This module will allow the student to apply business and management knowledge gained from previous learning experience and to integrate and apply that knowledge to a number of `real' international organisations with the aim of producing a consultancy focused international business project

You will take part in a 1-week international residential schedule involving:

Visits to domestic and foreign national and multi-national organisations in both service and manufacturing sectors. You will have the opportunity to inspect business processes and to learn about business operations and strategies from senior managers in the host organisation. You also get the opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session with senior managers.

There will also be approximately 5 hours of lectures by host country specialists on topics such as the host country's business environment (key economic facts, FDI, etc.) and aspects of the host country's business culture.

Pre-residential workshops will be held to support learning.

Identify and critically evaluate and select appropriate methodologies to address a range of complex international business problems.

Analysis, Enquiry.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of international consumer and the impact of culture on the international marketplace.

Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Communication.

Critically evaluate, both individually and as a team, complex issues both systematically and creatively to make sound judgements in the absence of incomplete data to design and employ appropriate and innovative solutions in complex and unpredictable international marketplace.

Problem Solving, Analysis, Application, Communication.

Critically analyse and reflect on your own contribution in terms of individual and team objectives and outputs.

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

Wickham, L. and Wilcock, J. Business and Management Consultancy - Delivering and Effective Project, Pearson U.K., 2020

Manville, G., Matthias, O. and ¿ Campbell, J., Management Consultancy Insights and Real Consultancy Projects, Francis and Taylor, 2017


*More current and updated textbooks will be included to support learning.

PC or laptop

Visa application for International Residential trip depends on the Country Embassy requirements

The module will allow you to extend your knowledge and learning experience as an international business consultant as you will be able to explore trends and challenges of the dynamic nature of business within the global context.

The International Consultancy in Practice module will be core for Programme where you will take part in a one-week international residential which will involve numerous company visits and lectures by host country specialists in Semester 3. This module will introduce you to the wider multinational environment. You will be required to undertake real-live case analysis of a diverse range of industry sectors. This will include investigative visits to several multinational organisations. This module will allow you to apply international business and management knowledge gained from previous learning and/or experience and integrate that knowledge to produce a consultancy focused management/business project. The learning experience will help to further develop a comprehensive set of skills that will enhance your employability as

graduates in the international context. This module is one of the key differentiators on the MSc International Business Management.

Due to the integrative nature of this module, along with the strong emphasis on independent learning, there will be three elements of assessments:

The first two elements allow you the opportunity to complete assessments whilst information gained on the residential is still fresh in their minds. It also allows for early formative and summative feedback to you and provides an early indication to you of how they are performing against key learning outcomes.

The final assessment at the end of the trip to allows you the opportunity to reflect on the learning process and to compare it to other modules.

Assessment 1: Team pre-work researching the companies and host country plus completion of group company worksheets during the international residential (30% weighting). Assesses learning outcome 1.

Assessment 2: Team consultancy presentation during the residential, 20 minutes presentation with and questions (50% weighting). Assesses learning outcomes 2 and 3

Assignment 3: End of trip individual written reflection of 1000 words (20% weighting). Assesses learning outcome 4.

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-sat and the maximum mark that can be achieved for the module will then be 50%.

Assessments workshops will be set up to support both sets of assessments to support learning and development of assessments. Formative feedback on your individual and group performance will be provided in a variety of ways throughout the module in individual and group discussions with teaching staff and residential sessions.

There will be no weekly lectures or tutorials for this module. Before the international company visits (whilst on campus):

You are expected to attend 3 three-hour preparatory workshop/s covering key aspects of the international residential visits and assessment tasks. The first session will be an introduction to the module and will be held in week 2. Key themes and concepts discussed in the workshops will be developed further throughout the schedule, for example. in a de-briefing session linking key theories to company visits. At this stage you are also expected to further develop independent learning skills by carrying out research into the host country and the companies to be visited.

During the international company visits: 35-learning hours whilst abroad)

You will work in groups and will be given the opportunity to learn from industry talks and observation, that is, organisational visits and formal/informal interaction with experts. After each organisational visit you will complete pre-issued group worksheets where relevant theories and concepts will be identified and linked to the specific organisational situation (learning outcome 1 and 2). All group worksheets will be submitted for assessment on the last day of the residential.

After the international company visits (during the residential trip):

There will be no formal input from the lecturers. You are expected to continue to work:

1. In your teams to produce the Consultancy Team Presentation (Assignment 2) during day 4 of residential trip.

2. Independently to produce the final individual written assessment (Assignment 3) end of the residential trip.

You will be expected to perform set exercises, these will include the analysis, discussions and presentation of research-based work both individually and as part of a learning group and will receive formative feedback.

You will be expected to obtain supplementary information from electronic sources as part of their preparation, as recommended by the lecturer.

Contact will include a mixture of small and/or larger group activities, based on the principles of practice and problem-based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where you will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem or issue, and you will work towards a range of creative solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter. You will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of international business, and to bring a range of insights based on online research and reading to support learning and engagement with all key topics.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, analytical and decision-making skills, as well as research, teamwork, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of a wide range of digital resources to support learning.