Financial Services Management

Module Title	Financial Services Management
Module Code	25-5014-00S (BTEC = 25-5H14-00S)
Semester of Delivery	See Module Information Table
Mandatory/Elective/Option	See Module Information Table
Level	5
Credit Points	20
Assessment Mode Weighting	Coursework	40%
	Examination	60%
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
Class Contact Hours
Average Weekly	2.5
Directed Learning
Average Weekly	10
Module Leader	Ann Norton
	Sheffield Business School
Module Banding	A
Approval Status	Validated

Rationale

The module provides the basis for developing an awareness of the organisational factors and management processes influencing the behaviour and performance of people at work. The module is designed to give students an understanding of the principles and techniques needed in exercising management responsibilities in the financial services sector. It aims to develop the skills needed in applying these techniques to a wide range of business situations.

Anyone intending to work in the financial services sector, either on placement or after completing their degree will find a study of the role and responsibilities of a manager within the financial services industry a useful and relevant subject.

Summary of Aims

The module aims to:

1. Provide the student with an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of managers working in the financial services sector.
2. Examine the complexities and inter-relationships associated with the operation and management of financial service organisations.
3. Enable the student to develop some of the key skills needed by financial services managers in exercising their role.
4. Develop a critical awareness of the application management theory to practical situations.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module students should be able to:

1. Explain the key roles and responsibilities of manager's working in the financial services sector;
2. Examine the main inter-related influences on individual behaviour at work in financial services organisations;
3. Discuss the relationships between management theory and practice in the context of financial services organisations;
4. Evaluate alternative management interventions to resolve work place problems;
5. Apply the key skills needed by a manager in exercising their role, for example, communication, presentation, team working, problem solving and interviewing skills.

Assessment and Feedback Strategy

Formative assessment will take place through practical exercises and case study work. Students will be provided with feedback on their progress in achieving the desired outcomes during seminars/tutorials and workshop sessions.

The formal assessment of the module will be by:

Examination at the end of the module, which will require application of theory to business scenarios. It is anticipated that the examination will have two sections:
" Section a: (50%) Based on a mini case study, students will be required to analyse the situation and provide advice on management interventions.
" Section b: (50%) Answer two essay style questions from a choice of four scenarios (weighting 25 marks each)

Coursework involving a group presentation and an individual written report.

Verbal feedback will be provided immediately after the presentations, followed by a detailed feedback sheet for each element. Feedback on the written report will be via an assessment sheet identifying achievement and level of assessment outcomes, with written commentary on overall strengths and weaknesses.

Module Assessment Criteria - Degree Students

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criterion (where assessed)	Level descriptors
		fail	PASS	2.2	2.1	First
Outcome 1	Exam	Inadequate & inaccurate explanation of a manager's role and responsibilities.	Limited but accurate explanation of a manager's role and responsibilities.	Reasonable and accurate explanation of a manager's role and responsibilities.	Thorough and accurate explanation of a manger's role and responsibilities.	Extensive explanation of a manger's role and responsibilities.
Outcome 2	Exam	Confused examination of the inter-related influences in individual behaviour at work.	Limited but accurate examination of the inter-related influences in individual behaviour at work.	Some examination of the inter-related influences in individual behaviour at work.	Clear examination of the inter-related influences in individual behaviour at work.	Wide ranging examination of the inter-related influences in individual behaviour at work.
Outcome 3	Individual presentation Written report Exam	Incomplete, confused and superficial discussion of the relationship between management theory and practice. No or minimal relevant theory. No contextualisation to the financial services industry. Very limited sources of information.	Limited but accurate discussion of the relationship between management theory and practice. Limited use of relevant theory. Weak contextualisation to the financial services industry. Adequate sources of information.	Some discussion of the relationship between management theory and practice. some use of relevant and contrasting theory. Some contextualisation to the financial services industry. Draws on a range of sources.	Detailed and clear discussion of the relationship between management theory and practice. Effective use of relevant and contrasting theory Well-explained and relevant contextualisation to the financial services industry. Draws on a wide range of sources.	Comprehensive discussion of the relationship between management theory and practice. Extensive use of relevant and contrasting theory. Fully considered and relevant contextualisation to the financial services industry. Draws on an extensive range of sources
Outcome 4	Individual Presentation Written Report Exam	Evaluation of the alternative management interventions is weak. Not applied to FSOs.	Limited evaluation of alternative management interventions. Weak application to FSOs	Some accurate evaluation of alternative management interventions. Some attempt to apply to FSOs.	Evaluation of alternative management interventions is reasoned and clear. Well expressed application to FSOs.	Evaluation of alternative management interventions is through insightful and well informed. Fully considered application to FSOs.
Outcome 5	Role Play Interview Individual presentation	Weak application of managerial skills.	Limited but appropriate application of managerial skills.	Some application of appropriate managerial skills.	Effective application of appropriate managerial skills.	Outstanding application of appropriate managerial skills.
Generic Written Communication	Individual written report	Inadequately structured and poorly written, hard to follow, no logical structure, full of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. No referencing.	Some weaknesses in presentation, including errors of grammar, spelling . Limited bibliography.	Generally clear and appropriate structure. Grammar and spelling generally accurate. Bibliography is accurate and related to references in text.	Generally of an appropriate academic standard. Themes are developed logical, arguments followed through. Very few spelling and grammatical errors. Accurate bibliography, related to references in text.	Very high academic and professional standard. Creative but logical and coherent structure, convincing development of arguments. Accurate spelling well presented data. Bibliography is accurate, related to references in text.

