Diploma in Business Management

Purpose

The Diploma in Business Management has been designed to provide learners with a well-rounded education and a solid foundation in the fields of general management and, in particular, business management, whether within a non-profit or profit organisation. The qualification contains a solid theoretical component across core business disciplines. Foundation-type modules imbedded in the curriculum act as scaffolding, to assist learners to cope with the academic, theoretical concepts and practical aspects of the qualification.

Special emphasis is placed on the importance of sustainability and ethical business practices, which are deemed highly relevant within the South African context. Together with the competencies in the managerial functions and skills, there is an ever- increasing need for learners to be able to apply their thinking towards making decisions and solving problems in a complex space in which businesses exist today. This complexity is introduced by a rapidly and frequently changing environment, with advances in technology leading the way. In order for the country to remain competitive in the global market, there is a need to produce competent learners who are able to contribute to and lead teams and manage staff across all levels of the organisation. As the learners' knowledge deepens, so does their practical exposure through experiential learning and other Work Integrated Learning (WIL) components. To achieve this, years of study build onto the foundational knowledge gained at the start of the qualification in order to keep abreast with the qualification's vocational nature.

Rationale

Government, business and the labour market have expressed the current and future needs for competent first-line and middle level management to grow the economy. This qualification is therefore a response to the workplace need for competent managers across all economic sectors. The National List of Occupations in High Demand (2018) reflects a great need for Managers to occupy six out of the top ten listed occupations in the highest demand. In particular, the need for more Finance Managers holds fifth place whilst the need for Corporate General Managers holds tenth place (Department of Higher Education, 2018). Although these two occupations/professions may be specific to their fields, the principles of general management that will be presented in this qualification still apply. From an employment outlook, the World Economic Forum rates business and financial operations as the most likely "job family" to create global employment.

Business management is important to organisations as it provides a foundation for understanding the various facets of business. Given the variety of activities that occur in a business, a well-rounded learner with a broad, encompassing view of all business functions will be an asset to any organisation, particularly here in South Africa where the demand for managers is high.

Qualifying learners will be equipped with a healthy mix of theoretical and practical skills in the core business disciplines in order to meet the increasing demand for managers. In addition, the attitudes and values needed to conduct professional and ethical business practices are inculcated in the approach to, and delivery of, this qualification.

Should the learner, on completion of the qualification, decide not to pursue further studies, the following careers, among others, will be an option:

• General Management, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Purchasing Management, Production, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Business Consulting, Small Enterprise Management and Entrepreneurship.

The most appropriate learning pathway within which the qualification resides is general business management. It builds on the Higher Certificate in Business Management. Learners may also pursue further studies towards an Advanced Diploma or a Bachelor's qualification in Business Management or a cognate discipline. Government, business and labour have expressed their current and future needs for competent, first-line and middle-level management to grow the economy. This qualification is in response to the workplace need for competent managers across all sectors of the South African economy. The Diploma in Business Management equips learners with 21st Century skills which will enable them to not only cope with the demands of a dynamic workplace, but to grow as productive citizens.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The following alternative access routes are available to applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements

• Mature Age Exemption - Learners of a mature age may also be considered for entry, based upon their experience in a managerial/supervisory capacity. Should the learner not meet the admission requirements, but is over the age of 23 and has at least 3-years' post-secondary school experience in the field in which he/she wishes to study, the learner may be admitted to the Diploma provided he/she can produce proof of language proficiency in the language of teaching and learning and have obtained at least a Senior Certificate.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - Learners who do not meet the minimum requirements, may apply for admission to the qualification through the process of RPL.
• To be awarded advanced credits for a part of the qualification, the Programme Manager or Academic Head of the Institution must be satisfied of the learning associated with such credits.

Entry Requirement

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate (SC), without endorsement.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Business Management, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Advanced Certificate in Business Management, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Academic Literacy, 10 Credits.
• Business Management 1A, 10 Credits.
• Elementary Quantitative Modelling 1A, 10 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1A, 10 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Information Systems, 10 Credit.
• Macroeconomics, 10 Credits.
• Business Communication, 10 Credits.
• Business Ethics, 10 Credits.
• Business Management 1B, 10 Credits.
• Elementary Quantitative Modelling 1B, 10 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1B, 10 Credits.
• Microeconomics, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 240 Credits

• Corporate Financial Management, 12 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 12 Credits.
• Management Principles: 12 Credits.
• Marketing Management, 12 Credits.
• Contemporary Management Issues, 12 Credits.
• Corporate Innovation and Technology, 12 Credits.
• Personal Financial Management, 12 Credits.
• Production and Operations Management, 12 Credits.
• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, 12 Credits.
• Project Management, 12 Credits.
• International Management, 16 Credits.
• Strategic Planning, 16 Credits.
• Integrated Business Plan, 16 Credits.
• Leadership, 12 Credits.
• Corporate Citizenship, 16 Credits.
• Strategy Implementation and Control, 16 Credits.
• Integrated Business Project, 16 Credits.

1. Apply managerial competencies and integrate elements of ethics into the managerial principles of planning, organising, leading and control.
2. Apply contemporary management principles effectively and efficiently in organisations.
3. Describe how the various functional management areas fit into the broader field of business management.
4. Use a sound project management methodology, execute a project from initiation to conclusion.
5. Construct, implement and control a strategic plan for an organisation.
6. Develop a business plan for a new business venture and apply kills of managing a new business.
7. Apply the principles of personal and corporate financial management.
8. Understand the role of global business and international management.
9. Apply the principles of good corporate citizenship in an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply ethical principles in the planning, organising, leading and control functions of management.
• Apply ethical practices in all functional areas of management.
• Differentiate between leadership and management and explain the importance of ethical leadership and practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain the fundamentals of organisational change, culture, power, politics, conflict resolution, negotiation, workforce diversity, value chains, e-business, individual behaviour in organisations, work groups and teams in an effective and efficient manner in the organisation.
• Apply general management principles in all functional areas of management, including finance, marketing, purchasing operations and human resources management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Plan and execute a marketing strategy for a business organisation.
• Plan for human resources in a business organisation.
• Plan and execute a purchasing and operations strategies for a business organisation.
• Plan and execute an operations strategy for a business organisation.
• Integrate sound financial management practises in support of functional areas of the business.
• Understand the role of technology in business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Initiate profitable projects for a business organisation.
• Develop project proposals.
• Plan, execute and close projects within its budgetary and time constraints in an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Differentiate between strategic management and management at various levels of an organisation.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Differentiate between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.
• Explain the contribution of entrepreneurs and innovative intrapreneurs in economic growth and job creation in a country.
• Develop a business plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Differentiate between personal financial management and corporate financial management.
• Apply appropriate tools to manage the main areas of personal finances and corporate finance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Recognise the importance of Globalisation.
• Understand the dynamics of International Management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Understand the importance of corporate citizenship.
• Develop a plan for an organisation to practically execute its citizenship role.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of competence is achieved through a combination of formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures. Assessment practices are fair, transparent, valid and reliable so as not to discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way. The purpose of assessment is to determine whether a learner has met the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification in terms of theory and practice. Integrative techniques are therefore used to assess applied competence. Learners will be required to demonstrate that they can perform the Exit Level Outcomes with understanding and insight. Assessment will ensure that all Exit Level Outcomes are evaluated.