MG458      Half Unit
Foundations of Management I: Organisations and Management Theory

This information is for the 2022/23 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Rebecca Campbell MAR 5.15

Availability

This course is compulsory on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (CEMS MIM) and Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange). This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

This course will equip students with a thorough understanding of the  development of management and organisation theory since the emergence of modern industrial businesses in the late 19th century. Students will be provided with an overview of management as a subject of study and as a practice, and will develop an understanding of the disciplinary anchors in Sociology, Psychology and Economics. Within each field we will cover origins, disciplinary boundaries, triggers for growth, core concepts and the current state of play and debate. Weekly topics will include:

 

1. Course Introduction and the Origins of Management

2. Management and the Firm

3. Taylorism, Motivation, and Performance

4. The Rise and Decline of Labour

5. The Rise of Human Resources Management

6. Managerial Decision-Making

7. Understanding Organisational Structures

8. The Origins of Modern Strategy

9. Contemporary Strategic Management: Firms as Bundles of Resources

10. Financialisation and the crisis in capitalism

 

The course is also designed to introduce students to postgraduate study and learning at LSE, with instruction on academic reading, case analysis, critical thinking and writing skills.

Teaching

20 hours of lectures, 10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT.

Lectures will cover theoretical materials and concepts. Seminars will cover the assigned readings in more depth and include case discussions which will apply content covered in lectures to business situations.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.

Students will be expected to produce 1 case report in the MT.

Indicative reading

Willman, P. (2014) Understanding Management: Social Science Foundations. Oxford University Press.

Wallace, M  and A. Wray (2012). Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (Second Edition). London: Sage.

A full reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Exam (60%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Report (40%) in the MT.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2021/22: 84

Average class size 2021/22: 14

Controlled access 2021/22: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills