• University of Exeter Business School
• Module

Business Models in Context

Module description

One of the educational aims of The Exeter MBA is to enable you to gain an understanding of the challenges facing businesses and managers in different contexts.  In particular, it is important that managers of the future understand and appreciate the emergence of business models shaped by different economic, political, social and ecological environments.  There are immense benefits to be achieved by taking you out of the UK context and studying for a short period in a different country. 

The learning will take place outside the UK, through formal lectures from Exeter faculty, local faculty and guest speakers, and through direct observation and experiential learning in local businesses and local urban and rural contexts. You will explore a major world challenge from a local perspective. This will help you and your fellow participants understand the challenge that presents to you and find creative ideas to solve it.                                 

Internationalisation: This module will be taught in a country other than the UK, and therefore directly engages you with the study of practice in a different country context.

External Engagement: Lectures, seminars, visits to local businesses, social organisations and practitioners. 

Employability: You will deal with complex cross-cultural issues, undertake independent research and demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems. 

Sustainability: The content directly addresses issues of sustainability and innovative ways of doing business. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The overall aim of the module is for you to engage with other students and play a part in tackling the biggest issues facing businesses, governments and societies worldwide. The module gives you an immersive international experience, challenging you to adapt and thrive in a new context while establishing a genuinely global network. It equips you with the tools you need to lead change, now and in the future while appreciating local culture.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. assess the complexities of the economic, political, social, cultural and ecological environment in the host country, and the importance of context when interpreting business strategies;
• 2. assess the unique sustainability challenges that are facing businesses, and how these are being prioritised and managed;
• 3. critically evaluate the role that businesses and social organisations can play in supporting communities and social change for good;
• 4. draw lessons from sustainability practice in the host country that may be offer ideas and solutions for new practices at home and abroad;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. develop sensitivity to cultural differences, diversity and ethical dilemmas;
• 6. critically understand the implications of engaging in international business.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. take a global outlook: apply creative intelligence and ethical imagination to complex problems to ensure that environmental and social governance is taken into account;
• 8. apply critical thinking: present and defend strategic analyses in multiple forms (written, verbal, digital) based on case material, desk based and empirical research;
• 9. work with a collaborative mind-set: give and receive feedback at all levels in a confident and respectful manner. Work inclusively across multi-cultural groups to research, explore and prepare a persuasive argument against an assignment or client brief;
• 10. develop an ethical perspective: improve personal effectiveness through consciously and diligently making decisions on behalf of all stakeholders, environmental, social and financial;
• 11. demonstrate technological and digital literacy: identify and apply relevant technologies to source, process and communicate accurate information.

Syllabus plan

Working with other students you will play a part in tackling the biggest issues facing businesses, governments and societies worldwide. The module provides you with an immersive international experience, challenging you to adapt and thrive in a new context while establishing a genuinely global network. It equips you with the tools you need to lead change, now and in the future while appreciating local culture.

The module will involve workshops, activities, field visits and networking opportunities. During the four days, you will direct your own learning, speaking to leaders from and visiting organisations:

The module delivered in partnership with Common Purpose Study Abroad (CPSA). CPSA have developed a track record helping participants develop their ability to lead from a truly global perspective. Common Purpose is a leadership development organization that specializes in cross-boundary leadership. A not-for-profit, they run programmes in over 70 cities worldwide. Founded in 1989, over 4,000 people become Common Purpose Alumni every year. Their leadership development programmes inspire and equip people to work across boundaries. This enables them to solve complex problems in organizations and in society. They run leadership programmes for 11 of the top 30 universities in the world including Harvard, Chicago, Oxford, UCL, National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong and many others.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

The new assignment will have a brief which is materially different to the original assignment.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Specific learning resources will depend on the country and context at the heart of the module.

Key words search

Business models, smart cities, context, international business, social change, business environment