MS-MBA DEGREE

Addresses the institutional setting and structure of the food and agricultural markets. Encompasses both the domestic and international dimensions of the food chain, including consumer demand, global sourcing and worldwide production potential. Also focuses on managerial economics as applied to such topics as food system market structure, the nature and dimensions of domestic and global competition, the components of cost and revenue, and the food system value chain.

Explores the application of contemporary concepts and quantitative techniques for decision-making in the face of uncertainty and/or multiple conflicting objectives. The focus is on the application of these tools to decisions facing the food and agricultural business manager. Also explores key areas of risk management of the food and agricultural firm including price, production, strategic, regulatory, technology, market/competitor, political, financial, and exchange rate risk.

Provides a user-oriented understanding of how accounting information should be managed to ensure its availability on a timely and relevant basis for decision-making. The first part of the course reviews financial accounting and reporting while the second part of the course focuses on cost-benefit analysis for evaluating the potential value-added results from planning, organizing, and controlling a firm’s accounting information. Cases, forum discussions and computer support are used extensively.

An introduction to the process of creating a market-driven organization. Specific topics include marketing strategy, market research and analysis, and the development of products and services, pricing, distribution and promotion. The course employs lecture, classroom discussion through threaded discussion forums, case analysis and field research projects.

Thanksgiving & Winter Break

Thanksgiving Break: TBD

Winter Break: TBD

The objective is to provide the student of management with a basic knowledge of the American legal system, the legal process and relevant substantive law that is necessary to making informed and effective business decisions. The law develops and evolves in response to changing social, economic, political and technological forces, and business decisions often carry long-lasting, as well as delayed effects. This course emphasizes the study of the law of torts, contracts and product liability. It is hoped that consideration of a study of these legal principles will give prospective managers insight into the dynamics of the legal process to enable them to predict as soundly as possible the future legal environment in which their present decisions will bear fruit.

Surveys the management of operations in manufacturing and service firms. Diverse activities, such as determining the size and type of production process, purchasing the appropriate raw materials, planning, and scheduling the flow of materials and the nature and content of inventories, assuring product quality, and deciding on the production hardware and how it gets used, comprise this function of a company. Managing operations well requires both strategic and tactical skills. The topics considered include process analysis, workforce issues, materials management, quality and productivity, technology and strategic planning, with relevant analytical techniques. The course makes considerable use of business cases. Most classes will be spent discussing the cases assigned. For each case, students will be asked to review actual company situations and apply technical and managerial skills to recommend courses of action. Most cases will be taken from manufacturing, but some will be service-oriented. Several of the cases will focus on international companies or issues.

Students explore appropriate statistical techniques to analyze different types of economic data for managerial decision-making. Students will learn about the appropriate design, development, and implementation of surveys followed by an opportunity to put theory into practice with the creation of their own survey. Next, the appropriate analysis and interpretation of survey data is examined from a conceptual and practical perspective. Key areas of risk management for food and agricultural firms are also examined making use of tools, including decision trees, payoff matrices, and scenario analysis

Objectives are to expose students to the nature and importance of linkages between agriculture, international markets and the macro-economy, which are key to the fortunes of U.S. farmers and agribusiness in the future. Examination of theories and methods that might allow students to establish or quantify these linkages and evaluate the consequences of alternative policies, demonstrates the usefulness of economic analysis as a tool for understanding these issues. Also explores current policy issues facing the food and agribusiness industries, including international trade agreements, farm legislation, environmental regulations, and food safety and nutrition labeling rules, among other policy topics.

Study of information systems management issues including enterprise support applications, systems acquisition and implementation practices, facilitating end-user support, and telework and e-business opportunities. Readings, case analysis and one team project.

Capstone experience where students will work on team and individual projects focused on a comprehensive detailed analysis of an issue facing their employer or an issue of general interest to the student. It is expected that this project will draw on tools and concepts developed throughout the MS-MBA program. In addition, it is expected that the project will lead to an analysis that can be delivered to an appropriate audience of decision makers upon completion.

This course explores integration of the functional areas of business at the corporate level. Heavy emphasis is on analysis of the business environment, setting strategic direction, assessing core competencies, choosing a market position and developing competitive advantage, and organizational implementation and control in the context of the food and agricultural markets. The course makes heavy use of case studies based on firms in the food and agricultural marketplace.

This course introduces students to strategic management and planning. In the course, you are asked to develop and execute a business strategy in a business simulation. In the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program, you are asked to develop a wide variety of skills and competencies in management. Developing and executing a business plan is only one of these skills. In addition, many of the skills and competencies addressed in this course will receive progressively greater refining in subsequent courses. As a result, this course should be viewed as in introduction to many issues that you will address again from different perspectives throughout the remainder of the program.