• Offered for Year: 2024/25

• Module Leader(s): Dr David Grundy

• Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Aims

The "Cases in Financial Decision Making" module is designed to provide learners with an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted nature of financial decision-making within the corporate world. Through a case-based approach, this module delves into the broader dimensions of finance in business contexts, presenting real-world scenarios that challenge students to reflect on the implications of various financial decisions. The primary aims of this module are to support learners in gaining a holistic understanding of financial decision making. To enable learners to grasp the essence of financial decision-making processes, emphasizing not just the technicalities but also the broader role of finance in diverse business contexts. To equip students with the tools and perspectives to reflect on real-world capital budgeting decisions, financing choices, strategic financial decisions and more. They will assess both successful and unsuccessful cases, understanding the far-reaching implications of these decisions on businesses and their stakeholders. Learners will be introduced to ethics in financial decision-making by dissecting cases of financial misconduct or dilemmas. Finally, the module will look at cases which illuminate the intersection of finance and sustainability, exploring situations where financial decisions have significant environmental implications. Learners will be guided to reflect on the equilibrium between profitability and environmental responsibility.

Outline Of Syllabus

- Reflecting on the Essence of Financial Decision Making (A case approach to looking at financial decisions, The broader role of finance in business contexts)
- Exploring Key Financial Decisions: Capital Budgeting (Reflecting on real-world examples of successful and unsuccessful capital investments, Understanding the long-term implications of these decisions for companies and stakeholders)
- The Balance of Risk and Return (Case studies of companies that took significant risks, reflecting on the trade-offs between potential returns and the risks involved)
- Financing Choices: Debt vs. Equity (Understanding the reasons behind companies' financing choices, Reflecting on the long-term impact of these choices on company growth and stability)
- Working Capital Decisions: Balancing Liquidity and Profitability (Real-world examples of companies facing liquidity crises, Reflection on the importance of short-term financial management)
- Strategic Financial Decisions: Mergers and Acquisitions (Case studies of successful and failed M&As, Understanding the strategic reasons behind these decisions and their long-term implications)
- Financial Decisions in Crisis Situations (Exploring companies that faced financial crises and understanding the decisions they made, reflecting on lessons learned and how to prepare for unforeseen financial challenges)
- Financial Decisions for Sustainability (Exploring cases of companies making financial decisions with environmental implications, Reflecting on the balance between profitability and sustainability)
- Ethical Reflections in Finance (Exploring cases of financial malfeasance or ethical dilemmas, Reflecting on the role of ethics in financial decision-making)

Throughout the module students on a weekly basis will be completing their portfolio. The portfolio consists of a series of individual weekly tasks based around the learner reflecting on what has been explored in class in the form of a web-based blog, podcast, vodcast or similar. These reflections will be shared for comment and interaction. Students expected to actively contribute and interact with each other’s reflections. The final task of the portfolio is a reflective 1,000 words by the learner on their learning journey throughout the module which uses the week-by-week blogs, podcasts, vodcasts or similar reflective assessed items as an evidence base for citation.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The design and delivery of the "Cases in Financial Decision Making" module employ an integrated and iterative approach, ensuring that the teaching methods are intrinsically aligned with the learning outcomes. Here’s how the teaching methods relate to the learning outcomes:

Case-Based Learning: At the heart of this module's pedagogy is the case-based approach, which mirrors real-world financial scenarios. This method is directly aligned with fostering a “Comprehensive Understanding of Financial Decision-making Processes” and “Critical Analysis and Evaluation of Real-world Financial Cases”. By dissecting actual financial decisions, students immerse themselves in the multifaceted nature of business finance, understanding both the theoretical underpinnings and their real-world applications.

Reflective Weekly Tasks: The continuous process of weekly reflections—whether through blogs, podcasts, or vodcasts—ensures students engage in “Effective Reflective and Collaborative Learning”. This iterative practice enables learners to consolidate their understanding, introspect on their evolving perceptions, and apply theoretical concepts to contemporary scenarios, fostering a deeper “Application of Theoretical Knowledge to Practical Scenarios”.

Collaborative Interactions: By commenting on and interacting with peers' reflections, students are not only honing their analytical skills but are also developing collaborative learning abilities. Such peer interactions stimulate different perspectives and feedback mechanisms that directly support "Effective Reflective and Collaborative Learning".

Ethical and Sustainability Focus: By dedicating specific sections of the syllabus to ethics and sustainability, the module ensures that students cultivate an “Ethical and Sustainable Financial Decision-making Acumen”. Delving into cases of financial misconduct or environmental implications introduces students to the moral dimensions of finance, fostering both awareness and analytical acumen in these critical areas.

Portfolio Compilation: The culminating task of creating a reflective 1,000-word piece based on weekly reflections ensures a consolidated “Application of Theoretical Knowledge to Practical Scenarios”. By referring to their weekly tasks, students can demonstrate their comprehensive journey, illustrating their proficiency in “Analysing Risk-Return Trade-offs and Financing Choices” and their ability to critically evaluate complex financial scenarios.

Diverse Financial Topics: By spanning topics from capital budgeting to mergers and acquisitions, the syllabus ensures a holistic and “Comprehensive Understanding of Financial Decision-making Processes”. This diversity equips students to appreciate the interconnectedness of financial decisions, understand risk-return trade-offs, and make informed financing choices.

In conclusion, the teaching methods employed in the "Cases in Financial Decision Making" module are designed to ensure students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also hone practical, analytical, reflective, and collaborative skills. Each method directly supports one or more learning outcomes, guaranteeing a holistic and integrated learning experience that prepares students for both academic excellence and professional competence in the realm of financial decision-making.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment strategy for the "Cases in Financial Decision Making" module evaluates the students' depth of understanding, analytical capabilities, and reflective skills. The continuous development of a portfolio forms the crux of the assessment. This portfolio strategy serves a dual purpose: to encourage consistent engagement with the module content and to foster introspective learning. By reflecting weekly on the topics explored, students internalize the complexities of financial decision-making and relate theoretical knowledge to real-world cases. Sharing these reflections for peer review and interaction further hones their ability to articulate, critique, and incorporate diverse perspectives. The culminating task of a 1,000-word reflective piece, which draws upon these weekly blogs, podcasts and other artefacts, tests students' holistic understanding and their ability to synthesize learning over the module's duration. This assessment approach ensures that students not only grasp the intricacies of financial decision-making but also develop the skills to communicate, critique, and apply this knowledge effectively in varied contexts. In essence, the assessment aligns with the module's aims, offering a comprehensive evaluation of both the desired knowledge and skills outcomes.

Reading Lists

• NBS8653's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• NBS8653's Timetable