International Innovative Business Management Master’s Programme

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International Innovative Business Management Master’s Programme

Are you ready for top achievements? Would you like to improve your knowledge and upgrade your education? If so, join us in this innovative and modern master’s programme for competitive and sustainable growth of companies. The programme is aimed at all entrepreneurial spirits who know that in today’s world innovations are key for the true experts and who wish to upgrade their management skills.


In-demand competencies that you will develop

Business management

Business management

Understanding the opportunities, challenges and rules of modern business management in the national and global arena.
Innovation management

Innovation management

Mastering change in business management and strategic innovation management through creative thinking.
Globalisation and internalisation

Globalisation and internalisation

Understanding the global challenges of successful international business
management.
Social competencies and excellent communication

Social competencies and excellent communication

Understanding strategies and techniques of effective communication, lobbying,
negotiating and networking.
Personal growth and management

Personal growth and management

Development of personal competencies for successful management and action in the national and international market.

Programme structure

1st year
2nd year
Compulsory Courses
9
Business Prognostic and Sustainable Development Strategy

This is an exciting course that introduces new aspects, and shows the bigger picture, of the world of business and entrepreneurship. It is not common to see a course on prognostics in an international business program. However, in today’s quickly changing world, business leaders and entrepreneurs need to point their organisations in the right direction. In this course, students learn and understand the purpose and challenges of forecasting and projecting.

The course/module starts with a look into the development of management theory with the aim of understanding trends and cycles and then expanding them in relation to business cycles, life cycles of companies and products. Furthermore, it delves into business planning and forecasting, through strategy and growth, where students learn and work with analytical methods as well as methods of intuitive forecasting and projecting. Having an opportunity to apply knowledge gained to case studies and developing great discussions with school colleagues are key course aspects. The course concludes by linking business forecasting with sustainable development, teaching students to develop a deeper understanding of sustainable development strategy.

9
Advanced Technology Supported Enterprise Management

This course is an opportunity to discover information technology (IT) from an organisation’s view. It is generally well known how to use IT in everyday work, but less well known how to manage all the issues of IT systems in an organization. Therefore, this course gives a different, more systemic view to managing IT to drive successful business. Students acquire new constructive ideas for improving the use of IT in their organisation when they add this new knowledge to solve their work challenges. They gain a deeper understanding of how to manage information technology in an organization, from purchase, to ensuring IT safety from the system’s view. They also learn how to effectively use information, communication and Internet technologies for managing business intelligence and knowledge. Students go through all of the important phases of IT development and sustainability in an organisation, where they are immediately challenged to apply their knowledge to their working environment or organisation.

9
Innovation Business Processes, Relations and Models

This course takes a holistic approach to innovation development and management. Innovation is very complex and joins many important aspects of business, therefore only linear thinking and an individual approach is not enough. It takes cooperation and a systematic approach. The course is built on the precondition that innovation and innovativeness are the main factors of competitiveness. It starts with a macroeconomic view of innovation at home and in the global market by recognizing indexes and indicators, and exploring supporting environments of innovation with R&D and other departments. It includes a study of technological and service innovation and continues with an organisational view of innovation, learning about the techniques and methods of innovation management. The course/module concludes with deeper exploration and the understanding of marketing the potential innovation (market research, market strategy, market segmentation, market potential, customer value, etc.). Throughout the course, students are challenged to apply their new knowledge to case studies and to develop a team project showcasing potential innovation.

9
Creative Human Resource Management for Competitive Advantages

People are a competitive advantage and a vital resource in an organisation, but are also challenging to manage … as there is no unique method. Students are challenged to look at their work place from a leadership and organisational perspective. The course on human resource management brings forward the importance of a strategic and systemic approach to human resource management, from recruiting and hiring, compensation, employment relationships, performance management, learning and development to provide a high quality of work life. Students have opportunities to further explore work space planning, annual employee performance reviews, the meaning of HRM in an international context, discrimination issues, HRM policies, and other related topics. The team project allows students to prepare constructive solutions to actual HRM challenges and practice preparing and delivering effective presentations.

