Applied Management:
The module introduces a range of strategic applied management tools and techniques with which to analyse and thus understand business situations with national and international relevance. In addition, an understanding of competitive behaviour will be informed by a variety of views concerning the sources of competitive advantage. These include the implications of developments in the macro-environment, industry structure, the organisation’s strategic position in an industry, the acquisition and development of resources and capabilities, and the challenge of industry evolution to sustaining competitive advantage.
Business Environment:
The module seeks to understand the reality of organisational life and the role of particularly commercial organisations in the modern global world. In particular, it examines five major themes: 1) The complex phenomena of organisations and their underlying philosophy. 2) The basic divisions of economic systems and methods of organisation. 3) The concepts of ethics in business. 4) The development of globalisation and its implications for business. 5) The importance of technology and the growing knowledge economy and their importance for future organisational life.
Zahra's first experience of research was during her MBA where she completed her thesis in International Business with studying on 'What prevents tourists from considering Iran as a travel destination'. This was a mixed methods study.
She is currently in the third year of her PhD doing research in Business and Management Studies and she has developed a sound knowledge of how to conduct high quality research including searching and critiquing literature and research design and most importantly how to design research with a view for the potential impact from the outset.
Zahra has always been interested to study, research, teach and work in Business/Management field. Based on her personal interests, she published a book 'Top 51 theories fundamental to business'. The reason for writing the book was, as an EFQM manager in manufacturing sector, she saw the necessity for people in organisations to get familiar with most applicable and well-known management theories to increase their productivity based on the scientific methods.
Zahra has worked in the manufacturing sector (B.A Foods Company) as an EFQM project manager. EFQM consists of three components including eight core values, nine criteria (leadership, people, strategy, partnerships/resources, processes/products/services, people results, customer results, society results, and business results) and RADAR logic continuous improvement cycle used by EFQM.
