Faculty of Business: Accounting
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to the Australian corporate environment as part of their first Industrial Experience semester. Students undertake a variety of work-based assignments involving research into the structure of the sponsoring organisation they are training with, readings of current business journals, interviews with managers, and regular readings and homework from the set text.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand the structure of Australian business organisations in a national and international setting.
2. Understand the role and functions of management within these organisations.
3. Research business and management information via current business literature, and analyse practical management problems.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is placed within the context of Internship 1. The subject contributes to the aims of the Bachelor of Accounting by providing students with a broad overview of management theory as it applies to Australian businesses in their contemporary global context. This learning is illuminated through the practical focus of tasks undertaken within the first Internship. The major project report also allows students to develop the project-management and presentation skills required of business graduates.

Teaching and learning strategies

The learning in this subject is largely self-guided, with only two formal classes scheduled. Academic supervision and guidance of students is facilitated through work-site visits by, and consultation with, the subject co-ordinators. In addition, considerable guidance is expected from workplace supervisors of interns.

Students undertake a combination of private study, information gathering at their place of work, and critical reflection. Students are asked to maintain a regular reading schedule and answer set questions from the text while undertaking the Internship. Students are also required to prepare a project report for presentation to senior management, and will learn research and project management skills through this exercise. By applying their knowledge and experience of the workplace to these tasks students will be learning to integrate management theory with practice, and developing their own analytical skills.

This subject makes heavy use of UTS Online, to facilitate submission and marking of homework, online discussion of weekly reading topics, and the provision of Q&A.

Content

• Introduction to management - what does being a manager involve
• Perspectives on management - different theories and approaches
• Organisations and their internal and external environments
• Organisational objectives and strategy - incorporated into management practices
• Decision making
• Organisation theory and design
• Motivation, leadership and communication
• Conflict, change and development

Assessment

Homework Assignments (Individual)	25%
Involves reading from the text and then answering set questions for each reading. Feedback and discussion of each week's reading and questions is handled through UTS Online. Addresses objectives 1 and 2.
Project Report and Presentation (Individual)	50%
Students are required to complete a substantial research project which requires them to analyse an accounting or finance issue in their workplace by drawing on an understanding of the fundamental principles of management. The outcome is a written report of around 5 000 words for presentation to management. Addresses objectives 1-3.
End-of-Semester Test (Individual)	25%
Further assess students' understanding of the theoretical context in which Australian businesses are managed. Addresses objectives 1 and 2.

The end-of-semester test will be conducted under University Examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address secure assessment concerns. Security of the Project task assessment is assured through regular consultation between student and supervisors, in which guidance is given, progress is monitored and student achievement can be gauged.

To pass the subject, students must achieve at least 50% of the final overall grade.

Recommended text(s)

Schermerhorn J, Campling J, Poole D & Wiesner R Management: An Asia-Pacific Perspective (2004) John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane.

Indicative references

Davidson P & Griffin R W (2003) Management: Australia in a Global Context, (2nd ed.) John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane.

Fulop L and Linstead S (1999) Management: A Critical Text Melbourne: Macmillan.

Vecchio R P, (2003) Organisational Behaviour: Key Concepts (5th ed.) Ohio: Thomson / South-Western.