Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Excellence is all about being exceptionally good. When applied to enterprises, it involves
exceptional achievements in a consistent manner. That’s what the PIM is proud of being a
self-financed, semi-autonomous public entity. Now the time has come to expand our reach,
regionally and globally through research and teaching. The leadership of the PIM has been
entrusted with another generation. Adhering to best practices with appropriate use of
technology is the way forward in ensuring enhanced quality and relevance in all our initiatives.
The PIM will continue to produce value in practising values, as the nation’s management mentor.
4
5
Guided by our strategic direction, the Institute this process, the Institute also gives priority to
consciously adopts a series of Mission-driven the study of international business and issues
strategies, policies and programmes in the key of globalization.
result areas of management education and
research:
Research in Management
Higher Degrees Proudly Continuing Our Tradition
Quality in Output The PIM is the leading higher education
All our graduates in the corporate sector, institution in the country that conducts
public sector management and doctoral research in the discipline of management.
programmes are expected to demonstrate This is amply reflected in our claim that
high levels of achievement in three areas: our MBA is one of the few, and best MBA
programmes in the world, where research
l Distinct operational competencies in a is an important and essential component of
chosen specialization of management; the degree. While many MBA programmes
l Distinct competencies in the generic elsewhere have conveniently abandoned the
management skills of interpersonal practice of learning of research, we proudly
relations and communication including IT; continue to improve upon the quality of our
and research and research related projects in
the MBA programme. We have intellectually
l Distinct competencies in higher order
contributed continuously over three decades.
integrative abilities in systems integration,
Research interests developed at the Master’s
problem solving skills, strategy
level are promoted through the doctoral
formulation and leadership.
programme of study. The Sri Lankan Journal
of Management, a bi-annual Journal of the
Relevant Education Institute, started in 1996 became the first Sri
Lankan journal to be published by EBSCO,
Courses of study, areas of specialization a leading global research database. The
and majors, and research priorities in Professional Manager Magazine, our other
all programmes of study will reflect the bi-annual publication continues to provide
Institute’s response to the priority needs a forum for publication and discussion on
of industry, government and national
various emerging and evolving arenas.
development as perceived by the Institute. In
6
MBA Programme Learning Goals Most of the sessions are conducted during
evenings and weekends, and part of the work
This module is in direct relevance to the
is carried out through day-time workshops
learning goals of the MBA programme. As it is
and off-campus residential programmes. All
stated, PIM MBA graduates will be able to:
degree requirements must be completed
A. Recognize the key knowledge, skills and within a period of five years of the date of first
attitudes at local and global level. registration.
The above objectives are linked to the learning Management Research Project (MRP) or 15 credits
objectives of each module. Management Skills Project (MSP) or
Management Case Study (MCS) or
Entrepreneurship Skills Project (ESP) or
Total 60 Credits
The Master of Business Administration
(MBA) is the core degree programme of The Management Research Project/
the Institute, the duration of which is two Management Skills Project/Management
years. Organized into eight academic terms Case Study/Entrepreneurship Skills Project/
during this two-year period, the programme Industry Survey Project is presented by
offers approximately 600 classroom the student before a panel of academic and
interaction-hours and over 60 hours of faculty professional evaluators.
consultation on research, skills development,
directed study and residential workshops.
Since the degree requirements for group
work, practical assignments, research and
skills projects as well as examinations are
comprehensive, the demand on students
in terms of study hours is high. This is in
addition to the notional 50 hours per course.
7
Management Research Thesis (MRT) Project is presented by the student before
Option (24 Cr) a viva panel of academic and professional
evaluators.
Students intend to follow an academically-
bent Master’s Degree may undertake research
leading to a Thesis (24 Cr), in which case the
Time Tables
student will not have to do the 15 credits
projects stated above, and the integrative The academic year is organized on a term
course in Management. Further, the student basis. The duration of a term is three months.
will have to do only two elective courses. The a) Week-day Option: Three days per week
Management Research Thesis is presented by (5.45 pm - 8.45 pm).
the student before a viva panel of academic
and professional evaluators. b) Week-end Option: Three, three hour
sessions on Saturday (8.00 am – 5.00
However, to complete 24 credits, the students
pm).
will have to complete the two compulsory
electives totaling to 04 credits, in addition to
the thesis (20 credits). This allows students to MBA Students
take the MBA (Research option) with 40% on
The PIM’s MBA attracts executives, practising
research work. With this option, students can
managers and professionals largely from
earn an MBA by selecting the Research option.
the private sector. Candidates come from
This meets the criteria for Doctoral work
different academic and work backgrounds,
across many universities around the world.
