MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) INTRODUCTION The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme is developed to meet the needs for employment and professional advancement in the dynamic and rapidly growing sector of business and industry The curricula provide students with advance courses that have been designed in consultation with leaders in business and industry These courses reflect the most recent international development in management and industrial good practices including technology The courses are geared towards preparing the students to be responsive and competent professionals They will have the ability to manage and analyze various aspects of management, industrial administration and also understand environmental factors to ensure strategic development Furthermore, they will be able to determine and identify ways to improve performance of the organization in a complex and competitive world Objectives The main objectives of the programme are: Training of high profile individuals for management of state-owned as well as private entities/institutions Combining administrative and financial applications in theory and practice to help graduates put their best foot forward in a complex work environment Providing in-depth knowledge in the most recent financial and administrative innovations in order to upgrade skills in human and material resources Clientele The programme will cater for professionals in job situations and also those who wish to upgrade and improve their competence in teaching skills It will also create avenues for young graduates who would want to make business administration a career option 1st Semester Organization of the Programme The MBA programme is organized into five specialization slants; viz: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Tax Administration or Project Management (18 months duration) There is also an MBA for Senior Executives (24 Months by part time) The MBA for Executive caters for highly placed Executives (Senior Managers, Managing Directors, etc), who would not have the luxury of time to study full-time; but can spare the evenings and weekends to attend face-to face contact with their tutors Assessment Procedure All students must undergo a 10 week internship and start dissertation work proper during the long vacation between the 2nd and 3rd semesters An internship report will be graded as part of the continuous assessment The examination process will comprise of continuous assessment and written exams for each course The following weighting will apply: - Written exams - 60% - Continuous Assessment - 25% - Project - 10% - Internship Report - 5% 1st Semester No Course Core/Elective Description Credit Code Hrs MBA 641 Core Accounting for Managers MBA 642 Core Economic Analysis I 3 MBA 643 Core The Management Process MBA 644 Core Marketing Management MBA 645 Core Quantitative Methods for Business MBA 646 Elective Capital Markets & Institutions MBA 647 Elective Advertising & Consumer Behaviour MBA 618 Elective Human Resource Management MPA 616 Elective Tax Legislation and General Principles in Sierra Leone 10 MBA 619 Elective Introduction to project management and systems 11 MBA 629 Elective Contract and Procurement Management Total Credit Hours/Student 18 Total Credit Hours/Student in Project Management 21 2nd Semester No Course Core/ Code Description Elective Credit Hrs MBA 650 Core Behavioural Science MBA 652 Core Economic analysis II 3 MBA 653 Core Financial Management MBA 654 Core Business Law MBA 655 Core Statistical Analysis & Computer Applications MBA 626 Elective Corporate Financial Policy MBA 627 Elective Marketing Research MBA 628 Elective Industrial and Labour Relations MPA 625 Elective Accounting, Auditing and Tax Application in Sierra Leone 10 MBA 639 Elective Project Risk Management Total Credit Hours/Student 18 1st Semester 3rd Semester No Course Core/Elective Description Code Credit Hrs MBA 659 Core Business Research Methods MBA 661 Core Advanced Personnel Administration 3 MBA 662 Core Business Policy and Strategy MBA 663 Core Entrepreneurial Development MBA 664 Core Advanced Computer Applications MBA 635 Elective Investment Management & Portfolio Theory MBA 636 Elective Sales Management MBA 637 Elective Organization and Development MPA 663 Elective Tax Administration and Compliance in Sierra Leone 10 MBA 649 Elective Integrated Planning and Scheduling Total Credit Hours/Student 18 Entry Requirements M B A (Executive) - All applicants must posses a bachelors degree in any field of study from a recognized University - Must be in employment and not below the level of manager in the organization and must have had at least three years working experience M B A (Administration, Project Management or Finance) A good first degree from a recognized University Course Structure The M B A Programme will be completed in 18 months commencing with the beginning of each academic year An academic Dissertation in a topical issue related to business will 1st Semester form part of the MBA Programme The dissertation should be of a length of between 10,000 and 15,000 words Electives Course Credits Finance Option MBA 616 Capital Markets & Institutions MBA 626 Corporate Financial Policy MBA 635 Investment Management & Portfolio theory Marketing Option Course MBA 617 Advertising & Consumer Behaviour MBA 627 Marketing Research MBA 636 Sales Management Human Resources Option Credits Course Credits MBA 618 Advanced Personnel Administration MBA 628 Industrial & Labour Relations MBA 637 Organization and development Project Management Option MBA 619 Intro to Project Management & Systems MBA 629 Project Risk Management MBA 639 Contract and Procurement Management MBA 649 Integrated Planning and Scheduling Taxation Option MPA 616 Tax Legislations and General Principles in Sierra Leone MPA 625 Accounting, Auditing and Tax Application in Sierra Leone MPA 636 Tax Administration and Compliance in Sierra Leone Course Grading Course work as well as the project will be graded in accordance with the following: Percentage Equivalent Alphabetical