9
Methods of business research work

This course challenges the prejudice of research being boring and demanding. It uncovers new aspects and possibilities of research that lead to important business factors in successful decision making. With this course, students have reported having higher self-confidence during meetings or when presenting improvements to an executive board. This course on business research methods represents an important building block in the study program where students are introduced to the big picture of research, helping them to understand research requirements for their studies and for their master thesis.

This course aims to present basic philosophies and approaches to business research and apply the main quantitative/qualitative methods and techniques, setting clear research indicators and standards. Students have the opportunity to prepare a team research project proposal in order to learn how to prepare similar research proposals, evaluate research articles, and explore databases throughout the world to find relevant scientific and professional articles for their studies. The course expands the horizon into the world of research and exploration.

6
Individually composed thesis

When discovering and exploring become your partners. The individual research project course takes the student to the next level in the methods of research. It offers a deeper understanding of business research and guides students through the different stages of project/master thesis research preparation. From the initial research proposal and beyond, the course includes relevant sampling, selecting appropriate methods and techniques, data analysis techniques and software and results interpretation to the effective presentation of research results. Students are challenged to prepare their individual research project on actual issues in an organisation, region or industry and take a critical look at other business research as well.

9
International Business Economics

International business refers to a wide range of business activities conducted across national borders. Due to rapidly increasing globalization, international business has become a popular topic and has drawn the attention of business executives, government officials and academics. International business must be managed differently from domestic business. At the international level, the globalization of the world economy and the differences between countries present both opportunities and challenges to international businesses. Business managers need to take into account the globalized business environment when making international strategic decisions and managing ongoing international operations. The overarching logic of the course is intuitive—organized around answering the what, where, why, and how of international business. Knowledge gained is applied to different case studies during the course.

Compulsory Courses
7
Optional Elective Courses

Students can choose the optional elective course from the elective courses for the 2nd year or courses of the other module that you have previously not yet chosen. You can also choose a course offered by another institution (home or abroad), however following a previous agreement on the recognition of the chosen course.

18
Final thesis

The Master’s Thesis is a written paper and the result of the student’s independent professional work under the mentorship of a higher education teacher. In the paper, the student comprehensively covers all fields of the study programme.

 With the Master’s Thesis, the student shows that he/she:

  • is capable of understanding and applying the content from the field covered by the study programme,
  • can use interdisciplinary and theoretical approaches to solving concrete practical problems, especially from the field of business management,
  • has mastered research methods and proceedings by applying various analytical and forecasting tools,
  • is able to critically deal with professional issues in consideration of theories and fundamental and specific concepts,
  • is able to think creatively, design bold innovative concepts and solutions to problems,
  • is able to efficiently use information technology and manage information,
  • has a critical relationship to and a distance from his/her own work and the existing practice in the changing environment.
Elective Courses (student chose 2)
7
Models and Tools for Effective Corporate Communication

General corporate communications and their effect on culture and performance. What is important for corporate communication? What models and tools are used for good communication? How to conduct a successful interview? What makes a successful public performance? How to prepare effective written messages? What is the effect of body language?

The mastery of communication and communication techniques as one of the most important soft skills; the course will offer an opportunity to test different communication techniques and to recognise the most effective forms of corporate communication.

7
Economic Policy in the Media Interpretation

The course Economic Policy in Media Interpretation starts from the position that in today's environment of unlimited information access it is processing of information that makes a difference. For companies of all kinds it is of utmost relevance to understand, what news in media on government attitude will mean for the business. The course bases on examples from media and brings better understanding on actual or future economic policy measures.

The students will differentiate instruments of economic policy. They will be able to relate the information in media to corresponding macroeconomic and economic policy concepts, which they will have to prove in their seminar work.

7
International Marketing

Globalisation and internationalisation of companies have resulted in marketing developing international aspects of its activity. Are you interested in how to study different environments for entering a foreign market, how to conduct an international market research, how to segment and differentiate, what are the most effective forms and types of entering foreign markets? How does the marketing mix work and how to strategically manage a brand in an international market? And ultimately, how to use the digital revolution (digital marketing) for better international and global marketing? The answers to all these questions will be explored and discovered in the International Marketing course.

