Executive MBA Poznań University of Economics 1
Wielkopolska Business School PUE in numbers: 3 MBA programmes over 100 alumni per year, 70 fields of postgraduate study over 2,000 students per year, 500 lecturers and a network of cooperating external trainers and business practitioners, over 2,000 training and consulting projects for companies, involving 45,000 participants, since the School was established. What distinguishes us from others? a focus on training the management staff of companies and institutions, consulting services in all areas of company and institution management, a comprehensive offer including MBA programmes, postgraduate studies, open and closed training courses, market research and consulting projects, international cooperation and contacts. 2 In more than twenty years of its history, Wielkopolska Business School has organised over two thousand training projects, which have been attended by more than 45,000 participants
Poznań University of Economics, Wielkopolska Business School The Executive MBA programme at the Poznań University of Economics (PUE) is offered by Wielkopolska Business School. Wielkopolska Business School PUE is the university s educational unit established to: develop a homogeneous portfolio of programmes at postgraduate and equivalent levels, increase the University s offer of courses and training programmes, coordinate training and consulting services commissioned by outside entities, foster cooperation with business practice. Wielkopolska Business School s mission is to meet company and institution managers expectations regarding the development of managerial skills, and implement the latest corporate management ideas to help managers operate in today s market environment. The School s main characteristics are the international nature of its activity, a focus on training the management staff of companies and institutions, a broad scope of activity, as well Prof. Marek Cieślak Director of Wielkopolska Business School PUE as the complementary character of its training and consultancy offer. Besides the MBA programmes, the offer includes open training courses, courses commissioned by individual companies, and professional training and consulting services. I am sure our offer will meet your requirements in terms of both the content and the quality of our services. We are looking forward to receiving your applications. Director of Wielkopolska Business School PUE, Prof. Marek Cieślak 3
Executive Master of Business Administration The Executive MBA programme has been run in Wielkopolska Business School PUE since 1991. From the very beginning, the programme has been delivered in conjunction with an increasing number of foreign partners. Classes are conducted 40% in English and 60% in Polish. The programme fully follows the EQUAL standards concerning the MBA. Since 2006, the PUE s Executive MBA has been one of the few programmes in Central Europe to have the prestigious international EPAS accreditation. The programme has been awarded the highest Master Class in FORUM s ratings of MBA programmes. The Executive MBA programme is supported by three pillars: International perspective, Practical perspective and Strategic perspective. 1 st pillar: International perspective 2 nd pillar: Practical perspective 3 rd pillar: Strategic perspective lecturers from the world s leading universities, part of the programme is held at one of the foreign partner universities (ISCTE Business Schoo l or Turku School of Economics), 40% of classes are conducted in English, a joint diploma from Wielkopolska Business School and ISCTE Business School. final tests take the form of application projects, verification of acquired skills through consulting projects and a simulation game, 40% of classes are conducted by business practitioners from Poland and abroad. particular emphasis is put on strategic aspects of management in domestic and overseas markets, an interdisciplinary programme allowing competence development in strategic areas of management, economics, finance and marketing, an opportunity to increase knowledge in selected areas as part of a group of elective subjects. Completing MBA studies is seen as reaching the highest level of managerial education, and the qualifications gained by students are considered most prestigious internationally. 4
The Executive MBA programme is designed for managers who have experience of running a business. Special emphasis is laid on strategic corporate management, both in the domestic and the international market. The programme is very strongly oriented towards developing managerial skills. It also features teamworking in the form of practice- -oriented consulting and international team projects. The main aim of the programme is to cover the most important areas of a modern company operations and to provide participants with managerial training, with particular emphasis laid on practical aspects in order to enhance the participants entrepreneurial and leadership competences. Graduates of the Executive MBA programme obtain: an Executive Master of Business Administration diploma, issued jointly by the Poznań University of Economics - Wielkopolska Business School and ISCTE Business School, an Executive Master of Business Administration postgraduate studies diploma of the Poznań University of Economics, a certificate of completing the Business Communication Skills language workshop. 5
Programme and organisation The programme, which lasts two years, consists of 550 hours of instruction (including 14 in an e-learning mode). Classes are conducted in Polish (60%) and in English (40%). 40% of them are taught by business practitioners. The classes are held during four-day sessions organised once a month. During the first year, students have an opportunity to participate, free of charge, in a language workshop called Business Communication Skills, developed specially for the Executive MBA programme. Wielkopolska Business School PUE has a formalised quality assurance system based on British standards which is unique in the Polish education market. The elements of the system include the Advisory Board of Executive MBA made up of representatives of the academic and business communities, national and international external examiners, the Course Committee representing students interests, a monitoring system in the form of annual reports approved by the Advisory Board, as well as students regular evaluation of all classes. The Executive MBA programme covers 20 modules including three out of seven selected by students, a team consulting project (in the first year), a team international consulting project (in the second year), company study tours, international specialised workshops and a dissertation presented at the end of the second year. The curriculum is covered by completing specific modules. Their order is established in the way that will gradually reduce gaps in the participants knowledge of basic business-management issues in the first year of studies. The second-year modules give a strategic, broader and deeper picture of company operations. In class, teachers mostly use activating teaching methods such as team projects at companies, case studies, plenary and team discussions, presentations and exercises. 6