namely, engineering, marketing, finance, HR
and IT. Every year, there are a few candidates
Management Field Study Project (MFP) from the legal and medical background as
Option (13 Cr) well. Students who come with such adequate
preparation, already possessing learning
The Management Field Study Project
skills, not only enjoy the learning activities
option is an extension of the case study,
better, but also mitigate the stress during
where a student can focus on performance
the currency of the programme with relative
improvement of a division/department linked
ease. The most valued learning outcomes for
to a course work. This will be more related
students of the MBA Degree include:
to KPIs of the company which essentially
become a part of performance of a manager. ¡ Learning the art and science of providing
Students selecting the option of Field Project leadership, including entrepreneurial
will need to take one additional elective, and strategic thinking for business
which can broaden the knowledge, and organizations competing in borderless
allows more specialization in one field while environments; and applying that
gaining competencies in the particular field. knowledge to the given scenario in this
For instance, one can take the additional VUCA world;
elective in HR and take an HR related Field
¡ Developing higher levels of competence
Project. This approach will allow the student
in problem solving and policy analysis
to complete the MBA on time, and gain
in marketing, production, financial and
the required competencies in an area of
organizational aspects of business;
specialization. The Management Field Study
8
¡ Mastering the complex processes of exceptional and outstanding track
decision making, and application of record. In this category, the Institute
modern management techniques for will adopt special procedures for
productivity and quality enhancement; the determination of eligibility for
¡ Developing values and skills for working selection as the number of places
with people, particularly in groups and allocated in the programme is limited.
teams; and Any candidate applying under the
“Mature Student” Category, purely on
¡ Sharpening business communication experience, must submit a separate
skills for negotiation and executive report not exceeding 1000 words
presentations. indicating their career achievements,
and rationalizing the reasons as to
why they deserve to be considered for
Who Should Apply
admission.
Eligibility to apply for admission to the MBA
2. A good knowledge of English is compulsory.
Degree programme is determined according to
the following criteria:
9
A Board of Admission administers this Applications and Fees
procedure. Both academic and professional
qualifications of applicants will be assessed A copy of the MBA Programme Hand Book
in order to determine applicants’ intellectual could be obtained from the PIM Office free of
capacity and achievements. charge. This could be downloaded from the
PIM website as well.
10
Timetables for sessions will vary according to Student Discipline
the programme - structure, i.e., whether the
In order to secure and maintain professional
programme is full-time, or conducted during
and ethical standards pertaining to discipline,
evenings or weekends.
students are expected to exercise restraint
in their conduct both inside and outside
Foreign Applicants the Institute. It is the responsibility of
Foreign applicants whose medium of each student to obtain a copy of the PIM
educational instruction over a considerable Student Handbook, and familiarize himself/
period of time (minimum of three recent herself with the regulations, procedures
years) has been English may seek exemption and guidelines given therein, and adhere to
from the MBA Admission Test by forwarding them in pursuing the studies and research
evidence of competence in the English prescribed by the Institute.
Language.
Residential Workshops
Programme Duration and An important feature and a value addition of
Extensions programme delivery is a residential workshop.
Usually, it is held in a hotel away from
The normal period of study (effective from the Colombo. Such a workshop helps students
day of registration) for the MBA is two years and faculty refresh and reflect in a quiet
under the part-time option, and one year and reposeful environment that promotes
under the full-time option. creativity in group settings and also for
networking.
Under circumstances acceptable to the Board
of Study of the Institute a student may, upon
request, be granted extension of registration Postgraduate Diploma Option
beyond the normal period of study stipulated
Students who are unable to complete the
for the programme. The maximum period of
MBA Degree requirements may obtain a
study for the MBA is five years from the date
Postgraduate Diploma in Management
of first registration in the programme of study.
(PGDM). PGDM may be awarded to those
Students receiving extensions must pay a
students who successfully complete all
programme fee for the extended period.
requirements except those for research
and skill competencies. Likewise, PGDM
Cancellation of Registration will also be awarded to those who do not
reach the required level of overall academic
The university registration of those students
performance measured by Grade Point
who cannot complete the postgraduate
Average (GPA).
degree within the stipulated time will be
automatically cancelled. If they still wish
to obtain the Degree they must reapply for Further Information for Students
admission.
Detailed information regarding all the policies
and procedures and regulations governing the
programme is given in the Student Handbook,
which is given free to registered students.
It is the responsibility of the students to
understand and follow the information given
in this Handbook.
11
The PIM is privileged to offer its clientele MBA with Management Research Thesis
the exposure it has gained both locally (MRT) Component:
and globally to meet the growing needs of
managerial competencies and professionalism. Course Type No.of
Credits
The curriculum is structured and designed in
Required Core Courses (18) 36
congruence with the evolving world around
Compulsory Elective Courses (02) 04
eighteen core courses and a choice of elective
Management Research Thesis 20
courses from a wide range of subject areas.