7
Communication and Lobbying

Interest representation, lobbying and negotiation techniques are widely used terms.  We often hear or even use them, but do we truly understand what they mean? What is the purpose of lobbying? What is business lobbying? What is the difference between lobbying and communication with influential publics? What is the importance of negotiations for an organisation and how are they connected to communication and lobbying?

More often than we are aware, different circumstances force us to act as lobbyists or to represent our organisation in negotiations. If we cannot communicate well, we are unable to successfully present our organisation’s products, services or projects to business partners or government authorities. We will not be able to attract customers or investors and obtain the best possible position in our own work environment. As a minimum defence, we need to be familiar with lobbying and negotiation strategies and tactics that other stakeholders will often use when communicating with us. It is also important to be familiar with the criteria of ethics and legitimacy of their actions so as to be able to quickly decide how to act when faced with such challenges.

The course thus focuses on three main aspects: (1) communication with influential publics and networking, (2) interest representation and lobbying and (3) negotiation doctrines and techniques.

7
Business for Social Responsibility and Business Ethics

Today, companies are largely aware of the importance of social responsibility and ethics. Unfortunately, social responsibility is mostly introduced into a company due to following the existing trends but without an actual understanding of the issue. As companies do not have a comprehensive strategy, their social responsibility is implemented in the form of individual actions that are not necessarily related to the company’s mission. These individual actions often stop at financing local sports associations or cultural events.

The course will offer insight into what it means to develop a comprehensive social responsibility strategy and how it is connected to business ethics. You will learn to distinguish between legislation, morals and ethics. You will learn about good practice examples in social responsibility and business ethics both at home and at the global level.

7
Organizational Dynamics and Innovative Change Management

Organisation and organisational dynamics are important factors that determine a company’s performance. They include organisational models as well as insight into management, motivation, organisational climate, teamwork, etc. Modern trends increasingly recognise the importance of a good organisational climate.

The course will help you find answers to questions what a company can change in its organisation in order to become more innovative and more successful, what are the weak points of organisation, how do management, motivation, communication, culture, etc. affect organisation. How does culture impede the innovation process; do managers facilitate innovations? What is the role of ethics in organisation?

Module: Business operations in an international and multicultural environment (student chose 3 courses out the module)
7
International Business Finance

Do you often come across terms such as balance of payments, exchange rate, parity conditions, investments, borrowing, GDP composition, risk hedging, how are exchange rates determined, etc.?

Finance, and especially business finance and within this framework even more so international business finance, already by definition, require a good measure of innovativeness. Financial innovations are born every day and especially different financial institutions offer them both to other financial and other institutions, the state and of course also to their various (legal and natural persons) clients. Users of financial instruments also have to be innovative, so as to be able to appropriately utilise the possibilities offered by (international) financial markets. The course itself is also designed so as to facilitate “financial” innovativeness; in the positive sense, of course.

The aspect of internationality is “automatically” met in this course, as we are talking about international business finance, with every individual, company, institution or state being directly and/or indirectly involved through concrete use of different financial instruments and/or the impact that international finance has on everyone and everything.

7
International Business Law

Would you like to recognise the norm or norms that have to be used for a concrete legal relationship with an international element, i.e. a relationship between entities, usually legal entities, which are not part of the same country according to specific criteria? In order to be able to use the law in practice, we have to be familiar with its systematisation in order to find one’s way in the multitude of rules and regulations that are adopted by different institutions but also autonomously shaped by entities within individual countries and also outside their borders.

The purpose of the course is for students to gain knowledge from the field of international business law and to apply this knowledge to practice, while also adopting the basic moral principles of international law or law in general and act accordingly in practice.

7
Chinese with Asian Business Culture

When concluding business in an international environment, the knowledge of other cultures and customs is essential. The course predominantly focuses on what is important when doing business with Asian countries and on the special characteristics that we have to be aware of in order for the agreements and contracts to be successful. An important advantage when negotiating cooperation with Asian countries is undoubtedly the knowledge of basic phrases and expressions in their language. China being the largest among the Asian countries, we thus learn about the basics of Chinese, mostly spoken Chinese, while a few basic words and meanings are also presented in Chinese characters. The main purpose of the course is to learn about the culture and basics of the language in order to facilitate business transactions. Therefore, a prior knowledge of Chinese is not required.

