Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module is offered as one of the elective choices at Stage 3 of the Henley MBA, a part-time programme for experienced managers working in a wide range of organisations. This module is specifically aimed at providing participants with the opportunity to integrate and apply their MBA learning in an international context, including a one week visit to selected organisations in the chosen region. This includes developing business research, consulting, analysis, team-working and interpersonal skills. This module is delivered by a combination of real company studies with accompanying company visits, presentations, face-to-face workshops, webinars, group work (including in virtual teams), personal reflection and self-study, over a period of approximately 3 months, alongside other modules in Stage 3 of the MBA programme.

Aims:

This module aims to:

• Develop an understanding and provide practical experience of business in an international context


• Develop the ability to integrate and apply previous and newly-acquired knowledge and experience  from a range of managerial subject areas to complex business issues


• Develop consultancy skills, such as research, investigation, critical analysis of business problems, producing solutions and recommendations to client organisations


• Develop critical analytical skills to select and apply management models in a pragmatic manner


• Develop interpersonal and group-working skills


• Develop  individual and team presentation skills

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate the application and integration of learning from a range of managerial subject areas to understand business problems in an international context


• Investigate the business problem appropriately through business research, meetings and company visits, and identify solution(s) to address the problem


• To participate and contribute to a team of international programme members


• To deliver a team presentation of their recommendatio ns to their client


• Demonstrate cultural awareness and insights into different cultures, countries and organisations


• Demonstrate capability to develop an option and produce an implementation plan


• To produce a reflective assignment

The participant will receive formative feedback from peers and tutors on these outcomes during this module. This will contribute to their assignment for assessment

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The programme covers the following topics:

• Impact of the institutional environment for organisations in the selected region (e.g. political, legal, demographic, social, ethical, technical)


• Opportunities for organisations in the selected region


• An introduction to consultancy skills, especially business research, preparation and presentation of findings, analysis and recommendations to the client(s) from the international companie s

Global context:

This module is delivered in different international countries, for example China, Russia, Chile, but the process allows further regions to be set up as desired.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching methods include working in a whole group of up to 60 with one or two tutors, and in smaller groups of up to about 8 participants. The principle activity takes place in the one week (6 days) visit in the international region which includes the company visits, as well as additional workshops and presentations.

Prior to the visit to the international region, participants engage with several preparation webinars delivered by the tutor(s), and start their background re search and virtual team working to prepare for their client visit and presentation.

Participants are expected to draw on their practical experiences in their own or other organisations to help their practice and integrate their learning.  After the international study visit stage of this module, the participants complete their learning reflections and write their assignments. They have access to the Virtual Learning Environment throughout the programme, including the ISV collaboration space during the module.

Participants are encouraged to keep a personal learning log, paper or electronic, particularly during this module and also the complete programme.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are 2 parts to this assessment: the team presentation on the study visit and the reflective assignment.

• Each team must produce one team presentation of their insights, options and recommendations for their allocated company, presented to the client in an audience of fellow participants and tutors. (These presentations are recorded on video and contribute to the team’s portfolio of evidence, along with any supporting material used during the presentation)


• A written individual assignment of 2000 words, based on their experience of the international study visit and their personal development during the overall period of this module. This should reflect on the activities which took place both before and during the actual study visit, the learning gained from it, the participant’s learning reflections, and be underpinned with reference and critical analysis of the relevant literature.

It is expected that the participant will reference the other elements of their development portfolio, such as presentations, supporting documentation, learning logs and reflective documents, and include them as required in the appendix of the assignment. These additional elements of the portfolio will be included in the same electronic submission as the assignment.

Formative assessment methods:

During the study visit, teams are given formative feedback to support them to improve their final team presentations to the clients.

Penalties for late submission:

In accordance with the university policy for post-experience postgraduate programmes.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50% for module (60% assignment, 40% presentation)

The team presentation is peer reviewed anonymously and deductions made if peers indicate reduced contribution by the individual

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment by 100% assignment (capped at 50%); to be submitted within 6 weeks of notification of module failure, date dependent on cohort entry and to be advised by the Programme Administrator.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Module Fee + Travel, Accommodation & Subsistence

Last updated: 4 April 2020