Students are directed to research and skills Total 60
development projects in each required course,
leading to a well-conceived final project in the MBA with Management Field Project (MFP)
second year of study. Component:
12
The pass mark for each credit course is
Term IV (Year 1)
sixty (60), and the above indicates that the
student earns a minimum of 60% for the MBA 510 Human Resource Management
examination component in order to attain MBA 511 Management Research Skills
this grade. A minimum of 60% will also apply MBA 512 Leadership and Business
to all assignments, the aggregate of which Development
would form the total for that module. In order Term I (Year 2)
to qualify for the MBA Degree, the level of
MBA 513 Strategic Financial Management
performance required at the end of Year II is
MBA 514 International Business
a GPA of 4.0 (71% or above) or better on the
MBA 515 Project Management &
above scale. Those who obtain an average of
Sustainability
less than 71% or who do not complete the
final project will be awarded the Postgraduate Term II (Year 2)
Diploma in Management (PGDM). MBA 516 Entrepreneurship
MBA 517 Business Strategy
MBA 518 Business Analytics
Excellence in Performance
Term III (Year 2)
A Merit Pass in the MBA degree is awarded to
MBA 519 Integrative Course in Management
a candidate who receives a GPA of 7 or better,
together with a grade of ‘A’ or ‘A+’ for the final Elective Course I
project. Elective Course II
Elective Course III
Research Methodology I
Programme Structure (Compulsory Elective for Thesis
-MBA 535)
Required Courses: Research Methodology II
(Compulsory Elective for Thesis -
Term I (Year 1)
MBA 535)
MBA 501 Managing Organizations
Term IV (Year 2)
MBA 502 Economic Analysis for Business
MBA 503 Business Communication One of the following
MBA 525 Management Research Project
Term II (Year 1)
(MRP)
MBA 504 Marketing Management
MBA 526 Management Skills Project (MSP)
MBA 505 Business Law & Corporate
MBA 527 Management Case Study (MCS)
Governance
MBA 528 Entrepreneurship Skills Project
MBA 506 Information Management (ESP)
Term III (Year 1) MBA 529 Industry Survey Project (ISP)
MBA 507 Organizational Behaviour MBA 530 Management Field Study Project
(MFP)
MBA 508 Managerial Finance
MBA 535 Management Research Thesis
MBA 509 Managing Business Operations
(MRT)
13
MBA 501: Managing Organizations 3. Realize the applicability of the basic
concepts learnt to the current issues faced
Management is fundamental to most activities
by one’s workplace.
we do. This course focuses on fundamentals of
Managing Organizations in the contemporary 4. Reinforce the way how one professionally
world. A typical manager works long hours, plays the managerial roles in utilizing
and faces increased complexities posed management skills in one’s workplace.
by globalization, domestic competition,
government regulation and stakeholder
pressure. This task is further complicated by MBA 502: Economic Analysis for Business
rapid change, restructuring processes, and
Economics is apparently the discipline and
both minor and major crises. The manager’s
foundation subject which has provided
job is not only unpredictable and fraught
valuable inputs to other subjects such as
with discontinuity and challenges, but it is
Management, Marketing, and Finance. At
also filled with opportunities to make a real
the core, its studies revolve around both
difference for the benefit of the organization
micro and macroeconomics and how the
and the people it serves.
key decision makers in an economy viz.
individuals, firms and governments, choose
Learning Highlights:
to employ the scarce resources available to
1. Recognize the key fundamentals of them to obtain maximum benefit. In addition,
managing organizations. this course discusses how the country’s
2. Reflect on the main challenges associated economy is linked to the global economy, and
with managing organizations. the changes in the global environment and
14
policies adopted by foreign governments have of ‘effective and impactful communication’
inescapable consequences for organizations. is a key element of any business executive’s
success. Effective communicators are also
Learning Highlights: seen as better leaders making their way
1. Recognize the relevance and uses of micro up the corporate ladder pretty fast. The
and macroeconomic concepts, in particular; importance of ‘technical competency’
Familiarize with economic models cannot be underestimated. However,
and their uses; Use tools of economic technical competency coupled with effective
analysis and their applications; Develop communication skills will get one further than
an understanding of the economic basis what one could achieve mainly with technical
of business decision making; and an competency.
understanding of macroeconomics,
Learning Highlights:
in particular the role of Government,
including taxation, interest rates, and other 1. Recognize the key aspects of being an
forms of market intervention. effective and persuasive communicator
within a business context.
2. Reflect on the concepts of microeconomics
and its relevance in understanding market 2. Reflect on techniques, tools, best practices
behaviour and economic environment as and tips that make an exceptional
an interactive dynamic process that works communicator.
within a macroeconomic framework.
3. Reach different groups of people, diverse
3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and organizations, industries and situations
situations with confidence. with self-confidence as a communicator.
15
while marketing functions help sense, design contemporary business world. This course,
and deliver value to customers and exceeding hence, discusses the facets and attributes
expectations of stakeholders. of governance and compliance from the
corporate world, regulators as well as from
Learning Highlights: the legal perspective.
1. Recognize the key fundamentals of
marketing. Learning Highlights:
2. Reflect on the marketing implications of the 1. Recognize the key fundamentals of
concepts and their utilization in marketing business law and the main ways in which
practices. business is conducted in Sri Lanka.
3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and 2. Reflect on the legal issues faced by business
situations with confidence in developing and commerce.
strategic marketing plans. 3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and
4. Realize the particular approaches and situation with confidence.
techniques of sensing, sizing and seizing 4. Realize the applicability of concepts
market opportunities in marketing learnt to the current issues faced by one’s
management. workplace.
5. Reinforce the way how one professionally 5. Reinforce the way how one professionally
play the managerial roles in utilizing play the managerial roles in utilizing legal
marketing management skills in one’s skills in one’s workplace.
workplace.
16
Learning Highlights: drawing from numerous disciplines including
1. Recognize the key knowledge and skills and psychology, sociology, economics, organization
attitudes required to become an effective theory, statistics and many others. This course
decision maker using information. will offer a range of topics of managerial
relevance covering individuals, interactive
2. Reflect with critical thinking in applying
teams and institutions.
Information Systems for business related
problems.
Learning Highlights:
3. Realize the applicability of new 1. Recognize the key fundamentals of
technological advances to the current organizational behaviour.
issues faced at the workplace.
2. Reflect on the main behavioural insights
4. Reinforce information ethics and privacy
related to an individual as well as in
in dealing with organizational information
interactive teams.
and the protection of digital assets.
