Business Analysis and Performance Management

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Business Analysis and Performance Management

The major Business Analysis and Performance Management (BUS) gives you the skills and knowledge you need to lead and advise businesses in today's economy.

Businesses face a number of major challenges today. Leading a business is both about maximizing profits through decision making and management control - and about sustainable value creation for people and the environment. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) creates both opportunities and threats that businesses must deal with.

In BUS, you gain the skills and perspectives necessary to navigate this landscape. The specialization focuses on understanding companies' activities and resources to be able to make better decisions, which in turn strengthens the company's strategic position. The analyses can be based on historical accounting data or operational information, and they are intended to provide a platform for analyzing the consequences of various decision-making alternatives. The goal is to give you a solid business understanding in order to handle tomorrow's challenges.

Career Opportunities

The specialization is suitable for those who want to work as a CFO, management consultant, entrepreneur, or in other management positions. It will enable you to understand the company's value creation to make data-driven decisions that create more value.

Teaching

Courses emphasis a balanced use of examples from Norwegian and international companies. This gives you a unique opportunity to apply your accumulated knowledge to current issues.

The course portfolio is divided into the following areas:

  1. Management control (measurement and management)
  2. Data-driven analytics and decisions
  3. Technology and operational planning
  4. Sustainable value creation

About the programme

ECTS Credits
120
Degree
MSc in Economics and Business Administration

Courses and regulations

Admission requirements and application

  • Subject areas

    Subject areas

    The course portfolio provides a large selection of courses, organized into four subject areas. Students may draw from one area or combine across several, depending on their interests and career goals.

    1. Management Control

    Management control is about the gathering and use of information to aid and coordinate organizational behavior and decisions. This includes how to organise and plan activities, evaluate performance, implement strategies and manage risks. The design and use of dynamic control systems and control packages is an important topic.

    2. Data-driven analytics and decisions

    In a digital world with abundant data access, firms increasingly rely on managers with expertise in transforming a broad set of data into decision- relevant information. This subject area focuses on leveraging data analytic tools in both strategic and operational business decisions. There are several courses on decision making, including thorough analyses of, for example, “make or buy”, pricing, product mix, customer portfolio, and investment alternatives.

    3. Technology & Operations Management

    Operations management deals with the design and control of the business processes that best enable a firm to produce and deliver the goods and services specified by the business strategy. This task includes selecting activities and resources and combining them to meet customer requirements as efficiently as possible. Key elements are managing inputs and outputs, flow units, and information structure. With the large availability of data and the development of information technologies, operations management is currently at the core of many organizations that attempt to convert digital resources into a more efficient matching of supply with demand.

    4. Sustainability Management

    Firms operate in a complex world, where investors, governments, and other stakeholders demand and expect firms to adopt new strategies to secure sustainable and ethical business practices. Therefore, companies are increasingly evaluated based on their performance along non- financial performance dimensions such as social and environmental sustainability performance and compliance with regulatory requirements.

    The increasingly important function of sustainability management comprises identifying, measuring, and managing non-financial performance dimensions as well as integrating such concerns into the design and innovation of business models. Sustainability management also requires compliance with an increasing specter of international rules and regulations for the protection of markets and society (e.g., corruption, tax compliance, competition law).

  • Structure and recommended tracks

    Structure and recommended tracks

    The Business Analysis and Performance Management major consists of:

    • 45 ECTS courses
    • 30 ECTS for a master's thesis

    Students are recommended to take courses during the first three semesters and work on the master's thesis in the last semester. The general structure of the coursework is as follows:

    Course Requirements

    1. Two core courses:

    • BUS400 Management Control (E/N)
    • BUS401 Strategic Profitability Analysis (E/N)

    2. One empirical methods course:

    • BUS444 Econometrics for Business Research (E/N)
    • BUS476 Data Analysis for Business and Research (E)
    • ECN402 Econometrics (E)
    • STR402A Methodology for Master Thesis (E/N)

    3. Three more elective courses within the BUS major

    The core courses in the major provide a foundation for the elective courses. You are encouraged to take the core courses and the course in empirical methods during the first two semesters to have flexibility in your choice of electives. The topic of the master's thesis should be within the scope of Business Analysis and Performance Management.

    Courses in Business Analysis and Performance Management (BUS) Major

    Select courses equivalent to 45 ECTS according to the plan below for a major in Business Analysis and Performance Management. Together with your master's thesis (30 ECTS), this constitutes your major.

