| Unit name | Consultancy Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIM30044 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Sturdy |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Management Research Methods |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics, Finance and Management |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The aim of this unit is to give students the opportunity to draw together their learning over the course of their programme and use it to solve a real management/organisational challenge. In addition, they will learn something about management consultancy research and practice. In groups, students will be allocated a consultancy research brief, mostly from outside organisations such as local charities. Over the course of two Teaching Blocks, students will work in groups to establish a set of project objectives through desk-based research. They will then undertake a piece of research in order to satisfy those objectives and present the research results and recommendations in both a verbal and written report.
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
ILO 1: Identify and execute a coherent consultancy project to achieve a set of goals.
ILO2: Analyse and interpret the resultant data using appropriate methods and relevant techniques.
ILO 3: Present the results using appropriate academic and commercial conventions, in academic essay / report format, citing all sources correctly.
ILO4: Provide evidence of an advanced level of competence in the design, execution and reporting of an independent consultancy project.
ILO5: Demonstrate competency as a reflexive practitioner.
The learning process will be based upon a combination of pedagogical approaches, the use of each will be determined by what is most appropriate to achieve the session/unit learning outcomes. This unit will make use of case studies, problem solving activities, discussions (both structured and unstructured) and the evaluation of online and documentary resources. There will be an emphasis on shared knowledge, developed in dialogue and based on practice. For those less acquainted with practice issues more emphasis will be placed on research, case studies and other problem-solving activities. Some of these sessions may be hosted by guest lecturers from industry or other academic institutions.
You will be expected and directed to read from a range of sources including academic journals. You will interact and communicate within group activities enhancing practical leadership skills, including team, negotiating and influencing skills. You will work autonomously as well as interactively within group exercises.
Group Presentation 15 mins (plus 5-10 for questions) (Formative Assessment)
Working in small groups (normally of 4-6), students are required to review the brief and research the background to the challenges posed. They will be required to outline what they believe to be the primary issues to be addressed, formulate a set of objectives and provide an evidenced proposal as to how they intend to achieve those objectives. (ILO 1&2)
Consultancy Report (7500 words) (Summative Assessment 50%)
Working in their groups, students are required to review the feedback on their presentation (ILO1). They are required to address the issues identified and then formulate and implement a piece of consultancy research (ILO2, 3). They are then required to analyse and interpret the results in light of the research objectives and present conclusions and recommendations in report format, referencing all sources correctly and in full (ILO 4).
Personal Portfolio (2000 words) (Summative Assessment 50%)
Students are required to compile a portfolio of work relating to the topics covered in the workshop sessions, a personal reflection upon their own contribution to the consultancy project and how/what they might do differently if faced with the same task in future. (ILO4&5).
Wickham, L and Wilcock, J (2016) Management consulting – delivering and effective project. 5th edition. Pearson.
O'Mahoney, J. & Markham, C (2013). Management consultancy. Second edition. Oxford University Press.
Baaij, M (2014) An introduction to management consultancy. Sage.
Kipping, M and Clark, T (Eds)(2012) The Oxford handbook of management consulting. Oxford University Press.
O'Mahoney, J. and Sturdy, A. J. (2016) ‘Power and the Diffusion of Management Ideas: The Case of McKinsey & Co.’ Management Learning. 47, 3, 247-265.
Sturdy, A. J. (2011) ‘Consultancy’s consequences? A critical assessment of management consultancy’s impact on management’, British Journal of Management, 22, 3, 517-530.
Molhotra, N. K., Nunan, D., Birks, D. F. (2017). Marketing Research: An Applied Approach. 5th Ed. Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Indicative academic journals
Organization Studies, Journal of Management Studies, Management Learning, Harvard Business Review, Journal of Organizational Change Management, 'Journal of Marketing Communications
Other sources
https://www.consultancy.uk/; https://www.mca.org.uk/; http://www.feaco.org/
https://www.sourceglobalresearch.com/;
https://www.alm.com/intelligence/solutions-we-provide/consulting-solutions/
Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, The Economist and consulting firms’ websites