3. Reach individuals, interactive teams and
institutions with confidence.
MBA 507: Organizational Behaviour
4. Realize the importance of economic and
Organizational behaviour (OB) is the ecological concerns and the humane
study of individuals and their behaviour aspects of business activities.
within the context of the organization in a
workplace setting. In other words, it deals 5. Reinforce integrity and ethics in being
with human behaviour in organizations. OB conscious about values when decisions are
can be regarded as an interdisciplinary field made.
17
MBA 508: Managerial Finance MBA 509: Managing Business Operations
Most would not dispute the argument that Along with Marketing, Finance and
“Accounting is the language of business”. This Human Resource Management, Managing
is because accounting is the ‘medium’ through Business Operations integrates into the
which most of the business performance is main subsystems of strategic management
measured and communicated to all relevant responsibility. Arising from the increasing
stakeholders. An appreciation of financial complexity of global competition in the past
aspects of managing one’s business can be 15 to 20 years, Operations Management
seen as an essential competency-area for any has transformed itself from a mundane
successful entrepreneur or business manager. body of quantitative techniques designed
This is because the prudent and systematic to manage an enterprise efficiently to be a
management of one’s finances will yield key contributor to corporate strategy. As a
direct results towards creating shareholder subsystem that is responsible for a significant
value, as is the expectation of every investor percent of costs, assets and people, effective
in the modern day business environment. management of operations is a key success
This course aims to equip students with a factor in the overall success of an organization.
basic understanding and comprehension of The more successful organizations
some of the theories and practices involved in have recognized the high degree of
accounting and finance. The course includes interdependence among specialized functions,
topics drawn from financial accounting, and therefore, they rely upon operational
management accounting as well as financial systems to provide the necessary quality of
management and application of such concepts. design, implementation and control. In broad
terms, these considerations have shaped the
Learning Highlights: objectives of this course
1. Recognize the key financial concepts
Learning Highlights:
required to be a successful business
1. Recognize the importance of managing
manager.
business operations for productivity and
2. Reflect with critical analysis on important organizational growth.
information presented in financial
2. Reflect on one’s own ability to identify and
statements.
continuously improve business operations.
3. Reach diverse business environments 3. Reach one’s capability to interact with
in terms of understanding some of the industries and institutions with confidence
common financial implications facing them. when dealing with operational issues.
4. Realize the importance of financial stability 4. Realize the applicability of the knowledge
for a business. gained by the course to design and develop
5. Reinforce the importance of ethical work processes.
financial management practices. 5. Reinforce the way how one professionally
uses the knowledge of operations
techniques while promoting productivity.
18
MBA 510: Human Resource Management problem, literature review, conceptualization,
designing the study for data collection, and
In the competitive world of business, Human
the use of SPSS for data analysis and report
Resource Management (HRM) function has
writing. This course also gives the opportunity
a strong bearing upon an organization’s
for the students to have an idea about the final
corporate strategy formulation and
project.
implementation. As organizations move
away from the industrial age dominated by Learning Highlights:
factory labour practices to the information
1. Recognize the importance of identifying a
age, characterized by the power of the
research problem properly.
knowledge worker, the HRM -corporate
strategy link is receiving greater attention in 2. Reflect on the different options, types and
all aspects of management. In this context, the dimensions involved in undertaking
managing people, the most precious resource each of the research options such as Thesis,
in an organization is increasingly becoming Research Paper, Skills Project, Case Study,
important in order to sustain a profitable Industry Survey, and field project.
growth. 3. Realize the applicability of concepts and
techniques learnt to the current issues
Learning Highlights: faced by one’s workplace.
1. Recognize the key fundamentals of HRM.
4. Reinforce the outcome and the findings
2. Reflect on the main challenges associated to day to day managerial decisions at the
with HRM. work place.
3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and
situations with confidence.
4. Realize the applicability of concepts MBA 512: Leadership and Business
learnt to the current issues faced by one’s Development
workplace.
This course focuses on the leadership and
5. Reinforce the way how one professionally the development of business through high
applies the key lessons of HRM in playing a performance cultures in organizations. The
people manager role in one’s workplace. content of the course includes historical,
modern and post-modern leadership theories;
the development of entrepreneurship
MBA 511: Management Research Skills and intra-corporate entrepreneurship
(intrapreneurship); the ethical dimension
In the contemporary world making decision
of behaviour of exemplary leaders; the
based on the ‘gut feeling’ would not only
development of leaders through leadership
destroy companies but also result in have
processes; the importance of emergent
irrevocable consequences. The overall
leadership in the face of crises and disasters;
purpose of the course is to guide and impart
business modelling and resultant business
the knowledge to the students with skills in
plans; the design of business incubators
the different aspects of carrying out a research
and strategic business units; and fostering
using accepted research methodologies.
creativity and innovation in organization.
This includes, skills in identifying a research
19
Learning Highlights: MBA 514: International Business
1. Recognize the evolution of leadership The objectives of this course are
thought, the art of business modelling and fundamentally two dimensional. Firstly, the
business plan writing students are required to understand the
2. Reflect on how leaders think in order to basics, issues and outcomes / consequences
develop one’s own leadership style. in the current and evolving world of
international business. Hence, fundamentally,
3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and
knowledge is imparted on globalization,
situations with confidence.
multinationals’ behaviour, impact of
4. Realize the applicability of concepts trading blocks and world trade, strategic
learnt to the current issues faced by one’s and economic interventions, foreign direct
workplace. investments, behaviour of foreign exchange
5. Reinforce the knowledge gained by the market and International strategy along with
course for developing an ethical business. entry modes. Secondly, the participants will
apprehend the gaining of skills and applying
knowledge in International Business.