    Minimum 15 ECTS

    • BUS400E Management Control (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS400N Management Control (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS401E Strategic Profitability Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS401N Strategic Profitability Analysis (7.5 ECTS)

    Minimum One

    • BUS444E Econometrics for Business Research (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS444N Econometrics for Business Research (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS476 Data Analysis for Business and Research (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • ECN402 Econometrics (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • STR402A Methodology for Master Thesis (N/E) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Management Control

    • ACC401E Financial Accounting I (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • ACC401N Financial Accounting I (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • ACC420E Strategic Financial Statement Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
    • ACC420N Financial Statement Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS428 Organizational Economics (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS451 Business Management and AI (N) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Business Analysis and Decision-Making

    • ACC421A Valuation (N) (7.5 ECTS)*
    • ACC421B Valuation (N) (7.5 ECTS)*
    • ACC421E Valuation with Financial Statement Analysis (E) (7.5 ECTS)*
    • BUS422E Capital Budgeting (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS422N Capital Budgeting (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS429 Pricing Analytics and Revenue Management (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS438 Strategic Organization and Competition (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS456 Behavioral Business Strategy (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS470 Strategic Pricing and Competition (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS475 Competition Strategy (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS477 Business Consulting (N) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Technology and Operations Management

    • BAN401 Applied Programming and Data Analysis for Business (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BAN402 Decision Modelling in Business (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BAN403 Simulation of Business Processes (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BAN430 Forecasting (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS403 Supply Chain Management (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS432 Operation Management (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS466 Commercial Real Estate: Investment and Management (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS467 Management of the Procurement Function (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS473 Platform-based Business Models (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS474 Innovation and Intellectual Property (E) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Sustainability Management

    • ACC413 Sustainability & ESG Reporting (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS442 Competition - Law and Economics (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS446 Sustainable Business Models (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS452 Corporate Compliance and Enforcement (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS465 Detecting Corporate Crime (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS469 Corporate Liability and Sustainable Markets (7.5 ECTS)
    • ETI450 Corporate Social Responsibility (7.5 ECTS)

    Master's Thesis

    BUSTHE Independent work/thesis (30 ECTS)

    *These courses overlap.

  • Learning outcomes

    Learning outcomes

    Upon successful completion of the major, the candidates:

    KNOWLEDGE

    • K1: have an extensive, updated knowledge of relevant theories and frameworks within management control, business analysis, and performance management, including their application in both Norwegian and international organizational contexts.
    • K2: have a solid competence in empirical methods, including data analytics, for business analysis and performance management.

    SKILLS

    • S1: are able to work independently on advanced issues in business analysis and performance management.
    • S2: are able to apply theories and analytical tools to support strategic and operational decisions with the goal of sustainable value creation.
    • S3: are able to continuously develop their analytical and professional competencies in response to evolving technologies, data environments, and business challenges.

    GENERAL COMPETENCE

    • G1: have the ability to communicate complex business analyses and performance insights clearly to both technical specialists and non-specialist decision-makers.
    • G2: have the ability to integrate ethical considerations, non-financial performance dimensions, and sustainability requirements into business analysis and organisational decision-making.

  • Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability (ERS)

    Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability (ERS)

    You are required to take at least 7.5 ECTS in Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainablity (ERS). You can choose any course at NHH’s list of ERS courses. You can choose whether to fulfill the ERS requirement within your major, or as part of your minor, or as one of your elective courses.

    BUS446, BUS465 and ETI450 are included in the BUS major.

    See all ERS courses

  • International opportunities

    International opportunities

    As an NHH student you have excellent opportunities to gain valuable international experience during your studies through semester exchange,the Double Degree programme, CEMS, Engage.EU, Intern Abroad and summer course.

    Read more about international opportunities

  • Career

    Career

    By completing BUS, you will be well prepared for a wide range of roles in both private and public organisations. The specialization is particularly well-suited for those aiming to work as a CFO, COO, CSO, management consultant, or entrepreneur. You will be equipped to analyse value creation, design and evaluate performance management systems, and support strategic decisions including pricing, investment, and operations using both financial and non-financial data.

    The combination of analytical depth and strategic breadth makes BUS graduates attractive to consulting firms, large corporations, and data- driven organisations across sectors

    Read more about career possibilities for NHH students

  • Sustainability

    Sustainability

    The following courses in the BUS major are particularly relevant in relation to sustainability:

    • ACC413 Sustainability & ESG Reporting
    • BUS446 Sustainable Business Models
    • BUS452 Corruption, compliance and sustainable issues
    • BUS465 Detecting corporate crime
    • ETI450 Corporate Social Responsibility

    Remember that the ERS course can also be one of your elective courses.

  • Minor

    Minor

    MINOR IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

    CORE COURSES - MINIMUM ONE COURSE

    • BUS400E Management Control (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS400N Management Control (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS401E Strategic Profitability Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS401N Strategic Profitability Analysis (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Management Control

    • BUS428 Organizational Economics (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS451 Business Management and AI (N) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Business Analysis and Decision-Making

    • BUS422E Capital Budgeting (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS422N Capital Budgeting (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS429 Pricing Analytics and Revenue Management (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS438 Strategic Organization and Competition (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS456 Behavioral Business Strategy (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS470 Strategic Pricing and Competition (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS475 Competition Strategy (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS 477 Business Consulting (E) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Technology and Operations Management

    • BUS403 Supply Chain Management (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS432 Operation Management (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS466 Commercial Real Estate: Investment and Management (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS467 Management of the Procurement Function (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS473 Platform-based Business Models (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS474 Innovation and Intellectual Property (E) (7.5 ECTS)

    Electives in Sustainability Management

    • BUS442 Competition - Law and Economics (N) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS446 Sustainable Business Models (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS452 Corporate Compliance and Enforcement (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS465 Detecting Corporate Crime (E) (7.5 ECTS)
    • BUS469 Corporate Liability and Sustainable Markets (E) (7.5 ECTS)