521 Information Graphics (3, Sp) Graphical methods for displaying and analyzing data. Simple visual displays; graphical integrity and excellence; graphics theory, design, methods, and aesthetics; iterative and computer-assisted displays. Recommended preparation: GSBA 524.
522 Applied Time Series Analysis for Forecasting (3, Sp) Survey of forecasting and time series methods. Models for stationary and nonstationary time series; ARIMA model identification, estimation, and forecast development. Seasonal and dynamic models. Recommended preparation: GSBA 524.
523 Research Methods for Business (3, Fa) Collection and analysis of data for marketing, production, financial, and organizational research; dealing with survey data; design of experiments; analysis of variance; nonparametric analysis techniques. Recommended preparation: GSBA 524.
525 Quality Improvement Methods (3, Sp) Quantitative and managerial approaches for improvement of quality and productivity in service and manufacturing operations; control charts, process capability assessment; implementation of quality improvement plans. Recommended preparation: GSBA 524.
527 Managerial Decision Analysis (3, Fa) Decision making under uncertainty with applications to finance, marketing and operations. The decision analysis process for competitive decision situations and managerial risk taking. Recommended preparation: GSBA 524 and GSBA 534.
531 End-User Computing in Business (3, Sm) Use and evaluation of information technologies for managers as end-users; design and programming tools; software application packages and programming languages.
532 Business Modeling and Simulation (3) Model construction, validation, and test; design and analysis of simulation experiments; simulation languages including GPSS; case applications in business economics of simulation; simulation projects. Recommended preparation: GSBA 524; ability to program a computer.
533 Information Systems Analysis (3, Fa) Methods and tools of information systems analysis; feasibility studies, requirement analysis, functional specifications, cost/benefit analysis, prototyping and modeling. Recommended preparation: IOM 531 or knowledge of one high-level computer language.
535 Database Management (3, Sp) Information systems design emphasizing database techniques; data access, update and privacy issues; conceptual design; programming language interface and advanced languages. Recommended preparation: IOM 531 or knowledge of one high-level computer language.
536 Decision Support Systems (3, Sp) Concept of decision support systems; design methods for decision support systems; artificial intelligence; expert systems; logic programming.
537 Information Systems Management for Global Operations (3, Sp) Issues interrelating strategic operations decisions in manufacturing and service industries and global information systems design. Impact of new communication technologies on global management.
538 Information Systems Strategy (3, Fa) Strategic aspects of managing information technology in organizations; concepts and principles of information management processes; behavior issues in implementation. Recommended preparation: completion of all first-year MBA courses.
539 Fast Response Management Systems (3, Sp) Principles of time-based competition; redesign of business processes for speed and flexibility; requisite information technology infrastructures; fast response management through information superhighway. Prerequisite: GSBA 530 and GSBA 550; recommended preparation: completion of first year M.B.A. core courses.
570 Applied Modeling and Optimization for Decision Support (3, Fa) Analysis of complex problems using mathematical programming models. Model solution procedures and their implementation as decision support for managers is emphasized. Recommended preparation: GSBA 534.
580 Project Management (3, Sp) Applications of systems theory and concepts, matrix organizational structures, PERT/CPM project modeling, and management information systems to the management of complex and critical projects. Recommended preparation: GSBA 534.
581 Production Planning and Materials Management (3, Fa) Production planning and materials control from a managerial perspective; materials requirements planning; Just-In-Time systems; job shop scheduling; purchasing strategies. Recommended preparation: GSBA 534.
582 Management of Service Operations (3, Fa) Management of operations in service organizations such as banks, hospitals, and consulting firms; service function in manufacturing firms; interfacing with other functional areas of business. Recommended preparation: GSBA 534.
583 Manufacturing Strategy (3, Sp) Analysis of manufacturing strategy and its role within the firm; use of manufacturing process technologies and manufacturing control systems to enhance the firm's competitive potential. Recommended preparation: GSBA 534.
599 Special Topics (1-3, max 9, Irregular) Selected topics reflecting current trends and recent developments in operations management, information systems, and decision support systems.
670 Current Research in Operations Management (3, Irregular) Critique of the current research-based literature in operations management to include scheduling, forecasting, MRP, technology planning, inventory management, and facilities location and layout. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
542 Management in a Global Economy (3, Fa) Examination of managerial practices in an international context. Effects of political systems, cultures, markets, and infrastructure on developing effective global strategies. International case studies. Recommended preparation: GSBA 529.
543 Leadership Seminar on Social Justice (3) Role of modern corporations in creating a "just society." Seminar discussions of readings from the great books and classics of political philosophy/political economy.
544 Crisis Management and Environmentalism (3) Emphasis on how to prevent and manage crises and environmental disasters; philosophy of environmentalism; corporate environmental responsibilities.
548 Human Resource Management (3, Sp) Examines the impact of recruitment, hiring, training, performance appraisal, practices, and environmental factors such as industrial/labor relations on HR management. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
549 Cross-cultural and Comparative International Management (3) Development of cultural and cross-cultural awareness with special emphasis on human resource management practices in different cultures. Cross-cultural management and communication skills stressed.