MBA 513: Strategic Financial Management
Learning Highlights:
This course is designed to analyze and
1. Recognize the key fundamentals of
understand the process of managing key
International Business.
strategic financial decisions. The main
objective of this course is, to assist the 2. Reflect on the main challenges in all facets
participants understand how modern associated with International Business.
business organizations gain competitive 3. Realize the applicability of concepts learnt
advantage through finance strategy. to the current issues in evolving Global
Learning Highlights: Trade.
1. Recognize the key fundamentals of 4. Reinforce the way how one professionally
strategic financial management in applies the key lessons of International
organizations. Business while conducting global trade in
day to day activities.
2. Reflect on the main challenges associated
with strategic management of finances in
organizations.
3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and MBA 515: Project Management &
situations with confidence. Sustainability
4. Realize the applicability of concepts learnt The course on Project Management is aimed
to the current financial management issues at preparing MBA students to be successful
faced by one’s workplace. professionals in managing projects in the
future. It attempts to develop specific skills
5. Reinforce the way how one professionally
in the areas of planning, initiating, executing,
plays the managerial roles in utilizing
monitoring and controlling, and closure of
financial management skills in one’s
projects. Strategic Corporate Sustainability
workplace.
prepares future business leaders to be
20
competent and enlightened in the global MBA 516: Entrepreneurship
agenda of sustainable development, and
The course aims to provide an appreciation of
how every business has an opportunity to
the scope and issues of entrepreneurship from
embed sustainability in Corporate Strategy
the perspective of a practising manager. The
by creating sustainable Blue Ocean Market
course will primarily deal with issues relating
spaces that meet the needs of consumers
to entrepreneurship in new venture creation,
and businesses in a strategic and sustainable
strategy in business growth and development,
manner.
and initiating change in uncertainty.
Learning Highlights:
Learning Highlights:
1. Recognize the key fundamentals of project
management. 1. Recognize the key fundamentals of
entrepreneurship, and understand
2. Reflect on the key success factors in
entrepreneurial orientation.
delivering a successful project, lessons
learnt and how to avoid pitfalls. 2. Reflect on one’s own entrepreneurial
orientation in order to develop one’s own
3. Reach diverse organizations, industries and
career.
situations with confidence.
4. Realize the applicability of concepts 3. Reach one’s capability, and interact with
learnt to the current issues faced by one’s industries and situations with confidence.
workplace. 4. Realize the applicability of the knowledge
5. Reinforce the way how one professionally gained by the course to develop
plays the managerial roles in utilizing entrepreneurs.
project management skills in one’s
workplace.
21
5. Reinforce the way how one professionally 5. To gain an understanding of implementing
uses the knowledge of entrepreneurship strategies through different management
while promoting entrepreneurial techniques.
behaviour.
22
knowledge and the application of knowledge the last term of study. Students may search for
in key arenas. project sponsors/funding sources to support
the project’s implementation.
MBA 525: Management Research Project Required: Approval of the management skills
(MRP) proposal, submission of project during the
last semester of study, and oral examination of
Through MRP, the student will demonstrate
project (approximately one hour).
his/her depth of knowledge, and
understanding in a chosen area of study via an
extensive study/survey of existing knowledge,
MBA 527: Management Case Study Project
innovative formulation of problems and
(MCS)
their analysis; collection, analysis and
interpretation of data and information, and Through MCS, the student will demonstrate
developing sound conclusions. Students are his/her ability to examine an organization
advised to select a suitable area of study for based on an overarching theme.
this purpose early in their study programme,
Evidence, both quantitative and qualitative,
and then use the research exercises given in
will be collected relating to the selected
the required courses to explore and develop
organization in examining the identified
their research questions and background
theme. The collected information organized in
literature.
terms of a well-crafted conceptual framework,
Required: Approval of the research proposal, and its underpinning theme will then be
submission of paper during the last term narrated in order to develop the case study in
of study, and oral examination of paper the last term of study. Pointed questions will
(approximately one hour). be listed at the end of the case study for the
reader to explore.
23
strategy. In doing so he/she will make MBA 529: Industry Survey Project (ISP) –
evident his/her competency in identifying an Option 02
opportunity in the market, developing an idea,
An ISP (option 02) can be undertaken by a
crafting strategy for the startup of a business
group of students comprising few students
unit for manufacture or service, analyzing
to carry out an industry survey on a specially
operational, market and financial feasibility,
selected topic. This falls under applied
and also executing a project using state of
research. The proposal is given by the
the art project management knowledge.
faculty. Each student can cover one industry
As in MBA526 Management Skills Project,
with a minimum sample of 1000 for each
students are advised to plan for such a venture
industry. Based on a common framework
early in their study programme by aligning
for the industry, each student will gather
assignment of courses such as Managing
data, analyse data and present data with
Business Operations, Leadership and Business
recommendations based on their findings.
