International Business Management with Project Management – MSc

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, students will learn from relevant contemporary research, theories, and examples of business practices both past and present.

On successful completion of this module students will:

• critically evaluate the differences in business governance, leadership and management practices around the world 
• critically evaluate approaches to motivating and engaging managers and employees.
• critically evaluate leadership research, theories and practices.
• demonstrate reflective thinking about their own capabilities and skills in order to develop as a leader and manager.

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

Students will have 12 hours of contact time through six 2-hour online workshop sessions. 

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

Note:  1 credit = 10 hours’ learning

The module looks at some of the challenges of managing operations and technology as well as the management of associated projects. In particular, the challenge of aligning, integrating and managing against common control gates and decision points the different competing life cycles involved. These included but are not limited to the New Product Cycle and NCD cycle, systems engineering cycle; purchasing and procurement cycle and the future technology intercept strategy and road map. 

The global nature of business, and the way in which technology is and may be used, raise considerable ethical and moral challenges that must also be considered. The module each week will focus on the role of technology in operations and business more generally, and any ethical and moral questions this raises.

Analysis, for example through process mapping, and problem solving using both case studies and other active learning exercises will underpin the teaching of the module.

On successful completion of this module students will:

• analyse how technology is and may be used in the future to deliver value.
• critically evaluate the contribution of operations management and information systems to a business organisation’s strategic aims.
• critically evaluate the key concepts and theories of digital business.
• critique key concepts and theories within the areas of operations management, service operations, and process management.

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

Students will have 12 hours of contact time through six 2-hour online workshop sessions. 

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

Note:  1 credit = 10 hours’ learning

Business strategy addresses the choices firms make as they set their mission and goals, make decisions in relation to positioning and which markets to enter, and develop their business models. They do this in the context of the external environment, addressing changes in technology, government intervention, competitor actions, customers and markets.

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

• analyse the environment of a firm, both internal and external, current and future, to identify sources of competitive advantage and disadvantage, and opportunities and threats.
• critically evaluate strategic direction and strategic options in complex current and future business environments to inform executive decisions. 
• critically evaluate strategic information, insights and recommendations.
• communicate strategic analysis and recommendations clearly, concisely and effectively
• appraise the strategic decision-making process.

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

The module will be delivered online through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous material. Lectures will deliver information and present problems appropriate to the topic under consideration. 

Full use will be made of online opportunities including video recordings, the business simulation, online tests, case study discussion points. 

Seminars will provide students with opportunities for discussion and activities in small groups and at whole class level. Students will have the opportunity to practice their presentation skills.

Note:  1 credit = 10 hours’ learning (i.e. 30 credits should total 300 hours)

This Module makes the link between strategy and Programme, Project and Portfolio Management (P3M), examines P3M theory and practice, including the construction of the business case for a programme or project and the relevant financial theory. 

Students will gain knowledge and understanding of a range of business programme and project types that depend for success on a good understanding of business, change management, and programme and project management.

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

• critically evaluate P3M tools, methods and practices.
• demonstrate systematic understanding and consistent and coherent application of theories of change in the context of transforming organisations.
• critically evaluate the performance of a programme, project, project portfolio or PMO.
• communicate effectively in relation to Programmes, Projects and Portfolios.

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

In addition to the 36 hours of workshops students will receive guidance and material via WebLearn in support of their studies.

Note:  1 credit = 10 hours’ learning (i.e. 30 credits should total 300 hours)

This module deals with the core activities of project management as set out in the APM BOK version 7, making comparisons with the PMBOK and PRINCE.  The focus is primarily on managing a highly predictive project where the output is clearly defined and understood, for example a building construction project. Consideration is also given to projects where the solution emerges in an iterative or evolutionary way and so Agile methods are also introduced.

Students will develop the ability to create, manage and close projects effectively, and to make use of project management software.  The module will introduce relevant theories and research in relation to projects as temporary social organisations, the categorisation of project types, the nature and management of risk, and the importance of stakeholder communication and management.

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

• critically evaluate leading edge project management theory and practice.
• demonstrate a critical understanding of risk within a project management context. 
• analyse and evaluate a business case in order to inform project management decision making.
• solve project planning, budgeting, tracking and change problems using MS Project throughout the lifecycle.
• communicate clearly and professionally project plans, costs, benefits and risks throughout the life of a project.

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

The module requires students to act as independent learners, following the guidance for study on the VLE.  Learning and Teaching activities will include lectures, discussion, topical issues such as Cross Rail, practical exercises and case studies. Students will need to be proficient in the use of both MS Project and Microsoft Excel or equivalents in order to complete the assessments and will need to master the use of this software during the module using the guidance provided.

Reflection is included in the assessment.

This module will address the critical issue of how current thinking on sustainability will impact on businesses and organisations and how they respond. 

This module will examine the current and future challenges, it will equip students with knowledge to deal with the challenge of creating sustainable forms of business that operate within ecological and socio-economic limits.

It will explore the sustainability context, and how business practices will need to evolve to reflect the realities of operating within a globalised trading system that is striving to apply sustainability principles.

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

• analyse complex data and theoretical concepts to demonstrate an understanding of the context of sustainability and related core theories to enable students to assess sustainability and evaluate its complex inter-relationships.
• develop a systematic understanding and substantive investigation of sustainability, measurement and corporate governance in the 21st century, reviewing and analysing industry competitors using state-of-the-art published reports.

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

The module will be delivered online through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous material. Lectures will deliver information and present academic problems appropriate to the topic under consideration. Full use will be made of online opportunities including video recordings, online tests, web-based simulation/ case study discussion points. Seminars will provide students with opportunities for discussion and activities in small groups and at whole class level, presentations, short writing exercises and reflection, usually on the topics covered in the lecture of the same week. Students will have the opportunity to practice their presentation skills. Reflection is included in the assessment.

Learning materials and opportunities will be made available on the VLE. Students will be expected to read and reflect upon the work covered so far through the module. 

Progress will be facilitated via weekly online debates and discussion, where students will not only consider their own responses but also read those of their peers in the seminar.

This module provides you with the opportunity to work on specific business issues that organisations are facing. Utilising your competences of handling and managing business challenges, starting from problem identification and concluding with solution-related recommendations, thus encouraging research into real world business issues impacting organisations. 

Useful and applied business research, like useful reflection, leads to change. To that end, students will be encouraged to take a pragmatic approach to their research, seeking always to create actionable conclusions of value to business managers, owners and entrepreneurs.

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

• demonstrate good judgment in the planning, selection, prioritisation and collection of evidence to investigate the chosen issue or topic via primary and/or secondary data 
• analyse and evaluate the findings of their research based on the primary and/or secondary data collected and in the light of the appropriate theoretical background and the constraints introduced by practical and real-life business issues.
• communicate effectively the business project conclusions and recommendations including presentation of quantitative/qualitative data in appropriate format and a well-structured professional report
• demonstrate personal accountability and integrity in their work, leading to achieving the status of a trusted business advisor
• demonstrate the development of independent and self-managed learning

The balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity within the module

The student at this stage is an independent learner supported by a supervisor.