Short Learning Programme on Middle Management

The NWU Business School has special expertise in the field of Management. The objective of the Middle Management Programme is to provide sound academic and professional training to equip middle managers with skills to create additional value for companies and South Africa. Participants will not only be trained in their field of specialisation but will also be subjected to a broad field of functional management. Functional coordination or integration is emphasised in this programme.

Purpose of the course

After studying this module, participants should be able to deal with the relationships among all role players in the work environment, establish constructive relationships and proactively manage sound people relationships that will enhance personal and company growth. They also should be able to use accounting data to support him/her in managerial functions, such as planning operations, controlling activities and decision-making; and demonstrate an insight into the different accounting systems, cost behaviour, and cost classifications in order to apply the information in different operating processes and management activities. They will have a thorough understanding of the value, use and management of information, information systems, and information technology in order to revitalise business processes, improve managerial decision-making and gain a competitive advantage; and be able to apply the various principles and techniques in an integrative way to deal with the core dynamics of information. Furthermore, they should be able to manage the organisation’s internal resources efficiently in transferring available products and services into income. They will have insight into the role and function marketing plays in society and the strategic business plan of the enterprise and develops competitive market segmentation strategies. They will have the ability to integrate and manage all relevant macroeconomic forces in a business sensible manner.

Admission requirements

(3) Three years’ practical management experience. Participants must currently occupy a middle management position or be ready to be promoted to middle management. Participants must have through their work experience acquired a fair level of knowledge and skills in the field of general management and human relations.

Learning assumed to be in place

Supervisors and managers in junior management with three (3) years’ practical management experience or earmarked by the organisation as middle managers. They should have the potential for advancement and a fair level of knowledge and skills in the field of general management and human relations. National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

Study Unit	Outcomes	Assessment Criteria
	After completion of this course, participants will:	Participant will be assessed on the following criteria:
Module 1: Labour Relations	Deal meaningfully with the complex and integrated nature of relationships among all role players in the work environment, in order To establish constructive relationships; and Perform best practices to proactively manage sound people relationships that will enhance personal and company growth.	Development and practice of labour relations in the RSA; Understand what the purpose of labour relations on organisation level is; Understand the labour relations systems; Know how to effectively deal with conflict management; Understand negotiation in labour relations terms; Know important labour legislation.
Module 2: Management Accounting	Use accounting data to support him/her in managerial functions, such as planning operations, controlling activities and decision making; and Demonstrate an insight into the different accounting systems, cost behaviour, and cost classifications in order to apply the information in different operating processes and management activities.	Know and understand the terminology, principles, and procedures. Understand and calculate manufacturing costs and product costing; Understand cost behaviour patterns and cost-volume-profit relationships; Apply relevant costing and decision-making; budgets and investment decisions; Do a standard costing variance analysis; Perform responsibility accounting and cost allocation; capita selecta.
Module 3: Management Leadership and Organisational behaviour	Apply selected managerial, analytical and diagnostic skills with regard to own behaviour and the behaviour of individuals, groups/teams, and the organisation; and Create a motivating environment in organisations by means of enriched manager leadership skills.	Understand organisational behaviour, group, and team and individual behaviour; Understand the relation between productivity and motivation; important departure points to understand motivation; Identify preconditions for and the results of the creation of a motivating climate; Understand the creation of a motivating climate; creating a motivating climate; Understand other important topics like: communication and decision making and stress.
Module 4: Marketing Management	Manage efficiently, in conjunction with other management functions, the organisation’s internal resources in transferring available products and services into income; Demonstrate insight into the role and function marketing plays in society and the strategic business plan of the enterprise; Develop competitive market segmentation strategies; and Compile an integrated marketing plan.	Understand the grounds and principles of marketing management; market planning; Identify and explain the market research and market information system; Understand segmentation and positioning strategy; the marketing mix; Prepare the market plan; Explain organisation and control.
Module 5: Operations Management	Manage productive resources critical for strategic growth and competitiveness; and Efficiently oversee the transformation of resources into results within an organisation, aiming to generate value and prosperity for both the customer and the organisation.	Understand operation systems and structures; Understand the logistical systems approach; production planning; production scheduling; master scheduling; short-term scheduling; packing and stacking; product and process scheduling; forecasting and material requirements assessment; quality control; inventory control and material management.
Module 6: Financial Accounting	Analyse and interpret financial statements as a basis for decision-making in all fields of management; and Apply financial statements as the accurate and objective means of managerial reporting and communication of financial and related matters to all stakeholders.	Understand financial statements and long-term financial planning; Understand valuation of future cash flows; capital budgeting; risk and return; long-term financing; short-term financial management; Have knowledge of topics in business finance.
Module 7: Managerial Economics	Integrate and manage all relevant macroeconomic forces in a business-sensible manner; and Deal with and meaningfully integrate all the relevant dimensions conducive to domestic and global economic growth and competitiveness, in order to properly position a business and optimise gains in the total economic environment.	Understand theories, concepts, factors which dictate and influence the behavioural patterns of all the participants in the economy; Understand economic-theoretical explanations for primary business cycles; exogenous and endogenous factors which influence the business cycles of the RSA; the national accounts, quantifying business cycles - primary as well as secondary; the analysis and prognosis of RSA business cycles; capita selecta

Assessment

Admission to a final open-book assessment is subject to satisfactory progress with the required learning content of a module. Participants have to submit two formal assignments (usually an individual and group assignment) for each module. The minimum participation mark (average mark obtained for the assignments) is 40% to qualify for the writing of the final examination. To pass a module, a participant has to obtain a final mark of 50% (or more). The weight of the participation mark is 40% and that of the examination mark is 60% in the determination of the final mark. A sub-minimum of 40% must also be obtained in the examination of each module to pass that specific module. To obtain the MMP cum laude (with a distinction), the participant has to complete the programme within one academic block (12 months) and has to obtain an average of at least 75% for the four modules.

Method of assessment

Learning objectives will be accomplished through the following mix of methods and activities: self-tuition, analysis and discussion of actual cases; in-class individual and group assignments

Additional information

Programme number

S20 100 1

Mode of delivery

Contact

Target group

Supervisors and managers in junior management positions. These individuals should also have completed the Fundamental Management Programme or equivalent.