Master of Commerce in Programme Management (MComPM) – NQF L9

Cranefield’s Postgraduate Diploma in Programme Management. Candidates who hold degrees or diplomas obtained from other recognized academic institutions and have relevant experience, may also apply. All relevant information and documentation, including a detailed curriculum vitae and the applicant’s work experience, must be submitted to the Registrar (Academic). Hence, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Completion of Cranefield’s Postgraduate Diploma in Programme Management, or any NQF Level 8 or higher qualification recognised by the Admissions Committee as being equivalent, is a prerequisite for admission.
2. An ‘equivalent qualification’ means any NQF level 8 or higher qualification with similar content as Cranefield’s Postgraduate Diploma.
3.  If certain subjects were not sufficiently covered in the ‘equivalent qualification’, relevant modules from the Postgraduate Diploma learning programme will have to be undertaken in addition to those of the Master’s learning programme.
4. A minimum average of 63% is required for the Postgraduate Diploma.
5. Every case will be evaluated on its own merits.

Submission of Documents process:

1. Submit certified copies of your highest academic qualifications.
2. Submit a curriculum vitae, which must reflect all your qualifications and the latest grades received.
3. The Admissions Committee may, however, require you to provide certified copies relating to all courses/programmes attended at any other institution, prior to approving admission to the learning programme involved.

EVERY APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED ON ITS OWN MERITS!

The ability to deal with rapidly changing advancements in technology and international competitive markets of Industry 4.0, is enhanced.

Customer expectations, product and service enhancement, collaborative innovation, and organisational forms are aspects most affected by the Industry 4.0 economy. These aspects are comprehensively addressed and researched in the Master’s course, and students learn how to best maximise organisational benefits of strategic importance that lead to success.

The Master of Commerce distance learning format and structure allow for flexibility and meet the needs of working professionals with limited time to study. Cranefield College is an ISO-9001-certified leader in private higher education and employs only the best qualified and experienced lecturers who are at the cutting edge of development and research in their fields. This ensures that students enjoy first-class tuition and derive maximum practical benefit from their studies. Successful students receive a solid foundation for more advanced studies and may progress to Cranefield’s PhD in Commerce and Administration, which signifies the highest level of academic attainment.

After completing the Master of Commerce, students will be able to (depending on the option selected):

• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and skills how to collaboratively lead and programme-manage the cross-functionally shaped value chain of a modern virtual dynamic learning organisation in the quest to optimise its performance in the Industry 4.0 economy.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in financial wealth management principles and theories, and effective application of financial strategy to add value to the overall performance of 4IR organisations.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in communicating, critiquing, and defending creative ideas produced through independent research, while conforming to meeting the theoretical and technical requirements of advanced research.
• Demonstrate command of research design, research methodologies and execution of the research process.

Apply what you learn today in your job tomorrow

Employers in the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0 or 4IR) economy prefer job-relevant education and training for improving the abilities of employees and providing them with the necessary skills to apply what they learn today in their work context tomorrow. All academic programmes and modules are presented in English and due to the structure of all Cranefield’s academic programmes, students need to spend only one morning per month away from work for classes.

Cranefield’s teaching and learning are comprehensively technology-enhanced. Execution of the learning programme content (modules) is done in an agile manner that is in line with accepted international standards. The different learning modules therefore are offered in a highly flexible order. Students have the option to complete all three elective modules, plus the research methodology module and a mini-dissertation, or alternatively, one elective module plus the research methodology module and a dissertation of limited scope.

Note that live interactive online classes are streamed globally via the internet. Student syndicate groups meet outside of work hours to discuss their practical case studies. Cranefield’s state-of-the-art teaching and learning technologies allow classes, and even syndicate group meetings, to be attended live online via the internet anywhere in the world. Recordings of classes are available for revision purposes, or where a student is unable to attend a live online session or resides in a country that falls outside the timeline.

NQF Level 9, with 180 Credits Minimum:

For MCom, it is compulsory to do a minimum of 120 credits at NQF Level 9, and the remainder can be from NQF Level 8 or 9 to reach a minimum of 180 credits.

