Module Information

Module Identifier
MMM9360
Module Title
Management Reports for Business and Public Policy
Academic Year
2018/2019
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 3 (Dissertation)
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 14,000 word report  100%
Supplementary Assessment Repeat all failed elements, ie 14,000 word report  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Develop their personal development with regards to their managerial skills

Develop their knowledge in the theory of team-building, interpersonal communication, leadership and other skills related topics and be able to utilise this knowledge in a practical and efficient manner

Analyse a specific company/organisation/institution or Business ? Public Policy related issue/problem and equip themselves with an increased knowledge and understanding of this field

Evaluate the professional and academic literature available by researching the subject area prior to the writing of the report

Write the project conclusion in a form consistent with the typical 'management report' format employed in business and industry and offer conclusions based on a rigorous analysis

Brief description

This module is designed to provide students with an opportunity to prepare an in-depth analysis of a business ? public policy issue. The report may be based on an organization'r experience in the business-public policy arena, or a piece of academic research. By grounding itself in actual cases, the report develops the employability of the candidate by permitting them to develop and demonstrate their research skills and ability to synthesise and evaluate information.

Aims

The Report should not simply describe the organisation (although aspects of the Report will inevitably provide some description); examiners will seek to specifically award grades to students that address the following:
1. Critical analysis of the company/organisational/institutional situation
2. Demonstrate the use of tools, techniques, frameworks and analytical approaches appropriate to business and public policy isues.
3. Use appropriate referencing (both managerial and academic sources).

Aims
The main aims of the module are to:
  • Bring together the knowledge and practical experience acquired during the Masters programme.
  • Use the professional and academic literature to extend their knowledge and add to the depth of coverage during the report writing.
  • To utilise the existing professional and academic literature and their practical business/management experience (where relevant) in order to focus on: a) a specific company, organisation or institution and/or b) a business-public policy related issue, event or problem

Content

The module is the independent research component of the degree scheme.
1. Overview of the research process
2. The research question
3. Secondary research on business and public policy
4. Interview, questionnaire development and analysis
5. Writing workshop

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The extent to which a given report develops this skill is a function of the topic chosen. However, all students will be expected to read and manipulate economic and financial data where appropriate.
Communication It can be expected that many of the reports will involve interviews and other forms of interaction with business, non-governmental organizations and government agencies.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will improve their learning by undertaking directed but independent study and work. Time management will be crucial in preparation for the assessments.
Information Technology It will be expected that students will make extensive use of IT in the research and preparation of their reports. For example, students may choose to use electronic library databases.
Personal Development and Career planning The module provides content which may prove highly valuable for students in their later careers. Knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in the international political economy as well as research skills developed in connection with the preparation of assessed individual coursework contribute to transferable skills.
Problem solving The module demands the participants to apply analytical skills to reason and understand a specific problem in the are of business and its political context. By introducing a variety of theoretical as well as empirical topics, the module enables students to develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving and to critically evaluate potential solutions to complex and challenging problems
Research skills Students will make decisions about research methods and the use of appropriate sources.
Subject Specific Skills In this case, subject specific skills are completely embodied in 1-8 in that the central purpose of this module it to develop and assess research and analytical skill • Communication skills • Presentation skills • Report writing • Leadership skills • Research skills • Self-management • Analytical skills
Team work In this context, teamwork may refer more broadly to interpersonal skills necessary to complete the research. An example would be interpersonal skills associated with, for example, the conduct of a focus group

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7