| Unit name | Global Management Capstone Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MGRCM0025 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Kasia Zdunczyk |
| 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?
The unit provides students with the opportunity to conduct an in-work consultancy project, as part of which they will apply the learned theories and frameworks to provide recommendations with respect to a real-world business issue. Students will work with their employer, next employer, or an organisation they are familiar with. Particular focus will be placed on actionable solutions, findings, and communication. Thus, the project will emphasise the practical aspects and recommendations while adhering to academic standards.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The Capstone project is the final exercise and test on the students’ learning journey in developing a solid command of the key concepts and challenges concerned with global management in today’s complex world. The conducted applied research project will enable students to integrate their teaching on the programme with respect to the chosen topic as well as sharpen their critical thinking skills, improve their understanding and application of management tools, and ability to reflect on global management issues. The topic of the dissertation must be concerned with the management of organisations in the global environment, and so it can focus on the challenges and opportunities involved; as well as the discussion of the ramification of the ‘grand challenges, such as climate change, on the everyday management of organisations.
1. Introduction
In recent years employers have made it clear that senior managers need more than just knowledge and understanding of a specific area; they must be able to use that insight to make strategic decisions and lead changes beneficial to the business. Within this context, the main purpose of this integrative project is to take candidates onto the next stage of professional development while helping them to grow from a behavioural perspective. In particular, throughout the development of this project, candidates are expected to be able to:
2. Description
The Final Project is intended to link the knowledge and skills acquired through the taught part of the programme. The aim is for candidates to demonstrate professional practice, academic achievement, and behavioural improvement throughout the project management process. It also enables candidates to evaluate their behavioural changes in order to develop their skills for interaction at a higher level, i.e. at a strategic and board level.
This project includes some taught elements to support its development and complement the graduates’ skills, but it is mainly a work-based task, designed to develop the professional skills and competencies required to implement research and business projects successfully. There is a common taught part and then there are three options with the clear objective of giving candidates the opportunity to build the next steps in their professional development.
The final outcome needs to represent a body of individual work, practice, and research which is fit for its purpose and that demonstrates internal and intellectual congruence. It may not contain, in whole or in part, material which has previously counted towards credit for this or any other degree. It must be a wholly new piece of work. This is a X credits unit and therefore the individual work expected for the final project is Y hours of personal effort.
There are certain requirements to start the process:
Learning Outcomes
1. Frame a clear, central research question within the project topic chosen.
2. Identify and critically review literature relevant to the topic and central business issue in question.
3. Understand and apply an appropriate research methodology to investigate the chosen topic including research ethics process and considerations.
4. Analyse data and/or evidence, where appropriate, and draw apposite conclusions that answer the central research question.
5. Produce a Capstone project report in a clear, well-written and grammatically-correct style, that conforms to the conventions of academic presentation.
6. Develop insights and recommendations about the global management of an organisation(s) that are both practical and informed by academic theory.
The taught part is divided into three main elements, (i) applied research, (ii) upskilling and recycling skills and knowledge (iii) World Market Workshops and/or Meetings with Practitioners. Details follow:
(i) Applied Research. The focus of this part is to introduce students to research and applied research as well as the key components of research design, including its methodological and ethical aspects. Also, this part delves into the practicalities and procedures to conduct an appropriate literature review, to define the research topic, and to critically think a suitable data collection method, all of them tailored for the business and management environment. This will be linked with the development of the different options (explained below),particularly to the market research, to support with evidence the market opportunity.
(ii) Upskilling and recycling skills and knowledge. This part aims at supporting participants in the process of transitioning to the next stage in their professional careers. This part will also complement the knowledge of the programme’s main field of study by offering the opportunity to analyse and acquire concepts and ideas necessary to make decisions and therefore complete the toolkit of the students in the MSc.
(iii) World Market Workshops and/or Meetings with Practitioners. These activities are aimed at strengthening and complementing the skills and vision of participants by having the opportunity to share experiences and first-hand insights with practitioners operating at senior level. They also offer a critical view of current events, trends, and possible scenarios. This part of the MSc intends to give students:
The workshops/meetings are developed in an informal setting intended to facilitate the discussion and exchange of experiences where a high level of interaction is expected. The workshops are not assessed but attendance is compulsory to access the final project. This means that participants with an attendance below 75% will not be allowed to submit. The list of meetings and workshops will be available on Blackboard.
The Final Project is the conclusion of the programme and should reflect the knowledge and skills acquired by candidates throughout the programme. It needs to provide a self-supported plan based on a thorough research and developed using cutting-edge tools, skills, and techniques. The final document should have a maximum of 10,000 words.
There are four options for students to choose from. Each option has been laid out individually explaining the expectations, assessments, and timelines.
a) Business Plan/ Consultancy Project for an existing business
b) New start up
c) Thesis
d) Teaching case
The decision to pursue options a) to d) will be made by participants at the beginning of each cycle and cannot be changed after this date. The selection is final and can be changed only due to force majeure, also those not choosing any option will be allocated in the Business Plan/Consultancy option by default.
Description and assessments
Project Plan based on applied research (30%/3000 words) common to all options.
There will be a first 3,000-word submission common to all options. This submission will be weighted 30% of the final mark.
A. Development of a business plan/consultancy for an existing business (70%/7000 words)
B. New start up (70%, 3 submissions)
There are 3 assessments under the new start up option.
C. Thesis (70%/7000 words)
D. Teaching case (70% words/7000 words)
There 2 assessments in this option.
When assessment does not go to plan
Students will have to re-submit their Capstone project report for re-assessment. The topic of the report will have to be the same, but it will have to be restructured to satisfy the academic requirements at this level of study.
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. MGRCM0025).
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.
