Tackling Global Challenges: An Extended Perspective
| Module title | Tackling Global Challenges: An Extended Perspective |
|---|---|
| Module code | MBAM957 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 10 |
| Module staff | Ms Jackie Bagnall (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 3 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
Module description
This module extends the study that opened the MBA programme, drawing upon the thinking, tools, and culture of the Exeter MBA. It is intended as a synthesis of all learning, designed to enable students to demonstrate their understanding of significant global challenges and the risks that they pose to business and society.
It requires an overview of progressive business thinking and the frameworks that offer a path to building business resilience. The module links to the materials initially covered in Tackling Global Challenges and Developing an Ethical Perspective and subsequent materials covered within the programme. There is an expectation that students are able to build upon their earlier thinking and in light of the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic, can locate and critically engage with academic literature, current scientific evidence and futures thinking in response to the assignment.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Consolidate the strategic managerial thinking from across the MBA programme, this is an opportunity to engage with evidence to analyse the challenges faced by business and society in the current situation. Taking a macroeconomic perspective, drawing on systems thinking and complexity science, this is an opportunity to engage in an in-depth piece of self-directed research and critical thinking.
Offered in term 3 the module aims to enable students to:
(1) Explore the emerging COVID-19 crisis and the economic and social risk it poses
(2) Take a deep analytical look at the implications of this global challenge
(3) Engage with both systems thinking and complexity science to understand its impact to business and society
(4) Pull together a variety of models and critical thinking tools to hypothesise opportunities and threats
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. identify the significance of emerging global risks and analyse their likely impact upon business, society and the environment;
- 2. critically analyse the nature of complexity and its relationship to the global system that business operates within;
- 3. analyse emerging business models (such as the sharing economy, the circular economy and the performance economy) and appraise their suitability to positively impact global risks;
- 4. interpret ethical theories in order to critically reflect upon the ethical consequences of any proposed course of managerial action.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. research and evaluate the ethical implications of contemporary global risks upon both business and society;
- 6. critically analyse global risk reports in order to draw a considered conclusion on the implications for business and society.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. present and defend strategic analyses in written form based on case material and desk based research;
- 8. give and receive feedback at all levels, building confidence and developing trust that enables student to take more assertive actions in the achievement of academic goals;
- 9. improve personal effectiveness through consciously and diligently developing own communication skills.
Syllabus plan
Return to the main MBAM954 ELE page for additional materials – this is a self-directed research module.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Research, reading, analysis, writing |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit essay title and approach taken. | 500 words | 1-9 | Online tutor feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment (individual) | 100 | 5,000 words | 1-9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment (individual) | Individual Assignment (5,000 words, 100%) | 1-9 | Four weeks after briefing |
Re-assessment notes
The new assignment will have a brief which contains a different emphasis to the initial assignment.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2015). Towards a circular economy business rationale for an accelerated transition.
Mason, P. (2016). Postcapitalism: A guide to our future. London: Penguin Books.
World Economic Forum. (2016). Global risks report 2016. www3.weforum.org/docs/Media/TheGlobalRisksReport2016.pdf
World Economic Forum. (2016). Global agenda council on risk & resilience: Resilience insights.
www3.weforum.org/docs/GRR/WEF_GAC16_Risk_Resilience_Insights.pdf
WWF. (2014). Living planet report. wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/all_publications/living_planet_report/
Zolli, A., & Healy, A.M. (2012). Resilience: Why things bounce back. London: Headline Publishing Group
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2004). Business ethics: A European perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fisher, C., & Lovell, A. (2009). Business ethics and values: Individual corporate and international perspectives (3rd ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education.
| Credit value | 10 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 22/03/2020 |
| Last revision date | 26/03/2020 |