Business Field Trip

Module title	Business Field Trip
Module code	BEP3090
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Edvard Glucksman (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

The 21st century has so far combined labour market flexibility, knowledge work, digital networking, globalisation and innovation to create a dynamic context, which businesses have to navigate in order to survive. However, to fully appreciate and gain an understanding of the challenges which contemporary organisations face, it is important that students engage in learning outside of the lecture theatre.

Building on existing knowledge of competitive business environments, the Business Field Trip module will allow students to scrutinise aspects of strategic human resource management, economic behaviour, marketing, enterprise and planning in real time. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a number of national and international institutions. The module aims to integrate and focus prior learning through the practical experience of a business field trip, which will also allow students to network, carry-out primary research and meet fellow students while maintaining a strong employability focus by building on existing skills and knowledge.

The BEP3090 is an elective module with a value of 15 credits and will be assessed though a combination of presentations and assignments. It is research-led, and will enable you to critique organisational contexts, while linking theory to practice and enabling you to partake in international learning, research and experiences in line with the Business School’s overarching strategic aims.

A pre-requisite for this module is prior completion of BEP2030 Business Practice (Placement/Work Experience Project), which allows students to develop professionalism whilst working with external organisations and enables students to critically analyse a range of organisational issues.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The purpose of this module is to further develop your understanding of business operation in a national or international context. You will be immersed in the chosen business environment, and have the opportunity to observe a range of businesses from an insider perspective, with the opportunity to meet and interview key members.

The module aim is to enable students to:

Observe and critically reflect on the context, structure, culture and sustainability of an organisation (but may also cover other academic areas, subject to approval of the module leader)

The distinctive features of this module are:

a) An opportunity to study selected national or international organisations, and investigate aspects of their operation that are of interest to you and also relevant to your employment aspirations.

b) An opportunity to take assessment outside the normal study period in a variety of formats (e.g. business games, reports, website, video, reflective learning portfolio).

c) An opportunity to experience external factors such as changes in legislation, the environment, competition or new technology can have an impact on an organisation and/or a manager's performance

d) An opportunity to develop and practice interviewing, observational and critical reflection skills, whilst demonstrating cultural awareness during periods of study and socialisation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Outline the external and internal factors that influence the operation of the chosen organisation;
2. Apply appropriate methodologies, whilst demonstrating awareness of the relative. strengths and weaknesses of the approach;
3. Manage a research project to completion.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

4. Critically analyse and evaluate a business phenomenon, applying and consolidating previous knowledge.
5. Identify and implement appropriate theoretical frameworks.
6. Gain cultural experience with an external organisation.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

7. Develop logical and reasoned arguments with sound, convincing conclusions and recommendations.
8. Communicate coherent arguments, evidence and conclusions using a variety of formats/media in a manner appropriate to the intended audience.
9. Collect, analyse and evaluate appropriate data and complete a range of research tasks.
10. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary.
11. Critically reflect on a given situation, scenario or event.

Syllabus plan

You will be part of a field trip and visit an organisation on location within, or outside the UK.

You will be required to keep a research journal, detailing your own research journey, including impressions, learning and observations of the context, which will contribute to the assessments.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
36	114	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities	30	Field Trip
Scheduled learning & teaching activities	6	Pre-trip workshops
Guided independent study	114	Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Participant Observation Activity	½ hr individual participant observations, followed by 5 minute presentation to staff on findings	1-11	Verbal feedback to be utilised in the research assessment, following field trip observations.

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
60	0	40

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Research and project plan presentation	40	10 minutes	2,3,4,6,7,8,10,11	Written
Research report	60	3000 words	1,2,3,4,5	Written

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Research and project plan presentation	Individual research and planning presentation (10 minutes)	2,3,4,6,7,8,10,11	August re-assessment period
Research report	Written report, 3000 words	1,2,3,4,5	August re-assessment period

Re-assessment notes

A student if deferred via a single component will be reassessed in that component only.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Core texts:

Huczynski, A., Buchanan, D. A., & Huczynski, A. A. 2013. Organizational behaviour (p. 82). London: Pearson.

O'Leary, Z., & Hunt, J. S. (2016). Workplace research: Conducting small-scale research in organizations. Sage.
Yin, R.K., 2013. Case study research: Design and methods. Sage publications.

Discussion texts:

Estey, K., 2011. Domestic workers and cooperatives: Beyondcare goes beyond capitalism, A Case Study in Brooklyn, New York. Working USA: The Journal of Labour and Society, 14, pp.347-365.

Bloisi, W., 2007. An introduction to human resource management. McGraw-Hill. Handy, C., 1993. Understanding organizations. Penguin Uk.

Muff, K. (2014) The Collaboratory: A Co-Creative Stakeholder Engagement Process for Solving Complex Problems.

Other resources: as provided and recommended during classes and via ELE

Key words search

Field Trip, Innovation, Research, Business

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	BEP2030 Business Practice
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	31/03/2017
Last revision date	18/05/2023