Master of Business Leadership

Purpose

This qualification will contribute to advanced studies in the field of business leadership. The qualification aims at self-employed entrepreneurs, business leaders, and senior managers in corporate positions who wish to undertake advanced scholarship and deep theoretical engagement with the subject matter. The qualification has a specific aim to contribute to knowledge relating to professional and organisational contexts, to probe and solve problems. As such, the qualification will engage learners to reflect critically on theory and its application within a range of contexts, in order to contribute to the advancement of business leadership. Learners who attain this qualification should contribute to social and economic development of the country and should seek to advance the sustainability of society. The qualification target learners in senior management and leadership positions who seek to deepen their knowledge and understanding of business leadership as a field of learning.

Rationale

There is a need for an advanced scholarship and deep engagement with an emerging, yet the significant body of knowledge as it relates to business leadership. Business leadership is, therefore, of central concern to and underpins all the learning qualifications. The Small, medium and large companies, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations alike need influential business leaders to provide leadership and direction in their respective organisations. The learners could contribute to the dream of building a sustainable society. This qualification will thus meet the national need of building a cadre of advanced scholars and business leaders in private and public organisations. The qualification will enable articulation with the Doctor of Business Leadership.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

National policies guide the institution in respect of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), including the policies espoused by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). The practice of 'the principles and processes through which the prior knowledge and skills of a person are made visible, mediated and assessed for alternative access and admission, recognition and certification, or further learning and development' (South African Qualifications Authority, 2008). The RPL practices relate to the redress of the injustices of the past, and the intention to enhance access to further education. RPL is granted based on an appropriate assessment, in keeping with the above national policies, taking into consideration the necessary preparation and guidance to undertake such assessments. Assessment is an integral feature of all forms of RPL. Also, it does not exist in isolation from a range of other strategies that allow for different sources of knowledge and forms of learning to be compared and judged' (South African Qualifications Authority, 2008). The Da Vinci Institute distinguishes between the following forms of RPL:

RPL for Access

Each of The institution Institute's registered qualifications has specific academic and working experience admission requirements (detailed in the Prospectus). In cases where there is a lack of academic qualifications, but relevant knowledge and skills acquired through work experience related to the field of study. Then the institution conducts formal assessment of such experiences to determine if they equate to the admission requirements of a qualification. The Institute will allow the candidate to undertake an assessment designed for RPL candidates, which constitutes a guided process of evidence accumulation, culminating in a Portfolio of Evidence to demonstrate competencies. Should the candidate achieve a pass-mark, the institution will grant the candidate access to the qualification.

RPL for Advanced Standing

If a learner can partially demonstrate competence described in the outcomes of a qualification for which he/she intends to enrol, the RPL for Advanced Standing process applies. If a candidate's application for Advanced Standing is successful, he or she does not have to repeat a particular section of the qualification. No allocation of credits for components of a qualification achieved through advanced standing. As with the RPL for Access, The Institute will allow the learner to undertake an assessment designed for RPL candidates in keeping with relevant qualification outcomes. Also, constitutes a guided process of evidence accumulation, culminating in a Portfolio of Evidence. The word 'exemption' will appear under the 'score' for the module on the student's statement of results.

RPL for Credit (Credit Accumulation and Transfer - CAT)

Where the same, or directly comparable modules, have been completed at another higher educational institution that is both registered and accredited, a credit is granted for work completed. In this case, the institution will compare outcomes between modules from the two qualifications and formally assign credit through the comparison process. The learner is exempted from all assessment activities associated with the qualification. The word 'exemption' will appear under the 'score' for the module on the student's statement of results.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, or related field, NQF Level 8 (with three years related work experience).

Or

• Bachelor of Business Management and Administration Honours, or related field, NQF Level 8. (with three years related work experience).

Or

• A 4-year Bachelor Degree in Business Management, or related field, at NQF Level 8 (With three years related work experience).

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 184 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 148 Credits

• Business Leadership for the management of Technology and Innovation, 12 Credits.
• Business Leadership for the management of People, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Systems Thinking, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management for Business Leaders, 12 Credits.
• Economics for Business Leaders, 12 Credits.
• Corporate Governance and Ethics, 12 Credits.
• Research Proposal, 10 Credits. Research Dissertation, 50 Credits.

Elective Modules, 36 Credits (Choose any three modules)

• Project Leadership, 12 Credits.
• Social Entrepreneurship and innovation, 12 Credits.
• Business Intelligence and Data Analysis, 12 Credits.
• Customer Relationship Management, 12 Credits.
• Contemporary Workplace Context, 12 Credits.
• Strategic Marketing for the Contemporary Business Context, 12 Credits.
• Strategy in a global context, 12 Credits.

1. Review and apply relevant business leadership models and frameworks in the strategic management of Technology and Information; Operations; Finances; Innovation; and Organisational Behaviour within a variety of contemporary working environments.
2. Search, collate and evaluate contextual information pertinent to business leadership decision-making processes when applied to strategic planning and organisational development.
3. Review systemic thinking as a conceptual framework that recognises the world-of-work as a network of interrelated systems in which problem-solving does not exist in isolation but is dependent on the application of a broad contextual understanding of local and international business realities.
4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct research that meets the level descriptors of a Master of Business Leadership Degree at National Qualification Framework Level 9.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Evaluate foundational business leadership theories subscribed to in the contemporary world of business.
• Select and apply suitable business leadership theories in the formulation of organisational development strategies for a variety of business environments as experienced through case-studies and actual work-place exposure.
• Analyse the organisational environment and strategic approaches of a real-word business about its management of Technology and Information; Operations; Finances; Innovation; and Organisational Behaviour.
• Develop a comprehensive business plan for a new venture or a business development strategy for an existing enterprise from the combined viewpoints of the foundational theories in business leadership and organisational development; and observed best practices in the management of business operations, resources and promotion of innovation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify and interrogate multiple sources of information relating to the context in which a business operates.
• Evaluate a full spectrum of business leadership theories to enhance decision-making abilities in a coordinative, cooperative, and collaborative working environment.
• Analyse and compare different models and frameworks used to explain individual behaviour for purposes of developing an efficient organisational development strategy.
• Develop an effective business strategy that demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the critical concepts related to the notions of competitiveness, context, and systemic approach.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop an organisational blueprint that integrates and coordinates various disparate business processes within a single coherent system of operation.
• Identify and analyse contextual mechanisms within influential business communities which impacts on optimum operational functioning.
• Apply systems-orientated thinking to a variety of business problems emerging from the study of real and simulated (case-study) workplace environments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop a research proposal with a topic related to issues within the field of Business Leadership with a focus on one of the following areas of application: Retail Management; Financial Services Management; Marketing Management; Project Management; and Risk-based Integrated Management.

Integrated Assessment

Apart from the formative assessments, learners are required to demonstrate the achievement of the pre-defined Exit Level Outcomes associated with this qualification as an integral part of the Summative assessments conducted on a modular level. Care is taken to ensure that all assessment tasks provide evidence of student achievement that corresponds to the purpose, Exit Level Outcomes and the assessed qualification.