Postgraduate Courses
IMBA
HKUST Executive MBA Program
The following courses are restricted to HKUST EMBA students only. All courses are graded HP/P/LP/U/Y.
- IMBA 5001Induction Program[0 credit]DescriptionThe induction program will involve both experiential learning and multidisciplinary learning.Experiential learning is the process of learning through reflection by doing. Two days of experiential learning will engage students to various activities and reflection in such a way to develop team leadership under a team of professional coaches. Another two days are set for multidisciplinary learning. Through participation in debate, discussion, and critical evaluation and comparison of different perspectives, students will witness firsthand the synergetic advantages posed by multidisciplinary learning.
- IMBA 5020Capstone Management Strategy and Execution[2-0-0:2]Exclusion(s)MGMT 5410DescriptionThis course combines a case study and business simulation approach to illustrate strategic management, decision making, and strategy execution in a competitive environment. The students will participate in an intensive team simulation exercise to practise the knowledge they have learned from the HKUST EMBA core modules, including accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and so on.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Craft a strategic plan.
- 2.Analyze the current situation with different management tools and frameworks.
- 3.Foresee the future in multiple perspectives.
- 4.Create innovative strategies by different growth avenues.
- 5.Identify winning moves by considering the size-of-the-prize and competitive position.
- 6.Articulate new strategy for communication to align and create an action plan for implementation.
- IMBA 5030Accounting Foundations[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)ACCT 5100, ACCT 5150DescriptionProvides essential foundation tools of financial accounting and analysis from a management perspective, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, accrual concepts, revenue and expense recognition, asset and liability accounting.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Construct and interpret both a balance sheet and an income statement.
- 2.Construct and interpret a statement of cash flows.
- 3.Analyze the process of accounting and the links among the three primary financial statements.
- 4.Use standard financial statement analysis tools and interpret the outputs from those analysis tools.
- 5.Apply the financial accounting rules that exist in the following areas: Revenue Recognition, Inventory, Long-term assets, Leases, Investment Securities, and Fair Value Accounting.
- 6.Discuss accounting issues and solve accounting problems in a time-constrained group setting.
- 7.Intelligently discuss the ethical dimensions of a variety of accounting-related business problems.
- 8.Discuss the ongoing internationalization of financial accounting.
- IMBA 5040Managerial Economics[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)ECON 5110DescriptionThis course focuses on understanding individual economic behavior, competition, and market characteristics that are relevant to business and management.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Perform supply-demand analysis and apply the analysis to predict market price trends and related dynamics in competitive markets.
- 2.Develop profit-enhancing pricing strategies by utilizing knowledge of the tradeoff between margin and volume of sales methods of relaxing the tradeoff.
- 3.Predict competitors'actions and reactions in strategic environments using basic game theoretic methods, analyze competitors'response to a company's initiatives in the context of oligopoly market, such as changes in pricing and production capacity, and predict the strategic effect arising from competitors'response.
- 4.Identify misalignments of interests in the supply chain which destroy value, examine how mergers and strategic alliances may create value by aligning interests, and predict impacts of the merger or strategic alliances on companies directly involved in the merger or strategic alliance and companies not directly involved.
- 5.Choose incentive tools for employees which go hand in hand with the firm's organizational structure and business strategy.
- 6.Recommend methods to gain consumers'trust.
- IMBA 5050Marketing Strategy[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)MARK 5120DescriptionStrategic marketing decision making at the corporate, business, and functional levels affecting competitive advantage and long- and short-term performance of the firm. Strategic analysis, strategic planning across life cycle stages, implementation and control.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define marketing orientation and identify obstacles and manage obstacles to a company's adopting marketing orientation and marketing innovation.
- 2.Analyze markets by identifying and classifying market segments, and create markets by inventing new segments.
- 3.Examine distribution channels, diagnose bottlenecks in distribution and select among alternative distribution alternatives based on market situation and stage of development.
