ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA FOR BUSINESS ECONOMISTS CURRICULUM Introduction: This course is designed to equip Business Economists with the knowledge, tools, techniques, strategies and skills necessary to support the economic systems of corporate organisations. Course Structure: The course structure is in 2 Modules. Module 1 is course work intensive and Module 2 is dissertation writing. The course work is to expose the learner to the knowledge, skills, tools, techniques and strategies needed to excel as an Associate Diploma holder and a Business Economist. Students may apply for exemptions based on their course work backgrounds. In Module 2, the Dissertation is mandatory. Each student will pick a subject/topic of their choice with the guidance of their course supervisor and write a mini-thesis with a minimum of 5000 words. Course Contents Module 1: Course Work Part 1 1. Elements of Business Economics Introduction to Managerial Economics definition, overview, role of economic models, opportunity cost, fixed and variable cost etc., Production factors that influence the production possibilities curve, Demand and Supply markets and social welfare, supply and demand curve, market equilibrium, rent controls etc., price elasticity of demand, price elasticity of supply, Market equilibrium and efficiency i.e., economic surplus, price ceilings etc., Economic Profit, Profit Imperfections i.e., monopoly and other forms of imperfect competition, Macro-economics: the bird s-eye view of the economy i.e., economic growth and living standards, productivity, unemployment, recessions and expansions, inflation etc., Federal Reserves, Financial Markets and Money the banking system, brand markets, stock markets and the allocation of savings, money a special financial asset. Buchholz, T G (1990), New Ideas from Dead Economics: An Introduction to Modern Economic Thought Lipsey, R G (1989), An Introduction to Positive Economics, London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
2. Executive Communication Introduction to Communication, Types of Communication, Barriers in Communication, Reports and Letter Drafting, etc. Cornelissen, J (2004), Corporate Communications: Theory and Practice, SAGE Publications Nash, T (2000), The Future of Communications for Buisness: Understanding and Exploiting Changes in Voice and Data Technology, Director Publications 3. Quantitative Techniques and Methods Introduction to Quantitative Techniques, Central Tendency, Measure of Dispersion, Correlation Regression, Time Series, Probability, etc. Render, B & Stair, R M (2000), Quantitative Analysis for Management, Prentice Hall International, Inc Target, D (1996), Coping with Numbers, Blackwell publishers 4. Elements of Financial Management Environment of Business Finance, Ratio Analysis, Fund Flow Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Economic Value Added, Capital Functionary cost of capital, operating and financial leverage, capital structure theories, dividend distribution theories, Capital Budgeting Techniques capital expenditure, investment decisions, Financial Markets money market, capital market, international capital market, Working Capital Management cash, inventory, account receivable management and factoring. 5. Management Information Systems Fundamentals of Information Systems, Information System for Strategic Advantage, System Approach, System Development Tools, Hardware, Software, Telecommunication, DBMS, Transaction Process System, Information Reporting System, Decision Support System, Executive Information System, Artificial Intelligence,
Expert System, Information System in function area, Information Resource Management, Planning and Implementation of Information System, etc. Lartey, S (2012), Computer Management: The Basics Laudon, K C and Laudon J P (2006), Management Information Systems, Tenth Edition Part 2 1. Financial and Securities Law Contract Act, Sales of Goods Act, Negotiable Act, Payment of Bonus Act, Industrial Dispute Act, Industrial Employment (Standing Order) Act, Banking Law, NBFC Law, Companies Act, Security and Exchange Commission, etc. Sealy, L S & Hooley, R J A (2003), Commercial Law: text, cases and materials, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2. Financial Economics Introduction to Financial Economics, RBI Functions, Commercial Banks, IDBI, IFCI, ICICI, Universal Banking, Financing and Trading activities, etc. Buchholz, T G (1990), New Ideas from Dead Economics: An Introduction to Modern Economic Thought Lipsey, R G (1989), An Introduction to Positive Economics, London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 3. Global Marketing Economics and Trade Nature and Scope of Marketing, Concept of Marketing Mix, Consumer Behaviour, Market Segmentation, Implementation, Organization, Control, New Product Development Lifecycle, Product Positioning, Branding, Packaging, Advertising, International Market Agency and Policies, WTO, etc. Dibb, S, & Simkin, L (2009), Marketing Essentials, Cengage Learning
