General Management: Description

The General Management option in the MBA Program is designed to prepare professionals to plan, organize, lead and control the organization’s human, financial, physical and information resources to attain the firm’s goals in an effective and efficient manner in their roles as general managers and top executives.

The nature of high level executives’ responsibilities depends upon the size of the organization. In large organizations, their duties are highly specialized. Managers of cost and profit centers, for instance, are responsible for the overall performance of one aspect of the organization, such as manufacturing, marketing, sales, purchasing, finance, human resources, training, administrative services, electronic data processing, property management, transportation, or the legal services department.

In smaller organizations, such as independent retail stores or small manufacturers, a partner, owner, or general manager is often also responsible for purchasing, hiring, training, quality control, and day-to-day supervisory duties.

General managers and top executives are among the highest paid workers. However, salary levels vary substantially depending upon the level of managerial responsibility, length of service, and type, size and location of the firm. For example, a top manager in a very large corporation can earn significantly more than a counterpart in a small firm.

Median annual earnings of general managers and top executives in 1998 were $55,890. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,970 and $94,650. Because the specific responsibilities of general managers vary significantly within industries, earnings also tend to vary considerably. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of general managers and top executives in 1997 were:
• Management and public relations = $91,400
• Computer and data processing services = $90,600
• Wholesale trade machinery, equipment, and supplies = $65,900

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General Management: Elective Courses

AG BUS 210. Farm Management Analysis (3). Prerequisite: MBA 200 or equivalent. Integration of production economics theory with management science techniques to develop farm management plans; analysis of farm management decisions under uncertainty using programming models, statistical analysis, and other operations research methods. Fall semester.

MBA 230. Seminar in Advanced Financial Management (3). Prerequisites: MBA 212. An applied case-method analysis of theories, concepts, and analytical techniques of financial management, financial analysis and planning, capital budgeting, leasing, refunding, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, financial engineering, derivative securities. Lecture and cases. Fall semester.

MBA 240. Managing Human Capital–Applications of Human Resource Management Theory to Practice. (3) Analysis of theories and applications of the major human resource management functions that affect managerial decisions. Particular emphasis on strategy, program evaluation, legal issues, employee and labor relations, and managing human resources in a global environment. Lecture and cases. Fall semester.

MBA 250. Seminar in End User Computing (3). Prerequisites: MBA 211. Use of database and geographic information systems in the analysis and solution of business problems; management of end-user computing; innovative application of cutting-edge technologies. Lecture, case and lab. Spring semester

MBA 260. Seminar in Market Analysis and Forecasting (3) Prerequisite: MBA 214. The strategic marketing planning process. Using an in-depth market, competition and company analysis, sales forecasting techniques, PIMS (Profit Impact of Marketing Strategy) Project, and market share models to design an effective marketing plan. Techniques for measuring market response and advertising effectiveness. Fall semester.

MBA 270. Seminar in New Business Ventures (3) This course provides an overview of the entrepreneurial process from the initial idea through startup, growth, and harvesting the business. Using the business plan as a primary learning vehicle, students learn how to manage all elements of a business in the entrepreneurial context. The course is team taught to ensure the appropriate coverage of issues in marketing, finance, information technology and accounting. Fall semester.

MBA 289T. Seminar in Business Topics (3) Prerequisite: completion of 9 units of 200-level courses and permission of Graduate Director. Theory and developments in business. Irregular offerings.

MBA 290. Independent Study (3-6) Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy; permission of Graduate Director and Faculty Advisor. Approved for SP grading. Fall or Spring semester.

MBA 292. Readings in Business (3) Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy; permission of Graduate Director and Faculty Advisor. Approved for SP grading. Fall or Spring semester.

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General Management: Contact

Dr. Julie Olson-Buchanan (Ph.D, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Chair - Department of Management E-mail:
Email: julieo@csufresno.edu
Phone: (559) 278-2851
Fax: (559) 278-4911

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