- 4.List alternative ways to improve sales performance and propose sales improvement programs for a company.
- 5.Calculate marketing ROI and calculate the sales revenue increase that will justify increases in marketing spending.
- 6.Calculate the profit impact of price changes and calculate the sales revenue changes necessary or acceptable subsequent to price decrease or increase.
- 7.List, select and propose for a company a variety of non-mathematical pricing techniques.
- 8.Diagnose brand strengths and weaknesses and plan branding change programs.
- 9.Describe the key force/laws underlying the digital revolution driving change for companies, industries and economies.
- 10.Distinguish between timeless principles and those that are subject to constant change.
- IMBA 5060Accounting for Decision Making and Control[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)ACCT 5210DescriptionThis course covers the use of accounting information in decision-making, planning, control, and performance evaluation for managers of the corporation. It also discusses the use of accounting information in valuation and credit analysis for users external to the corporation.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Interpret and explain cost concepts and related terms.
- 2.Interpret cost-volume-profit analysis.
- 3.Figure a product's cost and price it.
- 4.Apply core managerial accounting information to strategic decision making.
- 5.Identify the internal budgeting process.
- 6.Construct cost management tools such as Activity-Based Costing.
- 7.Organize managerial accounting information to conduct performance evaluations.
- 8.Identify managerial accounting information as a competitive tool.
- IMBA 5070Corporate Finance[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)FINA 5120DescriptionExplores the strategic financial decisions an organization makes for value creation. The topics include an analysis of capital spending, capital structure, risk management, financial statement analysis and forecasting, corporate restructuring, and understanding and impact of financial institutions on financial decisions.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify key issues and problems in the management of financial resources of a profit oriented firm.
- 2.Make use of financial tools, concepts and techniques to propose solutions/recommendations to problem identified.
- 3.Assess the impact of the various managerial decisions on corporate financial performance.
- 4.Relate financial decisions with a company's business policy and strategies.
- IMBA 5090Management of Organizations[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)MGMT 5230DescriptionThe course aims to give participants a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of key ideas in the development of thinking about management and leadership. We cover Scientific Management, Human Relations Management, Open Socio-technical Systems, Lawrence and Lorsch’s Contingency Theory of Organization, and the Harvard / McKinsey 7S Model. Students will leave the course understanding the relevance of all of these ideas to modern thinking about management, leadership and organization in both China and ‘the west’.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Critique the strengths and weaknesses of different management models in the development of thinking about management and leadership.
- 2.Evaluate the relevance of those models to modern thinking about management, leadership and organization.
- 3.Think flexibly in action in different business situations.
- 4.Apply the most appropriate model in the development of management and leadership.
- IMBA 5100Statistical Decision Analysis[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)ISOM 5510DescriptionThis course introduces the applications of elementary probability theory in business decision-making under the conditions or uncertainty and explores the method of regression analysis and the use of sample data for the purpose of modeling, estimating, forecasting, and decision-making.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Simplify a complex business situation in order to recognize it better and to realize what are the most important variables and uncertainties affecting the situation.
- 2.Identify the most important techniques to analyze and make decisions.
- 3.Handle risk and uncertainty when making business decisions.
- 4.Recognize the most common flaws and biases in decision making (what is currently called "Behavioral Decision Making").
- 5.Examine the most common methodologies to make forecasts in a company.
- IMBA 5110Operations Management[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)ISOM 5700DescriptionThis course introduces the core concepts in operations. The two central themes we discuss in the course include how operation improvement can lead to value creation, and what key levers improve business process flows.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Make operations and supply chain decisions that support and execute firm strategy.
- 2.Analyze and innovate to improve current firm operations and supply chain while respecting employees and environment.
- 3.Design and operate efficient and responsible global supply chains.
- 4.Optimize the firm's portfolio of products and services for maximum profitability.
- 5.Partner with customers and suppliers for improved supply chain performance.