Curriculum of Executive MBA Module Contact hours Induction Workshop 4 Managerial Skills Development 20 Effective Organisation Functioning 32 Managerial Economics 32 Accountancy for Managers 28 Law Regulations in Business 24 Company Study Tour 8 Strategic Marketing Management 40 Finance Management 40 Team Consulting Project 12 Elective (1x24): 24 Information Systems in Management Operations Management and Logistics Coaching in Business Total 1st year 264 Strategic Management 48 Human Resources Management 40 Strategies in International Business 32 International Study Tour 16 Specialized International Workshop 20 Elective (2x24): 48 Globalisation in Contemporary World s Economy Psychology in Management Managing Change System Approach to Organisation Team International Project 12 Dissertation 8 Simulation game 26 Total 2nd year 250 Business Communication Skills 36 Total 550 7
Why choose the Poznań University of Economics Executive MBA Programme? The following are the issues that will make this programme distinctive: over 20 years experience, over 50 editions and 1130 alumni, the highest quality, confirmed by rankings, ratings and accreditations top positions in rankings and ratings of MBA programmes: Master Class in the FORUM rating, prestigious, international EPAS EFMD accreditation, awarded to the best business schools in Europe, accreditation by Warsaw s FORUM Association of Management Education, some classes and assignment projects are common to Executive MBA students and students of partner schools, nationally unique, UK-developed, formalised quality assurance system adapted to Polish conditions, unique and original character of programme modules (team consulting projects, Company Study Tour, International Study Tour, Specialised International Workshops, Feedback Workshops), module final assignments in the form of application projects, team of experienced lecturers and business practitioners from Poland and abroad, cooperation with prestigious foreign partners (ISCTE Business School, Turku School of Economics, ESC Rennes School of Business and SKEMA Business School). 8
International cooperation From its very beginning, Wielkopolska Business School PUE has closely cooperated on the Executive MBA programme with a number of foreign universities and business schools. Particularly noteworthy is cooperation with partners who, owing to formally signed agreements, share responsibility for implementing the programme and ensuring its quality. The partners include: ISCTE Business School Turku School of Economics A collaboration with a thus selected group of partners allows us to use their unique competence by hiring specialists in specific fields, which should ensure a high quality and relevance of the content taught. Additionally, since the Schools are located in different parts of Europe, they represent different, unique cultural values and attitudes, which enriches the students international perspective. 9
EPAS Accreditation At the beginning of December 2006, Wielkopolska Business School received the prestigious EPAS (European Programme Accreditation System) accreditation, which is also enjoyed by Europe s best business schools. The aim of EPAS accreditation is to identify leading MBA programmes in Europe and to provide potentially interested parties (companies and students) with objective information on programmes which meet the highest international quality and excellence standards. The accreditation procedure at Wielkopolska Business School lasted about a year and involved writing a report on the School and its MBA programme, programme self-evaluation and a visit by a five-person accreditation panel in June 2006. The process ended on 6 December 2006, with EPAS accreditation being awarded on the basis of a decision made by an independent, 15-member EFMD Programme Accreditation Board. The last re-accreditation process took place in 2012. The basic reasons why Wielkopolska Business School received EPAS accreditation include a high level of programme internationalisation, formalised system of quality assurance (including external and foreign examiners), strong corporate links, students great interest in the programme and high evaluation of the programme in the Polish education market. EPAS is a prestigious, international accreditation which aims to identify leading MBA programme 10
Our alumni We have over 1,100 alumni representing the management personnel of leading Polish and international companies. Regularly conducted research has demonstrated that 66% of our alumni were promoted thanks to completion of the Executive MBA programme, nearly 80% of them have had their remuneration significantly increased, 96% declare that the knowledge acquired thanks to the Executive MBA programme compensates for its cost. Wielkopolska Business School s Alumni Association MBA Club promotes a full integration of Executive MBA alumni and students. It enables them to establish interesting professional but also informal relations, and creates a unique opportunity to spend free time in an attractive way. www.mbaclub.pl Alumni say: MBA studies inspired me to manage groups of people consciously and wisely. I ve derived great satisfaction from building teams and influencing staff development for ten years. Four of our employees have completed MBA studies and are now pursuing their own careers. It s those people I m most proud of. Jolanta Latuszewska,Deputy Director, Corporate Division, BRE Bank S.A. As a 1995 alumnus of the MBA programme, I strongly encourage my colleagues to study at the Poznań University of Economics. I believe that MBA studies at PUE Wielkopolska Business School offer new opportunities for professional development. Jacek Sobkowiak, Executive Director CEE Wavin Metalplast-Buk Sp. z o.o. The knowledge acquired from Polish and overseas lecturers is extremely valuable and based on specific experiences from business practice. I use the knowledge in the day-to-day management of my company. Planinko Vurdelja, Chairman of the Board, HELIOS Polska Executive MBA alumni are among the management staff of such companies as: Amica Wronki, Apotex Inc., Bank Zachodni WBK, BRE Bank, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Grupa Energetyczna Enea, Grupa Wydawnicza Infor, Henkel Polska, Imperial Tobacco, KGHM Polska Miedź, Kompania Piwowarska, Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie, Nestlé Polska, NIVEA Polska, Novartis Poland, Orange, Pepsi Cola General Bottlers Poland, Philips Lighting Poland, Polkomtel, PZU Życie, Siemens, Solaris Bus & Coach, STU Ergo Hestia, Telekomunikacja Polska, T.U. Allianz Polska, Volkswagen Polska, Wavin Metalplast-Buk, Wrigley Poland 11
