Study Guide

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

Location and time

Classroom as per the scheduling machine

Materials

Provided in OMA

Teaching methods

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

Employer connections

NA

Exam schedules

Provided in OMA

International connections

NA

Completion alternatives

NA

Student workload

5 ECTS 135 hours
Breakdown presented in first class

Content scheduling

Timetable & content provided in OMA

Further information

NA

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%* (Every class is marked, so to achieve the full 10% you need to be present in all classes.)
Peer Review 5%
Short learning diary 10%
SME Quiz 10% (Individual work)
Simulation 35% (Group work & Individual work*)
Final Exam 30% (Individual work)
50% pass mark all sections. Failure in one section will result in failure of the section/course & require completion or repeat

Prerequisites

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