Weighting: 100 %
Type: Assignment (L. O. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Brief Description: An individual MSc dissertation.
Length: max. 20 000 (excluding appendices).

Individual works of students on the MSc dissertation with the option to use support from a Dissertation tutors. For processing the dissertation – assignments from the modules Management Research Methods can be used.
The topic should be problem or issue based, preferably within operational and tactical level of management in the own organisation of the student and should be one that could lead to conclusions and recommendations that are practically useful for the organisation.
By writing the dissertation, the student must demonstrate:
Creativity, mental agility and appropriate learning habits and skills, such as:

a) Independence (willingness to learn without direction)
b) Helicopter mind ability to link the abstract to the specific
c) Ability to learn in a variety of ways
d) Having a complex rather than a simple understanding of the skills and qualities of management.
The student should therefore choose a topic which will afford the opportunity of exhibiting these competencies, for which data and information should be accessible. The tutorial support for the dissertation also involves attendance at dissertation support groups which will involve discussing data with other colleagues in the course. There should also be adequate literature used, including journal literature, available that is relevant to the topic being covered.

1. Demonstrate the ability to use research skills strategically and further develop knowledge and understanding sufficient for carrying out and writing up a managerial project at the Master’s level.
Learning

2. Demonstrate the ability to design a research knowledge management system and implement the research plan. Analyse, interpret and verify information gained from research.
Application

3. Demonstrate creativity in the application of knowledge in writing a succinct and convincing dissertation within the field of strategic management.
Reflection;
Enquiry

4. Communicate your conclusions of the planned research and followed suggested strategic plan in approaching the set up target to the specialist as to the non- specialist.
Communication

5. Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level. Reflection

The majority of the module is conducted through independent learning and reference to an assigned supervisor, who will convene at mutually agreed intervals. Communication between both parties can be, if agreeable, through face-to-face, intranet, e-mail and telephone.

a) Electronic consultations – virtual communication scheme
Theoretical knowledge, practical solutions as well as draft of assignment could be discussed via electronic communication scheme (of-line or on-line).
b) Electronic discussion groups
Knowledge, theoretical – practical findings, personal experience, different ideas of members of study cohort could be shared via virtual environment – discussion groups.
c) Personal consultations – advice with Dissertation tutor.
Based on student’s request, personal consultation and meeting could be seen as an important tool of learning process.
Theoretical knowledge and techniques developed through lectures and case studies will be applied to personal assignment. Final version of assignment is subject of assessment.

• Access to online SU library, E-brary, Beck online
• Students have course handbook and learning package at their disposal

FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS ONLY

The same as in case of Management Research Methods module.