Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

NBS8329 develops the business performance analysis tools required in NBS8659.

Aims

This is an optional capstone module designed to allow students, drawing on their learning across their MSc International Business programme, to individually undertake an analysis of an international business, identify key problems or opportunities, and to formulate recommendations for management action. NOTE: Students undertaking the Sustainability Pathway must focus on a sustainability issue.

The module aims to:
1. Provide the opportunity for students to undertake independent applied research in which they apply appropriate tools of analysis.
2. Enable students to sharpen critical and analytical skills in gathering and interpreting secondary information and identifying significant issues.
3. Enable students to further enhance and develop subject-specific knowledge through conducting secondary desk research.
4. Enable students to apply academic theory and concepts to real-world problems including an appreciation of ethical considerations in the business context.
5. Further enhance interpersonal and transferable skills through oral/written communication, problem solving, time management, and self-motivation and creativity.

Outline Of Syllabus

Outline of syllabus
This is an Applied Research Project module provides the opportunity for students to undertake independent research and analysis of an international business issue (or issues), as such there is no set syllabus. Students will draw explicitly from the knowledge and skill base introduced in NBS8329 Strategic Business Analysis and Decision Making to undertake the initial analysis of performance. Student will draw extensively on theory developed in the prior modules in the programme to complete this applied research project.

The key features of the Project are:
1. Company Analysis and Issue Identification
Students will undertake independent analysis of an international company’s performance across time and select key issue(s) for further investigation.

2. Issue Development
Students will undertake applied research to identify and explore the relevant dimensions of the business issue(s). In so doing they will:
* Utilise appropriate theoretical approaches from the academic literature, and other practice-focussed sources, across the international business programme to analyse, interpret and synthesise relevant and balanced secondary data
* Select secondary data from multiple sources (drawing on information search and retrieval skills and specific databases introduced elsewhere in the programme).
* Demonstrate initiative, insight and comprehensiveness when ensuring that the scope (breadth, depth, variety of sources) of secondary data gathered is appropriate to the complex and wide-ranging nature of a typical business issue.

3. Develop Recommendations
Students will investigate possible solutions and courses of managerial action, including identifying, critically assessing and interpreting recent developments in both theoretical academic research and management and organisational practices, to propose and support a preferred course of managerial action that critically evaluates the ethical implications.

4. Business Report
Students will prepare a robust and persuasive business report as if for submission to a client organisation. The report will demonstrate how their analysis has identified and integrated learning and insights from across the range of relevant theoretical dimensions of international business management covered in the programme.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module you will be able to demonstrate:

1. An appreciation of the uncertainty and ambiguity in information available to managers when considering the factors that influence international business decision-making.
2. A comprehensive understanding of core international business areas underpinned by research knowledge.
3. A critical awareness of the organisational ethical challenges that inform international business decision making.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills in critically evaluating and synthesising information across a range of international business and management dimensions, including ethics.
2. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively to make sound ethical judgements in developing integrated solutions to international business issues.
3. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate and present information in a variety of ways at a professional level.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The individual Applied Research Project is an independent piece of work supported through key lectures, workshops and drop-in/surgery sessions that provides relevant guidance and appropriate support throughout the issue identification, analysis and developing recommendations process.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The individual Applied Research Project is an independent piece of work supported through formative feedback and guidance in workshops and drop-in/surgery sessions.

General Notes

N/A