MSc Sport Business, Management and Policy

Manchester Metropolitan University

The dissertation is completed after the taught units have ended. This part of the course gives you the opportunity to undertake a detailed examination of a sports-related topic of interest and, if desired, to work in conjunction with an industry employer. In this unit, you are expected to identify, structure, frame and investigate a complex and real-world policy, managerial or business issue and produce a substantial written document of their achievements and conclusions. The skills needed and developed for successful research will benefit your career in your chosen industry.

This unit will focus on the economic and socio-political development, the current business environment and conducting business in selected emerging markets. The unit will look at theoretical aspects of growth and development in order to address how markets ?emerge?. The unit will consider the development and business environment of selected markets including East Asia, China, India, Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). For each country and region there will be a consideration of the opportunities and challenges of doing business in each market and there will be some analysis of what policy changes might be pursued to further improve the business environment and economic development.

This unit will focus on the application of international business strategy and management theories to the international activities of firms within the global context. The unit provides an introduction to key concepts in international business strategy, and explores the connection between international management, multinational strategy, corporate social responsibility, global value chains, strategic alliances, networks, and sustainable development.

This unit focuses on the organisation, management and policy/governance implications of staging sports events (such as an Olympic Games or FIFA World Cup). In particular, the unit looks to shed light on the major decisions facing sport event managers in the contemporary epoch, including issues related to event communications, event legacy, event security, corruption and match-fixing, promotion and branding and health and well-being.

This unit provides an understanding of the main methodologies used in research. It also provides an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses associated with different research techniques, and the production, meaning and use of data. This unit will lead to the development of a research plan and proposal (research problem and methodology) for the dissertation research project.

The unit introduces you to the key debates, models and theories employed in the study of sport business and management. It examines key conceptual and practical approaches to the business and management of sport and sports organisations. Indicative topics within this unit include: the globalisation of the sports management field; human resource management in sport; sport and strategic analysis; risk management in sport; sport and public relations management; sports branding; sport organisational culture and change; managing people in sport; leadership in sport; sports economics; and sport, the media and commercialisation.

This unit introduces you to the key debates, concepts and theories employed in the study of sports law. It examines key theoretical and practical approaches to the application of the law to sport. Indicative topics within this unit include: the governance of sport; the operation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and lex sportiva; Olympic law; the regulation of doping and match fixing; stadium and spectator regulation; commercial and intellectual property protection; and the control of violence.

This unit explores the two main strands of sports marketing: i) the marketing of sport; and ii) marketing through sport. The first part of the unit will introduce students to key marketing theories and how these relate to sport. In particular, it explores sport consumer behaviour, segmentation, products and brands in sport, and pricing and marketing communications. The second part of the unit focuses on marketing through sport, examining theory and practice of sports sponsorship, including factors influencing sponsorship success, sponsorship activation and issues of image transfer. Throughout, the unit will draw on contemporary examples from a wide range of sports and countries to reflect the diverse, global nature of sports marketing.

This unit introduces you to the key debates, concepts and theories employed in the study of sport policy and politics. It examines key theoretical approaches to sport policy analysis and key concepts in the study of sport politics, for example, ?soft power? and ?governance?. Indicative topics within this unit include: the political use of sports mega-events; the political economy of sport; sports governance; sport development in international contexts; and moral dilemmas in global sport policy (such as match-fixing, gambling and doping).