MMM52ENT-Applied Challenge

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: keith.heron@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module provides intensive experiential learning, usually in an international context.

This is an opportunity for students to visit or virtually visit a particular country, or UK region, to engage with particular business communities to explore business development issues and provide a consultancy investigation into the methods that community has found for addressing these issues, and assist these communities with possible business solutions.

It is possible, with regard to the Covid-19 situation, that this module will, as in 2020, be delivered in a virtual format. However, this is still a dynamic experience involving real entrepreneurs and their projects and partner institution students.

The module will create a network of active young specialists who think globally and act locally to make business action happen. The country partner’s 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, deeper appreciation of applied business, and build their global network.

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 (or UK region), which may include the roles of government and nongovernmental organizations;

- understand the changes occurring in the economy, business structure, and politics of a country/region 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/region;

- 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 and practice consultancy investigation capabilities and communicate these in oral, virtual and written communication modes.

 

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/region;

-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 possible economic, fiscal, political and technol ogical variables, factors and conditions affecting business operations and the behaviour of companies in a particular country/region;

-demonstrate a knowledge of the strategies involved in doing business in a particular country/region;

-demonstrate team-working and inter-personal skills and practice consultancy investigation capabilities and communicate these in oral, virtual and written communication modes.

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/in a region 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 ac cess 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:

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1) Group Case Study Presentation during study visit.

Feedback will be given both from the academics and the peer community of learners.

This counts 30% of the overall mark.

Presentation: Study Visit (Summer)

2) An individual written reflective report (1000 words) which counts 70% of the overall mark.  

Submission: study visit + 1 week. 

Formative assessment methods:

Student teams will discuss their pre-departure research, case study with the faculty involved during the study visit in the host universities/organisations. The formative feedback is in the context of supervised time in 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):

Travel, accommodation and subsistence

Each student is covering their visa and personal costs for subsistence during most of the time in the foreign study visit location including the welcome and farewell lunch/dinner.

Not applicable if delivered in Virtual mode.

All other costs 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.

Last updated: 19 May 2020