Course descriptions
Term 1 – Mastering Fundamentals
EMBA 610: MEASURING AND REPORTING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (3 CREDITS)
The focus of this course is on the use of financial statements to assess a company’s performance and the creation of firm value. The objective is to understand the relation between a company’s strategic decisions, business activities and its financial statements. It also examines how boards of directors and investors can gauge the effectiveness of managerial stewardship in the creation of shareholder value. The course is taught using the case method.
EMBA 611: MANAGING TALENT (3 CREDITS)
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of strategic talent management challenges across individual, organizational, and leadership dimensions. It emphasizes the significance of aligning talent with organizational goals in a globalized environment. Students will delve into topics such as talent scarcity, engagement, retention, organizational resilience, and the pivotal role of leadership in fostering a unified culture and continuous learning. This course equips participants with the tools and strategies to ensure organizational success through effective talent management.
EMBA 612: MARKETING MANAGEMENT (3 CREDITS)
The important role of marketing is studied and the skills developed to lead this function in an organization or to interact effectively with it. Attention is given to such topics as marketing planning, strategy formulation and control, customer focus, customer value creation, positioning, branding, pricing, communications and distribution. Deploying lectures, case discussions and application-oriented readings, the requisite mindset is nurtured to facilitate marketing excellence in today’s multi-faceted and dynamic external environment.
EMBA 622: BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT AND THE ECONOMY (1.5 CREDITS)
The course provides a non-technical introduction to government policy analysis from the perspective of the business executive. We begin with a discussion of the differences between private and public goods and the impact of external forces on different stakeholders. The role of government and business in the creation and resolution of problems created by outside influences will be evaluated. Topics discussed in class may include the nature and role of public-private partnerships, regulation as both a limitation and an opportunity and the role of government in international trade and foreign direct investment.
EMBA 615: LIVE JMSB EXPERIENCE (1 CREDIT)
The Live JMSB Experience, an integrative course, gives students the opportunity to use the knowledge acquired during the first term in a context that mirrors the reality of contemporary business. Students are exposed to senior managers of a Canadian company facing strategic and managerial issues. Using critical thinking, students work in teams to craft a solution for the company and present their recommendations to a panel of the senior managers and faculty members.
Term 2 – Global Leadership
EMBA 613: CAPITAL MARKETS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (3 CREDITS)
This course provides a general understanding of the fundamental concepts of corporate finance and capital markets as they apply to the firm's long-term and short-term financing and investment decisions. It examines the valuation of financial instruments and integrates that knowledge into investment, financing and capital budgeting strategies.
EMBA 621: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL STRATEGY (3 CREDITS)
Students learn how advances in information technologies, connectivity and data analytics are transforming business models and creating new avenues for business value creation. This course provides students with a business-driven leadership perspective on information technology (IT) by leveraging digital technologies for competitive advantage. Within the context of IT and digital strategy, topics covered may include: strategic alignment of IT, the impact of disruptive technologies on business models, effective leadership of IT, governance, project portfolio management, strategic sourcing, e-commerce, data analytics, privacy and cybersecurity.
EMBA 640: LEADERSHIP (3 CREDITS)
Leadership is the process of influencing and supporting others in the accomplishment of a common task. In addition to providing a critical review of key concepts, models, and theories of leadership, the course allows students to develop and apply their leadership abilities in organizational settings, especially in the context of change. Students are engaged in practical exercises, case studies, simulations and role-playing activities. Elements of the leadership development module are integrated and leveraged within the course in order to improve student’s ability to lead with purpose, inspire others and enable change.
EMBA 623: MANAGING IN A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT (3 CREDITS)
The complexities of doing business in a global environment are studied. Major issues include supply chain management, cross-cultural management and communication, global investment and partnership, international strategy and marketing, international human resource management, ethics, law and social responsibility. A portion of this course also integrates the economic, social, cultural and business aspects of the region visited in the Global Experience course.
EMBA 625 : BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES & CULTURAL IMMERSION - INTERNATIONAL STUDY TRIP (1 CREDIT)
This integrative course allows students to experience distinct cultures in different regions and learn to do business with them in a sustainable and responsible manner. Activities for better understanding of these distinct cultures are scheduled over two-terms of the program and students have the opportunity to apply the business knowledge gained by being exposed to business practices.
The course exposes students to a culturally distinct communities. It provides them with an opportunity to experience and learn about economic, political, social, and cultural factors that influence business opportunities and practices.
Term 3 – Thinking Outside the Box
EMBA 642: CRAFTING AND IMPLEMENTING A WINNING STRATEGY (3 CREDITS)
The important issues involved in developing strategy in various business sectors are the focus of the course. Students learn to formulate strategies that clearly state the growth path for companies. The course also looks at winning strategies defining how companies can compete against their rivals in specific business sectors. Students study strategy implementation and examine how functional strategies can be key instruments for business success. The course also looks at the relationship between strategy, culture and structure of the organization.
