| Unit name | Dissertation in International Business and Strategy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MGRCM0016 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Xiaolong Shui |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This compulsory unit is vital for your academic and professional development. During your engagement with the academic process as creators and co-creators of (situated) knowledge, you will engage with debates in the academic literature, and where appropriate, to draw on their own culturally embedded knowledge to critique extant domain-based knowledge and propose valid alternative understanding. This dissertation project can set you up for an academic career if you wish and, more importantly, for a career of lifelong learning, where you are able to engage with debates in the academic literature, and in society, from an informed and critical perspective.
How does this unit fits into your programme of study?
This unit is integral to your program, focusing on applying foundational knowledge in International Business and Strategy through an academic research project. It builds upon the knowledge and skills obtained from units in the two teaching blocks, particularly the research skills in TB2, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective project management — skills crucial for academic and professional success. This hands-on experience not only deepens your understanding but also prepares you for real-world challenges in International Business.
An overview of content
The aim of this research project and associated dissertation is for students to undertake an individual inquiry relevant to International Business and Strategy at master’s level. It will give students the chance to work autonomously on a project of their choice and to demonstrate and develop communication, problem-solving, research- and project-management understanding, knowledge and skills.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will be supported by an academic supervisor whose guidance they will draw on to do the research and complete the dissertation write-up (10,000-12,000 word limit). A dissertation demands self-motivation and good organisational skills. Students are expected to show initiative in choosing their topic of study and in executing the research, with guidance and support from the Programme Director and the Research Skills for International Business and Strategy unit. The unit will further develop skills in developing a research agenda, formulating appropriate research questions, conducting a literature review, planning a research programme, analysing data, and communicating the findings by a fixed deadline.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
There will be five hours of supervision with an assigned dissertation supervisor. Supervisor responsibilities include guidance on aspects of the dissertation preparation (including a specific discussion on research ethics approval, where appropriate), checking and helping with formal arguments and theoretical models, data collection, analysis and conclusions as applicable.
The numbers of indicative hours are: 5 hours of supervision and 595 hours of independent study.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Every student will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, whose guidance they will use to do the research and complete the dissertation write-up. The student can draft chapters of the dissertation for review by their supervisor. Supervisors will read and provide feedback on one full draft of the dissertation (either complete or by chapter). Feedback should provide detail on the requirements for improvement. This supports and feeds forward into the summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
A dissertation of 10,000 to 12,000 words (100%). The dissertation will assess students’ ability to frame a research question in the context of relevant literature, apply a suitable research strategy for either of qualitative, quantitative or library-based research study; analyse resulting data and draw relevant conclusions and integrate these into wider academic debates. The dissertation will also assess students’ ability to produce a substantial piece of work independently and by a deadline, which also conforms to the conventions of academic presentation [ILOs 1-6].
When assessment does not go to plan
If students are eligible for a reassessment they will be required to rework their dissertation to improve the original submission or submit an equivalent piece of work (10,000-12,000 words) (100%) [ILOs 1-6].
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MGRCM0016).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
