MMM149-International Applied Challenge I

Module Provider: International Business and Strategy
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught:
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: y.kalyuzhnova@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module provides intensive experiential learning in an international context. This is an opportunity for students group visits a particular country and particular business communities to explore business development issues and the methods the community has found for addressing these issues, as well as to assist these communities with possible business solutions. The module assists to create a network of active young specialists who think globally and act locally to make business action happen. The country partners institutions play a key role in setting up the itinerary and hosting the visit. Students will work in multinational teams for 5 continuous working days to develop international capabilities and build their global network.

Due to the involvement of local partners the contact hours may have a different combination of lectures, seminars and workshops than is specified in the table below.

This module will also have a co-convenor who leads or co-leads the study visit.

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with an opportunity to:

- develop a broad understanding of the structure of business environment  in a particular country, including the roles of government and nongovernmental organizations;

- understand the changes occurring in the economy, business structure, and politics of a country and the impact of these changes on the provision of business environment;

- understand the development and function of professional business work and community development in a particular country;

- achieve an understanding of concepts and methodologies available for the comparative cross-societal study of business development, economic policy, etc., as it relates to the students’ interest;

- advance multicultural understandings, and developing cross-cultural competencies;

- progress in a timely manner within the structured academic programme  including international experience;

- enrich and deepen in a timely manner the structured curriculum of a MSc programme with an element of international experience;

- develop team-working and inter-personal skills as well as master their oral and written communication skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should have demonstrated an ability to:

-enhance their  multicultural and international competence in a particular country;

-demonstrate skills in critical and multicultural thinking for practice to support their educational experiences as well as to support business practice in a global world;

-give an account of the causal relationships between various economic, fiscal, political and technological variables, factors and conditions affecting business operations and the behaviour of companies in a particular country.

-demonstrate a knowledge of the strategies involved in doing business in a particular country.

-demonstrate team working skills as well as oral and written communication skills in international context through experiential learning.

Additional outcomes:

Students will master the ability to discuss and influence progressive ideas for action towards issues of business, managerial capabilities, human resources development in a context of a particular country. They will then develop the skills to make sense and meaning of the complexity of the international environment and will contribute to group ideas on what is possible given the discourse. In addition, students will also develop generic skills for accessing and developing ongoing appreciation of issues related to an international context.

Outline content:

-Autumn and Spring term classes will introduce students to general knowledge relevant to the international applied challenge.

-The detailed programme of the time abroad will be provided to the students in Spring term prior the visit.



-Students will have to sign a letter, stipulating some formalities in respect to the module, namely study tasks during the time in a particular country, conditions of confidentiality of information, which they may have access in relation to the Company or its clients or staff (related to the company visits), the obligations outlined above extend to information contained in any documents, reports, spreadsheets or other materials produced by students regarding the placement in support of the module; data protection.  

Global context:

The module is specifically designed to ensure that students have an opportunity to broaden and enrich their global perspective by studying and interacting with local firms/start-ups/organisations within a different international context.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Customised academic and applied presentations by faculty experts in the receiving university and local institutional leaders and experts. Students will be exposed to a variety of customised and generic group visits to various businesses and broader institutions/engage in consultancy style situations, that altogether form the “local cultural context” and norms. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1) Students will be required to produce a group start-up pitch which will be presented during the study visit to the Partner -Henley Committee, which counts 30% in the overall module. Spring term +1 (or +2).

2) An individual report reflecting on the group presentation (1500 words) which counts 70% of the overall mark.  Submission: Spring term + 3 (or +4).

Formative assessment methods:

Student teams will discuss their pre-departure research, case study and presentation pitch with the faculty involved during the study visit in the host universities/organisations. The formative feedback is in the context of supervised time in studio / workshop while teams will be preparing their work. The formative feedback will also enable students to reflectively adapt their group presentation to their individual report. These are the two assessed components in this module.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A weighted average of 50% or more required.

Reassessment arrangements:

An individual project (4,000 words) (capped at 50 percent).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Each student is covering their personal costs for subsistence during most of the time in the foreign study visit location.

All other costs (with the exception of the welcome and farewell lunch/dinner) are to be covered by the programme and module budget, special funds, and the overseas host. We estimate costs for subsistence are no more than 40 £ per day X 6 days. Accommodation with breakfast is included in the costs of accommodation covered by the University.

See below:

Last updated: 29 October 2019