module specification

This module provides students with the opportunity to work on specific management and business problems  that organisations are facing,utilising their problem-solving skills and competences of handling and managing business challenges. Starting from problem identification and concluding with solution related recommendations, thus encouraging research into real world business and management issues impacting organisations.

Building Business Insights brings together the learning processes from the whole MBA programme. It encourages the synthesis of knowledge, theories and skills developed in the modules during the previous terms in order to provide realistic solutions to contemporary business and management challenges.

Educational Aims

This applied module aims to allow students to:

• Integrate their prior knowledge into an in-depth investigation of specific management and business problem or issue and present the results
• Facilitate the identification of topical issues in the business/management area of interest
• Assimilate theories and concepts drawn from different areas and the wider business/management literature
• Develop and implement strategies in information gathering, analysis, and synthesis, and in building compelling arguments
• Apply reflective practice, ensuring models and concepts can be used effectively in the critical evaluation of your performance.
• Synthesise knowledge, experience and reflective practice to continually develop professional skills and competences.

Examples of projects that you might consider include:

• Evaluation of an opportunity to enter a new market. This might be an international market where there is as yet no competition, a new value proposition for an SME, or an innovative start-up
Analysis and evaluation of a current management or business issue using the problem solving methodology, in a business sector you are interested in
• Evaluation of a specific firm’s strategy and performance e.g. how an energy firm such as BP is responding to climate change, or an automotive company responding to the impact of shared ride platforms on car ownershipAnalysis of disruption in an industry and the implications for a specific incumbent e.g. how should used car dealerships respond to the impact of online marketplaces like We Buy Any Car and MotorwayAnalysis of the impact of technology change on a company, industry or sector e.g. how are bots impacting online sales of scarce products such as limited availability fashion or tech productsAnalysis of trends to create potential strategic scenarios for a firm or industry e.g. what are the future scenarios for car manufacturers in terms of the next dominant designAnalysis of competition in a specific market or industry and recommendations for a specific company e.g. global competition in the rapidly growing e-scooter industry.Creating a business plan for a new business.

100 credits gained at Level 7

This is a business project related module

This is a project module with the majority of the time invested in guided research and portfolio development. Students will attend 12 hours of workshop based teaching at the start of the module and also be able to access 12 hours of supervision time.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Solve business problems in the context of their chosen area to be investigated, with the use of appropriate evidence-based information and theory.

2. Discuss and critically evaluate the different perspectives of related evidence-based and theoretical literature, including appropriate referencing from diverse sources.

3. Demonstrate acumen in the design, planning, selection and collection of secondary data and evidence in investigating the chosen problem.

4. Communicate effectively including your collection of data and evidence in the form of reports using appropriate formats and structure.

5. Utilise reflective practice techniques to critique your performance and identify improvements.

6. Demonstrate the development of independent and self-managed learning.

This module is assessed through the submission of a portfolio.
The portfolio is a collection of work that shows how you have achieved the intended learning outcomes of the module and the total word count should not exceed 10,000 words.

Your portfolio will have three components as shown below.

1. Building Business Insights Project (80% of portfolio grade)

Word count: up to 8,000 words (excluding contents page, title, bibliography, references and appendices)

Your report should include the rationale for the project, the business context including approach, findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations using the 
the business problem solving methodology (MN7027) covering definition of the problem, disaggregation of the problem structure and solution drivers, prioritisation of solution pathways, a workplan, analysis and findings and synthesised conclusions. 

You are expected to draw upon a wide range of management knowledge to inform your approach and to justify or critique your final conclusions and recommendations.

2. Reflective Practice Report (10% of portfolio grade)

Word count: 1,000 words (excluding references)

A report that reflects upon:

The learning journey: Students to reflect on the challenges faced during the development of the Business insights Report , how the student dealt with them, what they learned and what they would do differently if experienced again.

3. Reflective Practice video presentation (10% of portfolio grade)

Time limit: 10 minutes recorded

A recorded video using slides uploaded to YouTube (unlisted) that reflects upon:

In what ways the learning journey benefited you as a professional and an individual. This is a brief critical analysis of the value you have added through both the execution in Building Business Insights project and your professional experience. Please discuss:

A) How the submitted elements of the portfolio meet the module learning outcomes and
B) Articulate the relevance of the experience gained within this module has to your future career aspirations and identify any future development needs.

All three components must be submitted.

https://bblearn.londonmet.ac.uk/webapps/blackboard/content/launchLink.jsp?course_id=_46421_1&tool_id=_2924_1&tool_type=TOOL&mode=cpview&mode=reset

In addition to the core text for this module,  students will be expected to draw upon a wide range of knowledge from reading already undertaken throughout their programme and research contextual to their topic under investigation

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students. 8th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited

Pacer, W., (2019) Research Methods: Concepts and Connections, 2e, Worth Publishers

Conn C., McLean R., (2019) Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything, John Wiley & Son

Bolton, G., (2014) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, 4e, Sage Publications

Robson, C. (2016). Real World Research. 4th Ed, Chichester, John Wiley & Sons

Schein, E. (2013). Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.

Articles

Cunliffe, A. & Hibbert, P. (2013). Responsible Management: Engaging Moral Reflexive Practice Through Threshold Concepts. Journal of Business Ethics [online]. Vol 127, 177-188.

Journals

• Harvard Business Review
• Journal of Management Inquiry
• International Studies of Management and Organisation
• British Journal of Management