551 Employee Involvement, Motivation and Performance (3, SpSm) Theory, research and issues pertaining to motivation, participative management, work design, quality of work life, reward systems. Emphasizes application of theories for organizational effectiveness. Prerequisite: GSBA 532b.
554 Organization Development and Change (3, Fa) Theories and methods of introducing change in people and organizations. Problems of growth, mergers, turnaround and resistance. Training in team building, intervention and conflict resolution. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
555 Design of High Performing Organizations (3, Irregular) Identification of unique characteristics of organizations that perform effectively in their environments. Focuses on innovative structures, systems, and cultures that fit with markets, technologies, and employees. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
557 Management Consulting (3, FaSm) Role of professional and internal consultants; proposal writing; data-gathering methods; typical studies (strategic, finance, marketing, organization); action planning, ethics, and career issues. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
558 Strategic Management of Industrial Technology (3) Analysis, development, and implementation of competitive strategies by technology driven private enterprises. Focus is on creation and maintenance of competitive advantage in domestic and global industries. Familiarity with principles of competitive strategy and industry analysis required.
559 Business Reengineering and Transformation (3) Techniques, frameworks and tools for reengineering will be discussed, with emphasis on benchmarking, business development, operations optimization and organizational transformation.
560 Executive Decision-Making (3, Sp) Analysis of effective managerial decision-making. Examination of decision process, individual differences in creativity, decision styles, leadership styles, implementation. Applications to careers, system and job design. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
561 Managing Technology and Innovation (3, Sp) Management of technology-intensive organizations. Management of new product and process development. Management of technical functions. Integrating technology and business strategy. Prerequisite: GSBA 510, GSBA 511, GSBA 512, GSBA 518, GSBA 521b, GSBA 523, GSBA 524, GSBA 526, GSBA 528, GSBA 529, GSBA 530, GSBA 532b, GSBA 534 or departmental approval.
563 Strategy and Organization (3) Aligning strategy, organization, and systems; implementing strategic change. Emphasis on product market structure, information processing, organizational politics and decision-making, leadership, management cultures, organization design, and control choices. Recommended preparation: GSBA 529.
565 Strategic Model Building (3) Strategic decisions including new product lines, mergers, and acquisitions are evaluated using forecasting models and expert systems. Related operating management control issues receive detailed attention. Recommended preparation: GSBA 529.
566 Future Business Environment (3, Irregular) Methods for examining and forecasting environmental changes and their impact on organizations. Evaluation of alternative scenarios. Examination of issues management and management policies. Recommended preparation: GSBA 529.
567 Interpersonal Competence and Influence in Organizations (3, Sp) Theory and experiences to increase awareness and competence in interpersonal and small group processes; self-understanding, individual differences, perception, communication and conflict resolution. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
568 Power and Politics in Organizations (3, Sp) Focus on political processes affecting decision-making. Use of concepts of power bases, networks, coalitions, power sharing and stakeholder analysis to develop more effective leadership skills. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
569 Negotiation and Persuasion (3, Sp) Preparation for students to negotiate effectively in domestic and international business dealings. Skills for effective conflict management, negotiation, persuasion and teamwork are developed.
570 Leadership Skill Development (3) Understanding of leadership theory, an assessment of leadership style and potential and to provide experiential training in leader skills.
571 Perspectives on Leadership (3) Managerial careers, development of critical executive and managerial abilities, and the dynamics of organizational environment and systems and their impact on managerial progression and growth. Recommended preparation: GSBA 532b.
599 Special Topics (1-3, max 9, Irregular) Selected topics reflecting current trends and recent developments in management and policy sciences.
601 Seminar in Organizational Behavior (3, Irregular) In-depth review of the theories and empirical research in the discipline of organizational behavior. Topics include: personality, motivation, job design, leadership, and others. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
602 Organization Theory (3, Irregular) Ph.D. level survey course on organization theory with focus on the history and development of research on organizations. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
603 Seminar in Strategic Management (3, Irregular) Survey of strategic management. Topics include historical overview of strategic management, research methods used, current theory, and empirical research on the developing of paradigms. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
604 Research Methods (3, Irregular) Critical issues and decisions faced by behavioral researchers in designing and implementing research projects. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
605 Special Topics in Organizational Behavior (3, Irregular) This is an elective Ph.D. seminar. It covers specialized micro O.B. topics including but not limited to the following: motivation theory, attitude theory, groups, leadership, human resource management. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
606 Special Topics in Organizational Theory (3, Irregular) This is an elective Ph.D. seminar. It covers specialized macro organizational behavior and theory topics, including but not limited to organizational environments, models of adaptation and organizational learning. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
607 Special Topics in Strategy (3, Irregular) This is an elective Ph.D. seminar. It covers specialized strategy topics in strategy formulation and implementation, including although not limited to industrial organization, mergers and acquisitions, executive leadership. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral program in business or departmental approval.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995