Development, Entrepreneurship, towards
Ultimately each student will be assessed
this end. Students are also advised to seek
individually on their report.
sponsors and partners who would facilitate
the realization of this project. Required: Approval of the sample and
methodology in line with the initial design
Required: Approval of entrepreneurship skills
given, submission during last semester of
proposal, submission during the last semester
study, and oral examination of the project
of study, and oral examination of project
(approximately one hour)
(approximately one hour).
24
MBA 535: Management Research Thesis
(MRT)
Students intend to follow an academically-
bent Master’s Degree may undertake research
leading to a Thesis (24 Cr), in which case the
student will not have to do the 15 credits
projects stated above, and the integrative
course in Management. Further, the student
will have to do only two elective courses. The
Management Research Thesis is presented by
the student before a viva panel of academic
and professional evaluators.
However, to complete 24 credits, the students
will have to complete the two compulsory
electives totaling to 04 credits, in addition to
the thesis (20 credits). This allows students to
take the MBA (Research option) with 40% on
research work. With this option, students can
earn an MBA by selecting the Research option.
This meets the criteria for Doctoral work
across many universities around the world.
25
MBA 601: Business Negotiation Skills develop effective strategies, not only
to manage them, but also to mindfully
This course aims at making participants
harness their true potential in achieving an
better negotiators. Firstly, it will increase the
organisation’s success.
awareness of participants on the negotiation
process in general, and that of their own
negotiating behaviour and the implicit MBA 603: Consumer Behaviour
working assumptions. Secondly, the course
will provide an operational framework The term ‘behaviour’ includes thinking, feeling
and analytical tools for preparing for and and action patterns of consumers in response
conducting negotiations. Finally, it will help to value propositions made by organizations.
them improve their skills in negotiation, joint The study of consumer behaviour will help
decision-making, and joint problem solving, organizations ‘get under the skin of the
and help them keep refining those skills. customer’, and develop strategies that work
in the market place. This course will enable
participants to recognize and understand the
MBA 602: Business Psychology intra and interpersonal and environmental
factors that shape consumer behaviour,
It is now an established fact that ‘employees’
and apply the knowledge gathered in the
are an organisation’s most valued asset.
development and adoption of marketing plans.
However for this statement to be true, an
organisation must first understand and
then ‘know-how’, to harness the great MBA 604: Corporate Business Finance
human potential that it’s human resources
possesses. Similarly, understanding and Corporate Business Finance is concerned with
delighting one’s customers is seen as the key the maximization of the financial value of an
to any organisation’s marketing success. A organization while managing the financial
deeper analysis of the subject of marketing, risks it faces. This course is designed to enable
will always reveal, that at the core of any the participants to understand the behaviour
marketing/branding strategy, is a very of the financial environment of the firm, the
psychological approach. interrelationships among different drivers
therein, and its impact on the decision-
This course will thus provide the student with making process including behavioural
an appreciation of psychological concepts, aspects. Emphasis will be placed on practical
theories, models, tools and techniques that application of principles, concepts and
will help them better understand two of intuitive understanding of the theory behind
business’ most important stakeholders salient financial decision models.
(viz., employees and customers) from a
psychological perspective, and thereby
26
MBA 605: Cross Cultural Management MBA 606: Corporate Strategy
The course is built on the perspective of Corporate strategy focuses on the pattern of
cross cultural or international management, decision-making that determines a firm’s goals
usually seen from the position of the CEO and objectives, produces principal policies,
and is of interest to all levels of management defines the range of business to pursue, and
as well as professionals serving in staff pertains to the overall plan for a diversified
and advisory positions. In this context the firm. A firm’s corporate strategy acts as both a
Managers strategically position business in catalyst for, and a constraint on the strategies
the international markets understanding the of its business units. If the business strategies
cultural implications is the core of the study. do not support the firm’s corporate strategy,
The course aims to give the students the synergy becomes impossible. Therefore, this
ways to look at international organizations, progression reinforces the inextricable link
its mission, goals, and long term prospects between business strategy and corporate
based on PESEEL factors and how it relates strategy, with cases of business integration,
and interacts with various actors and forces strategic alliances, corporate diversification,
in its international environment in developing and mergers and acquisitions. Key feature
successful strategies to gain competitive of this course work is a simulation where
advantage globally. participants will be running a company in the
digital camera industry. Managers are to run
the company in an industry where there is
27
8-10% growth annually. They would be given This course focuses on the risk management
the task of growing the company; earnings per activities and skill sets that projects require.
share and stock price at least 8% annually; It examines risk in general as applied to
maintain a return on equity investment (ROE) the whole range of risks to which a firm is
of 15% or more annually; maintain a B+ or exposed. In this context, this course focuses
higher credit rating; and achieve an “image on the types and sources of risks faced by
rating” of 70 or higher. Simulation carries 50% an organization and how these risks can be
of the course mark. managed. Areas covered include qualitative
risk analysis using risk management
techniques, to improve risk management. In
MBA 607: Cost Analysis for a project environment, uncertainties occur
Management in the project environment affect project
Managing costs, which is largely within the efficiency and success. The course will address
control domain of management, is of prime how the project team can assess and identify
importance in managing organizations. A risks, be able to mitigate threats and capitalize
systematic analysis of costs is the precursor on opportunities, and maintain proactive risk
to effective cost management via cost control communication with stakeholders in order to
and cost reduction. This course offers a deliver a successful project. This in turn will
scheme for analysis of costs and a choice of prepare the students in managing the risks
methods/ tools of cost control to select from. that might occur during their management
In addition, the course develops a mind-set field projects.
inclined towards managing costs. Case studies
will be used to illustrate success stories,
and also demonstrate analytical and control MBA 609: Global Marketing
techniques.
