Work placement or work-based responsibilities can provide opportunities for the applied research project. The implementation of the international project will include establishment of benchmark conditions at the start of the project so that clear evaluation can be carried out at the end.

It is possible that a portfolio of activity will be required by an employer/organisation made up of different activities and tasks.

As well as evaluating the international project, you will also be required to reflect critically on practical experiences gained, and the impact these may have on your views and actions.

Examples of portfolio activity could include:
- Formulation of an Applied Research Project that focused on strategic international market expansion and growth plan
- Undertake an in-depth marketing research (secondary and primary) to ascertain the feasibility of market expansion to a new international market
- Audit of the organisation including undertaking critical evaluation of ethical, social and environmental responsibility by highlighting critical implications of international business issues and practice. You should also identify and critically assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in organisational decision-making and practice.
- Apply and critically appraise and evaluate theories learned in relation to practical experience gained in a work setting.
- Budget and investment plan for market expansion plan.
- Identifying, evaluating business support programmes and where authorised, applying on behalf of the organisation.

Assessment 1: Applied Research Project (weighted at 80%) - This project will give you an opportunity to integrate the concepts covered throughout the course and apply these to support your critical analysis and assessment of an international growth project incorporating clear market opportunity analysis. Critically appraise and evaluate theories learned in relation to practical experience gained in a work setting to enable you to formulate strategic decisions and assess the impact of these decisions onorganisational performance. Addresses LOs 1,2,3,4 & 5

Assessment 2: Reflective Assessment of 1,500 words. Addresses LO6

It is required that no part of the assessment within the module falls below 50%. Any individual element that falls below 50% (will automatically be required to be re-sit and the maximum mark that can be achieved for the module will then be 50%.

This module adopts an active, problem- and practice-based learning approach that draw on active learning and experience whilst on the work placement.
The Applied Research Project can be based on any type of commercial organisation or a University but the organisation need to be big enough and setup to support the student in their work-experience.

There will be a requirement for you to have a one-to-one consultation (a total of 5-hours) with your Academic Supervisor to report your development and progress via MS Teams. Following each consultation session, you will need to submit a synopsis of 500-words each and submit the log onto Turnitin via Blackboard so that these can be signed-off.

This module will enable you to take a visionary approach and embed innovative approaches to internationalisation to help the organisation deal with the challenges of a dynamic international marketplace. The foundations of this approach are based on reading and research on topics, combined with student’s experiences. Importantly it will draw upon the experience of both student and the organisation to formulate relevant real-live project to support international market expansion and growth.

1. Employ critical and evaluative techniques to implement an international-based project in a work setting. Knowledge & Understanding

2. Utilise, apply and demonstrate relevant professional work-based skills and knowledge in the field of international business. Analysis, Application, Enquiry

3. Evaluate complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and employ appropriate decision-making in complex and unpredictable global business situations. Analysis, Application, Problem-solving

4. Critically appraise and evaluate theories learned in relation to practical experience gained in a work setting. Enquiry , Analysis, Problem solving

5. Provide training and/or other suitable support measures so that the project or activity can be continued by the company. Problem solving, Communication

6. Negotiate the different types of working relationships with staff within the workplace, and others - directly or indirectly - relevant to the projecT. Reflection

VLE learning support material to be provided for independent /self-directed learning.
Module handbook
Open Textbook Library and Open access http://www.oapen.org/home
Selected contemporary problem practice-based case examples
Academic books and Academic Journal articles

Moon J A (2013) Reflection in learning and professional development: theory and practice. Francis Taylor
Smith K A 2014 Teamwork and project management. 4th ed. New York : McGraw-Hill Education,
Wintage L M (2015) Project management for research and development guiding innovation for positive R&D outcomes e-book

PC or laptop
UK Visa for international students to enable you to undertake work-placement (to contact with Staffordshire University’s International Office for support)

This final 40-credit module will allow you to extend your learning experience whilst on work-placement or in your current employment (work-base) to formulate the Project that is focused on strategic international market expansion and growth plan for the organisation by undertake in-depth research (secondary and primary) to ascertain the feasibility of market expansion to a new international market.