How the Department Works
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Head of Department
Dr Paul Ballantine is the Head of Department.
At Canterbury the HOD is often the definitive source of information within the Department concerning questions of an academic nature. The HOD is also ultimately responsible for the welfare of the staff and students within the Department. The HOD is available for consultation - please check with the administrative staff concerning his availability.
Administrative Staff
Irene Joseph is located in KF02 Kirkwood Village and Irene Edgar and Donna Heslop-Williams alternate between the fourth floor of the Law building and KF04 in Kirkwood Village. The administrators for the MBA Programme and Marketing Internship Programme are also located on the fourth floor of the Law building.
The administrative staff work as a team to support the academic staff and students and are the link between the students and the staff. They take care of the day-to-day activities of the Department, and are the holders of practical information. They answer hundreds of telephone calls, emails and enquiries each year. If you have checked in all the normal places for information, such as class handouts and course websites AND you still need information do ask for help.
Office Staff contact information
Return of Assignments and Tests
It is the practice of the Department to return assignments in class or tutorials or you may collect your assignment from the enquiries desk on Level 4 of the Law building. Please present your student ID card when collecting assignments.
General
The Department offers first year students a broad introduction to business studies and in subsequent years of study, the opportunity to pursue areas of interest that equip them for the future. It offers individual and co-operative teaching. Each course has a Course Co-ordinator who is responsible for its administration. Co-ordinators often also teach with other staff members who contribute their expertise in teaching and assessment.
The Department comprises the following subject areas, each with its own Subject Co-ordinator.
Human Resources & Organisational Behaviour: |
Sarah Wright, KF02 |
Management Science: |
Ross James, KF04 |
Marketing: |
Lucie Ozanne, KF02 |
Strategy and International Business Marketing: |
Herb de Vries, KF04 |
If you have a problem with a course, such as assessment or workload, there is a three-step process for you to undertake. First discuss the problem with the lecturer concerned or Course Co-ordinator. If the problem is unresolved you should then consult with the Subject Co-ordinator. Only if the problem remains after step one and step two should you talk with the Head of Department concerning the issue.
The Department has an establishment of around thirty academic staff. Papers are offered at levels 1, 2 and 3, most commonly as part of the B.Com. degree. B.Com. (Hons), M.Com., MBA, Graduate Diplomas and Ph.D. programmes are also offered.
Pathways to your Degree
It is possible to take Management (MGMT) and Management Science (MSCI) courses from all faculties within the University. However, the rules concerning inclusion of and credit for Management courses varies within the different faculties. Check the Calendar and consult a staff member, the Academic Manager or Student Advisors in the College Office, to ensure that your degree courses are well chosen.
Check in the University Calendar for the requirements and discuss a degree plan with a staff member. Able students should consider postgraduate options at the beginning of their degree.
Double Degrees
Students may enrol in courses that are common to two degrees and obtain credit for both degrees.
Under Regulation K of the General Course and Examination Regulations a student who is (or has been) enrolled for two degrees which have courses in common may cross-credit a maximum of 120 points between degrees (excluding Level 3 courses used for the majoring requirement (56 pts) of the first degree).
Additional concessions have been made, however, in the case of the LL.B. and B.Com. degrees which, by careful planning, allow an effective maximum of 206 points (or their equivalent) between these two degrees, and make possible the completion of both degrees within the five years available for bursary assistance.
Other double degree combinations include: B.Com./B.A.; B.Com./B.E.; and B.Com./Bachelor of Forestry Science.
Pathways of Study
Management - Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour
Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour is a major field of study within the Management Department of the Commerce Faculty. It can be referred to as all the processes and activities aimed at enabling employees to contribute to achieving both organisational and personal goals in their organisational careers.
Career Paths
A developing stream of research indicates that a distinctive competence in working with and managing people is key to both individual and organisational performance. Whatever job you take up after graduating, you will probably need to work with people. Therefore, whether you are considering a career in Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour or not, an understanding of this body of knowledge can be of significant importance to your success. Our courses are designed to give you that understanding.
Honours & Postgraduate
Refer to: Course Advice
Management - Marketing
Most people think that marketing and personal selling are the same. Our continuous exposure to advertising and sales pitches leads us to believe that marketing activities begin only when goods or services have been produced. But that's only the tip of the iceberg. Marketing also involves analysing customer needs and securing information needed to design and produce goods or services that match buyer expectations using strategic research methods. The process applies to profit-oriented firms as well as for not-for-profit organisations.
Career Paths
A variety of jobs draw on marketing skills. These include positions in sales, advertising, retail management and merchandising, product management and market research. Most of these jobs require both quantitative and interpersonal skills. Marketing careers provide a lot of variety, since the roles and functions of marketers are constantly changing as the business environment changes. Marketing also provides a foundation for other career paths. For example, many chief executives begin their careers in marketing.