Grading 1st Semester 75+ A 65 – 74 B 50 – 64 C 40 – 49 D 30 – 39 E - 29 F Award of the MBA Degree The MBA shall be awarded to candidates who obtain a minimum of pass (i.e C) in every course including the project leading to the accumulation of 60 credit hours OUTLINE OF COURSES 1st Semester MBA 641 - Accounting for Managers An accounting course designed to introduce the student to basic accounting concepts, practices and procedures Emphasis is on the techniques and theories of recording and reporting of financial data to external users of accounting information collection, summarization and reporting of data in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles The course would provide an opportunity for examining fundamental problems in accounting and the reconciliation of theory with practice MBA 642 - Economic Analysis I The main purpose of this course is to quickly introduce the student to Economic Analysis incorporating micro and macro economic analysis Since the intention is to familiarize the student with the subject, the focus will be on preparing the student to appreciate the relevance of economic analysis in management Topics to be covered will include, among others, decision making within the firm, behaviour of individual firms reacting to supply and demand forces, the consequences alternative market structures, value and distribution, partial and general welfare equilibrium, national income and prices, monetary system, fiscal and monetary policies, etc This course deals with business decision-making within the firm, and business policies Topics to be covered will include supply and demand analysis; value and distribution; partial and general welfare equilibrium MPA 615 - Process of Management 1st Semester The purpose of this course is to enable students understand the process of management in complex organizations The approach will be both historical and comparative drawing heavily on empirical evidence and experience The major focus will be the Sierra Leone work organizations with evidence provided by other contexts as points of departure The course will among others address the following issues: the evolution of management in both theory and practice; the role and nature of management in different socio-economic systems; the functions of management; human factors in management; approaches to the measurement and control of organizational performance; organizational efficiency and effectiveness; the handling of delegation and time in organization and management development; organization design problems of management in the under-developed as well as developed countries and emergent perspectives and practices MBA 619 – Introduction to Project Management and Systems With an emphasis on planning, this course introduces project management fundamentals and principles from the standpoint of the manager, who must organize, plan, implement and control non-routine activities to achieve schedule, budget and performance objectives Topics include project life cycles, organization and charters; work breakdown structures; responsibility matrixes; as well as planning, budgeting and scheduling systems Planning and control methods such as PERT/CPM, Gantt charts, earned value systems, project management software applications and project audits are introduced MBA 629 – Contract and Procurement Management This course examines processes through which goods and services are acquired in the project management environment Topics include contract and procurement strategies; legal issues; contract pricing alternatives; technical, management and commercial requirements; RFP development; source selection; invitations to bid; bid evaluation; risk assessment; and contract negotiation and administration MBA 644 - Marketing Management The course is intended to equip the student with the wherewithal for the formulation and effective implementation of marketing programmes in the context of flux-filled and opportunity-generating environment It will adopt the managerial approach, relying heavily on the use of case studies In the analysis of cases, the student assumes the role of a top marketing executive engaged in marketing planning, decision-making and problem 1st Semester solving The course begins with a study of the underlying forces, which shape marketing decisions such as the marketing system, demand, consumer motivation and behaviour, and the economic, legal, political and socio-cultural contents within which all marketing decisions must be made Considerable attention will be devoted to the analysis of the components of a good marketing strategy (target-market selection, product, price, promotion, and distribution decisions) and the integration of these elements into an internally and externally consistent whole Other topics to be covered will include marketing intelligence and social and ethical issues in marketing as they relate to marketing plan formulation and implementation MBA 645 - Quantitative Methods for Business The purpose of this course is to develop basic competence and judgment in using quantitative techniques to solve and analyze decision making problems in business fields The course will consist of: Elementary set theory; functions; inequalities; graphs and elementary matrix Operations Concept of Optimization: will include the formulation of mathematical models, basic notion of differential and integral calculus with business applications, and general treatment of applications of linear programming techniques Statistical Analysis: will include basic notion of probability, descriptive data analysis, statistical inference and simple regression analysis Emphasis will be placed on problem structure and formulation, while, when possible, standard computer programmes will be used in obtaining solutions MBA 646 - Capital Markets & Institutions A survey of the structure and operation of the market for medium and long-term securities The course will examine the nature, types, sources and uses of securities as well as the nature, objectives, structure, functions and practices of institutions such as