TM9644 - Contemporary Business Enquiry

There will be 4 supporting lectures (1 hour duration), in the first 4 weeks of the module, these will present the key features of the module content, but the main vehicle for learning will be a 2-hour weekly workshop. From week 5 these weekly workshops will comprise of tutor supervision sessions between the tutor and students, allowing more tailored support and formative feedback to be provided on a 1 to1 basis.

The module builds on subject specific modules and allows you to develop your critical analysis of published research in your chosen discipline area. The module is supported by a teaching and learning plan which outlines the formal workshop sessions, together with tutor-directed study and independent reading.

Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and developing areas of interest in relation to your degree subject area, by providing deeper/ broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities such as reading, reflection and research.

The lecture and workshop sessions will be delivered by dedicated, experienced members of staff, subject experts relating to your chosen degree programme. This will be supported by an e-learning portal, which will house lecture material, workshop activities, assessment details and study support resources.

Formative support and feedback will take place through the use of workshop discussion and reflection. Further formative assessment will come from you working closely with your workshop tutor in the identification and analysis of your business problem/ issue. Tutor supervision sessions will be held from week 5 in the timetabled workshops to support students in their final choice of topic and problem focus.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• To undertake research, critically evaluate and apply theory to a contemporary business and management issue. (MLO1)
• To conduct an extended literature review involving critical evaluation of appropriate concepts, theories, models, frameworks and principles against business and management practice (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Apply appropriate methods to collection and analysis of the extant research (ML03

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• To interpret the implications of studies/ research in relation to current business and management practice (MLO4)

This module will be assessed by the submission of a 5,000 word literature review on a contemporary issue within the business and management discipline of their named programme. This will assess MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4.

Formative assessment will take place within workshop discussion and reflection, blended learning and online support. Further formative assessment will come from working closely with your workshop tutor in workshop sessions, though the identification and analysis of the business problem/issue. Criteria (including a detailed marking scheme) will be provided to enable you to understand assessment expectations and how you will be assessed on your performance.

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Contemporary Business Enquiry is the capstone to your degree programme. This module will help you draw on your range of knowledge and skills developed during your studies and/or work experience to review research literature and evaluate business and management responses to a contemporary issue. You will undertake an individual investigation into an applied business problem related to your programme specialism. This individual investigation will draw on relevant academic theories, concepts and frameworks and will result in a critical synthesis of business practice and academic theory.

The module will consist of a mixture of lectures, workshops and timetabled supervision meetings (usually within the workshop session). The workshop programme is supported by directed reading and integrated supervision sessions which will provide ongoing formative feedback and support. The majority of the module will be spent on guided independent study, in which students conduct their literature-based research and produce the literature review. On successful completion of the module, students will have a systematic and advanced understanding of a business topic of contemporary interest and a practical understanding of how to use research in evidence-based decision-making in a global business world. This module is particularly useful in that it makes you aware of current issues and areas of importance within your chosen academic discipline, which will give you an advantage in the employment market, whilst the focus on contemporary knowledge base, supported by investigative study skills will be useful for those students aspiring to higher level studies such as Masters’ programme.