There are two options available:

Option 1: (180 credits minimum)

• A limited-scope dissertation (120 credits NQF Level 9)
• The Leadership and Management Research Methodology module (30 credits NQF Level 9)
• One module from the subjects shown in the MCom and PGDip categories

• A mini-scope dissertation (60 credits NQF Level 9)
• The Leadership and Management Research Methodology module (30 credits NQF Level 9)
• Three modules from the subjects shown in the MCom and PGDip categories, with at least one at NQF Level 9 to reach a minimum of 120 credits at NQF Level 9

MCom Modules Available (NQF Level 9) (30 credits each):

• Module MCB1: Corporate Wealth Management (formerly M9.1)
• Module MCB2: Managing Virtual Dynamic Learning Organisations (formerly M9.3)
• Module MCB3: Advanced Strategic Marketing Management (formerly M9.5)
• Module MCB4: Managing for Organisational Performance (formerly M9.2)
• Module MCB5: Digital Transformation Management (formerly M9.4)
• Module MCB6: Leadership and Management Research Methodology (formerly M8)
• Module MCB7: Dissertation of Limited Scope (120 credits). The dissertation may be started immediately after completing MCB6 (formerly M10.1)
• Module MCB8: Mini-Dissertation (60 credits). The dissertation may be started immediately after MCB6 (formerly M10.2)

• Module PGB1: Transformational Corporate Strategy (formerly M4)
• Module PGB2: Creating High-Performance Project and Process Teams (formerly M5)
• Module PGB3: Infrastructural Asset Management (formerly M6)
• Module PGB4: Manufacturing Management in the Evolving Economy (new)

For more information on PGDip modules, visit the Postgraduate Diploma in Programme Management (PGDipPM) section on the website.

Registration Fee: R 7,500.00

Other Fees: Two payments of R 61,500.00 each

Academic Programme Fee Calculation:

R 7,500.00 + (2 x R 61,500.00) = R 123,000.00

Total: R 130, 500.00

Fee Payment Options:

Pay the full fee, or as illustrated below. It is advisable for your employer to sponsor the payment(s) and claim back the fees from the relevant SETA (South Africa).

• Full amount once off, or:
• R 69,000.00 at the start (which includes the registration fee) and R 61,500.00 at the end of the first module.

Module Repeat Fee: Contact Cranefield’s Financial Coordinator.

The MCom programme commences every quarter starting in January, April, July, or October. For details, please view the Academic Calendar.

Cranefield’s interactive live online lectures are streamed globally on the internet. Afterwards, recordings are made available online to students. 

Accreditation
The Master of Commerce (MCom) Professional is accredited by the Council on Higher Education at NQF level 9, with 180 credits, and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. It particularly serves to meet the need for a professional qualification in programme-managing the organisational value chain.

Certification
The Master of Commerce (MCom) Professional is fully aligned with the Project Management Institute’s PMBoK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) and the International Project Management Association’s ICB (International Competency Baseline). It is an ideal route towards gaining international certification as an OPM3 (Organisational Project Management Maturity Model) professional by the Project Management Institute. Moreover, the master’s degree is fully aligned with the International Project Management Association’s ICB (International Competency Baseline) 4-level certification model. Successful students qualify for ICB level B certifications.

Cranefield College offers technology-enhanced distance learning. It entails the integration of self-study, interactive live online classes, and recordings of classes online. Cranefield’s learning mode is supported by its online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

All modules (live online):

• Students are encouraged to attend the live online classes. Note that Cranefield operates on a distance learning mode. 
• Moreover, students can also view recordings of lectures online in their own time.

Time:
09h00 – 12h00

Contact Days:
Five (5) sessions per module (streamed interactively online), spread evenly over the three months duration of each module. For class dates see the ACADEMIC CALENDAR below.

General Admission for All Academic Programmes:

Possession of prescribed qualifications for admission to any learning programme does not automatically qualify a student for registration.