the stock exchange, acceptance houses, trusts, investment banks, insurance companies, and international finance institutions Economic and legal aspects of the capital market, analysis of interest rates, cost of capital, prices of securities, risks dividend policies and their implications for investment decision and income will also be studied 1st Semester MBA 647 - Advertising & Consumer Behaviour This course is intended to enable the student understand the basis and nature of consumer Purchasing and consumption behaviour, the formulation and implementation of effective advertising programmes and thus prepare him for better marketing decision-making The course is inter-disciplinary, relying heavily on concept and theories borrowed and adapted from other behavioural sciences especially psychology, social psychology, sociology, economics and anthropology Topics to be covered will include the role of Advertising in the marketing mix, advertising and the process of communication, influence of buyer behaviour on the character of promotional efforts, determining basic promotional strategy; choice of appropriate methods to achieve desired objectives; planning creative strategy MBA 618 - Human Resource Management The most valuable and most dynamic of all resources are the topics to be discussed in this course The students would be required to understand the principles and processes involved in the procurement, utilization, and compensation of human resources Topics to be covered will include modern organization theories, forecasting and planning of human resources, its relevance of productivity and the concepts of its measurement, recruitment, selection including tests and interviews, job analysis and evaluation, performance appraisal, leadership and satisfaction theories and practice, wages-theories and administration, trade unionism in Sierra Leone and in the international context, collective bargaining, factory administration, etc MPA 616 - Tax Legislation and General Principles in Sierra Leone Introduction to the Sierra Leone Tax Law - Principles of Taxation, Periods and Types of Assessment, Other Relevant Regulations; - Sources of Tax Law and Regulations Types of taxes and their bases of assessment - Customs and Excise Department - Income Tax Department - Non-Tax Revenue 1st Semester - Gold and Diamond Office Imposition of Tax - Classes of Taxpayers (Chargeable Persons), Rates, Exempt Bodies/Exempt Income Income Assessment 1: Employees - Types of Income chargeable, Determining Assessable Income Income Assessment 2: Unincorporated business - Calculation of Chargeable Income, Deductible Expenses, Capital Allowances, - Partnerships Tax Units - Company Tax Principles Tax Withheld at Source, Withholding obligations - Introduction and General Principles for Value Added Tax Taxation of corporate businesses - The impact of corporation tax on the transactions and other activities of corporate taxpayers (a) Principles and scope of corporation tax (b) Rules, basis and application of corporation tax (c) Calculating the corporation tax due: company financial statements; adjustments to profits; capital allowances; thresholds and rates of company tax (d) Minimizing/deferring tax liabilities by identifying/applying relevant exemptions, relief and allowances 2nd Semester MBA 639 – Project Risk Management 10 1st Semester This course explores various ways to identify, analyze and mitigate the full range of project risks Coursework also explores the six risk management processes outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide: risk management planning, risk identification, qualitative risk analysis, quantitative risk analysis, risk response planning, and risk monitoring and control Using a practitioner approach, students learn risk management techniques by applying them to problems in case studies MBA 650 - Behavioural Science The purpose of this course will be to provide students with an understanding of key concepts and theories provided by the behavioural sciences which are relevant for understanding human behaviour, action and performance in work organizations as well as work organization themselves In particular key concepts and theories will be examined from both applied and theoretical psychology, social psychology, sociology, political science, organization theory, economics and anthropology The course should also provide background knowledge of the organizational context in which the concepts and theories of the behavioural sciences are expected to be applied Topics to be covered will include (not necessarily limited to) learning, personality, attitude and attitude change, values, power and its uses, group dynamics, stratification, social structure, the nature of conflict and its resolution, the design and change of organizations, evolution of modern organizations and the problem of control, alienation, organization goals and ideology, man and society, theory of knowledge, etc Role-playing and simulations, structured experience, films, class lectures and discussions will be used to increase the students’ awareness and understanding of behaviour MBA 652 - Economic Analysis II The emphasis in this course is on the macro or aggregative aspect of the economy The topics will include National Income Account; the determination of the Level of Aggregate Output, Employment and Prices; the Monetary System: Monetary and Fiscal Policies; Economic Growth; and International Monetary Economics MBA 654 - Business Law (Mercantile and Company Law) 11 1st Semester The aim of this course is to develop a basic working knowledge of the aspects of sierra Leonean and international legislations which govern the conduct of business Topics to be covered will include laws of contract, agency, sale of goods, hire purchase, carriage of goods, negotiable instruments, money lending, surety-ship and guarantees, basic provisions of laws governing insurance and banking institutions in Sierra Leone An introduction to sources of Sierra Leone law, administration of justice in Sierra Leone, civil and criminal liability, real and personal