- IMBA 5120Managing Emerging Technologies[1-0-0:1]Exclusion(s)ISOM 5020DescriptionThis course provides a managerial overview of several cornerstone technologies, including blockchain, business analytics, and fintech, that fuel this digital transformation. We will provide students with a solid technical foundation and working knowledge of these new technologies and how they interact with each other to transform businesses. Analysis will be drawn from exemplary cases to develop guidance and insights on how to strategically utilize and manage these new technological innovations.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Compare and contrast organizational and management characteristics leading to successes and failures of IT deployments.
- 2.Explain the characteristics of general purpose technology (GPT) and summarize how we should manage IT as a GPT.
- 3.Compare and contrast different types of IT and their associated management focuses.
- 4.Explain common information security threats and formulate proper management plans and strategies to minimize their potential impacts.
- 5.Identify the key characteristics of IoT, cloud computing, and general online payment solutions and appraise their costs and benefits.
- 6.Sketch the key components of a business intelligence system and explain their functions.
- 7.Compare and contrast the different purposes of data inference and prediction.
- 8.Develop business insights based on predictive analytics using hands-on tools such as Excel Pivot Table and logistic regressions.
- IMBA 5170Business Simulation[2-0-0:2]DescriptionA computer-based business simulation where students operate as teams simulating corporate management and compete against each other (groups). The game involves group decision making on a wide range of functional areas, such as finance, marketing, manufacturing, and human resource management, to develop and implement a strategic plan in a competitive market.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Evaluate and integrate the management knowledge learnt in the program in strategic planning and execution skills within a rapidly changing environment.
- 2.Recognize the linkages between decisions and financial performance.
- 3.Make full use of market data and competitive signals to adjust the strategic plan and more tightly focus business tactics.
- 4.Develop the leadership skills and teamwork capabilities, including communication, conflict management, team decision making, influence and working with people from different culture, background and characteristics.
- IMBA 5200Mergers and Acquisitions[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThis module is designed to give students a broad understanding of the role of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in corporate strategy, developing a framework for evaluating M&A transactions from the perspective of how they affect shareholder value.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Value acquisition targets.
- 2.Estimate the value created in acquisitions.
- 3.Analyze the motives for M&A transactions.
- 4.Determine the sources of value in M&A transactions.
- 5.Critique what goes wrong in M&A transactions and avoid merger failures.
- 6.Analyze private equity transactions and estimate value created in such transactions.
- 7.Evaluate the method of payment.
- IMBA 5240Pricing Strategy[1-0-0:1]DescriptionStudents can learn practical tools to design pricing strategies from a marketing perspective and consider economic, strategic and psychological inputs in pricing decisions that are sustainable and generate profitable revenue streams. Through examples and case studies, it discusses the tools to assess consumer’s willingness to pay, and how this information can be used to improve pricing strategies.
- IMBA 5290Global Macroeconomics[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThe course aims to introduce the macroeconomic concepts, in particular fiscal and monetary policies and help students to understand important insight in the labour, output, money and foreign exchange market to explore the change in the macroeconomic environment.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Operate business with global perspectives.
- 2.Apply cutting edge management knowledge to analyze markets.
- 3.Formulate business strategy in a global setting.
- 4.Foster a responsible attitude towards the country and world.
- IMBA 5300Innovation Management[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThe course aims to enhance students' innovation capability in the increasingly intense business competition. It will illustrate the basic concepts of innovation management, interpret the implication of innovation, highlight how to integrate internal and external resources to enhance innovation capacity and analyze the innovation modules in the post-modernization era.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Formulate an effective strategy for innovation management.
- 2.Leverage both internal and external resources for innovation.
- 3.Identify the needs of users in the post-modernization era and co-create value with them.
- 4.Facilitate the diffusion of innovation.
- IMBA 5340Investment Analysis[1-0-0:1]DescriptionAn introduction to fundamental concepts in investment analysis. The first part covers risk and return tradeoff, portfolio diversification, and modern portfolio theory including the capital asset pricing model and arbitrage pricing theory. The second part covers basic analytical tools used in analyzing fixed income securities.