Kotler, P (1998), Marketing Management: Analysis, Planning and Control, Prentice Hall 4. International Business Finance International Finance a business perspective, Global Financial Environment, Understanding Financial Risk, The Foreign Exchange Market, Introduction to Currency Futures and Options, Management of Currency Exposure, Swaps, Working Capital Management, International Long Run Financing and Institutions, Foreign Direct Investment and International Capital Budgeting, The Emerging Markets and Financial Developments, International Portfolio Investment, etc. 5. Export and Import Management Introduction to Export and Import Trades, L/C, Exim Bank, WTO, Export Documentation, Export Planning, Special Economic Zones, EOU, etc. Part 3 1. Corporate Restructuring Concept of Corporate Restructuring, Understanding Financial Statement and its Analysis, Capital Structure, Derivatives options, futures and corporate finance, Warrants and Convertibles, Derivatives and Hedging Risk, Mergers and Acquisitions, Leverage Buyouts and Management Buy-outs, Efficient Market Theory, Arbitrage and Price Theory, Portfolio Performance Evaluation, Analysis, etc. Hill Samuel Bank Limited, (1989), Mergers, Acquisitions and Alternative Corporate Strategies, W.H. Allen & Co Ross, S A, Westerfield, Westerfield, R W. & Jaffe, J (2010), Corporate Finance, 9 th ed,
2. Corporate Financial Services Introduction to Financial Services, Asset/Fund-based Financial Services theoretical and regulatory framework, Accounting/Reporting Framework and Taxation of Learning, Financial Evaluation of Learning, Hire Purchase and Commercial Credit, Factoring, Forfeiting, Bill Discounting, Housing Finance, Insurance Services Life and Non-life, Venture Capital Financing, NBFCs, Merchant Banking and other Fee-based/Advisory Financial Services i.e., issue management, mergers, amalgamations, takeover, etc., Equity Research, Stock Broking, Credit Rating, etc. 3. Taxation Management and Planning Exploring the Tax Environment types of taxes and the jurisdiction, Tax Policy, Fundamentals of Tax Planning, The Measurement of Taxable Income, Tax Planning in setting up of a new business, non-residential managerial decision etc., International Taxation. Lymer, A (2002), Taxation: Policy and Practice, London: Thomson Learning Salanie, B (2003), The Economics of Taxation, Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press 4. Merger and Acquisition Analysis Brief Outline about Mergers, Acquisitions, Takeovers, Tender Offer, Change Forces and Mergers, Anti-trust Policies, Deal Structure, Mergers and Takeovers theory and practices, Alternative Paths to Growth, Valuation, Corporate Restructuring, Takeover Defenses, LBOs and MBOs, Financial Restructuring, Corporate Governance and Performance, Case Studies.
Hill Samuel Bank Limited, (1989), Mergers, Acquisitions and Alternative Corporate Strategies, W.H. Allen & Co 5. Project Management, Operations and Financial Institutions Introduction to Project Management, Preparation of Project Reports, RBI Functions, Commercial Banks, IDBI, IFCI, ICICI, etc. Biais, B & Pagano, M (2002), New Research in Corporate Finance and Banking, Oxford: New York: Oxford University Press Lockyer, K & Gordon, J (1996), Project Management and Project Network Techniques, London: Pitman Maylor, H (1996), Project Management, London: Pitman Meredith, J R & Mantel, S J (1989), Project Management: A Managerial Approach, New York: Chichester: Wiley Pinto, J K (1998), The Project Management Institute Project Management Handbook, San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Module 2: Dissertation Writing This is a mandatory requirement for the qualification. At the end of the course work, each candidate has to undergo the discipline of Dissertation writing. A sample structure in included within this study kit and the candidate s mentor/supervisor will guide the candidate through the writing. Grading Pass 50 64% Merit 65 79% Distinction 80 100%