The Fast-Track MBA

This subject provides an essential overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) types and their strategic application and integration in industry that is transforming business practice. In the context of organisational leadership in the age of digital disruption, this subject explores the challenges and opportunities of AI as well as the capabilities, limitations and ethical considerations.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the principal concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a business context.
• Critically evaluate the capabilities and limitations of AI types and their ethical challenges.
• Analyse the strategic functional, organisational, and industry needs that can be addressed by AI solutions.
• Develop, justify and effectively communicate appropriate approaches for the deployment of AI.

The aim of this subject is to provide in-depth insight into the increasing dangers and frequency of cyber-attacks on businesses and government and how best to prevent or mitigate the damaging outcomes. The likely sources of attacks will be outlined along with the methods more commonly used, inherent weaknesses in systems, examine the risk factors and outline manager’s responsibilities. How to create policies designed to mitigate attacks and how to manage them are included along with disaster planning and recovery. This is not a technical subject on the detailed workings of attacks but rather a management approach to cyber resilience, cyber disaster planning and recovery methods.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Describe the need for cyber security in context of the risks, threats, and attack vectors on an organisation’s digital information systems.
• Analyse weaknesses and vulnerabilities in an organisation’s digital information systems to determine threats and controls for risk management.
• Design cyber security policies that help mitigate the weaknesses in digital information systems, define organisational data governance protocols and comply with legal obligations.
• Critically analyse a cyber disaster recovery and contingency plan using contemporary cyber security threats, best practice models and/or frameworks.

This subject provides an overview of business analytics concepts and their applications in the business environment. Modules covered include: Definitions and the importance of business analytics; business analytics in practice; designing data-oriented decision problems and working effectively with data experts; overview of different business analytics methods and understanding what they can do for a business; communication of data-driven decisions; pitfalls of data-driven decisions; and the ethical implications of business analytics.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of fundamental concepts and methods in business analytics and what business analytics can do for a business.
• Critically evaluate and reflect on the business analytics maturity of organisations and organisational readiness for implementing business analytics.
• Research and apply relevant business analytics methods and frameworks to address strategic, operational, and tactical decision problems in organisations.
• Effectively communicate business analytics requirements and the relevant findings with various stakeholders including their data expert.

Directed Study requires students to undertake a specific project to further their disciplinary study and theory application in addition to the final MBA Project. The Directed Study is an individual project which is supervised by academic staff member(s), based on topics that are aligned with electives offered at AIB. The topic and assessment pieces are developed in consultation with the academic supervisor(s). Meetings between the student and the staff member(s) are periodic and at the request of the student or the staff member(s). The staff member(s) may set milestones and timelines for the student to meet. The subject provides scaffolding for the design and development of an individual research project and for the application of theory in a practical workplace context.

Pre-requisites: All AQF Level 8 subjects.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of the design and implementation of an individual project.
• Evaluate and synthesise existing research to enable the creative planning and execution of scholarship in a practical, real-world context.
• Design and implement an individual project for the application of theory in a practical workplace context.

Any participant wishing to study the Entrepreneurship specialisation, must complete the compulsory subject Entrepreneurship, along with any two of the following three subjects in this category: Digital Business Startup, New Product Design or Business Consulting. 

The subject provides scholarly, practical and in-depth knowledge of contemporary entrepreneurial professional practice, the entrepreneurial mindset and how these applies to a dynamic and complex global environment. The subject uses experiential and collaborative learning to build and strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities that support an individual in identifying an entrepreneurial opportunity and developing the resource base needed to pursue it. Modules covered include: the development of 21st Century entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial mindset, cognition and career; designing entrepreneurship from opportunity identification to business modelling; and, strategic entrepreneurial growth planning. Therefore the subject provides a foundation for lifetime learning on the key life cycle stages of an entrepreneurial venture as well as how leaders can foster an entrepreneurial culture.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Examine contemporary entrepreneurship theory and practice to create insight into enterprise growth opportunities.
• Reflect upon, and apply contemporary entrepreneurship approaches, techniques and ethical perspectives, that develop an entrepreneur’s: leadership, mindset, capabilities and pathways to an entrepreneurial career.
• Evaluate the entrepreneurial venture’s external environment and internal environment factors and contexts to create, formulate, hypothesise, test, and validate evidenced based decisions at key life cycle stages of the entrepreneurial venture.
• Communicate entrepreneurship knowledge, skills and ideas to others clearly, persuasively and credibly.

