This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module provides the opportunity for students to diagnose and investigate a complex business issue, to locate the work within the body of contemporary knowledge, to collect and analyse data, to derive supportable conclusions and to make practical and actionable recommendations. There are three options for the business report: consultancy report (problem), analyst report (company or sector overview), and entrepreneur's report (business plan).
The applied nature of the report requires a critical evaluative approach, empirical investigation and analysis and a combination of business report writing skills. It requires reflection on the implications for business from an ethical, professional and continuous professional development standpoint, including an account of what has been learned during the project and how this can be applied in the future.
Supervision/Tutorial: 20 hours
Private study: 280 hours
Total: 300 hours
Main Assessment Method
100% coursework - 8000-10000 word business report
Reassessment Method
100% coursework
Davies, M.B. (2014) Doing successful research project (using qualitative or quantitative methods), (2nd edition) Basingstoke: Palgrave
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. (2012) Doing Research in Business and Management: An Essential Guide to Planning Your Project. London: Prentice Hall.
Saunders, M, Lewis, P and Thornhill, A. (2016), Research methods for business students, (6th edition) Harlow: Pearson.
Weyers, J. and McMillan, K. (2011) (2nd edition) "How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports" London: Prentice Hall
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Identify and justify a problem of relevance to an appropriate business topic, mostly relevant to the underlying main overarching themes of the MBA (i.e. innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability and CSR, and leadership).
- Critically evaluate and discuss relevant literature, identify and apply advanced analytical tools and techniques appropriately to the chosen topic.
- Undertake analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data.
- Draw realistic and appropriate conclusions and make recommendations based on options.
- Produce a report in the required format that integrates and communicates knowledge gained from the MBA.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in numeracy and quantitative skills including the use of models of business situations; qualitative research skills.
- Conduct in-depth research into business and management issues.
- Identify, find, record, organise, manipulate and communicate complex knowledge relevant to the development and management of organisations.
- Demonstrate clear self-direction in research and analysis of business topics
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