• The prospective student may be requested to comply with additional requirements, such as a special assignment or an oral or written examination.
• The admission policy is reviewed annually, and the admission requirements from the previous year may not apply.
• It is the responsibility of prospective students to keep abreast of developments.
• Due to the nature of the admission procedures, deadlines are enforced strictly.
• All relevant documentation must be provided by the specified deadlines.
• Application for any programme implies acceptance by the applicant of the admission policies and procedures.

When applying for admission to any academic programme:

1. Submit certified copies of your highest academic qualifications.
2. Submit a curriculum vitae, which must reflect all your qualifications and the latest grades received.
3. The Admissions Committee may require you to provide certified copies relating to all courses/programmes attended at any other institution before approving admission to the learning programme involved.

All documents must be submitted to the Registrar (Academic).

Note: When courses are still in progress at the time of application or have not been completed and are not reported on the certified copies, applicants must provide a ‘statement of registration’ to the Registrar (Academic).

Module MCB1: “Corporate Wealth Management”

Purpose of Module MCB1:

The purpose of this module is to undertake advanced reflection and development in respect of strategic financial wealth management, in order to contribute to the effective functioning of the financial aspects of the organisation and to demonstrate how the use of an appropriate financial strategy can add value to the overall corporate strategy used by an organisation in the Industry 4.0 economy.

Outcomes of Module MCB1:

After completion you will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and insight in the application of financial wealth management strategies for corporate financial success in the 4IR economy.
• Evaluate the financial wealth management theory and practices of the organisation, and development of tacit knowledge for the purpose of value creation through sound financial investment decisions.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and insight of key financial wealth management methodologies and principles for the purpose of optimising organisational value creation.
• Analyse and reflect on current internal operational and financial processes to continuously improve the investment decisions of the organisation.
• Demonstrate the ability to modify financial wealth management strategies within a changing Industry 4.0 operational and contextual environment.

Module MCB2: “Managing Virtual Dynamic Learning Organisations (VDLOs)”

Purpose of Module MCB2:

To achieve advanced knowledge and skills in managing virtual dynamic learning organisations (VDLOs) in the Industry 4.0 economy. The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0 or 4IR)) is characterised by increasing digitisation and interconnection of products, value chains and business models. Competitiveness no longer depends solely on optimisation of own resources, but total inter-organisational value chain innovativeness and supportive partner technologies, products, services, and systems. With the aid of partners, organisations are co-creating innovative inter-organisational value and supply chains that operate in a local, regional and international collaborative business ecosystem. The complexity of today’s technologies, artificial intelligence, mass data and internet of things calls for specialisation and sustainable collaboration among organisations. This demands the introduction of new horisontal supply and value chain business models. Virtual value chains shape organisations into strategic, collaborative, value-driven entities where non-core activities are performed by carefully selected partners. A competitive edge is gained by collaboratively performing strategic activities more effectively and efficiently. This approach demands exceptional governance, supported by super- transformational “collaboratist” leadership excellence, and project and programme management acumen. Effective and efficient cross-functional and inter-organisational management of projects and programmes in virtual networks is a critical enabling competency of the Industry 4.0 economy. (30 Credits)

Outcomes of Module MCB2

After completion you will be able to:

• Comprehensively explain the characteristics of the Industry 4.0 economy and how it evolved over time.
• Define a virtual dynamic learning organisation (VDLO) and explain its advantages in the 4IR economy with respect to competitiveness, collaboration and innovation.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight how virtual value chains shape organisations into strategic, collaborative, value-driven entities where non-core activities are performed by carefully selected partner entities.
• Demonstrate with advanced insight the advantages gained when structuring an organisation into innovative inter-organisational value chains (including the supply chain) that operate in a local, regional and international collaborative business ecosystem.
• Create business models for effective and efficient cross-functional and inter-organisational management of projects and programmes in virtual networks of partner organisations.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and insight with respect to leading and managing collaborative programmes and projects in virtual dynamic learning organisations (VDLOs).
• Demonstrate that governance of virtual dynamic learning organisations has entered a challenging new phase in the Industry 4.0 economy, supported by super-transformational collaboratist leadership excellence and applied programme management.
• Demonstrate that Industry 4.0 virtual dynamic learning organisations (VDLOs) foster strategic transformation and change towards cross-functionally shaped knowledge-based learning organisations while scrapping bureaucracy.

