Business Project

Module description

Summary:

This module is designed to give you the opportunity to combine investigation into an authentic business challenge with a more in-depth research report. You will be expected to tackle a real organisational problem using an applied research approach. You will work as part of a group. Your group will form a consultancy team and work on the Client’s business research brief along side other consultancy teams on the module.. In association with the module lead you will engage with a business or organisation offering a research project and undertake an in-depth investigation using an appropriate research methodology, developing relevant conceptual and theoretical strands and demonstrate critical judgement. Your team’s resulting business report will address the issue posed by the client, offering primary and secondary research into the issue and offering a set of recommendations and or a solution to the original research issue. You will also be asked to supply a reflective report which will chart what you contributed to the project and the final report. You will also use this reflective report to comment on how you worked with others and how others worked with you, so that you learn how your practical team working skills have evolved as part of this project. You will be expected to produce the following: a group produced business proposal document, a group produced report, a group produced client presentation and an individual reflective report. Each person’s contribution to the group’s effort will be commented upon in your individual reflective reports.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Included in this module are two days of lectures on management consultancy which is relevant across countries. 

External Engagement

You will engage with a company or organisations as your client..

Employability

You will gain valuable experience from the business projects which is highly beneficial for future employability.

Full module specification

Module aims

The aim of the Business Project is to give you the opportunity to combine investigation into an authentic business challenge with a more in-depth research report. You will work with a group of, ideally no more than five other students, on a client’s brief to deliver a set of evidence based recommendations for that client.The project will involve the production of an evidence based business consultancy report including suggestions for how to address the original research issue.The aim of this module is for you to learn how to undertake business consultancy, the realities of working with a live client and how to work as part of a consulting team. You will develop consulting skills, you will practice your business research skills and you will learn how others find working with you, ultimately you will deliver a set of evidence based recommendations to your client along with your colleagues.

ILO: Module-specific skills

• 1. critically evaluate and enhance specific business competence in core and optional areas of study
• 2. relate real-life situation to subject specific knowledge examined through previous and current modules
• 3. to be able to interpret protocols, expectations and outcomes by engaging with the client’s internal strategies, policies and needs.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 4. construct and execute an extended research consultancy project
• 5. critically engage with a variety of research materials as well as primary research (through the chosen company), if appropriate
• 6. critically analyse a business problem using both practitioner and academic material
• 7. demonstrate effective relationship skills and professionalism

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 8. develop creative approaches to: solving problems, to managing in unpredictable situations and making sound judgment in the absence of complete data
• 9. effectively present information orally and in writing, and formulate and deliver logical and precise arguments
• 10. demonstrate self-direction, initiative and planning in the context of independent learning and the management of a major project
• 11. effectively apply reflective practice to explore and identify learning needs for own future development

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

For mitigation purposes, students may be deferred in each component separately.

Syllabus plan

Topic area as agreed with supervisor.

Preparatory sessions will include:

-       Reflective learning – What is reflective learning, how to reflect on learning, etc.

-       Professionalism in the work place

-       Introduction to Consultancy Skills 

-       Introduction to Research Methods

-       Business Project vs dissertation

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Meridith, J.R & Mantel, S.J. (2011) Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 8^th Edition, Wiley Saunders, M, Lewis, P &

Thornhill, A. (2012) Research Methods for Business Students, 6^th Edition Gill J & Johnson P (2010), Research Methods for Managers, Sage

Boud, D. & Garrick, J. Eds (1999) Understanding Learning at Work. London, Routledge

Eraut, M. (1994) Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence. Washington DC, Falmer Press

Moon, J. (2004) A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice. London, RoutledgeFalmer

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Origin date

17/06/2014

Last revision date

14/02/2019