|
 Academic Year: |
2014/5 |
| Owning Department/School: |
School of Management |
| Credits: |
24 |
| Level: |
Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Dissertation period |
| Assessment Summary: |
CW 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
|
| Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites: |
Before taking this unit you must take MN50256 and in taking this unit you cannot take MN50457 |
| Description: |
Aims: The unit is intended to allow students to conduct research based projects applying the skills, concepts, and techniques acquired in the taught programme to a practice based international business issue. In particular, the students will be presented with a current international business challenge to research and analyse. Based on this research and analysis, they will develop, support and argue for a viable solution. This unit's provides the students the opportunity to develop and further research abilities in: * Analysing data, particularly based upon international sources * Arguing for and supporting informed methodological approaches * Presenting findings and providing critical analyses which incorporate the complexities of international/global phenomenon. Learning Outcomes: Assessing a 'live' international business situation will require a multi-dimensional view of business, an appreciation of integrative firm activities and a cross-functional approach to the business problem. Presenting alternatives and a viable solution necessitates team dynamics and project management. At the end of the unit, students will be expected to: * Plan and conduct a research project on practice based international business issues * Understand and critically assess the particular challenges confronting actual businesses * Evaluate the need for and sources of relevant data * Support their arguments with relevant empirical evidence * Interpret the significance of findings from relevant sources of quantitative and/ or qualitative evidence to inform decision making. * Develop viable alternatives and how they would contribute to management solutions * Take initiative to act on perceived opportunities while considering various risk factors * Create a plan for an activity. * Carry out a plan, acting on any deviations from the intended outcomes. * Reflect on the outcomes of an activity and the processes that led to those outcomes * Present reflections in written and oral form Skills: * Ability to understand, synthesize and apply multidisciplinary approaches to international management practices and problems (F; A) * Ability to select and utilise qualitative and/or qualitative data (F; A) * Reflect on practice (F; A) * Project Management (F; A) * Management of teams/groups (F; A) * Decision-making skills (F, A) * Presentation skills (F; A) * Writing skills (F; A) Content: Students will learn from an actual company about how firms' integrative business activities affect management's decision-making process and how these decisions influence the firm's international/global market position. Assessing a `live' business situation will require a multi-dimensional view of business, an appreciation of integrative firm activities and a cross-functional approach Briefing on case - this is intended to be a session which the company and lecturer manage. * The company presents an international business problem describing an actual management challenge. Particular topics would vary depending upon the company's position and problem as they may include: foreign direct investment, international/global marketing strategy, global outsourcing, emerging market entry, Intellectual (international) property protection, etc. * Academic expectations of students are outlined; * Company expectations are outlined; * Groups are formalized and conduct of the project is established. Presentation Each group will provide a presentation that addresses the company's presented problem. This also will include a question and answer period. The presentation represents a collective and summary of the groups' solution and recommendations. Report The students will submit individual reports that cover a particular aspect of the company's problem. Ideally, this report will highlight and amplify an area of the presentation by providing more of an in depth analysis. |
| Programme availability: |
MN50594 is Optional on the following programmes:School of Management
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