 

Module MCB3: “Advanced Strategic Marketing Management”

Purpose of Module MCB3:

The purpose of Advanced Strategic Marketing Management is to assess the marketing discipline’s contribution in achieving business objectives by identifying, developing, and maintaining a sustainable organisational competitive advantage.  Strategic marketing addresses top management issues, inter-alia, analysing the market and the resources of the business, market sensing, and the strategic positioning of the business. This ensures an understanding of the specific markets to target, products, or services to offer, and how to price and promote the product or service being offered. The aim of the module is to guide marketers in applying cognitive and technical capabilities in establishing new marketing practices in the Industry 4.0 economy.  Students will gain advanced strategic marketing knowledge and skills on devising a marketing plan and applying project management principles and techniques to implement it. Moreover, students will gain insight on how to utilise the project approach in assisting top management marketing decision-making regarding branding, relationship marketing and market strategy implementation and control.

Outcomes of Module MCB3:

After completion you will be able to:

• Recognise the vital role of marketing management and its value creation within the Industry4.0 economic environment, and in particular the correct application of marketing features for strategic marketing decision-making, with the aim of meeting society’s needs and satisfying the business purpose.
• Analyse and reflect with advanced knowledge and insight the process of identifying workable marketing strategies for implementation in relation to business requirements and constraints, and to optimise resource allocation and business performance of the entity.
• Conduct environmental research with advanced knowledge and insight in identifying marketing growth opportunities and compare business purpose and stakeholder’s requirements to meet challenges in both internal and external business environments.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight the application of project management methodologies, processes, techniques, and practical applications to manage a marketing project successfully.
• Evaluate with advanced knowledge and insight the implementation and measurement of marketing deliverables, quality control mechanisms and risk factors assessment to obtain sustainable business performance.
• Reflect critically on the role of systems thinking for sustaining and improving marketing performance with the aim of obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage for the business.

 

Module MCB4: “Managing for Organisational Performance”.

Purpose of Module MCB4:

To equip learners with advanced knowledge and skills regarding organisational performance management in the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0 or 4IR) economy. Organisations must effectively add value to all stakeholders, including collaborative virtual networks of partners, in their quest to achieve optimal performance. Moreover, this requires collaboratist leaders and managers to be highly competitive in the marketplace by designing and delivering quality products and services that meet customer expectations and applying sound behavioural, structural and operational strategies that result in benefits of strategic importance. (30 Credits)

Outcomes of Module MCB4:

After completion you will be able to:

• Define the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0 or 4IR) and the influence it brings to bear on organisations with respect to leadership styles in a situation of rapid transformation and change.
• Distinguish between and explain the concepts “knowledge management” and “learning organisation” and demonstrate advanced insight of the need to abolish bureaucratic practices in Industry 4.0 organisations through diligent organisational transformation and change management.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight how an Industry 4.0 organisation pursues value add through optimal performance of its value chain collaborating with virtual networks of partners.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of different business models and the importance of applying appropriate performance metrics to measure levels of value chain performance.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the commonalities between different variables leading to optimal 4IR value chain performance when collaborating with virtual networks of partner organisations.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in 4IR organisational design that results in its structure reflecting the appropriate processes, while positively influencing its effectiveness and efficiency leading to optimal performance.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge how in the Industry 4.0 economy successful performance of the initiating organisation is profoundly dependent on its own climate, combined with that of virtual network partner organisations.
• Motivate that a critical relationship exists between organisational culture and climate; and that depending on the level of congruence, a positive or negative impact on individual and team motivation, as well as organisational performance, will result for all collaborative participants.
• Explain with confidence that synergy in culture and climate of participating organisations, is the deciding factor in creating successful 4IR virtual networks of partners.

