The syllabus for MBA (Master of Business Administration) Program offered by Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras is as follows:
SEMESTER – I
Core Paper – I : MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AND BUSINESS ETHICS
UNIT - I
Introduction: Nature of Management – Management Skills - The Evolution of Management
Thought – Tasks of a Professional Manager – Manager – Organisational Culture -
Environment – Systems Approach to Management – Levels in Management
UNIT - II
Planning & Decision Making: Steps in Planning Process – Scope and Limitations – Short
Term and Long Term Planning – Flexibility in Planning – Characteristics of a Sound Plan –
Management By Objectives (MBO). Strategic Management Process Decision Making
Process and Techniques.
UNIT – III
Nature of Organizing : Organisation Structure and Design - Authority Relationships –
Delegation of Authority and Decentralisation – Interdepartmental Coordinator – emerging
Trends in corporate Structure, Strategy and Culture – Impact of Technology on
Organisational design – Mechanistic vs. Adoptive Structures – Formal and Informal
Organisation. Span of control – Pros and Cons of Narrow and Wide Spans of Control –
Optimum Span - Managing Change and Innovation
UNIT – IV
Control: Concept of Control – Application of the Process of Control at Different Levels of
Management (top, middle and first line). Performance Standards – Measurements of
Performance – Remedial Action - An Integrated Control system in an Organisation –
Management by Exception (MBE) – Leadership – Approaches to Leadership and
Communication.
UNIT – V
Business Ethics: Importance of Business Ethics – Ethical Issues and Dilemmas in Business -
Ethical Decision Making and Ethical Leadership – Ethics Audit - Business Ethics and -
CSR Models.
Reference Books
1. Certo, S C. and Certo, T, Modern Management, 12th Edition, Prentice Hall, January
2011.
2. Griffin, R. W., Management, 11th Edition, South-Western College Publication,
January 2012.
3. Koontz, H. and Weihrich, H., Essentials of Management: An International
Perspective, 8thEdition, Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Ltd., July 2009.
4. Mukherjee, K., Principles of Management, 2nd Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Education
Pvt. Ltd., 2009.
5. Robbins, S and Coulter, M, 11th Edition, Management, Prentice Hall, January 2011.
6. Schmerhorn, J.R., Management, 11thEdition, Wiley, July 2012.
Syllabus MBA Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras 
