A selection of courses will be offered to meet the requirements of candidates as far as the resources of the Faculty of Business Administration allow.

8103  |  9901  |  9902  |  9903  |  9904  |  9910  |  9911  |  9912  |  9913  |  9914  |  9915  |  9917  |  9918  |  9920  |  9921  |  9923  |  9924  |  9925  |  9927

8103 – Statistical Applications in Management

This course focuses on statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, tests of significance, bivariate and multiple linear regression and correlation and multivariate analysis. Computer software packages are used and the interpretation of program results is emphasized.

9901 – Approaches to Management Research

This course provides students with a broad overview of three major approaches to management research: modelling, quantitative and qualitative. The purpose of the course is to give students a general understanding of the assumptions, methods, strengths and limitations of each of the three approaches. The course will enable students to make informed choices about the approach and methods they will use in their own research and to better communicate with and understand research undertaken by those using other approaches.

9902 – Modelling Methods in Management Research

This course introduces students to a broad range of modelling approaches used in management research. On completing the course, students will be able to: understand the strengths and limitations of various modelling approaches; read and understand research articles that use modelling methods; and construct models appropriate for studying a range of management phenomena. (Prerequisite: BUSI 9901)

9903 – Quantitative Methods in Management Research

This course examines a variety of statistical methods used in management research. The course will prepare students to carry out appropriate analyses of quantitative research data. (Prerequisite: BUSI 9901)

9904 – Qualitative Methods in Management Research

This course will build on the introductory methods course by reviewing the various approaches to qualitative inquiry along with their theoretical foundations and to introduce different methods of date collection, analysis and interpretation. (Prerequisite: BUSI 9901)

9910 – Optimization

In this course we examine the formulation of mathematical models of business applications under certainty for which an objective function needs to be optimized subject to a set of constraints. Both the objective function and one or more of the constraints may be non-linear and the variables may need to be discrete rather than continuous. Algorithms are considered only to the extent that the tractability of the solution will influence the formulation of the model. Topics will included: an overview of the field; optimization vs. Heuristics; linear models; network models, duality and sensitivity analysis; multiple objectives; discrete models and non-linear models.

9911 – Data and Process Models in Information Systems Development

Information systems can be viewed as models of organizations, realized through data and processes. This course covers fundamental concepts of date and process modelling and management. Topics include: requirements analysis; data and process modelling; object-oriented modelling; and process redesign. The course will emphasize major research contributions in the area.

9912 – Probabilistic Models

This course is to introduce and study fundamentals of probability, decision analysis and stochastic programming; Markov models and geometric Brownian motion processes; queuing models; inventory theory; and simulation. Application of these models and theories to services, queuing systems and networks, inventory management and finance will be emphasized in the course. Each individual student will be required to select, research and present a topic, theoretical or application, on probabilistic models of business systems.

9913 – Human-Computer Interaction and Decision Support Systems

Human-computer interaction (HCI) and decision-support systems (DSS) lie at the intersection between the social and behavioural sciences on the one hand, and computer and information technology on the other. This course addresses HCI models, theories and frameworks as well as DSS approaches and technologies. Topics include: interface design; interaction design; social aspects of HCI design; HCI research and testing methodologies; and decision-making models. The course will emphasize the analysis of major papers in current HCI and DSS research communities.

9914 – Supply Chains: Models and Management

This course will provide a comprehensive exposure to the existing paradigms and state-of-the art development in supply chain management and an in-depth treatment of integral topics. Topics such as location, queuing, productivity, inventory, transportation, logistics management, revenue management, etc. will be discussed to facilitate a better understanding of supply chains. To gain an insight into the interdisciplinary nature of supply chain, the interfaces of operations management with information technology (system), finance and marketing will be explored.

9915 – Electronic Commerce

This course covers both technical and business research on e-commerce issues. Topics include: the underlying technology infrastructure of e-commerce systems; marketing on the internet; payment and fulfillment mechanisms; security and regulatory issues; global implications of e-commerce; models of business-to-consumer and business-to-business e-commerce; behavioural and interface issues; and legal and privacy concerns. The course will focus on an analysis of major research streams in e-commerce including information systems, operations management and marketing perspectives.

9917 – Special Topics in Operations Management

This is a reading course intended to support the research interests of the students and the faculty member(s). Topics such as operations research (OR) models in natural resources, models for non-profit organization, services operations, scheduling (personnel and machine), revenue management, productivity and flow time, transportation (modes, safety, etc.), logistics management, queuing theory, inventory management, location theory, real options and supply chain, deterministic optimization, etc. constitute a representative list. Depending on the research interest and/or the nature of the dissertation, a student can take more than one reading course. Students are expected to prepare a written research paper.

9918 – Special Topics in Information Systems

This course consists of an in-depth examination of a major topic of current interest in information management research. Topics will vary from year to year depending on emerging research themes, the interests of the instructor and the research interests of the students. The course will be run as a seminar focusing on analysis of current research papers. Each area will be examined from a research-oriented perspective that includes identifying the characteristics that distinguish it from existing information systems research areas, examining its emergence and prominence in the professional/trade press, assessing its relevance to information systems management practice and reviewing its treatment in academic literature. For emergent area of potentially significant relevance to information systems practitioners, students will conduct focused literature reviews, identify relevant research questions, develop falsifiable hypotheses, delineate applicable research methodologies and propose appropriate research agendas.

9920 – Foundations in Organizational Behaviour

This course provides an exposure to seminal readings and theoretical issues in organizational behaviour. A critical review and in-depth analysis of core articles and issues in the field will enable students to evaluate literature critically with an eye to appropriateness of design, methodology, analysis, interpretation and overall contributions to the field.

9921 – Foundations in Human Resources Management

This course provides an exposure to the seminal readings and theoretical issues in human resources as it relates to the broader human resources management (HRM) field (e.g., performance appraisal, training, staffing and compensation). A critical review and in-depth analysis of core and seminal articles and issues in HRM will enable students to evaluate literature critically with an eye to appropriateness of design, methodology, analysis, interpretation and overall contributions to the field.

9923 – Foundations in Organization Theory

This course provides an overview of the historical roots of organizational theory and critically presents theoretical perspectives and research methodology in the design of complex organizations. Major focus is placed on the formulation of research questions and the development of strategies for investigating them.

9924 – Current Issues in Organizational Behaviour

This course builds on the foundations course in organizational behaviour (OB) with a broadening and diversifying of students’ exposure to seminal readings and current and emerging issues in OB. The primary research literature is critically examined, focusing on appropriateness of design, analysis, interpretation, contribution and future research directions. Potential topics will vary according to the most current literature.

9925 – Current Issues in Human Resources Management

This course builds on the foundations course in human resources management (HRM) with a broadening and diversifying of students’ exposure to seminal readings and current and emerging issues in HRM. The primary research literature is critically examined, focusing on appropriateness of design, analysis, interpretation, contribution and future research directions. Potential topics will vary according to the most current literature.

9927 – Current Issues in Organization Theory

This course builds on the foundations course in organization theory and examines current and emerging theory and methods in the field of organization theory. In addition to the traditional approaches of functionalism and interpretivism, also included are contemporary perspectives of feminism, critical management, post-structuralism, postmodernism and post-colonialism.