Module MCB5: “Dynamic Technology Management”

Purpose of Module MCB5:

The purpose of this module is to build on the technology management framework and technological capabilities, seen through the lens of dynamic-capabilities theory, to achieve dynamic technology management in Industry 4.0. An organisation’s knowledge and talent bases include its technological competencies, knowledge of customer expectations, supplier capabilities and dynamic organizational capabilities. These competencies reflect individual skills and experiences as well as distinctive ways and means of operating in modern business ecosystems. Dynamic capabilities are accumulated through embedded processes, systems, procedures, business models, structures and paradigms that reflect an organization’s culture, means and methods to achieve optimal benefits of strategic importance in open innovation business ecosystems.

Outcomes of Module MCB5:

After completion you will be able to:

• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight the synergy between the technology management (TM) framework, technology management activities, organizational dynamic capabilities, and core technological capabilities in Industry 4.0.
• Understand and explain with advanced knowledge and insight how the six technology management activities constituting the technology management framework function collaboratively with the dynamic capability framework in delivering organizational synergy.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight how the evolvement of the dynamically capable organization led to enhanced strategic benefits by accommodating the balanced scorecard and programme-managed virtual cross-functional organizational structures for improved collaboration, integration and coordination while eliminating barriers to strategy implementation and supporting technology management.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight the profound role played in the Industry 4.0 economy by disruptive key enabling technologies (KETs) in the transformation and change of entities from bureaucracies to virtual dynamic learning organizations (VDLOs) and concomitant advantages in competitiveness, collaboration and innovation. Moreover, that as a consequence organizational design, development and governance have entered a challenging new phase.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight how dynamic capabilities identify, generate and deploy resources for innovation, which explains how combinations of resources and processes can be developed, deployed and exploited for all technology activities. Also how dynamic capabilities reconfigure, redirect, transform, and appropriately shape and integrate core competences with external resources and strategic assets to meet the challenges of competition and imitation.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight that dynamic capabilities include capabilities required to adapt to changing customer and technological opportunities, and embrace the organization’s capacity to shape the Industry 4.0 open innovation business ecosystem it occupies, develop new products, services and processes, implement viable business models, and shift mindsets. Moreover, that VDLOs operating in open innovation business ecosystems interact with its surrounding environment where partners collaborate and create new knowledge.
• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight how VDLOs distinguish between development, adaptation, and operation business processes for performing enhancement initiatives, utilising collaborative research and innovation development (RID) projects, strategic transformation development projects, and infra-structural development projects. Moreover, that these projects are performed in organizational “development processes”, while innovative continuous improvement adaptation projects and supply chain operation projects for external customers, are performed in organizational “adaptation processes” and “operation processes” providing a continuous stream of technical and non-technical novelties and business improvements.

• Demonstrate with advanced knowledge and insight the Industry 4.0 forms of organizing digitalized work leading to the reproduction of routines, what forms foster innovation on an organizing continuum, and the consequences with respect to autonomy for people acting in such organizational and digitally supported structures. Moreover, that professional vocational and academic training are key factors for the successful implementation of digitalization in a network of autonomous, self-controlling, self-configuring, knowledge-based, sensor-based and spatially distributed production resources. 

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and insight of knowledge management principles, and applying knowledge management strategies for leveraging individual, team and dynamic performance advantages with respect to competitiveness, collaboration and innovation; including technological innovation. Moreover, distinguish between faltering traditional bureaucratic organizations and progressive Industry 4.0 knowledge-based virtual dynamic learning organizations (VDLOs) embedding virtual networks of partners in its structures.

Module MCB6: “Leadership and Management Research Methodology” 

Purpose of Module MCB6:

The purpose of this module is to enable the student to demonstrate a command of research design, research methodologies and the execution of the research process. (Core, 30 credits)

Outcomes of Module MCB6:

After completion you will be able to:

• Demonstrate specialised knowledge in research design, research methodologies and the execution of the research process.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate research methodologies and written communication to support the research process and findings.
• Evaluate current relevant empirical research studies to determine the relevance to the research problem under analysis.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research techniques in a work-context environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to document research findings academically and scientifically.
• Critically reflect on research outcomes and results within an ethical framework and in the context of project, programme, and portfolio management.

The limited-scope dissertation, or mini-scope dissertation may be commenced once the MB6 Research Proposal is approved. The Research Proposal constitutes the module MB6 examination.