Decision Making

4. How to Improve Decision Making
5. Group Decision Making Methods

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Identify the types of environments for decision making;

Discuss the processes involved in making rational decisions;
Explain the limitations in making rational decisions;
State the methods to improve decision making;
Examine the methods for group decision making; and
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of group decision making.

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 3

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the different environments under which we make decisions? Can you describe them? How does
decision making differ under each of these environments?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Are you familiar with the rational decision making process? Describe the process. Can you find some
examples of decision making under this rational decision making process? Discuss them with your friends.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Sometimes we make the wrong decisions and suffer because of it. What are some of the limitations
associated with the rational decision making process? How can we overcome them and improve decision
making?

Online Activity: Practise Self Test and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 4
Topic 4: Organisation Design

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Factors that Influence Organisational Structures

Designing Organisational Structures
Authority
Centralisation and Decentralisation
Work Design
Organisation Process Design
Explain the concept of organisational structure;
Identify the fours factors that influence organisational structure;
Compare the different types of organisational structures;
Describe the concept of authority in organisations;
Differentiate between the concepts of centralisation and decentralisation;
Evaluate the different types of work design; and
Discuss the emerging new organisational designs.

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 4

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the factors that influence organisational structures? Do you recognise the different types of
organisational structures? Try and differentiate amongst them and highlight their advantages and
disadvantages.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What is the chain of command? How is it different from the span of control? What is the difference between
line and staff authority?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Compare between centralisation and decentralisation. When do we use work specialisation? When should
we use job rotation, job enlargement and job enrichment? What are the differences between them? Can
you describe some emerging new organisational designs?

Online Activity: Practise Self Test and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 5
Topic 5: Human Resource Management

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Determining the Needs of Human Resources

Recruitment/Hiring
Selection of Qualified Employees
Development of Qualified Employees
Performance Evaluation
Retaining Qualified Employees
Employee Separation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Describe the meaning of human resource management;

Clarify the needs of human resources;
Identify the methods for capturing the interests of qualified candidates;
Practise the methods for developing qualified employees; and
Identify methods for retaining qualified employees in the organisation.

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 5

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

How can a manager determine the needs for human resources? What is the difference between using job
analysis and forecasting? When should we use internal recruitment? What about external recruitment?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What is the process for selecting qualified employees? What types of tests can be used to select
employees? Can you describe each of them?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

How can you develop employees in an organisation? How do you evaluate them? What about retaining
employees? What can be done to make sure that your employees are happy in the organisation?

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 6
Topic 6: Communication in Organisations
Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1. Definition of Communication
2. Types of Communication
3. Increasing Communication Effectiveness
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Define communication;
Explain the importance of good communication in an organisation;
Differentiate between formal communication and informal communication;
Clarify the forms of communication; and
Evaluate the steps for overcoming barriers to communication.

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 6

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What is communication? Can you illustrate communication using a diagram? Explain each element in the
communication process.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Differentiate amongst the different types of communication. How do they differ? When do you use the
different types of communication? Try and give some examples.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Do you know that there are barriers to communication? What are these barriers? Can you give some
examples? Discuss with your friends some ways to reduce the barriers to communication.

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 7
Topic 7: Motivation

Topics

1. Classical Model and Scientific Management

2. Need-based Approach
3. Process-based Approach

Learning Outcomes

1.
2.
3.
4.

Learning Resources

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

No

Describe what is motivation;

Explain the needs and processes approach to motivation;
Discuss the contribution of the different models of motivation; and
Describe how behaviour modification can be used for increasing or reducing
behaviour in organisations.

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 7

Online Activity: Discussion Question

Describe some of the approaches to motivation.
approach?

Can you identify which theory belongs under which

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Can you describe the two factor model? How does this model differ from the acquired needs theory? Using
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory, try and find examples for each level of needs. Discuss your motivators
with your friends. See whether they match.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Can you describe an example of when the Expectancy theory can be used? What about the Equity theory?
Compare the Goal Setting model with the Reinforcement Model. Which model would you use to measure
your employees motivation in the organisation?

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 8
Topic 8: Leadership
Topics

1. Leadership Approaches
2. Strategic Leadership
1. Explain the concept of leadership;
2. Differentiate between the role of a manager and a leader;

Learning Outcomes

3.
4.
5.

Compare between the three leader-centred approaches;

Describe the meaning of follower-centred leadership;

Explain the approaches and models related to interactive leadership; and

6. Discuss the styles of contemporary leadership

Learning Resources

No

1. i-Lecture
2. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
3. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 8

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Differentiate between the leader-centred approach to leadership and the follower-centred approach. Which
do you think is more suitable to your organisation? Why?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Visionary leadership and transactional leadership are often talked about. Do you know what they are?
Discuss them with your friends and see which one they practise.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the basic characteristics of the transactional leader? What about the transformational leader?
What are the differences between the two? Which type of leader would you like to be? Why?

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 9
Topic 9: Controlling

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Definition of Control
Dynamic Process
Basic Methods of Control
Forms of Control
Factors that need to be Controlled

1.
2.
3.
4.

Explain the term controlling and the main purpose of control;

Describe the steps involved in the control process;
Describe the different forms of control; and
Analyse the perspectives and activities that need to be controlled.

4. i-Lecture
5. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
6. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 9

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Define control and explain why an organisation needs control. What are the steps in the control process?
Can you describe them?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the basic methods of control? Give some examples of each method and when they can be used.
What about forms of control? Can you describe them?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the factors that need to be controlled in the organisation? Explain why these factors need to be
controlled.

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 10
Topic 10: Managing Teams

Topics

Learning Outcomes

Learning Resources

No

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Differences between Teams and Groups

Advantages of Teams
Disadvantages of Teams
When is a Team Needed?
Types of Teams
Characteristics of Teams
Towards Building a High-Performance Team

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Explain the differences between groups and teams;

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of teams;
Appraise the best time to form teams;
Distinguish the different types of teams;
Evaluate the characteristics of teams; and
Discuss the factors involved in building high-performance teams.

7. i-Lecture
8. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
9. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 10

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Do you know the difference between teams and groups? Try and explain. Give some examples of teams
and groups.

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the advantages of using teams? What are the disadvantages? When is a team needed? What
are the characteristics of teams?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

Describe the different types of teams. Discuss with your friends when each type of team should be used.
How would you build a high performance team? Explain.

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.

Course Activity
Week 11
Topic 11: Innovation and Change

Topics

Learning Outcomes

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Why is Innovation Important?

Managing Innovation
Organisational Change
Managing Change
Barriers to Change
Overcoming the Barriers to Change
Ways to Manage Change

1.
2.
3.

Describe the importance of innovation in organisations;

Explain the ways to manage innovation effectively;
Discuss four factors that cause change and ways to manage the changes in
organisations; and
Examine the obstacles to change in organisations and ways to overcome
them

4.

Learning Resources

No

10. i-Lecture
11. Module (Print, HTML & PDF)
12. Self assessment: Self-test and sample questions

Activity Name

Reading Activity: Read Module - Topic 11

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What is innovation? Why is it important? Can you give some examples of innovations in your country?
Overseas?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the forces for change? How would you use them to encourage innovation in your organisation?
How can you manage change?

Online Activity: Discussion Questions

What are the barriers to change? How can you overcome them?

Online Activity: Practise Self Tests and Sample Questions

To test your understanding, you can try and answer the Self-Test and Sample questions on myVLE.