Retailing MBA

www.irs.stir.ac.uk

The MBA in Retailing is offered by the Institute for Retail Studies (IRS), based in the Marketing Division. The IRS has an international reputation for teaching, research and consultancy in retailing and the distributive trades.

The MBA places emphasis upon individual coaching and is unique in catering specifically for the retail sector. Its modular design results in each subject being studied separately.

It is a high quality programme offering a unique combination of general management skills and retail-specific specialisms.

Programme Objectives

This programme was developed to meet the needs of retail managers and others servicing the retail industry. It aims to provide you with industry-focused study for your MBA whilst maintaining your career and applying your learning within the business. The programme has the following objectives:

• To demonstrate a thorough understanding of the industry and associated organisations.
• To encourage you to use your skills more effectively in areas such as strategy, human resource management and marketing.
• To apply current management techniques.
• To develop responses to market turbulence.
• To analyse problems and develop solutions on an industry-wide basis.

Entrance Requirements

An Honours degree is required to enter the programme but candidates may also be accepted if they can demonstrate relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6 (minimum 5 in each skill) or TOEFL 550/213/79-80 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

Funding

Information on possible sources of funding: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance

Modes of Study

Distance learning supplemented with seven weekend study schools and tutorials, together with continuous email, telephone and face-to-face support.

Programme Start Date

May/June

Programme Director

Eric Calderwood

Marketing Division

The Marketing Division is part of Stirling Management School.

Structure and Content

The programme comprises 10 modules of study plus a dissertation. Core modules include:

• Managing the Strategic Environment: Aims to examine the role of senior management in setting the direction of an organisation. It offers the opportunity to examine the strategic issues and problems confronting companies in the retail sector.
• Retail Management Context: Aims to examine the principles of retailing in terms of their function within the distribution channel.
• Managing the Supply Chain: Examines the importance of supply chain management to retail businesses.
• Managing Finance: Introduces the three disciplines of financial accounting, management accounting and financial management.
• Managing People: Examines the context of HRM decision-making in terms of the employment structure in retailing and outlines processes and techniques required by managers for the effective management of the workforce.
• Retail Marketing: Aims to define the role of marketing within retail organisations. It emphasises the need to integrate marketing policy with business strategy.
• Buying and Merchandising: Explains how merchandise decisions within retail organisations are made at both strategic and operational levels.
• Managing Change: Provides an understanding of the management of organisational change and practical competencies in handling change.

Two elective modules are selected from:

• Advanced Marketing: Builds on your existing knowledge of the need for retail organisations to be customer-centred and customer-driven. It focuses primarily on the ‘communicate’ and ‘deliver’ elements of the marketing model, showing how some of the theories can be put into practice.
• Advanced Finance: Advances the topics outlined in the Managing Finance module and presents current issues.
• Advanced Human Resource Management: Introduces the key issues in HRM. It examines the practices and policies undertaken by the HR department.
• Advanced Locational Strategy: Provides a strategic view of store location and design, locational analysis and property development.
• Advanced International Retailing: Provides an understanding of the process management of international retailing by analysing the companies involved as well as reviewing major retail areas of the world in search of the effects of internationalisation.

Dissertation
After completion of the taught modules, you will undertake a dissertation (circa 15,000 words) which is an applied and/or academic piece of research into a specific business or retail topic of your choice.

Delivery and Assessment

Most students complete the full MBA but you can exit after six modules with a Postgraduate Certificate in Retailing and after 10 modules with a Postgraduate Diploma in Retailing. These qualifications are internationally recognised and can be accredited towards further later study on the MBA. Some students may enter the programme at Certificate level or with accredited modules through tailored corporate or individual management programmes run by the IRS or other institutions.

The MBA takes a minimum of two and half years to complete but there is flexibility for the programme to be taken over a longer period.

Timetable

Contact the Division for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

The programme is aimed at experienced managers in retailing and related trades and serves to enhance career prospects within existing companies.

Research Opportunities

The internationally known Institute for Retail Studies and Institute for Social Marketing organise and focus research in their areas. Major research grants have been obtained from institutions including the Economic and Social Research Council, the Leverhulme Trust, the Scottish Funding Council, the European Commission, European Parliament, Department of Trade & Industry, the World Bank, the Scottish Executive, the Home Office, Cancer Research UK and numerous commercial companies and not-for-profit organisations.

For information on the Division’s research activity, visit:
www.marketing.stir.ac.uk/Research

Research Proposal

Research proposals, focusing on topics which fall into the areas of research expertise of current staff in the School, should include the following: executive summary, importance of the proposed research, prior relevant research and literature review, research questions and methodology, any limitations or particular requirements for the research.

The word limit for Marketing research proposals is 1,000 words.

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.