Master of Philosophy in Management Sciences

Purpose

The Master of Philosophy in Management Sciences is a research-based qualification. Against the background that a Master's qualification by dissertation aims at educating and training researchers to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced academic level (HEQSF 2013:32). The qualification equips learners with the knowledge required to produce a full dissertation in a prescribed format, on a specialist topic, in the field of business and management, and reports innovative new findings and recommendations.

Upon completion, the learner will be able to

• Carry out a research project and analyse the results critically.
• Acquire specialist theoretical knowledge of business/management to enable engagement with and critique of current research and practice.
• Participate in scholarly or public debates on the relevant complex business/management problems or phenomena.
• Convey their understanding about these to others.
• Have a thorough understanding of the relevant management theories.
• Prepare and conduct an independent self-study and research in an ethically responsible manner.
• Communicate results to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrate high-level management research capability.
• Make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of management field.
• Produce high-quality research work that satisfies rigorous peer review and merit publication.

Learners are guided to develop focused competence in the chosen research topic; select and apply appropriate research methodologies and written communication skills to support the research process and findings. Develop the ability to reflect on research outcomes critically. Be able to reflect on research outcomes and results critically.

Rationale

Several reputable sources including the OECD (2014:58), Erasmus and Breier (2009) Statistics South Africa (2014), Sheppard and Ntenga (2013), The International Institute for Management Development (2010), Kraak (2013), indicate challenges of inadequacy of high-level skills required in the knowledge economy in South Africa. A recent OECD Report of 2012 highlights skills shortages in the Free State Province, where there is a need for improved qualification designs with explicit consideration for regional needs. The learners' research activities need to inform local, provincial and national entrepreneurship policy formulation to improve on the country's entrepreneurship activity. This condition is the catalyst to local, regional and national development through eradication of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

There is also a growing demand for Doctoral studies in business/management related field worldwide (University World News, 2014). Also, the Department of Business Support Studies receives over 200 applications from learners to pursue a Master of Philosophy studies in Management. With the introduction of several Postgraduate Diplomas in the field of management, this demand will even continue to grow. Therefore, the qualification is deemed sustainable.

Learners holding this qualification are trained at an academic level for them to assume positions of leadership in research, teaching, business, and government or to proceed to a Doctor of Philosophy level.

The qualification provides a seamless articulation to a cognate Doctor of Philosophy (Management Sciences).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution guides the RPL process. A functional system for RPL is in place at the institution to use RPL as a mechanism to grant credits or gain access to the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Cognate Postgraduate Diploma (with substantial research component), NQF Level 8.

Or

• Cognate Bachelor Honours, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Professional Bachelor in the Business, Management or related fields, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Management dissertation, 180 Credits linked with the area of specialisation in one of the following domains/fields

• Business Administration.
• Business Management.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Project Management.
• Large Enterprise Management.
• Small Enterprise Management.
• Marketing Management.
• Human Capital Management.
• Hospitality Business Management.
• Tourism and Event Business Management.
• Agricultural Business Management.
• Engineering Business Management.
• Public Management.
• Accounting.
• Internal Auditing.
• Finance.
• Fashion Business Management.

1. Demonstrate specialist theoretical knowledge of business/management to enable engagement with and critique of current research and practice.
2. Participate in scholarly or public debates on the relevant business/management problems (complexes) or phenomena (clusters), and to convey their understanding about these to others.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant management theories, prepare and conduct an independent self-study and research in an ethically responsible manner and communicate results to a range of audiences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify the major management theories relevant to business/management research.
• Critique management theories and their relation to finding practical solutions to businesses/management problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate mastery of research skills and the logic of scholarly argument and the art of public debate.
• Demonstrate the capacity for theoretical, self-reflexive and critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to think in terms of theory, as an instrument for understanding reality.
• Demonstrate the ability to work systematically and independently in approaching and solving abstract and complex business/management problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to present and defend their scholarly positions and publications in forums of substance.
• Challenge scholarly positions and publications of others in conferences.
• Identify and apply criteria of relevance and significance of management/business contexts of inquiry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show broad knowledge of the theoretical, methodological, and the practical traditions relevant to a particular business/management problem (complex).
• Develop present and defend a research proposal detailing a complex business/management problem or phenomenon, relevant applicable management theories and research methodologies for executing the research.
• Execute the research by:
• Critically analysing the relevant dimensions of a specific complex business/management problem or phenomenon identified in the research proposal.
• Critically appraising accepted solutions to the relevant problems by identifying and evaluating the assumptions on which they rest.
• Developing and applying, in a self-critical way, new/more adequate solutions to the identified business/management problem.
• Report findings of the research in the appropriate scholarly format and submit for defence and examination.
• Prepare and submit research articles suitable for publication in national and international business/management journals.
• Prepare and produce conference papers to be read at national and international conferences.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for relevant conferences.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the academic, ethical and professional standards in the business/management discipline dealing with the relevant issues.
• Identify, understand and apply ethical aspects of management research and ethical issues in the business/management field.
• Critically contribute to the development of ethical standards for research within any organisation.

Integrated Assessment

The learners will receive supervision and guidance. Learners will perform a research project at the appropriate level.

Formative assessment

Formative assessments take place monthly via the monitoring procedures for FRIC. The Monitoring of learning is via a monthly discussion between the Departmental Research Committee, supervisor and each learner, where there is a discussion of the following issues:

• Objectives for the period under review.
• Learner's self-assessment of the learning experience.
• Supervisor's assessment of the learning experience.
• Progress with the research project.
• Head of Department's comments.
• Learner's activity plan for the next month.
• Matters to carry forward.
• New activities planned.

Summative assessment

The institution uses summative assessment to evaluates the learner's ability to

• Use and apply specific methodological skills in their critical review of current literature in the subject area.
• Assess the formulation and execution of a research project.

The learner will report on it and generate an integrated dissertation of research findings. At least two external examiners and the supervisor(s) will examine the dissertation.

A learner will produce a research article for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal, as well as a conference paper to be read at a scientific conference.

The learner will defend his/her dissertation in a research forum arranged by FRIC. The learner will make a presentation which includes:

• The context of the study.
• The methodological set up according to the study.
• The results, conclusions and recommendations.