The focus of this course is to examine
marketing from a global perspective. It
examines the effects of international trade
MBA 608: Risk Management and the political, legal, financial and cultural
Risk is considered as a consequence of environment on making marketing decisions.
uncertainty with a continuum of decision Further, it studies the analysis and design of
making roles. Project risk management marketing strategies within the uncertain
includes the processes of conducting risk and dynamic international environment. The
management planning, identification, analysis, course will be enriched with case studies, and
response planning, and controlling risk will be of benefit to local managers who are
on a project. The objectives of project risk required to perform in an intensely globalized
management are to increase the likelihood environment.
and impact of positive events, and decrease
the likelihood and impact of negative events
in the project. This will help organizations
in achieving their goals aligning with their
organization’s strategy.
28
MBA 610: Management Consultancy MBA 612: Managing for Innovation
Skills This course addresses management and
When firms do not have the internal capability technological innovation with emphasis on
to diagnose problems and develop alternative the key role of organizations in creating,
solutions it becomes necessary to seek the developing and transferring new knowledge,
assistance of external specialists who perform products and processes. It provides
the role of management. Hence, there is a participants with an understanding of
growing demand for knowledge and skills innovation dynamics both within and across
of consultants. The purpose of this course organizational boundaries. By drawing from
is to introduce the subject of management state of the art innovation literature as well
consultancy and build the relevant skills as extensive use of case study material, the
among the participants through a process of course analyses opportunities and challenges
participatory learning. Diverse approaches related to creating and sustaining innovation
with relevance and application in the Sri with a specific focus on technology-based
Lankan context are emphasized. organizations.
29
MBA 614: Small Business Management leaders to be competent at and enlightened on
the global agenda of sustainable development,
With the potent economy and numerous
and how every business has an opportunity
investment opportunities as well as a
to ‘Embed Sustainability in Corporate
strong sense of competitive nature in the
strategy’ by Creating New Sustainable Blue
corporate world, the day to day running of
Ocean Market spaces that meet the needs of
a small business may seem daunting. In this
consumers and business in a strategic and
course, topics which include market research
sustainable manner.
techniques, feasibility studies, site analysis,
financing alternatives which have already
been dealt within the MBA curriculum are MBA 616: Techniques for Productivity
integrated into the practical task of facing and Quality
challenges of small business management
including startup and operation of a growing In today’s competitive and dynamic
enterprise. environment business leaders and managers
are faced with the task of providing customers
with a quality product at the least cost.
MBA 615: Strategic Corporate Can it be achieved through the use of high
Sustainability technology, better systems, and application
of tools and techniques or through employee
The rising influence of Business on the involvement? The course is built around
utilization of limited resources, and the reality addressing the above issues, and enables
of Climate Change led extreme weather the participant to apply productivity and
impact Supply chains and Corporate Strategy quality improvement techniques to the work
in a significant manner. Strategic Corporate environment. It also focuses on the concepts
Sustainability, prepares future business of productivity and quality management.
30
MBA 617: Training Management MBA 619: E-Business for Social Media
Training management is the application of
Strategies
knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to The aim of this course is to explains the
training activities to realize the outcome of nature of e-business and social media
training in the broader context of Human systems and services in organizations and
Resources Development (HRD). HRD is society. It provides an understanding and
a function in an organization that offers skills necessary for modern managers to
prospects for an individual to develop utilize the power of e-business and social
current and future job performance, while media to improve the performance of their
concurrently utilizing human capital in order organizations. Further, it discusses the role of
to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency e-business and social media in contemporary
of the organization itself. The contribution organizations giving special attention to how
of this course is to facilitate learning as to e-business and social media can be used to
how organizations could explore practices of solving business problems while avoiding the
training, so that they would be able to make a risks inherent in the misapplication of the
shift beyond average performance. technology. At the end of the course students
will be able to develop a social media plan for
a new or existing product/service and create
MBA 618: Strategic Human Capital advertisements to build an online brand.
Development
Human Resources Development is a
MBA 623: Econometric Modelling and
function of an organization that provides
Business Forecasting
opportunities for an individual to improve
his/her current and future job performance, The subject of econometric modelling and
while simultaneously making the best use business forecasting has become one of
of human capital in order to improve the the essential tools for business leaders and
efficiency of the organization itself. Excellent policymakers of the day in quantifying the
Human Resource Development Systems are impact of various policies on their businesses
integral to the organization’s strategic plan. and economies. To tackle practical problems,
This course will assist participants to learn policymakers and business leaders need
how organizations develop competencies in to build empirical models for explaining
people who work in them, so that they will the behaviour of the real economy and the
have the ability and urge to achieve beyond business world. Without having a clear
the average. comprehension of the effects of the policy
decision, it is quite challenging to make
effective decisions in any private or public
enterprise. This course provides practical
illustrations of applied econometrics
modelling and forecasting techniques (in
a simpler manner) using EViews, which is
the worldwide leader in windows based
econometric software.
