module specification

The aim of the module is to prepare students to lead and develop people in a complex international environment, to build high performance teams and to create a productive work environment and culture.  Over the course of the module, you will learn from relevant contemporary research, theories, and examples of business practices both past and present.
Management and leadership go together in business organisations, with managers typically expected to lead others as part of their role. The module will examine the roles and responsibilities of manager and leader, and the demands on these roles in international, digitally enabled businesses.

Critical to the value of the module is the encouragement of continuous learning and reflection in order to be effective in a changing world. You will have the opportunity to assess their own capabilities using Strengthscope.

The aim of the module is to ensure that students will:

• understand the role of business leaders and business managers in creating successful business organisations, cultures and working environments
• have the necessary knowledge of leading, motivating and developing to enable them to take on a management role successfully
• be able to evaluate their own capabilities and skills in relation to managing themselves and leading others
• be equipped to assess the challenges associated with workplace change and make a valuable contribution to the management of change.

None

1. Introduction to Leadership (Learning Outcome (LO) 1, 2, 3, 4)

• leaders versus managers
• leadership attributes
• introduction to leadership theory
• leadership in a digital world
• introduction to reflective practice for leaders

2. Leadership Theory and Practice (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• decision making
• key leadership theories
• leadership styles

3. Groups and teams; local, virtual, international (LO 4)

• High performance teams
• Team roles
• Virtual teams

4. Understanding business organisations (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• organisational structure, governance and culture
• authority, power, and politics
• organisational values and ethics
• work and organisational design

5. Business organisations in context (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• understanding the international business management environment
• the relationship between shareholders, managers and employees; differences in the US, UK, Europe and Asia
• worker representation and trade unions

6. Leadership in an International Context (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• the GLOBE project
• understanding culture
• leadership development
• virtual teams

7. Motivation, Commitment and Engagement at Work (LO 2)

• employee motivation
• flexible working, zero hours contracts and the gig-economy
• the role of HRM professionals in the organisation

8. Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• links between diversity and business performance
• leadership and diversity
• legal requirements

9. Pay and Rewards (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• the link between pay and performance
• executive pay and rewards

10. Developing People (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• coaching and mentoring,
• feedback and appraisals
• personal development planning
• reflection

11. Leading change (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

• Theories of change
• Leadership in times of change
• Resistance to change

12. Assessment preparation

Students will have 36 hours of contact time through twelve 3-hour workshop sessions.

WebLearn will be used to guide students through additional independent study using case studies, videos, articles and other readings.

The module’s summative assessments include working collaboratively outside the classroom on a team assignment.

Students will also work independently to conduct self-analysis with the help of a Strengthscope personal assessment report. They use this report and draw on material covered in the module to help them understand and build a development plan relating to their personal strengths and personal development.

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

1. Critically evaluate the differences in business governance, leadership and management practices around the world
2. Critically evaluate approaches to motivating and engaging managers and employees.
3. Critically evaluate leadership research, theories and practices.
4. Demonstrate reflective thinking about their own capabilities and skills in order to develop as a leader and manager.

Assessment 1 (Academic Poster)

The first assessment for this module introduces students to the need to carry out independent research into a specified topic, theory or issue related to differences in business governance, leadership and management practices around the world using literature and secondary data, and to present it concisely in the form of a research poster. The assessment format requires students to demonstrate the skills required when presenting a synthesised argument with clarity and visual impact. This assessment addresses LOs 1 and 3. (1,500 words)

Assessment 2 (Team Presentation and Individual Reflection)

The second assessment requires students to work in teams and present their analysis and recommendations in the form of a presentation to be handed in as a video recording. Students will explore different approaches adopted by firms to motivate and engage managers and employees. The assessment challenges students to work collaboratively, develop their presentation skills and use technology effectively, all of which are key to successful leadership in the modern work environment. The assessment will address LO 2.

Formative assessment

In addition to achieving an aggregate pass on the above summative assessments, students will also need to submit an individual formative assessment in order to pass this module. This formative assessment comprises a (200 word) Personal Development Plan (PDP). To help them undertake this, students will do a self-report using the Strengthscope tool. They will then reflect on the report’s findings about their own skills and capabilities. Students will then formulate a plan that identifies what they need to do to develop as a manager and leader. This formative assessment addresses LO4.

(Students will revisit the PDP again later in the course, when they are working on their final submissions as part of the portfolio submitted for the 60 credit Business Consultancy Project.)

Textbooks:
Core Text:
Deresky, H. (2017) International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures, Text and Cases, Global Edition, Pearson Education Limited
Other Texts (additional reading):
There is an extensive list of additional reading material provided to students on a “week by week” basis

Reedling List Talis
https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/mn7000.html