MQM3PBC: Practice Based Business Challenge

Module code: MQM3PBC

Module provider: Marketing and Reputation; Henley Business School

Credits: 40

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Nadeem Khan, email: nadeem.khan@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to allow students to execute a board level governance research project on a topic of their choice, with direction from an academic supervisor. Each student will design, undertake, analyse, evaluate and synthesise a research project as written report. 

Each student will undertake a governance, board related problem/director dilemma which is based on a live, in-practice issue within an organisation. This will progress the governance issue that was identified in the proposal to the programme. It is expected that students will have the opportunity to adapt and refine their initial proposal in light of learning that has taken place on the programme. The business challenge will provide the student with the opportunity to draw and build on what has been learnt in the core/elective modules of the MA and apply a range of knowledge and skills to a real board level organisational governance issue or problem. The student is to pursue and execute this self-directed board level research in an area of interest and provide findings/outcomes of value that has impact to the organisation. 

Students will be expected to use the research approaches introduced in the core module and apply this in data collection, analysis and the development of an evidence based justified outcomes. In their self- directed research, each student will be supported by an academic supervisor and will receive guidance. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

• Demonstrate ability to define, organise and execute a research at board level 
• Engage appropriate research approaches in undertaking research at board level 
• Refine research skills, tools and techniques and sensitively collect data and synthesis with the application of theory/model to practical issues 
• Prepare and produce a report of the findings/outcomes that will have value-added and impact to the organisation 
• Contribute to the development of their board and organisation 
• Enhance behaviours, skills and capabilities in undertaking research at board level 
• Understand governance and director level issues more holistically and broadly 
• Produce findings/outcomes that will have value and impact beyond the organisation 

Module content

In this module each student will engage in self-directed research of a board level governance issue. It is expected that the student will have access to board level directors and relevant managers (depth) in their organisation. This module will build on the proposal that was submitted at the start of the programme. It is expected that students will have the opportunity to adapt and refine their initial proposal in light of learning that has taken place on the programme. Each student is expected to execute the progressed proposed research within their organisational setting. The student will be supported by one hour a month academic supervision. Participants will further have opportunity to engage with a mentor in a group to discuss and share a session at around month 2 and month 4. 

This module consists of a six month business challenge research undertaken by student of a live board level governance issue in an organisation. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Supervisory support for Business Challenge. 

The contact hours are shown based on starting in semester 1 in the table below for illustrative purposes only. The actual timing will vary depending on your cohort start date and maybe across different semesters. 

Study hours

At least 6 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

50% pass mark - Students need to achieve a mark of 50% in each assessment and overall 50% mark to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Engagement with supervision and tutorials; Q&A

Reassessment

Additional costs