What can you learn? Managerial skills development The classes enable students to diagnose their management skills and aptitude, and to actively develop skills which will enhance their personal effectiveness in class and help them deal with other people. Effective Organisation Functioning The subject familiarises students with modern conceptions of organisation and management, as well as with the relationships between various areas of corporate activity. Strategic Marketing Management The classes help students understand the significance of a company s marketing orientation for its strategy implementation, ways of conducting a company marketing diagnosis, and the development of market activities consistent with the latest trends. Law regulations in business The purpose of the module is to develop the skill of selecting the right legal form of business activity, to learn how to use relevant acts, and to acquire the skills of preparing and executing commercial contracts. 12
Accountancy for managers The classes teach students to understand information contained in financial reports and in particular elements of a financial report. At the same time, they make students aware of how much of the information needed in the corporate management process is provided by the accounting system. Finance management The classes help students understand a company s financial environment and financial analysis techniques supporting strategic corporate management. An element of the module is to develop a financial plan in the form of an application project. Human resources management The purpose of the classes is to teach methods and techniques of human resources management that make it possible to exploit the potential of a company employee. International business management The classes show the strategic implications of company operation in an international environment, with special emphasis laid on marketing, financial and logistical aspects. Managerial economics The classes show the entirety of a company s relations with its environment and the microeconomic bases of management which are important from the viewpoint of effective company management. Strategic management The classes are aimed at teaching how to assess a company s strategic position and, on this basis, determining and implementing the right corporate development strategy. 13
Team consulting project It requires students to use in practice the theory they study during the MBA Programme in order to solve a specific research problem at a selected company. The project, carried out in teams, provides an opportunity to develop the skills of interpersonal communication, cooperation, negotiating, and reaching compromise. The team work ends with a written report and a public presentation of major issues and benefits deriving from the consulting project. The international project is an extension of the team consultancy project, carried out at a selected overseas firm. The purpose is to put theory into practice even further and use it to solve the company s specific problem. An important element of the overseas visit is identifying cultural differences and developing the team s adapting skills. The project concludes with a written report and a public English-language presentation of key issues and benefits deriving from the fact that the project was implemented abroad. The simulation game is a module which allows students to apply the acquired skills in simulated market conditions. To play the game, students use the knowledge gained in the following modules: Strategic Marketing Management, Managerial Economics, Finance Management, Strategies in International Business and Strategic Management. Some classes within the module are conducted in the form of e-learning. The Company study tour is a visit to a selected international company (co-organised with the MBA Alumni Association MBA Club). The aim of the visit is to show students the functioning of a company, particularly an international business one, and to present examples of good practice. The presentation of companies and methods of solving selected management problems is accompanied by meetings with employees alumni of Wielkopolska Business School s MBA programmes. 14
Recruitment The International Study Tour is a four-day study visit to a partner business school abroad. Students participate in classes taught by the overseas school s lecturers and make visits to selected companies in order to familiarise themselves with management practice, particularly in the area of international business. Visits are planned alternately to Lisbon s ISCTE Business School, Nice s SKEMA Business School or the Turku School of Economics. The Dissertation constitutes a synthesis of students cognitive and practical experiences during the programme. Its purpose is to demonstrate the ability to use theory in order to solve in practice an organisation s strategic problems and to apply analytical tools in professional company management. Electives: Information Systems in Management Operations Management and Logistics Coaching in Business Globalisation in Contemporary World s Economy Psychology in Management Managing Change System Approach to Organisation Admission requirements: university degree, at least three years professional experience, team management experience, management aptitude and high motivation to study, good command of English, to be able to actively participate in the classes. An applicant for the Executive MBA programme is required to submit the following documents: completed application form, one photograph, curriculum vitae, copy of the diploma of higher education, to confirm the applicant s degree. Applicants undergo an enrollment procedure consisting of a psychological test, an interview and an English-language test. 15
POZNAŃ UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS Al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań tel. +48 61 854 32 25, 854 32 26, 854 32 27 www.ue.poznan.pl wsb@ue.poznan.pl 16