Any participant wishing to study the Entrepreneurship specialisation, must complete the compulsory subject Entrepreneurship, along with any two of the following three subjects in this category: Digital Business Startup, New Product Design or Business Consulting.

This subject will assist students in understanding how to build a digital enterprise by recognising and validating an entrepreneurial idea and converting this into a viable digital enterprise. Students will be introduced to theories and practices for validating the idea, developing value propositions, discovering market desirability and feasibility, business model development and digital brand management.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Critically evaluate appropriate contemporary business frameworks and strategies for launching, growing a new digital business venture.
• Apply enterprise theory to test and validate optimal digital business models for your proposed entrepreneurial activity.
• Communicate and validate digital business strategies with identified relevant stakeholders in a clear, persuasive and credible manner.
• Synthesise sector scholarship, audience needs, environment and opportunity to promote your proposed digital business startup.

Any participant wishing to study the Entrepreneurship specialisation, must complete the compulsory subject Entrepreneurship, along with any two of the following three subjects in this category: Digital Business Startup, New Product Design or Business Consulting.

This subject takes the student through new product design from conception to launch of a new product or service. The subject aims to provide in-depth knowledge and application of traditional and innovative tools and frameworks used in a successful new product design process. Topics covered include planning for new products, generating product ideas, concept evaluation, financial analysis for new products, testing and prototyping, launching new products and application design thinking.

Pre-requisites: Marketing Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary new product design theory and practice.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply innovative approaches and techniques as well as ethical perspectives throughout the development of new product design.
• Evaluate complex business concepts and issues to deliver an evidence-based rationale for new product design.
• Communicate new product design knowledge, skills and ideas to others clearly, persuasively and credibly.

Any participant wishing to study the Entrepreneurship specialisation, must complete the compulsory subject Entrepreneurship, along with any two of the following three subjects in this category: Digital Business Startup, New Product Design or Business Consulting.

The subject provides scholarly and practical in-depth knowledge of the business practices, processes and management for consultants, managers and owners of consulting firms and those with expertise considering consulting as a profession. Modules covered include: Starting a consulting business including financial and legal considerations; tips on surviving the first year, which include networking, database building and digital marketing initiatives; the actual process, which includes agreements, strategies, interviewing techniques and tips, agreements and strategies; creating a consulting relationship with clients; developing effective systems including negotiating fees, billing, contracts and insurance and finally, growing the business and productivity considerations.

This subject is also highly suitable for managers using consulting services and Internal Consultants, i.e. employees who perform consulting for their organisation as a part of their role.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary business consulting theory, process and practice.
• Apply innovative approaches and techniques as well as ethical perspectives throughout the development of a consulting service.
• Evaluate complex business and enterprise concepts and issues to make evidence-based recommendations.
• Communicate business consulting knowledge, skills and ideas to others clearly, persuasively and credibly.

The objective of the subject is to provide an integrated framework and analytical tools that are used by the firm managers to make financial decisions that improve firm value. The modules covered include valuations of bonds and shares, advanced capital budgeting techniques, estimation of cost of capital, optimal capital structure, and firm payout policy.

Pre-requisites: Financial Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary corporate finance theory, analytical frameworks and practice.
• Critically analyse and effectively communicate complex corporate finance issues and recommend improvements to inform professional practice.
• Plan and prepare a substantial evidence based corporate finance report in an ethical manner.