property, partnership law, corporate personality and the doctrine of ultra vires Types of companies, company formation, procedure and documentation issue and transfer of shares and debentures, prospectus and statutory books, meetings and resolutions, duties of officers (directors, secretary, etc.) provision relating to disclosure in corporate accounts, reconstructions, amalgamations, and take-overs Laws relating to bankruptcy, deeds of arrangement, voluntary and compulsory liquidations, disposition of property by wills and letters of administrations, etc MBA 653 - Financial Management Embraces the conceptual and practical problems associated with financial management of the corporate entity It includes the integration of the management of cash flows with management of the firm’s current asset and liability position Items to be covered will include capital Budgeting, Current Assets and Capital Assets Management, Funds Acquisition and Deployment, Sources of finance, Inventory Policies, Accounts Receivable and Payable Policies, Financial and Asset Structures The approach will rely on case analysis and assigned readings in addition to the usual lectures MBA 655 - Statistical Analysis and Computer Applications This course includes basic notion of probability, descriptive data analysis, statistical inference and simple regression analysis Emphasis will be placed on problem structure and formulation, while, when possible, standard computer programmes will be used in obtaining solutions Statistical inference includes multiple regression; Analysis of variance, non-parametric techniques Computer application: topics to include computer history, hardware and software, computer programming and use of time-sharing systems; use of computer programming packages available in the computer center 12 1st Semester MBA 656 - Corporate Financial Policy The focus of this course, as a follow-up of Financial Management, is corporate financial planning and control that is the management of funds in its various manifestations as it flows through the organization and between it and the wider environment Concepts and issues discussed will include corporate Financial Planning and Control, Capital Structure and Cost of Capital, financial Risk, Financial Forecasting, Types of Securities, Valuation, Dividend Policies, Growth Policies, Bankruptcy, Failure, Re-organization and Liquidation MBA 627 - Marketing Research This course will attempt to develop ways of thinking, skills, and knowledge needed by managers for evaluating the adequacy of available information for decision making purposes; specifying information requirements, deciding whether attempts should be made to obtain additional information, evaluating alternative research proposals, interpreting research finding; using such findings in developing marketing plans and programmes; and evaluating the effects of marketing actions Emphasis will be placed on the research application of concepts, methods, and knowledge of the quantitative and behavioural disciplines Equal attention would be given to problems definition, kinds of inquires for data gathering methods of analysis, decision theory and report writing MBA 628 - Industrial and Labour Relations This course combines a review of labour market structures, theory and research in wage determination, wage differentials in the private and public sectors, the impact of government incomes and regulatory policy on the labour market, with a study of the Industrial Relations in Sierra Leone, legal framework of industrial relations, central problems in the negotiation and administration of collective agreements and a comparative analysis of Industrial Relations system in countries at various stages of development MPA 625 - Accounting, Audit and Tax Application in Sierra Leone Introduction to Accounting 13 1st Semester - Basic Accounting Principles up to Trading Profit & Loss Account - Treatment of Sales, Excise, Withheld and Value Added Taxes in the Accounts - Payroll Preparation and Accounting (PAYE relevance) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - Customs, Practices and Conventions Other Business Entities; Basic Principles - Partnership, Companies The Concept of Auditing - Generally Accepted Auditing Standards The Auditors Report, the Auditors Legal Responsibility - Key Elements and Other Reports: Tax relevance Audit Evidence & Risk - Components of Audit Risks, Types of Evidences: Tax relevance Tax Application and the Essence of Accounting and Auditing Tax Application and the Implication of Accounting and Auditing Chargeable gains on individuals and corporate taxpayers (a) Principles and Scope (b) Rules, basis and application (c) Calculating the tax due (d) Minimizing/deferring tax liabilities by identifying/applying relevant exemption, relief and allowances 3rd Semester MBA 649 – Integrated Planning and Scheduling This course addresses the need within the project management discipline to understand and apply advanced tools and techniques to development and management of integrated project schedules and plans, while formulating a clear understanding of sound project control methods and budgetary planning processes Additionally, the course addresses risk management from an integrated scheduling and planning perspective, to ensure project performance health, visibility and metrics Discussions center on project cost and schedule control using earned value management systems, Project Management software etc MBA 659 - Business Research Methods 14 1st Semester This course is designed to improve the ability of students to carry out empirical research and to evaluate published research Topics to be covered will include the nature of scientific research, theory building, and concept definition, formulating hypotheses, validity and reliability, measurement and scaling methods, concepts and problems in data collection and sampling, criteria for causal inferences, studies and control groups, considerable time will be devoted to report writing including editing, foot noting etc MBA 661 - Advanced Personnel Administration This