Combining business and psychology expertise

Set to start in mid-September, a new degree programme will be the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The BA in business management with applied psychology offered by Scotland’s Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) in conjunction with HKUSPACE (Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education) will break new ground and cater to changing needs.

“We recognised the demand for a part-time course that covers these two important areas,” says Dr Josephine Jim, programme leader at HKUSPACE. Students will learn about global business and gain an awareness of psychological factors influencing individual behaviour and what happens in the workplace. For instance, to attract and retain the younger generation of tech-savvy employees, managers need to understand and empathise with their career aspirations, attitudes to work, and affinity with new technologies.

Designed for students as well as business and HR professionals, the programme will help participants forge new local and international connections. They will also gain insights relevant to issues like staff well-being and work-life balance.

“In Hong Kong, employers increasingly value executives who understand management and operations, but can also relate to people from different cultural, academic and work backgrounds,” Jim says.

This applies to all sectors and disciplines. Therefore, the psychology aspect of the programme will show how to analyse differences in the way people think, feel and behave. Students will cover dominant theories of personality and how these theories can be used to predict human behaviour. Jim notes that such expertise is important for managers working in anything from HR, sales and marketing, or consultancy to government departments and NGOs.

“This is an excellent opportunity to develop both business know-how and people management skills,” Jim says. “People are at the heart of every organisation; through them the process of organisational improvement and sustainability is achieved.”

She notes too that modern managers need the skills to build teams where individuals from different age groups work well together.

The six compulsory modules will be taught in a classroom setting by ENU faculty who travel to Hong Kong. Courses include international marketing; international business work psychology; individual differences; organisational change management; and strategic management in a global context. Students also receive comprehensive tutorial and technical support from HKUSPACE for various assignments and projects. Qualifications awarded by ENU are recognised internationally.

“The programme will help students prepare for and respond to the incredible number of challenges organisations now face,” Jim says. These challenges can relate to the changing profile of the workforce, new workplace priorities, or shifting alliances and structures. But they also bring many opportunities to find new synergies and exploit competitive advantages. Individuals with the necessary awareness, intuition and problem-solving skills will be well placed to further their careers while adding value to their respective organisations.

Interested applicants should hold a higher diploma in business (management and psychology) awarded through HKUSPACE, or an associate degree, higher diploma or advanced diploma in a business-related discipline. Other equivalent qualifications or experience will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. In certain cases, applicants may be required to take a bridging course in psychology before starting the programme.