This subject presents a detailed overview of the features of modern financial and monetary systems, and enables an in-depth understanding of complex institutions, markets, and securities that are part of them. The subject covers banking, payment systems, financial regulators and institutions, fundamentals of fund management as well as money, capital and foreign exchange markets.

Pre-requisites: Financial Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary financial markets and institutions theory, analytical frameworks and practice.
• Critically analyse and effectively communicate improvements relating to financial markets and institutions issues.
• Plan and prepare a substantial evidence-based financial markets and institutions report in an ethical manner.

The objective of the subject is to provide comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge on investment management. The subject covers major theoretical concepts, namely, modern portfolio theory, diversification, and equilibrium models of security prices. The subject also includes macroeconomic and industry analysis, pricing of main financial derivatives, and evaluation of portfolio performance.

Pre-requisite: Financial Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary investment management theory, analytical frameworks and practice.
• Critically analyse and effectively communicate complex concepts, investment management issues and recommend improvements to inform professional practice.
• Plan and undertake a substantial evidence-based report in an ethical manner.

This subject aims to develop the knowledge and skills to support and critically evaluate contemporary organisational learning and development practices. Modules covered include e-learning, workforce planning and HR metrics, talent management, coaching and mentoring, and its application in the workplace. Students will gain an understanding of how organisations:

– proactively respond to contemporary challenges such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning and platform work within the learning ecosystem, and

– foster capabilities for the development of human capital for a sustained competitive advantage.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of organisational learning and development and its application in practice.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of human resource metrics and its application to organisational learning and development.
• Critically analyse coaching and mentoring theory and its application to the organisational learning environment.
• Create and communicate an evidence-based OL&D initiative to address a future organisation based need.

This subject explores how globalisation has influenced and impacted human resource management practices in multinational enterprises (MNEs). Modules include: the cultural context of international HRM (IHRM), cross-border alliances, human resource planning, international performance management, training and development, career management, compensation, industrial relations in the global institutional context and future trends in IHRM.

Pre-requisites: Strategic Human Resource Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary international HRM theories, principles and concepts.
• Critically analyse international HRM practices and their application in a global context.
• Identify and evaluate different contemporary perspectives, value systems and trends and their impact on international HRM policy and practice.
• Design and effectively communicate an appropriate evidence-based international HRM strategy which takes into account socially responsible and ethical practice for an organisation.

Managing Change focuses on organisational change: why it occurs, how it occurs, how it can be managed, and what forms it can take. The complexities of change present real challenges for managers and leaders and, hence, challenges for managers and leadership in times of change are also addressed. Modules include change capability, organisational change strategies, leaders and followers as change agents, organisational culture, as well as technological disruption and sustainability.

Pre-requisites: Strategic Human Resource Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of theories of planned change, a range of established change management approaches and their applicability in organisational settings.
• Assume a leading role in critically evaluating organisational and behavioural issues that may affect the change process and recommend strategies to combat these issues.
• Analyse complex organisational issues including any ethical considerations in relation to a planned change initiative.
• Formulate, effectively communicate and implement change initiatives and strategies for organisations.

The subject highlights the importance of consumer behaviour and customer experience concepts and theories in understanding the consumer decision making process as well as the customer journey. The subject addresses knowledge and analytical skills to assess the influence of various factors in consumer decision making and understand the importance of integration and measurement of customer experience.

Pre-requisites: Marketing Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced conceptual understanding of consumer behaviour and customer experience management theories and practices.
• Critically analyse the influence of various factors on consumer decision-making and purchasing behaviour.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, synthesise and apply innovative approaches, techniques and perspectives to consumer behaviour and customer experience management.
• Recommend appropriate marketing strategies in a variety of marketing scenarios based on in-depth analysis of consumer behaviour within target markets.
• Communicate customer experience knowledge, skills and ideas to others clearly, persuasively and credibly through customer journey mapping, deriving recommendations to enhance customer experience.