is an advanced course in issues and research on various personnel functions studied in prior courses The emphasis in this course is on the theory, problems and current issues involved in an integrated approach to planning for the procurement, selection, development, retention, motivation and utilization of manpower resources in complex organizations MBA 662 - Business Policy and Strategy The course aims at providing the participants an integrated view in the management of organizations and exposing them to situations requiring utilization of multidimensional approach Care would be taken to provide them with necessary skills and attitudes for formulation and implementation of corporate basic policies and strategies in the contexts of organizational goals, opportunities and challenges, case studies MBA 663 - Entrepreneurial Developments The course seeks to develop entrepreneurial orientation and skills among the students and to reduce the dependence of the MBA graduate on the existing employment market Specifically, attempts would be made to encourage students to explore the possibility of employing the abundant resources in the country in the capacity of an entrepreneur The focus of the course is on the techniques of decision-making, policy formulation and implementation, environmental analysis for the identification of profitable business opportunities, projects analysis and evaluation, small, medium and large business management, growth and survival strategies, the determinants of success, and the problem of succession in Sierra Leone Students will be encouraged to examine the inhibitions to cooperate among Sierra Leonean business men and women and the prospects of the cooperative philosophy in the country 15 1st Semester MBA 664 - Advanced Computer Applications Emphasis on this course will be computer simulation, which is a tool in the study of a variety of complex business and social systems management information systems Topics will include modeling, and Other areas to be covered will include job shop scheduling; inventory and queuing systems and management games Examples will be drawn from business, health, public and education administration MBA 635 - Investment Management & Portfolio Theory A survey of the characteristics of the different types of investment securities and the techniques of analysis and management of investment and investment portfolios under varying market conditions The course will focus on portfolio theory, the relationship between risk and return, and the measurement of those phenomena in respect of different types of securities MBA 636 - Sales Management This course will focus on the study of the sales function and its relationship to the overall marketing programme Topics will include setting sales objectives, formulation of sales strategy, development of a sales organization, selecting and working with distributors and dealers, measurement of sales performance, control of sales and other marketing activities It will explore and evaluates the dynamic role of retailing in the marketing of consumer goods and services; examines significant changes in the character of retail competition and in the organizational structure of retail firms Major emphasis will be given to the merchandise flow concept in formulating and administering merchandise plans in order to maintain investment in inventory at the optimum level MBA 637 - Organization and Development This course will critically compare and contrasts major approaches to the study of organization and examines planned approaches to changing the functioning of an organization to improve search and problem solving effectiveness Topics will include organization structure, systems of power and influence, inter and intra organizational conflict and resolution, individual change, group methods, diffusion of change within an organization and the implications of these processes for management The relevance of the peculiar group characteristics in the country going by such names as quota system and ethnicity to the Sierra Leone organization will be explored 16 1st Semester MPA 663 - Tax Administrations and Compliance in Sierra Leone Structure and procedures of the NRA Duties and Powers of Commissioners, Inspectors and Collectors of Taxes Returns, Due Date and Payments, Penalty, Anti-Avoidance Filling of Returns, - Installment payments, repayment and refund Tax Payers Documentation: Records and Investigative powers Returns, Due Dates and Payments, & Penalties and Anti-Avoidance regulations Recovery of Tax and duty of Receivers (a) National Insurance and Social Security: the Impact of National Insurance Contributions on individuals and knowledge of key areas of benefits (b) Value Added Tax (VAT): Establishment of, and the impact of the imposition of VAT in Sierra Leone; The Value Added Tax Act-case of Enactment (c) Capital gains tax (application of capital gains tax to individuals and corporate taxpayers with emphasis on business situations (d) Personal finance: Helping clients in the determination of personal financial objectives taking into account individual circumstances, expectations and the economic environment (Tax Planning and Advice) (e) Sources and costs associated with different forms of finance and their applicability to various circumstances embracing: - finance houses (f) Bank borrowing mortgages Regulations affecting investment advisers, and ethical considerations including an understanding of investment business 17 1st Semester 18 ... capacity of an entrepreneur The focus of the course is on the techniques of decision-making, policy formulation and implementation, environmental analysis for the identification of profitable business. .. Leone Tax Law - Principles of Taxation, Periods and Types of Assessment, Other Relevant Regulations; - Sources of Tax Law and Regulations Types of taxes and their bases of assessment - Customs and... Value Added Tax Taxation of corporate businesses - The impact of corporation tax on the transactions and other activities of corporate taxpayers (a) Principles and scope of corporation tax (b)