Business Field Trip
| Module title | Business Field Trip |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEP3090 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Miss Stef Foley (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
The 21st century has so far combined labour market flexibility, knowledge work, digital networking, globalisation and innovation to create a dynamic context, which businesses have to navigate in order to survive. However, to fully appreciate and gain an understanding of the challenges which contemporary organisations face, it is important that students engage in learning outside of the lecture theatre
Building on existing knowledge of competitive business environments, the Business Field Trip (Cornwall) module will allow students to scrutinise aspects of strategic human resource management, economic behaviour, marketing, enterprise and planning in real time. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a number of national and international institutions. The module aims to integrate and focus prior learning through the practical experience of a business field trip, which will also allow students to network, carry-out primary research and meet fellow students while maintaining a strong employability focus by building on existing skills and knowledge.
The BEP3090 is an elective module with a value of 15 credits and will be assessed though a combination of presentations and assignments. It is research-led, and will enable you to critique organisational contexts, while linking theory to practice and enabling you to partake in international learning, research and experiences in line with the Business School’s overarching strategic aims.
A pre-requisite for this module is prior completion of BEP2040 Strategic Concepts for Business, which introduces a range of strategic frameworks and enables students to now operationalise them in order to critically analyse a range of organisational issues.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The purpose of this module is to further develop your understanding of business operation in a national or international context. You will be immersed in the chosen business environment, and have the opportunity to observe a range of businesses from an insider perspective, with the opportunity to meet and interview key members.
The module aim is to enable students to:
Observe and critically reflect on the context, structure, culture and sustainability of an organisation (but may also cover other academic areas, subject to approval of the module leader)
The distinctive features of this module are:
a) An opportunity to study a selected national or international organisation, and investigate an aspect of its operation that is of interest to you and also relevant to your employment aspirations.
b) An opportunity to take assessment outside the normal study period in a variety of formats (e.g. business games, reports, website, video, reflective learning portfolio).
c) An opportunity to engage with other students from across the globe in an intensive study period.
d) An opportunity to develop and practice interviewing and critical reflection skills, while demonstrating cross-cultural awareness during periods of study and socialisation.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Outline the external and internal factors that influence the operation of the chosen organisation.
- 2. Apply appropriate survey methodologies, while demonstrating awareness of the relative. strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
- 3. Manage a research project to completion.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Critically analyse and evaluate a business phenomenon, applying and consolidating previous knowledge.
- 5. Identify and implement, with limited guidance, appropriate methodologies and business frameworks.
- 6. Gain multi-cultural experience with a university/employer/voluntary body in another country.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Develop logical and reasoned arguments with sound, convincing conclusions and recommendations.
- 8. Communicate coherent arguments, evidence and conclusions using a variety of formats/media in a manner appropriate to the intended audience.
- 9. Collect, analyse and evaluate appropriate data and complete a range of research-like tasks with very limited guidance.
- 10. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary.
- 11. Critically reflect on multi-disciplinary learning experiences and evaluate personal and professional development.
Syllabus plan
You will be part of a field trip and visit an organisation on location within, or outside the UK.
You will be required to keep a research journal, detailing your own research journey, including impressions, learning and observations of the context, which will contribute to the assessments.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | 113 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 31 | Field Trip |
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 6 | Pre-trip workshops |
| Independent study | 113 | Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing group discussions and individual presentations on a contemporary ecological, political, sociological, technological, or economic issue observed during the field-trip. | To take place during the trip | 1 to 11 | Verbal feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Journey | 30 | 7-10 minute individual presentation | 5,6,8-11 | Verbal & Written |
| Research Report | 70 | 3500 words | 1-4, 7, 9 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Journey Research Report | Research Report (4500 words) | 1 to 11 | August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
A student will be referred in all failed components if the student fails the module with a mark of below 40% overall.
A student if deferred via a single component will be reassessed in that component only.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Core texts:
Huczynski, A., Buchanan, D. A., & Huczynski, A. A. 2013. Organizational behaviour (p. 82). London: Pearson.
Yin, R.K., 2013. Case study research: Design and methods. Sage publications.
Discussion texts:
Estey, K., 2011. Domestic workers and cooperatives: Beyondcare goes beyond capitalism, A Case Study in Brooklyn, New York. Working USA: The Journal of Labour and Society, 14, pp.347-365.
Sørensen, B.M., 2010. St Paul’s conversion: The aesthetic organization of labour. Organization Studies, 31(3), pp.307-326.
Valenzuela, F. and Böhm, S., 2017. Against wasted politics: A critique of the circular economy. ephemera: theory & politics in organization, 17(1), pp.23-60.
Bloisi, W., 2007. An introduction to human resource management. McGraw-Hill.
Handy, C., 1993. Understanding organizations. Penguin Uk.
Muff, K. (2014) The Collaboratory: A Co-Creative Stakeholder Engagement Process for Solving Complex Problems.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | BEP2040 Strategic Concepts for Business |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 31/03/2017 |
| Last revision date | 20/09/2019 |