GSB-GRADUATE STUDIES-BUSINESS -- 2001-03 Catalog
Orfalea College of Business

GSB 500 Independent Study (1–4)

Advanced study planned and completed under the direction of the Director of Graduate Management Programs. Open only to graduate students who have demonstrated ability to do independent work. Prerequisite: Formal petition with approval.

GSB 502 Foundations for Quantitative Analysis (4)

Basic quantitative concepts used in the MBA program. Matrices, linear systems of equations, introduction to calculus. Probability, basic statistical concepts and regression. Use of computer software to solve problems. This course may not be used for credit toward graduation. 4 seminars.

GSB 510 The General Manager I (12)

The core business knowledge and skills required by all managers. Functional areas covered are: Accounting, economics, finance, government and society, information systems, international business, marketing, organization behavior, production/operations management, and strategy. The course sequence (GSB 510, 520, 530, 540) includes components that focus on integration of functional areas, business strategy, and integration at an enterprise level. 12 seminars. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

GSB 511 Financial Accounting (4)

Financial accounting model and accounting systems concepts. Principles and concepts used in preparing published financial statements. Interrelationships among those statements. Analysis and interpretation of their content. 4 seminars.

GSB 512 Quantitative Analysis (4)

Introduction to matrices and the concepts of statistical analysis. Probability distributions, point and interval estimation of population means, proportions, and variances. Analysis of variance, regression, correlation, multiple regression, time series, and forecasting. Use of computers to solve problems. 3 seminars, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: GSB 502 or equivalent.

GSB 513 Organizational Behavior (4)

Examination of major organizational behavior (individual, interpersonal, group, and organizational) concepts, theories and constructs. Presented from an applied perspective with the purpose of increasing one's effectiveness and skill in understanding, analyzing, and managing organizational processes. 4 seminars.

GSB 514 Business, Government and Society (4)

Analysis from social, economic, political, legal and ethical perspectives of the changing domestic and international environment within which the American business enterprise operates. 4 seminars.

GSB 515 Staffing (4)

Processes by which individuals and organizations become matched to form the employment relationship. Specific issues related to human resources planning, internal and external recruitment and selection. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 583 or equivalent.

GSB 520 The General Manager II (12)

Continuation of studies begun in GSB 510. 12 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 510 and GSB 512.

GSB 521 Managerial Accounting (4)

Managerial accounting with emphasis on communication and information to assist management in planning and control. Development of an operational understanding of cost systems, budgeting concepts, performance evaluation and other quantitative accounting techniques to assist management in planning and control. Accounting data in computer modeling applications. 3 seminars, 1 activity. Prerequisite: GSB 511.

GSB 522 Advanced Management Information Systems I (4)

Combines database systems, data analysis and modeling of business applications, and information systems architecture. Provides a basic understanding of data models, including relational, post-relational and object-oriented. Diagramming techniques, including entity-relationship and data flow diagrams through the use of case tools. Information systems architecture and development. Systems analysis methods. Data, processes, network, and object modeling. Web-based database systems. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: CSC 101, CSC 102, BUS 390 and GSB 530.

GSB 523 Managerial Economics (4)

Microeconomic analysis and its application to business decisions. Topics include the use of calculus and other quantitative techniques in economic analysis, market structures, pricing strategies, cost analysis and input selection. Examination of the economic impact of various governmental policies on the business firm. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 512.

GSB 524 Marketing Management (4)

Introduction to marketing management. Concepts and principles necessary to plan, direct and control the product, promotion, distribution and pricing strategies of the firm. 4 seminars.

GSB 530 The General Manager III (8)

Continuation of studies in GSB 510 and GSB 520. 5 seminars, 3 activities. Prerequisite: GSB 520.

GSB 531 Managerial Finance (4)

Theories, practices and tools of financial decision making. Topics include financial statement analysis, financial forecasting, valuation, capital budgeting, capital structure, dividends, and an overview of financial markets and institutions. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 511 and GSB 512.

GSB 532 Advanced Management Information Systems II (4)

Interface of system analysis to the system design construction, implementation, and evaluation procedures. User interface design, including event-driven, input, output, and web-based platforms. Prototyping and Rapid Application Development (RAD). Software design, quality, and testing. Transition from process design to process simulation and improvement. Cost estimation techniques. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: GSB 522.

GSB 533 Aggregate Economics (4)

Theoretical framework and empirical dimensions of the aggregate economic environment in which business enterprise must operate. Understanding of national income accounting, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation, unemployment and balance of payments issues in static and dynamic contexts. Develops an ability to understand macroeconomic events in an evolving and interconnected world economy. 3 seminars, 1 activity. Prerequisite: GSB 523.

GSB 534 Production and Operations Management (4)

Production function and its interaction with other functional areas in an organization. Application of quantitative and statistical methods to planning, control and decision making in operations management. Topics include economics of plant location, logistics, material management, and quality control. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 522.

