Department of Management
Dr. Whitney O. Peake, Department Chair
Email: Whitney.Peake@wku.edu
Grise Hall, Office 200
Phone: (270) 745-5408
Email: MGT@wku.edu
Website: http://www.wku.edu/management
Mission Statement: “Learning by Doing”
The Management Department’s Mission Statement, ‘Learning by Doing,’ is espoused by our diverse group of faculty whose interests and responsibilities include general management, strategic management, entrepreneurship, human resource management, organizational theory and behavior, production and operations management, global business, supply chain, and the legal environment of business.
Our courses, concentrations, minors, and certificates emphasize experiential learning. We expose students to the latest technological developments, global perspectives, ethics, and legal and business environment changes. Our programs produce graduates who have a strong foundation in management principles with the necessary analytical skills to assume leadership roles in business and society. Our students learn to think critically and communicate effectively, working with real business leaders across their time with us. Graduates of our program are well-prepared to pursue careers in various fields, including banking, construction, insurance, manufacturing, transportation, public administration, retailing, and entrepreneurship.
Faculty
Professor
Paula W. Burt PhD (Business Administration), University of Kentucky, 1997
Ismail Civelek PhD (Operations Management and Manufacturing), Carnegie Mellon University, 2010
LeAnne Coder PhD (Business), University of Kansas Main Campus, 2007
Robert D. Hatfield PhD (Business), Indiana University-Bloomington, 1996
Whitney O. Peake PhD (Agricultural Economics), Purdue University Main Campus, 2008
Michael S. Spiller PhD (Human Resources Management), The University of Alabama, 1999
Associate Professor
Feng Helen Liang PhD (Business Administration), University of California-Berkeley, 2006
Mariah D. Yates PhD (Business Administration), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2018
Assistant Professor
Gihan S. Edirisinghe PhD (Business Administration), Washington State University, 2019
Visiting Assistant Professor
Ashley S. Hockensmith MAE, Vanderbilt University, 2015
Pedagogical Associate Professor
Aquesha D. Daniels JD (Law), Florida Coastal School of Law, 2011
Dana C. Henson PhD (Educational Leadership and Organizational Development), University of Louisville, 2008
Instructor I
Sedrik R. Newbern MBA (Business Administration), Tennessee State University, 1999
Robert C. Unseld MBA (Business Administration), Western Kentucky University, 2007
Management (MGT)
MGT 110 Management Explorations 3 Hours
Broad introduction to the various concepts and functions of Management to highlight the pervasiveness of management as a discipline. Involves an overview of the field of management through a variety of experiences as well as discussions led by faculty and industry experts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023; fall 2024
MGT 200 Legal Environment of Business 3 Hours
An introduction to the American public law system; use of law to achieve economic and social goals; legal responsibilities of the business manager.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 210 Organization and Management 3 Hours
An introduction to organization theory and organizational behavior. The course focuses on managing people and material resources to enhance organizational productivity and effectiveness. Attention is given to the managerial functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 261 Business Communication Fundamentals 3 Hours
Fundamentals of oral, written, and visual communication essential to prepare students for upper division coursework, internships, and careers in business disciplines. Focus on the creation of business documents and oral presentations, use of inclusive communication techniques and styles, interpretation of results for basic data analysis, appreciation of communication differences across cultures and backgrounds, and application of technology to facilitate communication.
Prerequisite(s): (BA 170 or BA 175 or BA 220 (may be taken concurrently))
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior or Freshman may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 301 Business Law 3 Hours
A basic course in commercial law covering contracts, property, creditor rights, torts and other bases for liability and the Uniform Commercial Code.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
MGT 303 International Business 3 Hours
Fundamentals of international business particularly in planning, organizing, and control aspects of the multinational enterprise. Roles of government, culture, foreign currency, taxes, political risk, and legal formalities for small and large firms entering new markets are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 210 or MGT 310)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 305 Ethics and Critical Thinking 3 Hours
This course is designed to develop skills needed for analyzing a problem or situation to arrive at a hypothesis or conclusion about it after synthesizing or integrating all available information. In critical thinking, all assumptions are open to question, divergent views are sought, and the investigation is not biased in favor of a particular solution.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 200
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 311 Human Resource Management 3 Hours
An introduction to major human resource management functions, including personnel selection; recruitment; training and development; performance appraisal; compensation; health and safety; labor-management relations; and employment law.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 310 or MGT 210 or AMS 430 or COMM 362 or COMM 461)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 313 Decision Modeling 3 Hours
This course deals with modeling problems that are similar to those faced by business managers. The problem is viewed as the focal point of analysis, and appropriate decision modeling tools are applied to obtain a solution.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 206 and BDAN 250
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 314 Operations Management 3 Hours
The management of the direct resources required to produce goods and services. Operations objectives are cascaded through the organization and are translated into measurable terms that become part of the operating goals for production-related departments and their managers.
