Master of Commerce in Strategic Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with applied competencies and practical skills in the acquisition, interpretation, understanding and application of strategic and general management principles. The M Com develops the research and conceptual skills of the learner in the marketing field. A qualifying learner should show evidence of scientific research and an ability to report thereon. The learner should also be able to reflect on his/her research decisions and applications, and to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of strategic and general management.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Current competencies in the field of strategic and general management that have been acquired by experiential learning in this field through related experience or studies, will be assessed. Such competencies may assist the learner in gaining access to the programme, advanced placement in the qualification or recognition of Degree status on condition of continuing at this institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Strategic Management, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management, NQF Level 8.

The learners should be able to

1. Assess and apply strategic and general management concepts and principles in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts; identify and analyse complex issues and problems relating to strategic and general management strategies and policies, and propose and implement alternative courses of action and solutions.
2. Work in a team with a variety of role players including political role players, professional and administrative members of the strategic and general management profession, as well as people on the grassroots level related to the business.
3. Act responsibly with respect to, and accept responsibility for, activities undertaken in the course of his/her assessment and application of strategic and general management concepts and principles.
4. Through independent study and teamwork, plan and undertake advanced research in strategic and general management, including gathering, analysing, integrating and interpreting related complex and highly advanced information.
5. Communicate effectively with different role players in strategic and general management orally and in writing by applying principles of communication and reflecting on the communication skills applied.
6. Reflect on and utilise management technology appropriate to the strategic and general management environment.
7. Reflect on the importance and role of strategic and general management on a macro and micro level.
8. Explore different learning strategies to acquire and improve the various skills and capabilities required of a strategic and general management practitioner.
9. Contribute towards the level of professionalism, expertise, effective-ness and efficiency of the strategic and general management profession, thus having a positive impact on the economy and contributing towards the redress of poverty in the country.
10. Demonstrate a positive approach towards different communities and sensitivity towards social, economic and cultural differences and needs in these communities.
11. Effectively seek employment and entry into the strategic and general management profession as a highly specialised and advanced technical or research specialist (both across the strategic and general management discipline and on an interdisciplinary basis) and thus establish for himself/herself a specialised and advanced career therein.
12. Effectively and responsibly organise and coordinate resources and opportunities, including own activities, and taking into consideration the financial implications thereof.

• The learner must demonstrate an ability to identify, analyse and solve complex issues and problems, demonstrating critical and creative thinking about strategic and general management concepts and principles in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts.
• The learner must assess and, where relevant, correctly apply complex and advanced concepts and approaches to strategic and general management problems, strategies and policies; thus proposing and implementing alternative courses of action and solutions.
• The learner must be able to reflect on the application made and assess the success, or otherwise, thereof.
• The learner must be able to work in a team. The learner must demonstrate an acceptable level of social sensitivity in his/her relationships with others and work effectively in a management team by implementing the relevant theory and reflecting on the implementation made. Finally the learner must display a thorough specialised knowledge and comprehension of the various role players involved in, or affected by strategic and general management.
• The learner must display an ability to act responsibility and honestly in interactions with other role players in the strategic and general management profession. The learner must also display an ability to accept responsibility for any activities required of him/her in his/her assessment and application of the various strategic and general management concepts and principles, particularly in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts.
• The learner must demonstrate the ability to plan and execute research in the field of strategic and general management, including the correct gathering, analysing, integrating and interpretation of information on strategic and general management issues, by utilising the relevant theoretical and highly specialised and advanced research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken. The learner must also be able to show that he/she can plan and undertake complex research through independent study and teamwork, both across the strategic and general management discipline and on an interdisciplinary basis.
• The learner must effectively and professionally communicates with the different role players in the field of strategic and general management in an academic and practical manner by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made. This should be done orally and/or in writing and include the use of visual/graphic aids.
• The learner must demonstrate an insight into and operate necessary management technology, in particular specified computer hardware and software including Internet and databases. The learner must use a computer as well as strategic and general management-related databases skilfully.
• The leaner must show that his/her command of the management technology is sufficient to support advanced research in complex and unpredictable contexts.
• The learner must analyse and explain the importance and role of strategy and the management thereof internationally, regionally, nationally, provincially and locally. The learner must also discern between, analyse and explain the roles of strategic and general management on macro and micro levels.
• The learner must show that he/she is able to identify and continue to develop the different and specialised skills and competencies necessary in the execution of the activities and responsibilities of a strategic and general manager, professional or regulator.
• The learner must analyse and explain the link between the number of strategic and general management professionals, and level of professionalism in strategic and general management, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of business and therefore of the economy.
• The learner must assess the role that more effective and efficient businesses will have in the economy and the impact which this will, in turn, have on the standard of living of the country's population (e.g. the redress of poverty).
• The learner must demonstrate a positive and specialised approach towards various different communities and sensitivity towards the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities. The learner must analyse the particular distribution needs of different communities, taking into consideration their various social, economic and cultural differences and therefore their different needs and requirements with respect to strategic and general management. The learner must show an ability to apply strategic and general management concepts and principles to make proposals within complex and unpredictable contexts that will improve the circumstances of these communities.
• The learner must demonstrate acceptable employment-seeking skills for entry into the strategic and general management profession by applying theoretical principles of employment seeking and career-pathing, as well as reflecting on the application thereof. The learner must demonstrate an ability to undertake academic leadership, advanced research, professional practice based on research and/or senior managerial occupations. The learner must also demonstrate that he/she has acquired specialised and advanced competencies in his/her chosen strategic and general management career.
• The learner must display an ability to, effectively and responsibly plan, resource, organise, co-ordinate and optimise resources, opportunities and processes particularly engaged in the field of strategic and general management by applying relevant theoretical aspects and reflecting on the application made.
• The learner must also demonstrate an advanced level of responsibility and organisational ability with respect to his/her own activities. Finally, the learner must demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the financial implications of all activities undertaken.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

The learner must attend compulsory discussions with his/her supervisor according to a prescribed programme. If the learner is not making satisfactory progress and not meeting the requirements of the Department of Business Management, his/her registration shall be cancelled by the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences on recommendation by the Departmental Chairperson.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a dissertation and an article ready for publication to the supervisor. The dissertation must furnish proof that the learner is capable of scientific research and the application thereof. Under normal circumstances, 200 pages for a dissertation in one and a half spacing on an A4 page will suffice. The Department of Business Management may institute other requirements for dissertation.