GSB 540 The General Manager IV (8)

Continuation of studies in GSB 510, GSB 520 and GSB 530. 3 seminars, 5 activities. Prerequisite: GSB 520, GSB 530 (or permission), and second year standing.

GSB 555 Negotiation for Managers (4)

Negotiation concepts and practice in two-party and multiple-party situations faced by practicing managers. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 530.

GSB 561 Seminar in Joint Ventures and Alliances (4)

Joint ventures and alliances between organizations, using cross cultural, interdisciplinary perspective. Alliance motives, types, and traits. Processes for partner selection, negotiation, structure, operation, and performance assessment of international and cross cultural alliances. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Second year standing, or consent of instructor.

GSB 562 Seminar in General Management and Strategy (4)

Application of interdisciplinary skills to business and corporate strategy formulation and implementation. Analysis of interdependence between external environments and internal systems. Focus on responsibilities, tasks, and skills of general managers. Case studies, group problem solving. Integrating course of MBA core curriculum. Course satisfies comprehensive examination requirement. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Must be taken within last 24 units prior to graduation and after completion of all MBA first-year required GSB courses or equivalent.

GSB 565 Services Marketing (4)

Distinctive approaches required for marketing strategies unique to service organizations and other business entities which define themselves from a services perspective. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 524.

GSB 566 Product Management (4)

Issues that confront brand/product managers; including new product development and brand/product management. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 524.

GSB 567 Advanced Seminar in International Business
Management (4)

Integration of management concepts within complex multinational organizations. Interdisciplinary approach to identifying and assessing multinational and global competitive environments and strategies; structuring and managing interdependent multinational operations; addressing conflicts between domestic and international policies and practices in multinational enterprises. Case studies, simulations, group analysis and problem solving. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Completion of first year MBA core courses or consent of instructor.

GSB 569 Managing Technology in the International Legal Environment (4)

Practical legal decisions required to conduct business for or with high technology companies. Methods to protect high technology developments in international markets, including copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and contracts. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 514 or equivalent.

GSB 570 Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Management (4)

Exploration in entrepreneurship with emphasis on the formation and management of new business ventures. Analysis of typical operating problems of these firms and application of appropriate techniques for their solution. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 571 Organizations and Management (4)

Examination of major theories and conceptual constructs relating to the operating requirements of complex organizations, including manufacturing, service, and nonprofit organizations; historical development of theory and practice; managerial behavior functions and processes. Current issues and actual cases. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 572 Seminar in Organization Design and
Management (4)

Organization design approaches, configurations, principles, and processes. Diagnosis and redesign of a wide variety of complex organizations in the public, private, and international sectors. Organization design as an organization development technology. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 573 Market Research and Planning (4)

Problem and/or opportunity analysis. Secondary and primary research techniques, including survey research and experimental design, data analysis, and reporting. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 524.

GSB 574 Seminar in Labor-Management Relations (4)

Exploration of models of labor-management relationships from adversarial to cooperative, in both non-union and union, private and public sectors. Emphasis on labor-management relationships maximizing commitment and performance. Analysis of employee influence. Work organization, reward systems, conflict resolution. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 575 Legal Aspects of Business (4)

Managerial approach to important legal issues affecting business and the market system. Focus on those aspects of law which affect managers directly including contracts, products liability and corporations in perspective; principles of partnership authority, liability, and control; managerial duty and liability to the corporation; public control of managerial activity. 4 seminars.

GSB 576 Seminar in Quality and Performance Management (4)

Principles and techniques of quality and performance management as applied to organizations in the private and public sector. Emphasis on competitive implications. Integration of fundamental management techniques, existing improvement efforts, technical tools, and new management technologies focused on continuous organizational improvement. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 577 Advanced Quantitative Business Analysis (4)

Case studies using the concepts of GSB 512 Quantitative Business Analysis and GSB 522 Management Science, applied to selected problems in business and industry. These involve concepts of linear programming, quadratic programming, goal programming and advanced forecasting concepts. Solutions of these models obtained using computers. 3 seminars, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: GSB 522.

GSB 578 International Business Management (4)

Managerial concepts and techniques appropriate for analysis and decision making within international businesses.

Environmental and organizational factors influencing multinational operations. Assessing international market opportunities and entry modes. Complexities of multinational management strategy, structure and systems. Case studies and simulations. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Second-year standing or consent of instructor.

GSB 579 Manufacturing Strategy (4)

Strategic role of manufacturing in the overall corporate competitive strategy. Matching manufacturing capabilities and marketing needs, capacity planning, matching process technology with product requirements. The experience curve, vertical integration, managing change, CIM, robotics, and managing international production. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 534.