Financial Services Management Assessment Criteria for HND Students
Individual Assignment and Examination

	Outcome 4 Transfer skills gained to new and changing situations and contexts	Outcome 10 Communication in Writing	Outcome 12 Use information sources	Outcome 18 Use a range of thought processes
71% +	Concise and critical use of theory. Extensive application of appropriate theoretical frameworks. Fully considered and relevant contextualization.	Very high academic and professional standard. Well structured with logical and coherent development of arguments. Bibliography and referencing is accurate.	In depth information and research. Draws on extensive range of up to date and relevant sources.	Thorough, insightful and well informed analysis and evaluation of relevant issues. A comprehensive knowledge of relevant and contrasting theory and concepts. Well argued and convincing. Recommendations are realistic and feasible.
56-70%	Competent discussion of theory. Some application of relevant theoretical frameworks. Well explained and relevant contextualization.	Clear and appropriate written standard. Grammar and spelling generally accurate. Themes are developed and arguments followed through. Bibliography and referencing is accurate.	Sound research. Draws on a range of up to date and relevant sources.	Clear and well reasoned analysis and evaluation of most issues. A sound knowledge of theory of concepts are explained and applied. Reasonably cohesive arguments presented. Recommendations are feasible and well grounded.
40-55%	Limited but accurate discussion of appropriate theory. Limited application of relevant theoretical frameworks. Weak contextualization.	Clearly written. But some weaknesses in presentation. Has an appropriate structure but arguments are not fully developed. Bibliography and academic referencing is incomplete/ inconsistent	Adequate standard of research drawing on a limited but appropriate set of source materials.	Limited/basic analysis of relevant issues. Has some weaknesses in evaluation. Limited in terms of development of theory & arguments. Recommendation although feasible have limited supporting evidence.
Less than 40%	Incomplete and superficial discussion of theory. No or minimal relevant application and no contextualization.	Poorly written with errors in grammar and/or vocabulary. No logical structure, hard to follow, meaning often obscured. Academic referencing is incomplete.	Limited evidence of research. Few and/or inappropriate sources consulted with information lacking relevance to issues under consideration	Descriptive and/or limited coverage of relevant issues. No analysis or evaluation. No recommendations/or recommendations are poorly thought out and have no supporting evidence.

Financial Services Management Assessment Criteria for HND Students
Presentation

	Outcome 11 Participate in oral and non verbal communication	Outcome 12 Use information sources	Outcome 18 Use a range of thought processes
71%+	A high standard of presentation in terms of fluency, clarity of speech, body language and timing. Clear and logical structure. Themes linked and fully developed. Effective & appropriate use of visual material to support presentation. Answers questions in a convincing manner.	In depth information and research. Draws on extensive range of up to date and relevant sources.	Thorough, insightful and well informed analysis and evaluation of relevant issues. A comprehensive knowledge of relevant and contrasting theory and concepts. Well argued and convincing. Recommendations are realistic and feasible.
56-70%	Sound presentation skills in terms of fluency, clarity of speech, body language and timing. Appropriate structure and reasonably cohesive development of themes. Sound use of well prepared visual materials to support presentation. Answers to questions is generally convincing.	Sound research. Draws on a range of up to date and relevant sources.	Clear and well reasoned analysis and evaluation of most issues. A sound knowledge of theory, concepts are explained and applied. Reasonably cohesive arguments presented. Recommendations are feasible and well grounded.
40-55%	Adequate standard of presentation in terms of fluency, clarity of speech, body language and timing. Visual material support presentation but too many/too few slides. Limited development of answers to questions.	Adequate standard of research drawing on a limited but appropriate set of source materials.	Limited/partial analysis of relevant issues. Has some weaknesses in evaluation. Limited in terms of development of arguments. Recommendation although feasible have limited supporting evidence.
Less than 40%	Weak standard of presentation in terms of fluency, clarity of speech, body language and timing. Visual materials poorly designed and ineffective in supporting presentation. Lacks clear/appropriate structure and/or development of themes. Reluctant to answer questions.	Limited evidence of research. Few and/or inappropriate sources consulted with information lacking relevance to issues under consideration	Descriptive and/or limited coverage of relevant issues. No analysis or evaluation. No recommendations/or recommendations are poorly thought out and have no supporting evidence.

Teaching and Learning Strategy and Methods

The module will be taught via a series of formal lectures linked to a programme of seminars, workshops and directed learning. Case study material will be used as a means of applying theory to practice and as illustrations of the kinds of issues which mangers face in the financial services sector. The learning strategy is designed to encourage students to develop a critical and reflective approach to course content.

Underpinning the rationale for this module is inter-personal skill development, including communication, team working, problem solving, and interviewing skills. Students will be encouraged to develop their skills in these areas by preparation and contributions in seminars and assessment activities.

Indicative Content

• The role of the manager in financial services organisations
• The manager's responsibility for different resources, financial, technical, people and self
• Understanding individual differences
• The process of human resource planning, recruitment and selection
• Motivating people in financial services organisation through job design and reward systems
• Group dynamics and team building in financial service organisations
• Leadership
• Performance Management
• Communication processes
• Negotiation skills
• Career development/management
• Stress management
• The concept of culture and its importance to financial services organisations
• The context for managing change in financial service organisations

Indicative Reading List

Each year the module guide will be revised to provide an indicative list of text book and journal articles which will support the learner, for example:

Mullins LJ (1999) Management and Organisational Behaviour, Financial Times Pitman Publishing

McKenna E (2000) Business Psychology and Organisational Behaviour, 3^rd edition, Psychology Press

Croft L, Norton A and Whyte I (1999) Management in the Financial Sercies Sector: Thriving on Organisaitonal Change, CIB Publishing

Furnham A (1997) The Psychology of Behaviour at Work. The Individual and the Organisation, Psychology Press

Other support materials including management and professional journals. Students will also be expected to engage in relevant databases and websites searches (e.g. Emerald and Proquest).