EMBA 620: BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY (3 CREDITS)
This course looks at how companies can improve their business processes to deliver services or build products that are valued by their customers. In today’s business environment, companies are closely interconnected with global supply chains and distribution channels as well as multiple stakeholders. In this course, students learn to design, operate and improve a network of operations among various stakeholders to ensure that systems are properly managed so that the flow of material and information is fluid. Some of the topics covered include supply chain network design, service delivery improvement, sourcing, risk management and enterprise resource planning (ERP).
EMBA 635: INNOVATION & VENTURE CREATION (3 CREDITS OFFERED OVER TERMS 3 AND 4)
This course is designed to guide students in converting a budding idea into a launch-ready business venture. Through an immersive curriculum, students will explore the nuances of innovation, conduct in-depth market analysis, and craft strategic financial plans. The culmination of their efforts will be a presentation to a set of industry experts. Alongside theoretical knowledge, the course emphasizes hands-on experience and practical application. By the end, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in launching a new business, equipped with a robust business proposal ready for the real world.
EMBA 646: APPLIED FIELD PROJECT (3 CREDITS - OFFERED OVER TERMS 3 & 4)
This capstone integrative course provides students with the opportunity to tackle a major business problem or issue of their choice, thereby allowing them to apply the knowledge and competencies acquired in the program. In teams, students develop a business project proposal focusing on a problem or issue faced by the organization they have chosen. Students are then expected to gather data and develop innovative and practical responses to the complex, cross-disciplinary issues faced by their client organization. Student teams are required to present a comprehensive set of recommendations to a panel comprised of faculty members, EMBA peers and representatives of the client organization. The key deliverable of this course is the actual set of recommendations and implementation plan designed to address the selected problem or issue.
EMBA 636: CLIMATE RISK: STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION SUSTAINABILITY (3 CREDITS)
Situating students squarely within the context of our global climate and environmental crises, this course highlights the challenges firms face in rapidly transitioning towards a low-carbon future. Students will explore scientific, industry, and political perspectives on climate change. Then, taking a business model innovation lens, they will develop applied insight into developing low-carbon futures by creating viable proposals for supporting the necessary and likely drastic transitions their organizations will need to undergo in the coming decades for society to avert the worst of our climate crises.
EMBA 626: BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND CULTURAL IMMERSION - INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES (0.5 CREDITS)
Students are invited on a journey to explore Indigenous cultures and peoples. This course delves into the rich tapestry of Indigenous governance, business models, and values. Through a carefully planned study trip, participants will witness sustainable practices and environmental stewardship firsthand, and gain insights that transcend conventional business education. This immersive experience is designed to broaden cultural horizons and foster an understanding of the diverse global business ecosystem.
Term 4 – Leading change
EMBA 631: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING (3 CREDITS)
In this course, students learn about management accounting and control systems concepts and related tools utilized in organizations to implement strategy and enhance decision‐making as well as to guide expected behaviors, evaluate performance, and, act with professionalism and ethics.
EMBA 637: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (3 CREDITS)
This course aims to present a comprehensive view of corporate governance emphasizing the interactions between the board of directors and management. Mixing generally accepted principles of good governance with the latest research evidence, the course will be practice-oriented with class participants being involved as governance actors, either on the board or on the managerial side. Moreover, in presenting the context underlying and supporting corporate governance, the course will integrate considerations about how stakeholders beyond shareholders as well as ESG and sustainability map into governance decision-making processes. Overall, the course takes a practical yet conceptually grounded approach to corporate governance.
EMBA 635: INNOVATION & VENTURE CREATION (3 CREDITS OFFERED OVER TERMS 3 AND 4)
This course is designed to guide students in converting a budding idea into a launch-ready business venture. Through an immersive curriculum, students will explore the nuances of innovation, conduct in-depth market analysis, and craft strategic financial plans. The culmination of their efforts will be a presentation to a set of industry experts. Alongside theoretical knowledge, the course emphasizes hands-on experience and practical application. By the end, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in launching a new business, equipped with a robust business proposal ready for the real world.
EMBA 646: APPLIED FIELD PROJECT (3 CREDITS - OFFERED OVER TERMS 3 & 4)
This capstone integrative course provides students with the opportunity to tackle a major business problem or issue of their choice, thereby allowing them to apply the knowledge and competencies acquired in the program. In teams, students develop a business project proposal focusing on a problem or issue faced by the organization they have chosen. Students are then expected to gather data and develop innovative and practical responses to the complex, cross-disciplinary issues faced by their client organization. Student teams are required to present a comprehensive set of recommendations to a panel comprised of faculty members, EMBA peers and representatives of the client organization. The key deliverable of this course is the actual set of recommendations and implementation plan designed to address the selected problem or issue.
EMBA 670 - TRANSFORMATIONAL INSIGHT - 2 day residential module (0 CREDIT)
Throughout the Executive MBA program, students receive invaluable feedback on their leadership styles, strengths, and areas for growth. With dedicated opportunities to collaborate with instructors and executive coaches, they actively address and refine these facets. This two-day workshop serves as a capstone to this journey, offering students a reflective space to measure and celebrate leadership growth. Through this experience, students have an opportunity to equip themselves with refined leadership insights and emerge poised to navigate the multifaceted challenges of the contemporary business arena.