GSB 580 Business Marketing (4)

Identification and development of solutions for customers in business markets. Building alliances and managing relationships with suppliers and customers. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 524.

GSB 581 Marketing Management Seminar (4)

Practice in the application of analytical tools and techniques to current and potential marketing problems. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 524.

GSB 582 High-Technology Marketing (4)

Human-centered product development, product diffusion and adoption cycles in high-tech markets, and the marketing strategies that are consistent with each phase of the high-tech diffusion cycle. Marketing capabilities enabled by the Internet. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 524.

GSB 583 Management of Human Resources (4)

Major functional areas of human resource management, including human resource planning, job analysis, recruitment, selection, performance measurement, employee training and career development, compensation, legal compliance and employee rights. Emphasis on analysis of human resource problems as they arise in real-world settings. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 584 Seminar in Financial Policy (4)

Application of financial theory and models to a variety of financial problems. Analysis and formulation of financial plans developed primarily through the use of cases and other real world examples. Working capital management, investment decisions under conditions of risk, and financing and capital structure decisions. 3 seminars, 1 activity. Prerequisite: GSB 531.

GSB 585 Seminar in Investments (4)

Stock, bond and options market. Emphasis on operations of markets, the efficient markets hypothesis and portfolio theory. Setting investment objectives and managing portfolios given efficient capital markets. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 531.

GSB 586 Financial Institutions and Markets (4)

Structure of money and capital markets and the financial institutions that operate in these markets. Evaluation of contemporary thought on the evolving market and institutional arrangements. Emphasis on the management policies of the institution. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 531.

GSB 587 International Financial Management (4)

Analysis of the problems facing the financial manager of an international company. Topics include the international monetary system, mechanics of the foreign exchange market, determinants of exchange rates, financing and investment in foreign currencies, trade financing, international capital budgeting, and international working capital management. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 531.

GSB 588 Cooperative Education Experience (6) (CR/NC)

Advanced study analysis and part-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. A maximum of 8 units can be used toward graduation. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and adviser.

GSB 589 Accounting Policy (4)

Role of management in establishing and directing accounting policy. Coverage includes the impact of management decisions on external reporting and taxes and the impact of financial reporting requirements on management decisions. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 521.

GSB 590 Designing and Managing Sociotechnical Systems (4)

Designing organizations as sociotechnical systems. Manager's role and functions in managing technology. Organizations as sociotechnical systems. Sociotechnical system theory. Sociotechnical system analysis and design. Managing sociotechnical systems. Design experiments that foster the innovative process. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 513.

GSB 591 Industry Analysis (4)

In-depth study of major industry using analytical tools developed in first-year courses. Intensive investigation of the dynamic environment, markets, technology, financial and economic structures, history and other key factors. Further prospects for the industry explored through preparation of a comprehensive forecast. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Second-year standing.

GSB 592 Cooperative Education Experience (12) (CR/NC)

Advanced study analysis and full-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. A maximum of 8 units can be used toward graduation. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and adviser.

GSB 593 Management and Control of Information Systems (4)

Overviews of information technology trends and implications. Information systems (IS) functions and organization. Strategic planning for information systems. Integration of IS plan with corporate strategy. IS administration and control. Management of IS development and computer operations. IS issues in a multinational environment. 3 seminars, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: GSB 532.

GSB 594 Future of Business (4)

Examination of the techniques and conclusions of representative future studies by research institutions such as the Rand Corporation, Hudson Institute and The Club of Rome. Analysis of the implications of those conclusions for the operations and role of business in society. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 514.

GSB 595 Managing Change (4)

Managing planned change within complex organizations. Managing change and development models and interventions, including action research, team development, intergroup conflict, structural, and comprehensive approaches. Design and use of action programs to improve organizational effectiveness. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Second-year standing.

GSB 596 Economic Forecasting (4)

Applications to business planning of selected economic forecasting techniques. Classical time series analysis, Box-Jenkins (ARIMA) models, adaptive (Kalman) filtering models, leading indicators and input-output analysis. Use of computers in solving problems. 3 seminars, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: GSB 533.

GSB 597 Seminar in Selected Economic Problems (4)

Selected problems analyzed at an advanced level in a particular field, such as international trade, public finance, urban, industrial organization or transportation. 4 seminars. Prerequisite: GSB 533.

GSB 598 Graduate Internship in Business (2–8) (CR/NC)

To permit students to correlate experience and academic knowledge. Placement in a supervised work program in a business or public organization. Minimum forty hours of work experience per two units of credit. A maximum of 8 units can be used toward graduation. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and adviser.

GSB 599 Individual Research (1–4)

Advanced individual research planned and completed under the direction of a member of the college faculty. Designed to meet the needs of qualified students who wish to pursue investigations which they cannot follow effectively in regularly offered elective courses. Prerequisite: Second-year standing.