Opinto-opas

Objective

The course uses an online simulation to assist learning. The OnService simulation business case is built around a small family hotel, with about 1m€ in annual sales at the start of the simulation. The students’ goal is to manage the overall operating, market, and financial performance of a service business in competitive markets with seasonal variations in demand and economic conditions. Human resources management, capacity management, investments, service quality, pricing, and marketing are the key decision-making areas in the simulation. The main aim of the course is to provide with students' practical knowledge of how to run a SME.

Content

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Understand and have practice in the day to day running and management of an SME
- Manage the overall operating, market, and financial performance of a service business in
competitive markets with seasonal variations in demand and economic conditions
- Coordinate human resources management, capacity management, investments, service quality, pricing and marketing.
- Improve problem solving ability
- Improve team work skills

Materials

Effective Small Business Management, Norman Scarborough, Pearsons Publishing

Teaching methods

Interactive lecture
Lecture
Problem based learning
Small group tutorial
e-learning

Employer connections

NA

Exam schedules

Details provided in the first lesson of the course

International connections

NA

Completion alternatives

NA

Student workload

130 hours Total
34 hours class attendance
96 hours for case study, report writing, other work

Content scheduling

Autumn Semester

Further information

Details provided in the first lesson of the course

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient performance:
showing just enough understanding of the subject to merit a pass grade but requiring greater effort to achieve a more satisfactory result

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good performance:
showing strong understanding of basic concepts and good grasp of techniques, but with certain minor problems still requiring further attention

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent performance:
not only fulfils all standard requirements but demonstrates originality and imagination

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Sufficient performance:
showing just enough understanding of the subject to merit a pass grade but requiring greater effort to achieve a more satisfactory result

Assessment methods and criteria

Class Attendance 10%
Peer Review 5%
SME Quiz 15% (Individual work)
Simulation 40% (Group work & Individual work)
Final Exam 30% (Individual work)
Total individual grade = 55% + teachers assessment of individual contribution to the team’s effort in the simulation. 50% pass mark all sections. Failure in one section will result in failure of the section & require completion or repeat

Qualifications

First year basic studies
Basic knowledge of finance - have completed a first year finance course
English language skills: intermediate level