module specification

This module will enable students to build skills and knowledge in problem solving and research that will support their studies throughout the programme and provide the essential foundation for their final project. In addition to developing problem solving skills students will develop a proposal for their final project that will completed during the final term of their course.

This module will enable students to build skills and knowledge in problem solving and research that will support their studies throughout the programme and provide the essential foundation for their final project. In addition to developing problem solving skills students will develop a proposal for their final project that will completed during the final term of their course. This module will help prepare students to become well-informed and effective managers, business owners and entrepreneurs able to lead, manage and solve problems in dynamic and complex environments. The emphasis is on the practical skills of problem solving, critical thinking, presenting proposals, researching, analysing and making recommendation for a senior management or executive audience.

The aims of the module are to ensure that students:

· have a range of tools and frameworks for solving complex problems
· appreciate the challenges in generating relevant evidence that improves business decision making and performance
· can critically evaluate business research and consultancy findings and reports
· can assess the ethical and access issues of conducting consultancy and research in business and can plan accordingly. · can apply suitable project planning methods to problem solving and consultancy
· can work through and plan for the practical challenges of business problem solving, including defending choices on the data gathering and analysis approach

The module is intended to prepare students to critically read and evaluate research and practice within their chosen field of study and then to prepare a proposal for their final project

None

Available for Study Abroad? NO.

· Introduction to Problem Solving (1,2,3)
· Problem Solving: Definition, Disaggregation and Prioritisation (1)
· Theories and Frameworks (1)
· Problem Solving: Analysis and Work Planning (1)
· Desk Research, Literature Review and Secondary Data (1,3)
· Gathering Quantitative Data (1)
· Gathering Qualitative Data (2)
· Quantitative Data Analysis (2)
· Qualitative Data Analysis (2)
· Problem Solving: Synthesis and Presentation (2)
· Problem Solving: Dealing with Long time frames and High uncertainty (2)
· Project Proposals (2,3)

Students will attend weekly 3-hour workshops during which time they will receive material in the form of lectures/discussions, discuss case studies and current issues. They will also complete a range of activities including complex problem solving exercises

WebLearn will be used in support of blended learning to provide the reading list, lecture recordings, additional video material and items of topical interest

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

1. Apply suitable theories and frameworks to analyse and create solutions to business problems using robust and defensible methods
2. Design and plan an effective, practical business problem solving project
3. Communicate clearly and effectively problem analysis and solutions, and research findings.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/D13BDEA1-2B6C-A86E-A862-0C7C62E5A651.html?lang=en&login=1

Journals:
· Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods
· Harvard Business Review
· Journal of Business Research
· Journal of Small Business Management
· Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development
· London Business School Review
· MIT Sloan Management Review
· MIT Technology Review
· Small Enterprise Research

Websites:
www.grouppartners.net
www.mckinsey.com
www.mindmapping.com
www.bain.com

Electronic Databases:

Bloomberg
Fame
Mintel