Honours & Postgraduate
Refer to: Course Advice
Management - Strategic Management
Strategy forms an integral part of a number of advanced courses offered by the Department of Management. Graduates with adequate grades in BCom can enter the Honours Programme, where they can take advanced courses in the theory of strategy, entrepreneurship and business ethics. Recent graduates from other disciplines can take the Graduate Diploma in Management, which includes a dedicated strategic management course. Honours graduates from other disciplines (e.g. economics, philosophy, sociology, political science etc.) are particularly encouraged to consider PhD studies in the broad area of strategic management. Graduates with work experience should consider the MBA Programme, which has courses on strategic management, small business management and business ethics.
Career Paths
Courses offered by the 'strategy group' try to foster integrative thinking combined with intellectual honesty. They are not aimed at any particular job or skill set, rather, we hope that by attending our classes, students will be prepared for a wide variety of jobs and will eventually make a worthwhile contribution in business and society.
Honours & Postgraduate
Refer to: Course Advice
Management Science - Operations Management
Operations Management is concerned with the design, planning and management of all facilities, processes and activities required to transform resources into goods and services. Operations Management is applicable to nearly all types of organisations including whiteware manufacturers, retail shops, car assemblers, banks and even many clubs and non-profit organisations.
Operations managers control more than seventy percent of organisational resources - people, money, materials, and buildings - used in manufacturing or in providing services. Therefore to be competitive in global markets, it is important that these resources are used efficiently and effectively. The efficient and effective management of these resources requires the kinds of skills and knowledge provided in manufacturing and operations management courses. Courses focus both on issues such as product design, process design, capacity planning, production planning, inventory control, project management, and quality management. Successful manufacturing and operations managers also need knowledge of marketing, human resource management, and finance.
Career Paths
As every organisation, whether a company or a not-for-profit organisation, has some operations function to it, the skills learnt in the operations management courses are widely applicable. Commonly those graduating in operations management often start by getting "Production Planning" or "Management Trainee" roles within an organisation. From this they can move up through the organisation to more managerial careers, often dealing with operational aspects of the organisation such as production, quality, and project management.
Honours & Postgraduate
Refer to: Course Advice
Management Science - Operations Research
Operations Research uses mathematics and computer science to solve problems. Mathematical methods are applied to planning and management problems in areas such as production and operations, inventory management, and scheduling. Techniques, often using powerful computer programs, are available to solve a wide range of problems ranging from real-time control of specific business, industrial, agricultural, and administrative operations to long-term planning models for corporations and public sector agencies.
Operations Research is more than a set of mathematical methods. A fundamental part of Operations Research is the "systems approach" to problem solving. This approach considers both the problem context and the problem itself in the decision making process. Defining a problem, collecting data, consulting with people involved in the solution and implementing change are all aspects of the management science curriculum.
Career Paths
As every organisation, whether a company or a not-for-profit organisation, has some operations function to it, the skills learnt in the operations management courses are widely applicable. Commonly those graduating in operations management often start by getting "Production Planning" or "Management Trainee" roles within an organisation. From this they can move up through the organisation to more managerial careers, often dealing with operational aspects of the organisation such as production, quality, and project management.
Honours & Postgraduate
Refer to Course Advice
The courses referred to in Course Advice will not necessarily be sufficient to complete a B.Com. in terms of the regulations of the degree. For further advice on this, please refer to the Student Advisor, College of Business and Economics. If you are wishing to complete a double degree with the B.Com. majoring in one of the subject areas above, recommended courses of study will vary from those listed. Please refer to the Student Advisor, College of Business and Economics for further advice.
What Background is Required?
Management
Management is a relatively new academic discipline that is not taught as a separate subject in schools. Typically, people with different backgrounds choose to study Management at the University. Both verbal and numerical abilities are essential to become a good manager. Students who have a background in English (or Maori) and Mathematics are likely to do well in this area of study. Mathematics or Statistics and English to Year 13 level will help you to effectively navigate through study of Management. Subjects such as Economics, Accounting, and Information Technology complement the study of Management.
Management Science
Management Science is not taught as a standalone subject until university and therefore, irrespective of your background at high school, you can still move into the area. However, due to the nature of the subject you should, be comfortable dealing with numbers, not be scared of using computers, enjoy solving problems and enjoy interacting with people. It is desirable that you have a good background in Mathematics and Statistics at high school. English is also useful to improve your report writing and communication skills. As a general guide you should take Mathematics and/or Statistics to Year 13 and English to at least Year 12. As Management Science is applicable in many subject areas, you can integrate it with your own strengths and interests. Therefore it can be complimented with other high school subjects such as Economics, Accounting, Information Technology, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Geography or Agricultural and Horticultural Science.
Competence in English expression is essential, as also is a good general education. Students are recommended to devote their secondary school study to gaining a broad liberal education, giving priority to Mathematics and English.