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Contemporary Issues in Management - MAN00078M

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module covers management theory spread across pertinent issues facing the contemporary manager. It also examines the capabilities required of contemporary managers working across private, public and third sector organisations.

The module considers the ethical implications of management practice, and this is integrated across the topic areas covered on the module.

Particular attention will be paid to aligning organisational strategy to the implementation of management practice such as human resource management, and organisational culture.

This module will contribute to the development of graduates who are able to take a holistic view of the role of managers in organisations and an awareness of the multi-faceted demands faced in forming and implementing strategy in a contemporary organisational environment.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module covers management theory spread across pertinent issues facing the contemporary manager. It also examines the capabilities required of contemporary managers working across private, public and third sector organisations.

The module considers the ethical implications of management practice, and this is integrated across the topic areas covered on the module.

Particular attention will be paid to aligning organisational strategy to the implementation of management practice such as human resource management, and organisational culture.

This module will contribute to the development of graduates who are able to take a holistic view of the role of managers in organisations and an awareness of the multi-faceted demands faced in forming and implementing strategy in a contemporary organisational environment.

Module learning outcomes

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand the dynamic of management issues in the contemporary global organisational environment
  • Critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary management issues by synthesizing relevant theories.
  • Assess and evaluate how contemporary change impacts on strategy, decisions, behaviours, human capital and organisational performance.
  • Demonstrate autonomous learning skills, problem solving and the ability to clearly and appropriately communicate findings and recommendations

Academic and graduate skills

By the end of this module students will:

  • Develop analytical and evaluative skills.
  • Develop research skills and independent learning through interactive tasks set in workshops.
  • Develop the ability to apply theory to the organisational context through the use of case studies and research into contemporary organisations.
  • Develop strategic perspectives and critical thinking skills through the analysis of contemporary organisational practice.
  • Improve planning and communication skills through the tasks undertaken in workshops.
  • Build upon problem solving skills through analysis of business scenarios in workshops and a final assessment that requires independent problem solving and appropriate application of theory to address a business issue.

Module content

Teaching Material

  • Lecture slides will be available on the VLE together with extensive seminar and reading material.
  • Learning material will be supplemented with video and podcasts from relevant academics, authors and business leaders.
  • A comprehensive reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the module

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading

An indicative list of key texts are as follows:

1/ Clegg, S. et al. (2019). Managing & organizations : an introduction to theory and practice / Clegg, Kornberger, Pitsis, Mount. Fifth edition. Los Angeles : SAGE.

2/ Andriopoulos, C. and Dawson, Patrick. (2021). Managing change, creativity and innovation / Constantine Andriopoulos and Patrick Dawson. Fourth Edition. London: SAGE Publications.

3/ Mullins, L. J. (2016). Management & organisational behaviour. Pearson Education.



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.