MMM156-International Applied Challenge

Module Provider: International Business and Strategy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Katiuscia Lavoratori
Email: k.lavoratori2@henley.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Katiuscia Lavoratori
Email: k.lavoratori2@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module provides intensive experiential learning in an international context, either virtually or via direct travel (following institutional decision). This is an opportunity for students group visits a particular country, institutions and particular business communities to explore sustainable and wider management issues and the methods the community has found for addressing these issues, and where possible, to assist these communities with possible applied knowledge. The module assists to create a network of active young specialists who think globally and act locally to make business action happen. The country partner institutions play a key role in setting up the itinerary and hosting the visit. Students will work in multinational teams for?up to?10 working days to develop international capabilities and build their global network.?

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with an opportunity to:? 

• develop a broad understanding of the structure of local?environment and related contexts of management in a particular country, including the roles of government and nongovernmental organizations;?? 


• understand the cultural and historical local context and changes occurring in the economy, business structure, and politics of a country and the impact of these changes on the provision of business environment;? 


• understand the development and function of professional business work and communities development in a particular country;?and related neighbouring contexts 


• achieve an understanding of concepts and methodologies available for the comparative cross-societal study of management /business development, economic policy, etc., as it relates to the students’ interest;? 


• advance multicultural understandings and develop?cross-cultural competencies;? 


• ?progress?in a timely manner within the?structured academic programme?including international experience;? 


• enrich and deepen in a timely manner the structured curriculum of an?MSc programme with an element of international experience;? 


• develop team-working and inter-personal skills as well as master their oral and written communication skills.? 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should have demonstrated an ability to:? 

• enhance their?multicultural and international competence in a particular context /country;? 


• demonstrate skills in critical and multicultural thinking for practice to support their educational experiences as well as to support sustainable management practice in a global world;? 


• give an account of the causal relationships between various economic, fiscal, political and technological variables, factors and conditions or local major institutions affecting management in that context and the behaviour of companies in a particular context.? 


• demonstrate a knowledge of the strategies involved in sustainability oriented practices in business and wider communities in a particular country.? 


• demonstrate team working skills as well as oral and written communication skills in international context through experiential learning.? 

Additional outcomes:

Students will master the ability to discuss and influence progressive ideas for action towards issues of business, managerial capabilities, human resources development in a context of a particular country. They will then develop the skills to make sense and meaning of the complexity of the international environment and will contribute to group ideas on what is possible given the discourse. In addition, students will also develop generic skills for accessing and developing ongoing appreciation of issues related to an international context.?

Outline content:

Autumn and?Spring?term classes will introduce students to general knowledge relevant to the international applied challenge.? 

The detailed programme of the time abroad should be provided to the students in?Spring?term prior the visit based on the current circumstances and institutional policy/decisions. 

 

Students will have to sign a letter, stipulating some formalities in respect to the module, namely study tasks during the time in a particular country, conditions of confidentiality of information, which they may have?access in relation to the company or its clients or staff (related to the company visits), the obligations outlined above extend to information contained in any documents, reports, spreadsheets or other materials produced by students regarding the placement in support of the module; data protection.? 

Global context:

The module is specifically designed to ensure that students have an opportunity to broaden and enrich their global perspective by studying and interacting with local firms/start-ups/organisations within a different international context.?

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Customised academic and applied presentations by faculty experts in the receiving university and local institutional leaders and experts. Students will be exposed to a variety of customised and generic group visits to various businesses and broader institutions that altogether form the “local cultural context” and norms.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

(1) A Group written pre-departure report (1000 - 2000 words, +/- 10%) which counts 20% of the overall mark, to be submitted in week 28. 

(2) Students will be required to produce a start-up pitch which will be presented to the Partner -Henley Committee, which counts 60% in the overall module.

(3) A reflective essay which counts 20% of the overall module mark. 

Formative assessment methods:

Student teams will discuss their pre-departure reports, case study and pitch with the faculty involved in the module in the host and home universities/organisations. The formative feedback in the context of supervised time in studio/workshop while teams will be preparing their work. The formative feedback will enable students to reflectively adapt their group report, presentations and reflective essay which are the three assessed components of coursework in this module.

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A weighted average of 50% or more required.

Reassessment arrangements:

An individual project (3,000 words) (capped at 50 percent).

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 7 August 2023