7
Russian with Slavic Business Culture

When concluding business in an international environment, the knowledge of other cultures and customs is essential. The course predominantly focuses on what is important when doing business with Slavic countries and on the special characteristics that we have to be aware of in order for the agreements and contracts to be successful. An important advantage when negotiating cooperation with Slavic countries is undoubtedly the knowledge of basic phrases and expressions in their language. Russia being the largest among the Slavic countries, we focus on the culture and characteristics of Russia while studying the basics of the Russian language. Emphasis is placed on spoken Russian, while we will also learn the Cyrillic alphabet and how to read and write the basic words and sentences in Cyrillic. The main objective of the course is to learn about the culture and basics of the language in order to facilitate business transactions. Therefore, a prior knowledge of Russian is not required.

or
Module: Competitiveness through creativity and innovative business operations (student chose 3 courses out the module)
7
Positive Psychology for Modern Business Management

In modern business, positive psychology is substantially gaining in importance. Positive psychology is an exciting and inspiring new branch of psychology. It builds on the positive in every individual – on their strengths and resources. The objective of positive psychology is to improve the subjective welfare (happiness) and functioning of individuals, organisations and the community and to enable them to flourish.

The course provides students with the opportunity to learn about the trends in positive psychology, to learn about and use mindfulness, to apply positive psychology to their work environment, to recognise their character strengths and to test the learned aspects during teamwork.

7
Intelectual Property

The knowledge of intellectual property rights is important for the development of innovations and in general business. How can an innovation be protected so that we gain exclusive rights of use for a specific period of time? How can we protect a patent, how a brand and how a service? How should we handle copyrights and moral rights? What is the situation with the current software? When should an innovation be protected as a patent and when should it be protected as a trade secret?

All these answers will be revealed during the Intellectual Property course, where good practice examples from national and international companies will allow students to prepare solutions for their work environments.

7
Creative Management of Technological Innovations

Today, technological inventions are considered the driving force of an economy. How can we develop them? What enables a company/organisation to create novelties? How to turn an invention into an innovation? What is important when protecting an innovation and what are the strategies of marketing an innovation or launching it on a new market?

These and similar questions will be answered in the Creative Management of Technological Inventions course. Students will also learn about good practice examples from companies both at home and abroad and try to develop their own idea into a technological invention through an applicative project.

7
Creative Management of Innovative Services

Innovative services are just as important as technological innovations, as all technological innovations also comprise services (e.g. research, marketing, maintenance, etc.) and through development also their improvements. Technological innovations and innovative services intertwine. The course mostly focuses on answers as to how innovations happen in the most representative service sectors such as trade, tourism, utility services, IT programming, telecommunications, education, etc. We also observe the differences among the branches and among countries. We are interested in the current trends, how they create innovations, how the invention and innovation process runs in these branches, how these branches manage innovations, what are the bottle necks and the related possibilities of improvement. Students learn about theory and good practice examples and have the opportunity to study the innovation activity of their organisation and to propose improvements.

Minimum number of students for program implementation: 15 enrolled students.

First Name *
Surname *
E-mail *
Country *
Phone Number

Lucian Mrzlić,

Student from Croatia
At DOBA Business School, every segment is elaborated to the maximum, from technical support, which is of exceptional quality and accessible to all students, to the always available programme manager and the friendly student administration office.

Lucian Mrzlić,

Student from Croatia
At DOBA Business School, every segment is elaborated to the maximum, from technical support, which is of exceptional quality and accessible to all students, to the always available programme manager and the friendly student administration office.

Work friendly ONLINE learning

ONLINE learning enables complete flexibility, 24/7 accessibility, and constant support. It is dynamic and interactive.
Work friendly ONLINE learning

Unique advantages for your study success

Innovative learning

Innovative learning

Modern pedagogical approaches and active studying with the support of professors and tutors.
Projects for companies

Projects for companies

The result of the student’s work on concrete projects are 12 applicable projects for companies during the study.
Student support

Student support

We support prospective students, students and alumni from the first inquiry through graduation and beyond.
International environment

International environment

Students have the opportunity to study in internationally varied groups and to work with other international students.

