Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

Selecting one of these options in combination with other
relevant business studies enables the graduate to effectively
apply information technologies in the solving of business
p'robiems. Students who select appropriate subjects from the
information svstems offerinas qualify for level one
membership of the ~ustralian computer Society.
Economics
Understanding economic principles is a fundamental
reauirement for a career in business. An economic approach
to important practical social and business problems &'the
focus of the economics major.
Stage one is designed to acquaint students with the
economic principles necessary to understand and evaluate
economic commentary and reports and to analyse the
operations of government and industry in Australia.
g In stage two students may choose from subjects which
5. emphasise the relationship between industry and
government; managerial economics; environmental
economics; industrial relations; macroeconomic policy and
economic techniques used in business.
C
5.
The third stage provides an added insight into some of the
specialist practical areas in economics, such as international
-m trade, international finance, public finance, financial
institutions and monetary policy and industry relevant
economic research.
-
Students completing an economics major find employment in
a wide range of challenging fields. These include
administration in both public and private sectors,
management consulting, economic policy evaluation and
financial analysis and economic research.
q,
E
V)
c.
Finance
m
Finance is a field of study which is concerned with financial
and capital markets, government influences on those
markets and the role of the organisation within this
framework. Finance theory is a relatively recent development,
and draws on the disciplines of both economics and
accounting. It is taught under the auspices of both
departments. A finance major will equip graduates with a
knowledge of: financial instruments which are available;
investment options available for both personal and enterprise
investment; how different forms of financial markets
function; the relationship between risk and reward; and the
relationship between the business enterprise and financial
markets, 60th domestic and international. It will lead to
knowledge which assists in making financial decisions for an
organisation.
Marketing
Successful companies take the path of 'market focus', ie.
their strategies are customer driven. Marketing deals with
the building and implementation of customer focus.
The meaning of marketing is often misunderstood. One need
look no further than the many advertisements without any
real substance as to customer benefits and/or the delivery of
these benefits. Frequently no distinction is made between
selling and marketing.
Unfortunately marketing has been introduced into many
organisations as the 'inword', a kind of cosmetic change, the
solution to the company's problems, without changing the
focus and the attitudes prevailing in the organisation. It has
not worked, resulting in companies becoming disillusioned
with marketing. These companies did not understand the
meaning of marketing.
What does it mean? The answer is relatively simple: put
yourself inside the skin of your customers and forget youself
for a while. That in itself is difficult to do, but that is exactly
the difference between cosmetic and real marketing.
To make this transition involves a rethink on your part.
Instead of thinking on behalf of your customers you have got
to learn to listen to your clients, accept what they say at face
value and execute what they want.
At Swinburne we explain the components of a business plan
and marketing's cental role in strategy. Students are
introduced to topics such as: consumer behaviour; demand
determinants; customer focus; market research; market
planning; product and services management; tourism; retail;
advertising and promotion; international marketing and
cultures.
Students are encouraged to think through problems and to
find their own answers. They are introduced to
understanding thinking processes to ensure that they make
the most of their abilities. Topics like focus, vision,
understanding, creativity, the power to influence the future
are all part of the marketing curriculum.
Organisation Behaviour (OB)
The subjects in this integrated area broadly cover many
aspects of organisations and the human behaviour and
processes which occur within those settings.
As a sequence of study, it aims to:
prepare students for a range of management roles in
business;
develop a strong understanding of organisation theory
and structures, the behaviour of groups, the individuals
who comprise those groups and the dynamic interrelationships
among all these parts and aspects;
develop students' capacity to reflect upon and
understand their own, and others' behaviour;
develop communication and personal competence so
that students are better equipped to fill the
organisational roles which require interpersonal skills.
The organisation behaviour study area can be taken as a
vocational preparation for human resource management
(HRM), leading to associate membership of the Australian
Human Resources Institute (course accredited by AHRI). To
gain such eligibility, students would need to take all eight
units offered in the OBIHRM area, in appropriate sequences
and to additionally include in their degree two further
specified units.
Many students will wish to take OB studies without a career
in HRM in mind. Such a major would provide excellent insight
into human behaviour in organisations and the management
of people, and would combine well with any other vocational
major. All business professionals ultimately work in or with
organisations and with people.
A large proportion of the course material in these major
streams is taught in an experiential manner which requires
active involvement by students, structured reflection,'linkage
with 'outside' experiences, and thinking through application
issues.