INTRODUCTION & WELCOME TO THE MODULE
Welcome to the module! The module requires you to undertake a project to be submitted in the form of a report at the end of the course. The project is a very important part of the study programme. Its aims, content and manner of execution reflect the integrative nature of projects at Master’s level. This is a common practice on most taught postgraduate study programmes in the UK. In addition to applying theories studied in the different modules, you will be able to undertake an intensive study into a specific area of International Business of your choice. It is also envisaged that the different types of project chosen will be of practical relevance for you when you commence or re-commence your career.
The MA Project (7MNST003W) and MSc Project (7MNST004W) are 20 credit modules. The word limit for the final project should be between 10,000 – 12,000 words.
Your supervisor will be working with you from when you submit a proposed project title, to marking your proposal to guiding you before you hand in your project. This handbook will help to steer you, as well as providing tips on how to develop your project and manage the relationship with your supervisor. It is important that you plan your tutor meetings, because you will only have 4 or 5 face-to face meetings with your supervisor – so you need to ensure that they are as productive as possible. This means preparing for them in advance and taking on board the recommendations passed on to you. Do not expect your supervisor to write your project for you! You should use the ‘Meeting Logs’ that are included in the appendix. This is a good way to track your progress and ensure that your supervisor is providing their guidance most effectively.
Employability Link to the Module
| How this module curriculum & assessment enhances your employability |
Critical and creative thinker | The project develops your ability to critically source literature as well as collect data and tests your ability to present ideas in ways that communicate meaning with impact. |
Literate and effective communicator | The project report tests the ability of students to undertake an intensive study into a specific area of business and management of interest. |
| You are expected to look for sources of data, get an access to organisations and/or secondary sources thereby developing your skills for networking and reaching out to wider audience. |
Global in outlook and engaged in communities | Most projects are undertaken in international settings and require you to reflect on cultural dimensions of the study under consideration |
Socially, ethically and environmentally aware | We encourage you to undertake projects which look at subjects which have a social/environmental dimension. All projects are required to fulfil the ethics requirements of research |
Careers and Employability Service:
Westminster Employability Award:
Volunteering Opportunities:
MODULE AIMS, LEARNING OUTCOMES AND INDICATIVE CONTENT
MSc Project module aims to assess students’ ability to identify a business problem/issue worthy of investigation and also the ability to undertake an intensive study into a specific area of business and management of interest. As such, the process should reflect skills of formulating research questions/objectives, designing a methodology of enquiry appropriate to the investigation of the research problem, synthesising and critically analysing data, drawing insights and conclusions, and presenting findings in a systematic and coherent way.
MA Project module aims to test the analytical skills, motivation, the ability to organise a systematic study of a theme, time management and the presentation of a written report. The project is expected to reflect both a high order of independence in thinking and proficiency of execution of an academic task.
The MSc IBM and MA IBM Project modules are differentiated by the focus of topic, the type of research method(s) and the type of data analysis applied in the project.
For MSc IBM, it is expected that the majority of the projects will adopt a focus in Economics, Finance, Marketing Research or Leadership, and be more likely to apply quantitative or mixed methods and involve analysis of ‘hard’ and/or primary data. However, students are not prevented from applying qualitative data approaches and secondary sources to triangulate their findings. Also, other types of project are possible, subject to approval, such as a consultancy project. In all cases, the project must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the appropriate methodology.
For the MA IBM, it is expected that the majority of the projects will adopt a focus in for example Human Resource Management, Marketing Communications, Project Management and be more likely to apply qualitative or mixed methods and involve analysis of ‘soft’ and/or primary data. However, students are not prevented from applying quantitative data approaches and secondary sources, for instance, to triangulate their findings. Also, other types of project are possible, subject to approval, such as a consultancy project. In all cases, the project must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the appropriate methodology.
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
Investigate in depth an area of International Business by analysing a particular problem systematically, identifying causes and constraints and finding appropriate solutions to the problem
Apply proficiently the appropriate methodology of research to the analysis of an International Business problem
Derive appropriate conclusions from research and offer viable recommendations to enable the organization, business or institution to address the original problem
Work independently, conduct research investigation and present research findings in a professional manner
Indicative Syllabus Content
Students will be advised about the nature of the project and its aims and assessment criteria during an induction session at the beginning of their course. This will be underpinned by the Business Research Methods module.
There is no explicit taught element to this module but, under supervision, the student will be encouraged and directed to:
apply the knowledge of theoretical concepts, models and constructs learned from the course to the analysis of an issue in international Business and Management
integrate the theoretical knowledge and problem solving capabilities in relation to the research topic chosen
acquire transferable skills to undertake tasks in the analysis of modern international Business problems
test and consolidate the ability to apply the concepts, models, constructs and techniques learned on the course
enhance the capacity for independent action and competent presentation of results
Preparation for this module will include participation in the Business Research Methods module which includes a series of practically focused workshops, including those on SPSS, designed to prepare the students for their project.
Business Research Methods is a prerequisite for the Project module. This means you cannot proceed with the Project module until you pass the former.
The core and optional modules that make up the MA and MSc IBM courses enable students to acquire general and specialist knowledge in an area of business and management that is of particular interest. For example, for an MSc IBM student, one might choose 7MARK018W Quantitative Analysis for Marketing Management as an option to enhance quantitative research skills.
Each student will be allocated to a supervisor during their second semester. The supervisor will provide guidance on reading and data sources, as well as providing comment, encouragement and feedback at all stages of the work including supporting the students in refining their choice of project topic, advising students preparing the project proposal for the Business Research Methods module and discussing research outcomes when students are working towards their final project report.
Bear in mind that your proposal and dissertation are together worth 40 credits – effectively making it a double module. This means that, in total, the project will be challenging; you cannot expect to conduct a poorly thought-through survey and simply write up the results or undertake another essay or case study on a topic that has been done to death (such as ‘An analysis of Coke’s entry strategy into India’) and expect to pass. Projects involve hard work and require your commitment throughout the year.
The module is assessed by
The pass mark for the module is 50%. If your mark for the module is between 40-49%, you will be eligible to resubmit and your mark for this will be capped at 50%. Any overall mark less than 40% is a Fail and you will need to retake the module.
There are two modes of submission of the project - through on-line blackboard link AS WELL AS through submission of the hard copy. The details are as under:
ONE copy of the final report must be posted into the post box on the wall in the corridor near the WBS Registry counter. They should be properly bound (spiral bind or hard cover) Do not use an envelope when posting your projects.
Include - a completed CA1 form to the FRONT of ONE copy (it should be the first page/front cover and can be bound with the entire document).
Include -a single Library Consent Form to one copy (this can be placed behind the first page /front cover).
Upload - an electronic version of your project on this blackboard site.
Submission is only valid if all of the above items are submitted before the 13:00 hours deadline
Anonymous marking As the coursework for this module is assessed by student supervisors, it is exempt from anonymous marking.Page Break
Assessment rationale, methods and weightings
The assessment will be based on a final project submission (100%). The submitted and bound project will be in the range of 10,000 words, plus appropriate appendices. This word count will include the project proposal, which will be subsumed with the final submission.
The assessment is designed to ensure that the students acquire and demonstrate proficiency in framing, developing and executing a research project related to International Business and management.
The dissertation should fulfil the following requirements and will be graded accordingly:
Assessment
Tasks