- IMBA 5360Strategic Value and Supply Chain Management[1-0-0:1]DescriptionSupply chain activities have been performed since the start of commercial activity. It is difficult to visualize any product that could reach a customer without logistical support. Yet it is only in recent years that firms have started focusing on supply chain management as a source of competitive advantage. There is a realization that no company can do any better than its supply chain. Our goal in this course is to understand and improve supply chain decisions to benefit the performance of the firm as well as the entire supply chain.
- IMBA 5390Empowering Decision by Marketing Intelligence[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThe objective of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of market research methods employed by better managed firms. This course is aimed at the executive who is the ultimate user of marketing intelligence and who is responsible for determining the scope and direction of research activities on his/her behalf. The techniques of research design and deriving insights from data occupy an important role. The skills in this course will be applicable to marketing problems encountered in both consumer and business-to-business markets, profit and non-profit organizations.
- IMBA 5400International Management[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThe why and the how of corporate international management will be analyzed throughout the course. In a world fixated by "globalization", the most fundamental questions for companies planning and managing their overseas growth will be examined. Successes and failures will be discussed in order to understand what management teams must do to get international growth right.
- IMBA 5420Management of Sustainability[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThe course will help business executives understand the growing importance of sustainability in the global business environment, and will cover various topics relating to innovation for sustainability, concepts of environment, social and governance (ESG), and the implication of climate change policies to business.
- IMBA 5430Digital Transformation[1-0-0:1]Previous Course Code(s)IMBA 6900CDescriptionThis course is focused on the topic of digital leadership. The objectives of this course are set as the following. First, to understand the basics of the changes led by the digital force. Second, to understand the unique nature of the digital force. Third, to master the force. Last but not the least is to take the learning into students’ own organizations.
- IMBA 5460Innovative Thinking[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThis course focuses on using structured creativity templates to “think inside the box”. It provides best-practice tools for rapid creativity leading to valuable ideas and innovative solutions. It aims to develop the students’ understanding of creativity and innovation.
- IMBA 5480Performance Management[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThis course focuses on theories, strategies, practices, and ongoing issues in the management of employee performance, developing employee potential, supporting professional growth and career development in organizations. It provides an overview and analysis of human resource practices and systems dealing with performance management, talent management, training and development, coaching and compensation.
- IMBA 5510Digital and Social Media Strategy[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThis course will prepare executives for opportunities and challenges in a technology-driven economy, and focus on how firms can use digital and social media to effectively connect with consumers. We will discuss how firms can develop holistic digital and social media strategies and optimize campaign budget across different digital channels and tools,execute viral strategies, engage customers through social media and mobile technologies, and enhance performances of their digital campaign activities.
- IMBA 5530Data-Driven Decision Making[1-0-0:1]DescriptionIn the past decade, unprecedented amount of data become available to corporations and governments. Data are having a profound impact on businesses, markets, and societies. The course covers the most essential topics of using data and quantitative techniques to make sound decisions and using cases to discuss the entire life cycle of data-driven decision making.
- IMBA 5540Cross-Cultural Management[0.5-0-0:0.5]DescriptionThis course will discuss the challenges as well as critical success factors in cross-cultural management. It aims to better equip managers to effectively manage a diverse workforce in the cross-cultural environments to maximize individual contribution and accomplish organizational missions.
- IMBA 5550Leading and Managing Change[0.5-0-0:0.5]DescriptionThis course is designed to prepare students to lead constructive changes proactively and manage their healthy progressions. It is essential for leaders and managers to consciously establish and maintain a progressive working climate, encourage small innovations with risk management, recognize small improvements, foster courage to stop failed experiments, learn from it, and move on.
- IMBA 5560Corporate Governance[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThis course covers the principles and practices of corporate governance, focusing especially on boards of directors, institutional investors, and executive compensation. It will also cover the latest developments in the field, using academic papers and real-life cases.