Master's and Career

As once you complete your master’s in International Business Management you will be qualified to plan, implement, and assess internationalisation processes, to manage innovation, business processes and human resources. There is also a high likelihood that you will be promoted or be able to successfully compete for positions in senior management.
Enrolment requirements
Tuition Fee and Payment Options
How and when to Apply

Enrolment Requirements

Enrolment in the first year of the master’s programme is available to candidates who have completed:

  • A first-cycle programme from the relevant fields in the extent of at least 180 ECTS credits 
  • A study programme leading to a higher education degree or a study programme leading to a university degree from the relevant fields (before the Bologna system) 
  • Equivalent study programmes to those specified in the previous indents but from different fields, provided that they complete additional study obligations worth 12–14 ECTS credits from the list of courses, which are determined for each individual prospective student by the competent DOBA Business School commission with regard to the professional field. 

Relevant fields are economic, business, administrative, and organisation sciences, sociology, legal, political, and social sciences, and humanities.

Mandatory attachments

Immediately after submitting, the candidates shall send the following to the school’s address at DOBA Business School, Prešernova ulica 1, Maribor, Slovenia:

  • Copy of authenticated/legalized certificate of completed study programme
  • Copy of authenticated/legalized transcript of records
  • Certificate confirming the knowledge of English min B2 level
  • Copy of a personal identity document
  • Curriculum vitae/resume
  • A one-page essay addressing two topics: What experiences led you to select your professional objectives, what are your expectations regarding the master’s programme
  • One Coloured Passport Photo

*Legalisation of the documents:

For countries which are Hague Convention signatories - According to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention) the documents must be verified with APOSTILLE stamp.

For countries which are not Hague Convention signatories - Foreign certificates have to be verified in accordance with internal regulations of a specific foreign country, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The stamp and signature of the authorised person from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country have to be verified by the diplomatic consular mission or consular post of the Republic of Slovenia, which is accredited for this country, or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

You do not need to legalise (documents must be verified by notary) your diploma if you have finished your previous education in the following countries (due to bilateral agreements between countries): Bulgaria, Iraq, Algeria, Russia, Poland, Austria, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia

**English Language Requirements

Candidates must present a language certificate of their English language skills. The minimum required score is B2.

If DOBA Business School concludes based on reasonable grounds that the applicant has falsified any document/information presented to the School as part of his or her application, without limiting any other rights of DOBA Business School available by law, DOBA Business School reserves the right to revoke the application and, subject to the applicable law and DOBA Business School Policy, to terminate a student’s registration and no fees paid are refunded. 

Tuition fee for the master programme for the 2020/21 academic year:

  • EUR 5,890 per academic year

The fee is inclusive of VAT. In the case of drop-out, the tuition fee is not refundable.

Your payment includes:

  • costs of education
  • all information support
  • access to the Blackboard online learning environment
  • online material that has been prepared by DOBA Business School for the courses
  • registration for the final exam (up to three times)
  • counselling before, during and after the course
  • tutor support 7 days a week

Your payment does not include:

  • diploma EUR 549

*All transaction charges have to be covered by the student.

Payment Options

Payments in cash should be transferred to:

Supplier Name

DOBA Business School

Address

PRESERNOVA ULICA 1
2000 MARIBOR
SLOVENIA, EU

Bank Name and Address

ABANKA VIPA D.D.
SLOVENSKA CESTA 58
1517 LJUBLJANA
SLOVENIA, EU

Account Name

DOBA FAKULTETA

Account Number

SI56 0510 0801 1838 648

Payment Currency

EUR

Bank SWIFT Code

ABANSI2X

All transaction charges have to be covered by the student.

If DOBA Business School concludes based on reasonable grounds that the applicant has falsified any document/information presented to the School as part of his or her application, without limiting any other rights of DOBA Business School available by law, DOBA Business School reserves the right to revoke the application and, subject to the applicable law and DOBA Business School Policy, to terminate a student’s registration and no fees paid are refunded.

Application deadline

  • 15 February

Application for DOBA’s master programme can be made online.

 

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