Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Management Science

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Management Science is to provide learners in the private, public and voluntary sectors with comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the principles, significant theories and paradigms, skills, methods and techniques of the science and profession of the field of marketing, management and supply chain. Thus, to promote sustainable growth and development and maximise prosperity in all sectors of the economy and society.

The qualification seeks to develop competent leaders with applied economic, management, supply chain and marketing skills as well as general cross-functional knowledge and skills to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction.

The qualification caters for learners who want to enrol for advanced studies in management, supply chain and marketing. Also caters for learners with a sound academic base, to apply their skills and further advancement in careers and academic studies in the field of marketing, supply chain and management science.

Rationale

In recent years, increasing global competition, declining economic growth, and the search for opportunities on the continent and beyond, has reinforced the requirements for skilled Marketing Managers and the need for a globally relevant workforce.

The qualification is an ideal platform for learners who want to enrol for advanced studies in management, supply chain, project management, sales and marketing, with a sound academic base. Learners will apply their skills and for further advancement in careers and academic studies in the field of marketing, sales, supply chain, project management and management science.

The benefit of this qualification is that it provides the learner in the private, public and voluntary sectors with comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the principles, theories and paradigms, skills, methods and techniques of the science and profession of the field of marketing, management, supply chain, sales and project management. Also, the qualification seeks to develop competent leaders with applied economics, management, financial management, supply chain, project management and sales.

By increasing the level of business, marketing and supply chain management skills, business enterprises can continue to grow and help to overcome economic challenges that face South Africa. Where business enterprises continue to expand, employment opportunities increase, benefiting the economy and society as a whole as employed members of the community contribute to the marketplace with their labour, skills and their taxes.

The qualification seeks to address business needs from start-up and entry-level into the job market, to senior leadership and management roles. The qualification takes this one step further by combining marketing and business considerations with supply chain management. South Africa faces economic and logistical challenges that are uniquely African and in some cases uniquely South African. Getting products or services to customers, for example, necessitates consideration of logistics and freighting, communication to customers and the impact of these on pricing which can either aid business or lead it to failure. The qualification brings the elements of the supply chain into business and marketing decision-making considerations, putting companies large and small on a better footing towards successful growth. Where business flourishes, employment grows, and the income generated serves the broader population through taxes and serves the individuals who can improve their lives.

A healthier domestic business environment means that South Africa receives foreign investment which further contributes to economic growth.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL representative of the institution will contact learners who do not meet the admission requirements. The institution will inform learners of documents required including additional documentation for pre-scanning of such a learner.

The representative will discuss the RPL process and the presented documentation to the Institution in the form of a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).

An RPL Committee (sub-committee of the Assessment Committee) will evaluate the application form. The RPL Committee may suggest that the learner writes an entry tests or access modules as part of preparation for the RPL process.

The institution use RPL only for access and will in future develop its processes further to include RPL processes to part qualifications.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor studies.

Or

• NQF Level 5 qualification, registered with SAQA.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 120 Credits

• Marketing 1, 20 Credits.
• Academic Literacy, 0 Credit.
• Business Management 1, 20 Credits.
• Business Statistics, 20 Credits.
• Economic Principles, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management 1, 20 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management 1, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 120 Credits.

• Marketing 2, 20 Credits.
• Business Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Business Research: Theory, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Project Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 120 Credits

• Marketing 3 - 20 Credits.
• Business Management 3 - 20 Credits.
• Business research: Project - 20 Credits.
• Business Project - 20 Credits.
• Operations Management - 20 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management 3 - 20 Credits.

1. Overall understanding of and ability to apply and evaluate related critical concepts in these disciplines and also the fields of economics and finance relating to marketing and supply chain management.
2. Demonstrate an intermediate understanding of the knowledge literacy regarding business science, marketing and supply chain management.
3. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate the relevant business, marketing and supply chain-related information.
4. Solve intermediate business science, marketing and supply chain management problems, demonstrating an understanding of these problems and the ability to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex issues, applying theory and solutions in business, marketing and supply chain contexts.
5. Understand codes of ethical behaviour and professional practice in the field of management and base decisions and actions on appropriate management values.
6. Access, process and manage information, and develop appropriate methods of information gathering for a given context or use, also independently validating the sources of information and evaluating and managing the information.
7. Use appropriate academic/professional/occupational discourse to produce and communicate information in a business environment, demonstrating their understanding and own ideas and opinions on business science, marketing and supply chain-related matters.
8. Demonstrate a common understanding of the management, economic, financial and supply chain contexts and systems within which organisations operate and be able to link them to business opportunities.
9. Show an understanding of the scope of responsibilities required of a management position and the need for management of own and ongoing learning and development.
10. Show an understanding of the scope of responsibilities required of a management position, the accountability to senior management in an organisation, and the ability to take responsibility for own work, decision-making and use of resources, and decisions and actions generally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define and explain management and operational processes, terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories in the fields of business science, supply chain management, marketing and related aspects.
• Explain and apply the processes of effective strategic planning and goal setting, optimisation in terms of costs and customer service, relationship management, and performance management within these fields.
• Describe various aspects of marketing, business management, financial management, project management, research, economics and logistics.
• Analyse managerial decisions in the context of all of the above.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply the principles of business science, marketing and supply chain management in various business situations and contexts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of essential marketing, business science, supply chain management and related concepts.
• Explain the optimisation of business processes and supply chains, explicitly concerning costs and customer service.
• Interpret financial and economic information, and various management reports related to business.
• Propose a design for business and research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Collect and analyse data.
• Organise and store information.
• Present information for informed decision-making.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify the different types of business, marketing and supply chain challenges and problems.
• Determine and evaluate different challenges and problems in business logistics service provision and marketing.
• Identify suitable solutions.
• Make relevant business decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Discuss the term 'ethics'.
• Identify and discuss core values.
• Describe ethical issues identified within the field of management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Understand the theory of business research.
• Understand business research in business science.
• Analyse the business environment.
• Analyse a case study/do business research and produce a research project report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Communicate information on matters relating to business, marketing and supply chain management and related fields.
• Show an understanding and use of conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism.
• Argue ideas and opinions on solutions to business, marketing and supply chain problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome: 8

• Explain concepts such as integrated business, total cost concept, supplier relationship management, customer relationship management, logistics and operations integration.
• Distinguish between different role-players within the business environment.
• Identify economic trends and managerial challenges that can influence the conduct of a business in its production processes as well as the distribution of a product or service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Identify the functions of an organisation.
• Discuss the inter-relationship between the functions of an organisation.
• Understand the accountability for and within business science, marketing and supply chain relationships and the integrated nature of the management function.
• Discuss the responsibility for ongoing learning for managers with a business environment.
• Discuss environmental and corporate social responsibility and sustainability in the context of business, marketing and supply chain management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Identify the different levels of management and discuss the decision- making taking place at varying levels of management.
• Discuss the inter-relationship between the functions of an organisation and the accountability of each.
• Understand responsibility, accountability and ethics in a management context.
• Understand the business' accountability in terms of sustainability and organisational actions.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment process for each module is made up of two components, namely, formative assessment (assignments) and summative assessment (examinations). Learners must complete one assignment and one examination, or a project, per module.

Assignments allow learners to assess their progress, while feedback indicates where each learner may require additional focus before writing their examinations. Learners wishing to write examinations in either semester are required to register for these modules with the institution on or before the examination closing date. Learners may write examinations twice a year in May and October of each academic year. Supplementary examination opportunities are provided twice a year during July and December with specific rules and procedures.