- IMBA 5570Strategic Investment[1-0-0:1]DescriptionThis course aims to help executives develop a holistic framework of strategic management in financial and real investment. It includes the investment decision-making process, key issues involved, common mistakes, tools, and the latest thinking in strategic investment. The course also helps executives to understand the macroeconomic outlook and financial markets globally.
- IMBA 5580International Growth[0.5-0-0:0.5]Previous Course Code(s)IMBA 6900HDescriptionThe course provides a comprehensive exploration of the strategies, challenges, and future perspectives associated with the expansion of businesses into international markets. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and interactive activities, students will gain valuable insights into the key factors influencing successful international growth and develop a strategic mindset to navigate the complexities of global business environments.
- IMBA 5590Leadership and Decision Making[1-0-0:1]Previous Course Code(s)IMBA 6900KDescriptionThis course will equip managers with the skills and knowledge needed to make high-quality decisions, distinguishing themselves and their organizations. By providing practical tools and frameworks, participants will enhance their decision-making abilities and drive long-term success. Emphasizing that quality management decisions can be acquired and practiced, this course focuses on the profound impact of leaders' choices and their role in organizational achievements.
- IMBA 5600Negotiations Globally[1-0-0:1]Previous Course Code(s)IMBA 6900IDescriptionThe course offers a comprehensive exploration of negotiation strategy within a global context. Participants will gain a broad intellectual understanding of core concepts while building practical skills for effective negotiation. With a focus on cultural differences and maximizing gains, this course enables learners to adapt their strategies and evaluate potential agreements.
- IMBA 5610Competitive Strategy[1-0-0:1]Previous Course Code(s)IMBA 6900VDescriptionThis course explores Competitive Strategy, focusing on two key components: Blue Ocean Strategy and Platform Economics. Participants will learn how to create uncontested market spaces and make competition irrelevant through Blue Ocean Strategy. They will also gain insights into Platform Economics, including network effects and collaboration, and discover how to leverage existing platforms or build new ones for successful market disruption using Platform Invasion Strategy.
- IMBA 5620Corporate Innovation[0.5-0-0:0.5]DescriptionThis course offers a comprehensive analysis of innovative cases in companies, starting from the essence of innovation. It focuses on various aspects such as product innovation, market/business model innovation, and provides strategic and methodological recommendations that align with different stages of corporate development. It aims to assist in the formulation and implementation of innovation strategies for businesses, as well as addressing the challenges encountered in their operations. This course serves as a valuable reference for tackling innovation obstacles and achieving successful innovation outcomes.
- IMBA 6100Global Field Trip Study[2-0-0:2]DescriptionThis course aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore the global business environment. It is delivered in a variety of ways including: partnerships with world-class institutions; collaboration with leading companies; dialogues with local corporate and community leaders. The course may be repeated for credits if the visiting country and theme of the trips are different each time.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Increase exposure to cultural diversity in a global business context.
- 2.Develop insightful views on the global business landscape.
- 3.Discuss the best practices of innovations and entrepreneurial management globally.
- IMBA 6900-6910Special Topics[0.5-2 credit(s)]DescriptionCoherent collection of topics selected from the business management. A student may repeat the course for credit if the topics studied are different each time.
- IMBA 6920Project on Current Issues[1-2 credit(s)]Prerequisite(s)IMBA 6910 (prior to 2022-23)DescriptionThe project aims to help students integrate what they have learnt from the latest topics/issues in the business world and reflect those learning in their own business. Guided by a faculty member of the corresponding topics, the students will have a more thorough analysis of the latest topics/issues which can help with their companies' future planning and strategy.
- IMBA 6970Independent Study[1-2 credit(s)]DescriptionStudy of selected business issues under the supervision of a faculty member. (Special permission from the Academic Director is required for IEMBA students to take this course.) The course may be repeated for credit.
- IMBA 6980Research Project[1-2 credit(s)]DescriptionAn independent research project on a business topic carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. The course may be repeated for credit.