Prerequisite(s): ECON 206
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 316 International Management 3 Hours
A study of techniques and methods involved in managing an international business with an emphasis on managerial issues unique to the global environment. Note: Permission of instructor.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
MGT 326 Managing Projects in Organizations 3 Hours
Project management is a business tool that focuses on the project's central role in organizations, along with addressing the project life-cycle and techniques for initiation, planning, scheduling, controlling and execution. Emphasis is on organizational, managerial, human behavior and interdisciplinary issues relevant for managing successful projects from the business perspective.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 210 and ECON 206
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 333 Management of Nonprofit Organizations 3 Hours
Overview of nonprofit organizations, including budgeting, finance, marketing, communication, board of directors, volunteers and strategic planning.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
MGT 383 Human Resource Information Systems 3 Hours
Study of the components of an HRIS and how one can be used to create a competitive advantage. Spreadsheet analysis will be also be used to develop analytical skills.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 311 and BDAN 250
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Management (723)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
MGT 390 Value Creation in Emerging Markets 3 Hours
Examination of techniques for competing in emerging markets.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MGT 399 Career Readiness in Management 1 Hour
Introduction to preparation for a career in Management, including exposure to careers in management-related fields; certifications in the profession; development of professional writing skills, professional resumes and cover letters; oral communications; interviewing skills; goalsetting; ethical standards; and professional networking. This course is limited to juniors and seniors in the Management program.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students in Management (723)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
MGT 400 Employment Law 3 Hours
An overview of the myriad of laws affecting personnel decisions. Discussions will focus on the implications of employment-at-will, equal employment opportunity, ERISA, FLSA, IRCA, NLRA, OSHA, workers' compensation, and other regulatory development. Note: Permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 200 or MGT 300)
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 405 Business Negotiation 3 Hours
Negotiation fundamentals, including strategy and tactics of distributive bargaining and integrative negotiation in the international business context.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students in Business Data Analytics (504) , Entrepreneurship (542) , Accounting (602) , Marketing (720) , Management (723) or Business Economics (724)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 410 Senior Seminar-Management 3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
A special topics course covering subjects of current interest in management.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023; fall 2023
MGT 411 Effective Staffing Practices 3 Hours
Explores the development and utilization of employee assessment methods. Specifically covers fair recruitment, hiring, and performance appraisal practices including application processes, interviews, assessment centers, and employee testing.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 311 or PSY 370 or PSYS 370)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
MGT 413 International Human Resource Management 3 Hours
Covers issues involved with managing human resources globally. Compares customs and regulations among various countries in the core areas of human resource management, including selection, development, compensation, performance management, and labor relations.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 311
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
MGT 414 Compensation Administration 3 Hours
An investigation of the concepts and practices affecting compensation decisions in organizations, with emphasis on job analysis and evaluation, external competitiveness, employee motivation, legal requirements, and benefit administration.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 311
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
MGT 415 Logistics and Transportation Management 3 Hours
This course is the study of business logistics, strategy, and planning to understand and optimize the movement of raw materials, parts and finished products from supplier to manufacturer to consumer. Students will build familiarity to the current issues, models, tools, and techniques in logistics and transportation management. Students will also be introduced to analytical methods for designing networks and measuring the performance of supply chains.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023
MGT 416 Management of Labor Relations 3 Hours
Legal and social context of the labor-management relationship in union and non-union environments; formation, structure and functioning of labor unions; union elections; collective bargaining; contract administration; dispute settlement; impasse resolution; and union avoidance.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 311
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MGT 417 Organizational Behavior 3 Hours
An advanced course designed to develop an understanding of managing behavior in organizations.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 310 or MGT 210) and MGT 305
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 419 Management of Organizational Conflict 3 Hours
Designed to develop skills needed to manage interpersonal, intragroup, and intergroup conflict in organizations.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MGT 423 Sourcing and Procurement Management 3 Hours
Sourcing and procurement are strategically important activities integral to developing an organization’s supply chain. This course is an overview of procurement fundamentals, sourcing strategies, supplier management and negotiations, and explores global trends in purchasing based on current laws and ethical considerations. Course materials will be presented with an emphasis on developing critical thinking essential for selecting the most effective approaches for building supplier networks.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024
MGT 473 Training in Business and Industry 3 Hours
An introduction to theories, research and methods of training needs analysis, program design, implementation, and evaluation. Note: Permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 311 or PSYS 370)
Equivalent(s): PSYS 473
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
MGT 490 Practicum in Management 3 Hours
Internships, independent studies, and special projects of interest to students and faculty in the Management area. These may include individual research projects, meaningful internships in profit or not-for-profit organizations with duties relating to Management, or other special projects approved by the Management Chair and the Management faculty. Note: A 2.5 cumulative GPA and 6 additional hours of Management course required; in addition, permission of the Management Chair and the instructor required.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 210 or MGT 310)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 495 Strategic Human Resources Management 3 Hours
Case studies to evaluate the role human resources management plays in an organization. Discussions center around how talent can be used to support an organization's strategic advantage and create a competitive advantage.