There is an expectation that modern enterprises engage in digital marketing providing positive brand experiences for their customers and other stakeholders. Digital marketing is increasingly important to understand, because customers engage online and offline with brands. This subject is designed to provide students with an understanding of digital marketing. Students will learn about the various types of digital marketing as well as to how to plan, deploy, manage and evaluate a digital marketing strategy.

Pre-requisites: Marketing Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of contemporary new digital marketing theory and practice.
• Examine digital marketing theory, measures and practice to create a comprehensive digital marketing audit.
• Critically analyse various metrics, innovative approaches, techniques and ethical perspective to design a digital marketing strategy.
• Communicate digital marketing strategies, tactics and measures to others clearly, persuasively and credibly.

This subject takes the student through new product design from conception to launch of a new product or service. The subject aims to provide in-depth knowledge and application of traditional and innovative tools and frameworks used in a successful new product design process. Topics covered include planning for new products, generating product ideas, concept evaluation, financial analysis for new products, testing and prototyping, launching new products and application design thinking.

Pre-requisites: Marketing Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of contemporary new product design theory and practice.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply innovative approaches and techniques as well as ethical perspectives throughout the development of new product design.
• Evaluate complex business concepts and issues to deliver an evidence-based rationale for new product design.
• Communicate new product design knowledge, skills and ideas to others clearly, persuasively and credibly.

This subject explores how and why countries trade with and invest in each other, and the global monetary system. It examines the strategies and structures of international businesses and assesses the special roles of an international business’s various functions. It also provides a critical approach that presents the arguments for and against economic theories, government policies, business strategies, organisational structures, and their managerial implications.

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary International Business theories concepts and principles, and their application in practice.
• Critically evaluate various international strategies and entry modes and make appropriate recommendations for the businesses operating internationally.
• Plan and effectively communicate a relevant and evidence-based international business activity for an organisation with consideration to ethics and social responsibility.

Logistics significantly contributes to the economy given its sizable share in GDP in many countries. A well-integrated logistics creates value for small-sized businesses such as a local grocery store and café as well as large-sized providers of services and goods such as a global e-commerce platform. This subject mainly focuses on functional areas within Logistics and Supply Chain Management and explores how the functions could be integrated better. Modules covered include: logistics for the 21st century, integrating procurement, customer relationship management and operations with logistics, transportation, warehousing and emerging technologies, logistics performance objectives and measurement and, supply chain and logistics network design.

Pre-requisites: Operations Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of logistics management principles, frameworks and contemporary topics.
• Critically analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, problems, principles and frameworks related to integrated logistics management.
• Research and apply relevant principles and frameworks to develop innovative and evidence-based solutions for complex logistics operations and design issues.
• Clearly, concisely and credibly communicate logistics management knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences to inform practice.

Today’s business and economy happens in the supply chain. Successful organisations in various sectors (e.g. service, public, manufacturing) strategically collaborate with their local and/or global supply chain partners to gain competitive advantage and create more value for the end customers. Supply chain management helps them achieve and sustain business growth. This subject takes a strategic approach to Logistics and Supply Chain Management and covers key principles, frameworks, and contemporary topics including: supply chain strategy; responsive and agile supply chain; supply chain integration and collaboration; supply chain risk and resilience; managing global supply chain; simplifying supply chain complexity; creating a sustainable supply chain; and, emerging mega-trends and the supply chain of the future.

Pre-requisites: Operations Management

On completion of this subject participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of strategic supply chain management principles, frameworks, and contemporary topics.
• Critically analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, problems, principles and frameworks related to supply chain management at the strategic level.
• Research and apply relevant principles and frameworks to develop innovative, evidence-based and sustainable solutions for complex strategic supply chain management issues.
• Clearly, concisely and credibly communicate strategic supply chain management knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences to inform practice.