NES1104 : Introduction to Agri-Food Business Management (Inactive)

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module is to introduce students to a range of current commercial agribusiness and rural business systems in practical and theoretical contexts. To develop analytical skills for evaluating merits and deficiencies of successful agribusiness and rural systems. To enable students to make further progress in the development of their studies in agribusiness and rural management. To require students to undertake an analytical and problem solving approach to business investigation. To provide students with the fundamental communication skills (written and oral) that satisfies the minimum criteria for succeeding in higher education and commercial environments.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics to be covered in the rural and agribusiness context: financial management, business strategy, human resource management, the commercial marketing environment, public sector/not-for-profit sector management. Business analysis, consultation and business report presentation

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion33:009:00Production of consultant's report
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion110:0010:00Online Quiz and Preparation
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion101:0010:00Preparation for formative group presentation
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials141:0014:00The lectures to be shared between teaching staff (Simon Parker & Jeremy Franks) – 7 hours each
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading155:0055:00Reading around module topics
Guided Independent StudySkills practice401:0040:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops31:003:00Semester 2 Only: pre-cursor to each field visit to discuss purpose and methodology
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity31:003:00feedback from each report used to inform the next
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork35:0015:00Sem 2 Only: Each group to visit 3 businesses in semester 2 to undertake consultant assessment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery100:305:00Weekly drop in session - Simon Parker leading
Guided Independent StudyStudent-led group activity61:006:00Group presentation (10 mins)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study125:0025:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk15:005:00Synchronous online module talk
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and compulsory field visits will provide a learning environment for developing a range of theoretical and practical knowledge & understanding to undergraduate, stage-1 students (related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2). Staff will utilise a variety of teaching methods to ensure that students are actively engaged and participating in lectures and field trips. Group presentations of existing commercial agribusinesses will provide students with the opportunity to further explore the topics and cases covered in the lectures (Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2,3,4,5). This in-depth analysis of various commercial rural businesses and agribusinesses will expose students to the current market environment in which they operate as consumers and will enter into as professional graduates (Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2,3,4,5).

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination901A50Computer-based, multiple-choice, unseen examination
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report2M50Ipsative assessment allows the student to undertake a consultants report and then to improve the next iteration using feedback
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Report1MIpsative assessment allows the student to undertake a consultants report and then to improve the next iteration using feedback
Report1MIpsative assessment allows the student to undertake a consultants report and then to improve the next iteration using feedback
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1. During the computer assessment, students will show their overall knowledge of rural and agribusiness management functions, demonstrate their knowledge of specific aspects of rural and agribusiness management (e.g. agribusiness management’s contribution to corporate strategy) and demonstrate their ability to analyse specific rural and agribusiness functions. Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2.
2. For the group presentations, students will work in small groups to develop their team work, organisation and presentation skills. Knowledge gained from critically analysing current commercial agribusinesses will be shared with class members. Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #3,4,5.
3. Written submission of combined field trip reports, including the first two reports for a formative purpose, and group presentation findings will allow students to develop their skills in writing, referencing, note-taking and formal presentation of report-style communications. Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2,3 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2,3.

Reading Lists

Timetable