Module: Leadership for Aviation Managers

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Leadership for Aviation Managers
Module Code	MNA1143 (ITS: MT5150)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The aviation industry is highly complex and subject to constant change. In order to address future challenges, managers require a thorough understanding of issues such as change management and organisational culture and possess the necessary communication and leadership skills to execute strategies to ensure success for their organisations in this challenging environment. This micro-credentials module develops the student's understanding of the principles of leadership and management, improves communication skills. The micro module also benefits from industry involvement and allows students the opportunity to engage with senior members of the aviation industry with experience in change management and aviation education. This micro-credential offers a blended learning experience with 2 full days in DCU and sessions of online education. We use modern online learning techniques including interactive synchronous sessions, discussion forums and quizzes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and characteristics of the aviation environment.
2. Evaluate leadership and management performance in real world aviation case scenarios.
3. Critically assess the role of leadership strategies in developing and enhancing a safety culture including, structure and reporting systems in aviation.
4. Recognise the role played by management in communications across the breath of the aviation sector, from stakeholder presentations, through internal staff briefings to crisis communications.
5. Take responsibility for research produced, including, efficient time management, working to set deadlines and targets, demonstrating self-discipline, creative thinking and critical reflections of their own performance.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	21	Lecture (on-campus and synchronous online)
Directed learning	46.5	Reading assigned materials for class, such as cases, articles and web sources.
Assignment Completion	40	Completion of research for assignment and assignment preparation and documentation
Independent Study	80	Reading, research, library work
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11626	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marina Efthymiou	Module Teacher	Andrew Macintyre, Cathal Guiomard

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group presentation	Assignment evaluating the students' understanding of the organisational structure, leadership and communication principles. The grouo presentation taking place 1-2 months after the completion of the micro aims to develop management competencies required to execute future industry strategies	30%	n/a
Essay	Students will be assessed using an individual assessment evaluating the students' knowledge of the aviation environment and the leadership principles, while practicing project management skills.	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Aviation Industry Characteristics
The characteristics of the aviation industry and their impact on the airline and airport market, using case studies to outline the restrictions and opportunities of a highly regulated industry.

Organisational Culture
How the development of a strong organisational culture can lead to economic success in the aviation industry including an analysis of various company models where this has been an important aspect of that success.

Aviation Leadership and Communications
The theory of leadership and communications in the context of aviation, including the development of practical skills for communicating at strategic and operational levels.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

McGregor: 1966, Leadership and Motivation, MIT Press,
Abraham Maslow: 1954, Motivation and Personality, Harper and Brothers, 411,
Edgar Schein: 1985, Organisational Culture and Leadership, Jossey-Bass Publishers,
John Kotter: 1996, Leading Change, MacMillan Publishers,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None