BUSMBA 760 : Making Evidence-based Decisions under Uncertainty
Business and Economics
2021 Quarter Four (1218) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Integrated and linked with prior MBA courses, this course develops knowledge and capabilities for decision making under uncertainty within organisations. Students will apply their knowledge to a specific management challenge or business issue. This requires the critical synthesis and appraisal of different types of decision making tools, frameworks and heuristics in the light of evolving evidence. Students undertake an individual project, in-class exercises and case studies to develop and demonstrate their capacity for high value thinking and effective decision making under uncertainty.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Apply their knowledge and understanding of management to structure complex decision-making problems under uncertainty. (Capability 1 and 3)
- Assess research and decision making approaches to business problems to assemble, synthesize and appraise relevant evidence. (Capability 2 and 3)
- Conduct independent investigation to develop a coherent and evidence-based set of conclusions and recommendations. (Capability 5.1)
- Engage and convince stakeholders in executing decisions by balancing interests and by negotiating outcomes. (Capability 3 and 5.1)
- Communicate conclusions and recommendations effectively and validate or revise recommendations as new evidence emerges. (Capability 4.2 and 5.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratories | 15% | Group Coursework |
| Laboratories | 15% | Group Coursework |
| Project | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Project | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Project | ||||||||||
| Project | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week with the course.
For this course, you can expect 10 hours of lectures and three workshops. On average, per week, a student is expected to spend 6 hours of work on readings and assignments.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures, labs, and workshops to receive credit for the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs and workshops will not be available as recordings.
The course is not expected to include live online events including.
The activities for the course are scheduled as block delivery.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.