Master of Business Administration

Business analytics refers to the ways in which enterprises such as businesses, non-profits, and Governments can use data to gain insights and make better decisions. Business analytics is applied in operations, marketing, finance, and strategic planning among other functions. The ability to use data effectively to drive rapid, precise and profitable decisions has been a critical strategic advantage for a range of diverse companies (e.g., Wal-Mart, Google and Capital One). These companies have used sophisticated analytical capabilities for a wide range of tasks, for example, to match credit card offerings to customers more accurately than their competition; to update its inventory in a way that allows it to serve its customers at an exceptionally low cost. In addition, many organizations are now in need of the application of analytics to large databases.

With the increasing availability of broad and deep sources of information — so-called “Big Data”- business analytics are becoming an even more critical capability for enterprises of all types and all sizes

Quantitative and Statistical Techniques for Managerial Decision Making is a three (3) credit course that will be delivered in two complimentary modules.  The first of these is designed to introduce students to the principles of statistics and their application to managerial decision making, while the main objective of the second is to provide an introduction to a selection of quantitative techniques that are commonly used to structure and analyze business decision problems.  The content and conduct of each of the modules is described below.

In the broad coverage of the relevant theory for both modules, an emphasis will be placed on the application of the principles and techniques of the types of problems that graduates will encounter in the business environment.  Computer-based techniques are introduced and applied where relevant; with an emphasis on the use of MS-Excel.

This course is designed to create awareness of individual behaviour and collective behaviour within an organization as well as awareness of the ways in which management and leadership can influence and shape these behaviours. Additionally, it is designed to influence the views and behaviours of participants in relation to leadership for transformation. It focuses on principle-centred behaviour, the ability to inspire self and others, creative thinking, and problem solving as the driving forces for influencing and managing change in an organizational environment

This course introduces participants to the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of marketing. The course goes beyond marketing theories and concepts to show how the application of marketing principles can assist decision makers in public and private sector organizations in Jamaica and the Caribbean to develop and implement marketing strategies that will enhance their competitive positions in the global economy.

This course examines the critical aspects of the global business environment that influence a firm’s decisions and behaviour. It focuses on the macroeconomic, institutional and technological factors at both international and national levels that shape the environment in which firms compete.

This course introduces students to the economic approach to social analysis and the economic fundamentals of enterprise. Principles and analysis not solutions, are emphasized to develop economic thinking. The course explores five basic themes: market allocation, transaction costs, strategic behaviour, economic development and economic policy.

This course provides an understanding of financial decision making and financial theory from the point of view of corporate financial managers in competitive financial markets. It also introduces the basic concepts and methods used in corporate financial reporting for external users of financial information. A rigorous and analytical approach is used throughout the course. The topics that will be covered include apportionment for pricing decisions, cost behaviour, decision making and budgeting, the discounted cash flow techniques, corporate capital budgeting and valuation, working capital management and cost of capital. The course’s objective is to provide a framework as well as the concepts, and tools for analyzing corporate finance problems and issues, based on the fundamental principles, with an understanding of application to real-world situations.

This course is designed to improve the participant’s ability to integrate knowledge of functional disciplines into a general management perspective and evaluate internal and external conditions and forces that have impacted on business organizations

The impact of the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 and that of the current Coronavirus pandemic have demonstrated the need for continuous and robust changes and reactions to the how risks are viewed, identified and managed in the global environment. Furthermore, it will seek to provide students with an understanding of the interplay between these factors and how they impact on the decision-making process. Much of the literature have focused on the ways in which these complex issues affect and are managed by Multinational Corporations (MNCs), with little to no attention or discussions around modern risk management practices and responses in the broader business community, especially those in the emerging markets who are often adversely affected by these changes. The course will bring to bear a global lens on the economic, institutional, legal and cultural forces within the business context which will then be applied by today’s business managers to address this dynamism.

Finance is widely seen as an obstacle to a better world. Principles of Sustainable Finance explains how the financial sector can be mobilized to counter this. Using finance as a means to achieve social goals we can divert the planet and its economy from its current path to a world that is sustainable for all. Throughout this course, you will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, how social and environmental factors should not be regarded as externalities, you will learn more about circular economy, Lifecycle Assessment and sustainable asset management, about effective engagement, sustainable scenario analysis and climate risk. According to the Finance Initiative of UN Environment (UNEP-FI) the capital needed to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development worldwide amounts to USD 5-7 trillion a year. More than 240 banks, insurers and investors with some USD 62 trillion in assets are committed to integrating sustainability into their operations. This integration is however, limited by lack of understanding of what sustainable investing is and the benefits it can achieve in comparison to traditional investments. The MSc in Corporate Finance therefor has a responsibility to provide graduates with better information and expertise on the topic to enhance the chances of bringing sustainable finance into the mainstream. The Course contributes to the overall mission to produce graduate with the skills to lead the development of the financial (services) sector in the OECS and the wider region.

This course will focus on the planning and management of all activities related to supply chain management including sourcing, procurement, supply channels, design, optimisation, demand forecasting, sales and operations planning, supply chain trends and sustainability. This course will examine all of these activities within a global context and it will cover supply chain management concepts, strategies, processes, tools and technologies used globally. Students will examine various facets of global logistics and supply chain management including risk management, project management, quality management, cyber security and ethical considerations.

This course is designed to give students an introduction to international finance and institutions. It deals with how optimal corporate decisions are made given the international environment. This is achieved through a thorough study of various exchange rate determination theories, international corporate finance and international portfolio diversification models.

This course explores the management of services and the application of operations concepts to the design and management of service delivery systems. Specifically, the course focuses on the management and design of industrial service systems and the processes supporting efficient and sustainable use of assets in industrial service operations. Moreover, the course explores the use of operations perspectives and tools in the service sector, and it will build on conceptual frameworks and cases from a wide range of service operations. Among the topics covered are: service design and operations strategy, process design and process operation, operations planning and control, and managing capacity and demand.

This course is designed to familiarize participants with the globally applicable theories and practices of international business management. It identifies the problems facing executives of firms and public policy makers in particular those operating in developing countries, including the Caribbean region. Strategies and solutions are explored.

This course will examine market development, marketing strategy and consumer engagement within various digital environments. This course will also employ a hands-on approach whereby students will be given practical opportunities to work on real-world industry data. Students will develop a range of digital marketing skills including how to design a social media campaign, how to optimise websites to attract consumers, and how to construct forecasting models to analyse online search trends data. Moreover, this course will examine strategies and metrics for success, measurement and optimisation techniques, and planning and goal setting.

This course provides the opportunity for current and future business leaders to better understand the place of human resource management (HRM) in a business. Located at the strategic level, it is simultaneously directed at HR specialists and at those from other areas of business. The course explores theories, concepts, techniques and applications that inform the design and implementation of HR practices that will ensure organizational effectiveness and competitive advantage. Emphasis will be placed on how HR practices are influenced by internal and external forces, including ethics and corporate governance, business strategy, global competition, technological change, unionization and workforce characteristics. It combines rigorous exposure to the scholarly and practitioner literature with a strong emphasis on the application of authentic assessment strategies.