DM1004-Organisations and Environment

Module Provider: International Business and Strategy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Andrew Hull

Email: andrew.hull@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module explores the organisation’s environmental context. The module considers the influences on organisations including its consumers and competitors; the role and function of marketing; an appraisal of stakeholders; in addition to consideration for its local, national and/or international context. It will consider how this operating environment may be analysed and used to direct strategy. It will consider the key approaches to strategy formation.

Aims:

The module aims to develop the students’ understanding of the concepts and principles underpinning strategy and marketing and to evaluate and interpret these within the context in which their organisations operate. The module aims to prepare students to: 

 

1. 
   

   Determine the nature of their customer 

   
   

2. 
   

   Appraise the effectiveness of the organisation's product offer for customers 

   
   

3. 
   

   Assess its environment and how this is changing. 

   
   

4. 
   

   Create approaches to developing strategies and solutions (products and services) to meet customer need. 

   
   

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able: 

1. 
   

   Use tools to analyse the organisation's environment. 

   
   

2. 
   

   Assess the effectiveness of its approach to marketing. 

   
   

3. 
   

   Appraise their organisation's strategy and the methods by which strategy is formed 

   
   

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

This module has been designed to provide valuable practical and theoretical insights into key organisational issues and practices associated with strategy, its formation and marketing. Students will consider organisational contexts and how they may be analysed. Students will examine how organisations can respond to various opportunities. They will also consider theories and concepts around strategy and its formation, marketing, environmental and stakeholder analysis. They will be expected to apply learning to their work place and be able to assess individual and organisational practice in this area. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught using a blended learning approach. This will include directed self-study, workshops, group work, peer support, and other learning activities. During the module, students will follow a guided-learning path that will require them to read materials, access other core and optional learning materials and undertake a range of activities. In addition to the learning path, students will attend workshops. These are facilitated sessions that will help consolidate knowledge, apply it the workplace and develop higher order cognitive skills of analysis and evaluation. Students will be expected to relate their learning to their day-to-day work. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Practicals classes and workshops		21
Work-based learning		90
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		18
Wider reading (directed)		42
Essay preparation		29
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will prepare a 3,000 word report and supporting reflection on the development of a business idea/ strategy using the frameworks and theories that they have learnt during the module. This will be submitted soon after the completion of the third workshop (week 9 of the module). 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

By resubmission of coursework to the same brief .   Date dependant on cohort entry date, but by Week 50 of the programme 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019