1. Critically evaluate contemporary issues affecting organisations within a global business environment, utilising digital sources and data to inform analysis.

Knowledge & Understanding; Digital Literacy

2. Integrate theory and evidence to analyse the strategic implications of contemporary business challenges.

Application & Problem-Solving; Research Skills

3. Apply professional judgement to complex and ambiguous business scenarios relevant to your pathway specialism.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

4. Communicate evidence-based strategic recommendations in a professional and ethical manner.

Communication

Assessment 1: Individual Timed Digital Briefing Pack with Recorded Commentary

Contemporary Issues Digital Briefing

This assessment develops your ability to critically evaluate a contemporary business issue and integrate relevant theory and evidence into a concise professional briefing. You will demonstrate analytical rigour and clarity of thought by communicating insight in a format suitable for senior decision-makers.

You will select a contemporary business issue relevant to your degree specialism and prepare a professional digital briefing. The briefing should evaluate the issue, analyse its strategic significance and integrate appropriate academic and industry evidence. A recorded commentary is completed in a single timed sitting to simulate professional briefing conditions. Formative feedback opportunities may include:

Issue selection and scoping workshop
Early tutor-led guidance on identifying an appropriate contemporary business issue and defining its scope, relevance and organisational impact.

Framework application activities
In-class exercises applying theoretical frameworks (e.g. PESTLE, industry analysis, sustainability or governance frameworks) to contemporary business issues, with tutor feedback on analytical depth and relevance.

Briefing structure and narrative workshops
Guided sessions focusing on structuring a professional briefing for senior decision-makers, including clarity, conciseness and evidence-based argument.

Draft slide or storyboard feedback
Optional formative feedback on draft briefing slides or outlines, focusing on clarity of insight, quality of evidence and professional presentation.

Peer discussion and feedback activities
Peer review sessions supporting refinement of issue explanation, strategic relevance and communication style.

These activities support students in developing confidence in analysing contemporary issues and communicating insight in a professional, time-bound format.

Assessment 2: Individual Strategic Insight Report

Contemporary Strategic Report

This assessment evaluates your ability to apply professional judgement to complex and ambiguous business challenges and to communicate strategic recommendations appropriate for senior stakeholders. The assessment focuses on synthesis, decision-making and ethical awareness expected of graduate-level professionals.

You will respond to a live or simulated strategic business challenge linked to a contemporary issue. You will analyse the organisational and environmental context, apply appropriate theoretical frameworks, evaluate strategic options and present justified recommendations. Where a portfolio format is used, you will also reflect on your decision-making process and professional development.

Submission point: End of module

You will produce an individual strategic report (3,000 words).

Formative feedback opportunities may include:

Strategic focus and organisational context workshops
Tutor-led sessions supporting students in selecting an appropriate organisational context and refining the strategic focus of their report.

Analytical writing and evidence integration activities
Structured exercises on developing coherent arguments, integrating theory with evidence, and demonstrating graduate-level judgement.

Draft structure or section feedback
Optional formative feedback on report structure, analytical approach or selected sections (e.g. introduction, framework application).

Peer discussion and critical debate
Facilitated peer discussions enabling students to test assumptions, clarify strategic implications and reflect on ethical and professional considerations.

Reflection and professional readiness prompts
Guided reflective activities encouraging students to consider adaptability, professional judgement and readiness for graduate-level business roles.

Formative feedback for Assessment 2 supports students in producing well-structured, evidence-based and ethically informed strategic analysis, appropriate to Level 6 study and professional practice.

This module explores the major contemporary issues shaping business organisations in a dynamic and uncertain global environment. You will critically examine emerging economic, technological, social, ethical, environmental and political challenges and consider their implications for organisational strategy, decision-making and leadership. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation, applied analysis and informed judgement, enabling students to engage with real-world business problems relevant to your degree specialism.

The module prepares you for graduate-level employment by developing your ability to analyse complexity, respond to change and communicate evidence-based insights.

Global economic and political uncertainty

Digital transformation and artificial intelligence

Sustainability, ESG and responsible business

Ethical leadership and governance challenges

Workforce change, inclusion and wellbeing

Innovation, entrepreneurship and disruption

Industry-specific contemporary issues

Content is contextualised to students’ degree specialism.

How do businesses respond to uncertainty, disruption, and global change?

This module explores the contemporary issues shaping business today, from digital disruption and sustainability to global uncertainty and ethical leadership. You will develop the critical and strategic skills needed to analyse complex challenges and communicate professional recommendations relevant to your degree specialism.

You will learn through a combination of interactive workshops, facilitated seminars and inquiry‑based learning activities. Workshops focus on applied analysis, problem‑solving and guided practice using real‑world cases and data. Seminars support discussion, critique and integration of theory and evidence. Digital tools are used to support research, analysis and professional communication. These learning approaches are designed to support progressive achievement of the module learning outcomes by developing critical evaluation, strategic judgement and professional communication skills.

Face to Face Delivery

Teaching is structured to combine subject-specific content with applied learning activities and includes lectures, seminars, workshops, case study analysis, group discussion and problem-solving activities. Digital resources are used to support learning and assessment, but the primary mode of delivery is in-person engagement.

Distance Learning (Top-Up)

For Distance Learning (Top-Up) delivery, teaching is delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Live online sessions are used at key points to support engagement, discussion and assessment guidance, while recorded lectures, guided learning activities and asynchronous discussion forums enable flexible study. This approach supports independent learning and accommodates the needs of students balancing study with professional or personal commitments.

Independent and Guided Study

Across all delivery modes, independent learning is a core element of the module. Students are supported to engage with academic literature, professional resources, digital tools and data sources via the University’s library and online platforms. Guided activities, formative tasks and structured assessment milestones encourage steady progression, critical thinking and reflective learning.

Collaborative learning is embedded through group activities, peer feedback and applied tasks, supporting the development of professional communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills appropriate to the level of study and programme context.

Simulation

Simulation is embedded through applied, scenario-based learning and assessment. Students adopt professional roles (e.g., business analyst/strategic advisor) to interpret contemporary issues and produce outputs for a senior decision-maker audience. Assessment 1 simulates the creation of a time-sensitive executive briefing, while Assessment 2 simulates strategic insight reporting and recommendation development under conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Employability, Enterprise and Professional Practice

This module supports graduate employability by developing advanced critical thinking, strategic analysis, professional judgement and communication skills. You will practise tasks aligned to graduate management and consultancy roles, including executive briefing, strategic analysis and evidence‑based decision‑making.

Academic, Digital and Research Skills

Academic and research skills are advanced through the critical evaluation of contemporary evidence, use of appropriate theoretical frameworks, and development of defensible arguments. Digital skills are developed through the creation of a timed digital briefing pack with recorded commentary and the effective use of digital tools to synthesise, communicate and present insight professionally.

Bamford, C.E., Hoffman, A.N., Wheelen, T.L. & Hunger J.D. (2024). Strategic Management and Business Policy: Globalization, Innovation and Sustainability, Global Edition. 16th Edition. Pearson.

Hesselmans, M. et al. (2025) Good Business : Policy to Unlock Companies’ Benefit for Society. 1st ed. 2025. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90232-1.

Johnson, G., Angwin, D., Regner, P., Johnson, G. & Scholes, K. (2024) Exploring Strategy (Text and Cases). 13th Edition. Pearson.

Sinur, J., Misiak, Z. and Biernatowski, B.J. (2025) Practical business process modeling and analysis : master digital change with business process management, incrementally modeled for AI transformation. 1st ed. Birmingham: Packt Publishing. https://libstaff.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/44STA_INST/rlkpvs/alma991001110555406826