Prerequisite(s): MGT 311 and MGT 305
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
MGT 497A Certificate Assessment - Creativity and Innovation Management 0 Hours
Students will complete assessments for the certificate in Creativity and Innovation Management.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2024
MGT 497B Certificate Assessment - Executive Influence in Organizations 0 Hours
Students will complete assessments for the certificate in Executive Influence in Organizations.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2024
MGT 497C Certificate Assessment - Managing Inclusive Organizations 0 Hours
Students will complete assessments for the certificate in Managing Inclusive Organizations.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2024
MGT 498 Strategy and Policy 3 Hours
The development and application of contemporary competitive strategies at mid and upper managerial levels. Capstone course uses cases and/or simulation to integrate materials from prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite(s): BDAN 250 and ACCT 110 and FIN 330 and (MGT 310 or MGT 210) and MKT 220
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MGT 499 Senior Assessment in Management 1 Hour (repeatable max of 1 hrs)
Preparation for and administration of the senior assessment exam. Discussion of educational and career opportunities beyond the baccalaureate degree. Note: Required of all Management majors in the last semester.
Prerequisite(s): (MGT 498 (may be taken concurrently) or MGT 496 (may be taken concurrently) or ENT 496 (may be taken concurrently))
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
Entrepreneurship (ENT)
ENT 112 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3 Hours
An introduction to an exploration in the study of entrepreneurship designed for freshmen. Topics include identifying new business opportunities and access to resources, start up process, and careers. Readings and hands-on business projects approrpiate for an introductory cuorse are used.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Freshman.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
ENT 308 Innovation Management 3 Hours
A study of innovation identification, capitalization and industry dynamics in entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial contexts.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
ENT 312 Entrepreneurship 3 Hours
Entrepreneurship examines the entrepreneur as the basic building block of the economic system via the discovery or identification of opportunities. Emphasis is placed on identifying and defending feasible opportunities within the industry and market, while recognizing and managing the complex systems in which entrepreneurs live and work that motivate or constrain innovation. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
ENT 363 Family Business Management 3 Hours
An exploration of the unique managerial issues, dynamics and competitive positioning, and contribution to the economy associated with family businesses. Emphasis placed on problems in organization, management, and succession in family business contexts. Open to business and non-business majors.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023
ENT 380 New Venture Business Planning 3 Hours
An in-depth analysis of business planning. The purpose and components of business plans and feasibility analyses are presented. Students prepare a written plan for a venture, whether for or not-for profit. Students are strongly encouraged to enter the course with an idea for a venture. Note: Permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENT 312
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
ENT 410 Senior Seminar-Entrepreneurship 3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
A special topics course covering subjects of current interest in entrepreneurship. Class format varies with instructor.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
ENT 425 International Entrepreneurship 3 Hours
An introduction to the competitive global economy and entrepreneurship in the international context. Students develop an understanding of the entrepreneurial climate across countries and how to become more competitive in the global context.
Prerequisite(s): (ENT 312 or MGT 303)
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
ENT 463 Small Business Management 3 Hours
Provides a basic understanding of how to manage an ongoing small business, and aids in the development of managerial skills necessary to operate small businesses.
Prerequisite(s): (ECON 150 or ECON 202 or ECON 203) and ENT 312 and MKT 220
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
ENT 490 Practicum in Entrepreneurship 3 Hours
Includes internships, independent studies, and special projects of interest in the entrepreneurship area. May include individual research projects as well as internships in profit or not-for-profit organizations with duties relating to entrepreneurship. Projects must be approved by the Management Chair. Note: Must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA; permission of the management chair and instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ENT 312
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior or Senior.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
ENT 496 Hilltopper Student Consulting Experience 3 Hours
Opportunities for students to act in a management consultant relationship with selected small/medium regional entrepreneurial organizations, firms. Overall strategy and policy issues are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): BDAN 250 and FIN 330 and (MGT 310 or MGT 210) and (MKT 320 or MKT 220)
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Academy Junior, Academy Senior, Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024