Activities
The PIM’s research studies fall into three categories:
a) Faculty research,
b) Research projects funded by the Institute, and
c) Student research resulting from their theses, research papers, policy reports and field
projects. They are published through Research Papers, Case Studies, Research Abstracts
and the Institute’s Sri Lankan Journal of Management. Conferences and workshops held
periodically provide an opportunity to discuss research findings. All students’ research
reports are available for reference in the PIM Library. Lists of research titles are available on
line.
d) Industry surveys under applied research.
33
GENESIS: THE BUSINESS INCUBATOR OF THE POSTGRADUATE INSTITUTE OF
MANAGEMENT (PIM)
Among the wide range of initiatives of the Postgraduate Institute of Management aimed at
stimulating and supporting entrepreneurship, ‘Genesis’, its business incubator is established for
the Institute’s MBA students who, in their final project, are pursuing the option of starting up a
business through an Entrepreneurship Skills Project.
The PIM realizes its responsibility to provide opportunities for creating independent and self-
made careerists, and popularizing and supporting entrepreneurs as one sure way of meeting
this objective. However, due to the numerous constraints any budding entrepreneur has to face,
‘Genesis’ is designed to assist them by providing the required coaching and mentoring as well
as educating them on lean startup methodologies, ably supported by the Institute’s competent
academic staff and the alumni with their well-spread linkages and networks.
As a facility housed in the PIM, the Genesis provides the following specific services to MBA
students.
• Providing space for them to meet with coaches, mentors, business partners and customers
in order to clarify issues and discuss the progress of their startups.
• Advising on Project documentation as well as supervising and guiding them with the
assistance of academics and industry specialists.
Further, incubatees are provided opportunities to participate in two key-events during the
process, namely, ‘Entrepreneur Live’ (an in-house conference with presentations by prominent
alumni entrepreneurs), and ‘Innobiz’ (the joint launching of startups of the incubates).
The Genesis also partners with local universities, who through their specialization of
fundamental research intend commercialization of innovations (like the Centre for Bio-Medical
Innovation of the University of Moratuwa). The Genesis has also developed inks with a number
of growing industry-linked incubators.
34
Cooperation with foreign universities and foreign management institutes has been a principal
means by which the groundwork for the PIM has been laid over the past three decades. The PIM
gives high priority to the development of links with reputed educational institutions abroad. The
desire to develop expertise and promote disciplined development in the international context is
the driving force behind the quest for cooperation.
The policy of the Institute is to cooperate with centres of higher learning worldwide. In
particular, the PIM looks forward to forge links with centres of excellence in the Asia-Pacific
Region, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Indian Institute of
Management (IIM) and Universities elsewhere.
The Postgraduate Institute of Management has established research collaboration with the
School of Business, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Canberra. The two institutions
will collaborate in research activities in business, economics, management, and public
policy. The School of Business (SBU) is one of the four Schools at the UNSW, Canberra. While
only 5% of business programmes worldwide are accredited by the Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the SBU is the only AACSB-accredited business school
in the Australian Capital Territory Region. The SBU conducts active research programmes
in Governance and Public Sector Accounting, Econometrics and Economic Analysis, Human
Resource Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Logistics and Big Data Analytics,
Leadership, and Change management, Public Sector Management and Marketing.
The UNSW is a founder member of the Group of Eight and one of Australia’s leading research
intensive universities. It was ranked 48th in the 2014 QS World University Rankings. The
UNSW was recognized in the ‘2012 Excellence in Research for Australia Report’, which assessed
the University’s performance in all broad fields of research as “at, above or well above” world
standard. UNSW research strengths span a broad and diverse range of disciplines. The UNSW
and the PIM undertake joint academic research projects in areas of mutual interest, exchange
of faculty and promotion of PhD Programme of the PIM, Master Graduates and PIM students,
and Faculty Members to undertake PhD Programme at the UNSW, Canberra. The UNSW awards
scholarships to outstanding students.
Prof. Ajantha S. Dharmasiri (Chairman)
Director, Postgraduate Institute of Management
Member
Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation
Member
Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development
36
Prof. Ajantha S. Dharmasiri
Director, Postgraduate Institute of Management
Dr. A K L Jayawardana
Senior Consultant, Postgraduate Institute of Management
Mr. W A Wijewardena
Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
37
PIM Graduates are expected to join the PIM outstanding achievers among the members
Alumni Association. This Association provides of the PIMA.
opportunities for all PIM graduates to meet,
learn, socialize, and network. There is an
admission fee and an annual membership fee The Vision and Mission of the PIMA is as
to be paid. The PIMA is active in providing its follows:
members with opportunities for continuing
education, and it is a forum for the PIM
graduates to develop their professional Vision
careers. Some of the important activities that To transform PIM Alumni into a community of
have been initiated to meet its objectives are, Thought Leaders that will shape the nation’s
socio-economic fabric.
¡ Continuous Professional Development
(CPD) programmes for its members.
¡ A Series of Public Interest Programmes Mission
(PIP) to address issues of interest that are To bring together and develop PIM Alumni
topical and significant to Management. through unique continuous professional
¡ A series of programmes titled ‘Developing development programmes to forge links with
Managers for the Future’. the country’s Business and public sector
¡ Presentation of ‘National Management communities through unique Public Interest
Award’ in order to recognize the programmes.
40
100 meters