MA/MS in Agricultural Business Management

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: The aim of the study programme is to prepare competitive specialists in agricultural business management able to develop, implement, and manage the innovative processes at the agricultural business and related organizations, develop businesses under the conditions of increasing uncertainty, globalization, and climate change, perform economic and managerial assessment of the conditions, modes and forms of operation of business entities, of the developed structures, processes, and the measures employed, and to conduct research in the field of agricultural business. Learning outcomes: 1. To explain the principles and paradigms of sustainable business development, and specifics of agricultural business, and apply these knowledge systematically to the assessment and solution of practical issues in agricultural business under the conditions of uncertainty, globalization, and climate change. 2. To explain and creatively apply contemporary organizational theories; resource, business processes, and innovation management systems; and design methods when proposing strategic and tactical solutions of development of the agricultural business organizations. 3. To apply diverse social research methods, justify the reasonableness, applicability and limitations thereof in conduction of empirical studies, and substantiation of the solutions in agricultural business development on the basis of the principles of development of research methodology. 4. To plan, organize, and conduct applied research, systematize and interpret the research findings intended for the identification of issues in an agricultural business and its management, market research, substantiation, and implementation of the management solutions and innovations. 5. To perform an integrated assessment of the uncertainties of an agricultural business environment, to perform the economic and managerial assessment of the operating conditions of agricultural business entities and applied measures in view of the long-term global economic development scenarios and sustainable development goals. 6. To make science-based, innovative, value-creating decisions in agricultural and associated business area management, develop the development strategies of the agricultural business organizations by integrating the most recent knowledge in diverse functional business areas. 7. To design the structures and processes of the agricultural business organizations, manage the organizational changes, and assume responsibility for the results in view of the factors of the environment of the agricultural business organizations. 8. To communicate effectively and work in a team, undertake leadership, share the most recent knowledge in the area of agricultural business, cooperate and participate in discussions with stakeholder groups in the search for effective agricultural business development solutions in line with the sustainable development principles and different interests of the groups of society and by following the principles of professional ethics. 9. To assess independently the needs for further training and professional development, to demonstrate the skills of critical, creative, and strategic thinking, socially responsible and proactive conduct in the area of agricultural business. Activities of teaching and learning: Explanation, discussions, analysis of problematic examples, case analysis, watching videos, preparation and presentation of individual/group work, analysis of research resources, search and analysis of information, preparation of an individual written work, reflection, guest lecturer's lecture. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: Testing, written survey (midterm, exam), observation of discussion, assessment of group and individual work and observation of their presentation, evaluating of practical tasks performed, reading and evaluating written work, observing and evaluating oral presentations, evaluation of final thesis preparation, presentation and defense. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: Agricultural Business Environment and its Evaluation Scientific Research Methodology Agricultural Economics and Sustainable Development Agricultural Business Strategic Management Management Decisions Modelling Agriculture and Food Marketing Strategies Human Resource Management Sustainable Business and Social Innovations Finance and Investment Management Agricultural Production Process Management Term paper in Agricultural Business Strategic Management Agricultural Business Supply Chain Management Applied Research Final Master’s Thesis Specialisations: - Optional courses: Business Consultation Applied Econometrics Environmental Management Business Project Management Distinctive features of a study programme: - non-intensive studies (3 study courses per semester). - lectures in the evening, blended distance studies. - studies focused on practical activities; program content that meets market needs - small groups of students. Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: Graduates of the Master’s study programme Agricultural Business Management will be eligible to work as specialists and managers of different managerial areas at agricultural business companies and related enterprises; internal and external consultants on agricultural business establishment and development at consultancy companies; experts at the national and international organizations uniting agricultural business organizations; engage in scientific research and pedagogical work at the universities, universities of applied sciences, and vocational training schools, create and develop private business in the area of agriculture and/or infrastructure Access to further study: Resume the studies and conduct research during the doctoral studies at the Lithuanian or foreign universities.