Module Guide for contemporary business issues PDF

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Module Guide for contemporary business issues...

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Faculty of Business and Law

Department: Management and Entrepreneurship Module code/Title: CORP3543 - Contemporary Business Issues Academic Year: 2019-2020

Credit value: 30

Module Leader: Ibrahim Rufai Email:

[email protected]

Room:

HU. 4.82

Advice and Feedback hours: Monday, 15:00 – 17:00

Assessment Overview Type Length Weighting Deadline

Return date

Assessment 1 Presentation 5-8 minutes 40% Weeks 10,11, 15,16,17,18,19,2 0 21 and 23 Feedback in Tutorial

Assessment 2 1 Essay Q from 3 and 30 MCQs (Multiple Choice) Exam 2 hours 60% See exam timetable

Note: all coursework must be submitted electronically via Turnitin by the deadlines unless there are mitigating circumstances. Information on penalties and late submissions can be found at: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-support-office/deferral-ofassessments.aspx The Faculty is committed to a 20 day turnaround time for the marking and return of coursework. The turnaround time does not include weekends, bank holidays or university closure days.

CBI CORP3543

MODULE GUIDE 2019 / 2020 Module Aim Why do Businesses behave as reported, observed and analysed by businesses themselves and their numerous stakeholders: business executives, employees, media, academics, civil societies and the general public? This module is designed to critically evaluate how current issues in BUSINESS DECISIONS are influenced by both Economics and Politics in a global context. Strong emphasis is devoted to analysing the causes of major world events and examining how business managers confront the various events and scenarios that these might produce.

Objectives and Learning Outcomes: 1 Critically evaluate differing views/perspectives on curent business issues and apply the appropriate theories to derive balanced and informed opinions (1) 2 Carry out quality primary and secondary research as an independent learner (1,2) 3 Produce logical, well-presented and coherently argued analyses (1) 4 Develop academic research techniques, justifying research questions and reviewing literature from a variety of perspectives (1,2)

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Index CBI Team:

5

Lecture Schedule:

7

Assessment Summary

8

Individual presentation task

9

Presentation schedule

10

Final Examination

11

Reading

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Assessment Regulations

13

Grade Descriptors

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The Teaching Team Dr. Ibrahim Rufai Office: HU 4.82 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: 6315 Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Monday 15:00 17:00

Dr. Sergey Sosnovskikh Office: HU 4.40 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: 4831 Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Tuesday 16:00pm - 17:00pm Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am

Dr. Seun Kolade Office: HU 4.57 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: 7358 Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours:

Neil Sherif Office: HU 4.105 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Jack Brown Office: HU 5.91 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Wednesday 14:00pm - 15:00pm

Miss Tracy Luceno Office: HU 5.91 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Wednesday 14:00pm - 16:00pm 4|Page

Milan Gyanwali Office: HU 1.37 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Wednesday 11:00am - 12:00pm Friday 10:00am – 11:00am Pegah Khoshnevis Office: HU 5.91 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Wednesday 14:30pm - 15:30pm Thursday 10:30am – 11:30am Babar Syed Office: HU 1.31 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Taseer Ahmad Office: HU 1.31 Faculty of Business & Law, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom Ext: Email: [email protected] Advice and Feedback Hours: Wednesday 15:00pm – 17:00pm

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Lecture Schedule You will normally have a two-hour lecture period each week. All lectures will commence on the hour and end ten minutes before the final hour. Your lecturer will choose when to have breaks but it will be a total of fifteen - minute breaks during lectures. Please use the break(s) between the lectures to ask any questions that you have about this module. Due to the contemporary nature of the module, changes in emphasis or content may occur if major new issues arise that deserve coverage. This year we are introducing a new lecturing team that includes a number of Lecturers who will discuss topics related to their research in the context of this module AND YOUR PROGRAMME FOCUS of Accounting Finance; ie, Measurement of business impact of the issues under discussion.

Term One Lecture Schedule: Week 1:

Introduction to the module

Week 2:

Measurement of the global economy

Week 3:

Globalization

Week 4:

Preparation for PowerPoint Project and Presentation

Week 5:

Economic Integration, Eurozone, and Brexit

Week 6:

ENGAGEMENT WEEK (Check Blackboard)

Week 7:

National Difference in Economic Development

Week 8:

International Trade Theories

Week 9:

Government Policy and International Trade

Week 10:

Corporate Social Responsibility & Business Ethics 1

Week 11:

Corporate Social Responsibility & Business Ethics 2

Term Two Lecture Schedule: Week 15:

Regional Economic Integration

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Week 16:

Emerging Economies and the Labour Market

Week 17:

Foreign Direct Investment and Sino-African Relationships

Week 18:

The Role of the Government and State-Business Relations

Week 19:

Preparation for the multiple-choice and essay question for the examination

Week 20:

Business and Govt. – Lobbying and influencing Politics, Reputation Mgt.

Week 21:

The Economic Influence and Control Exhibited by Businesses

Week 22:

ENGAGEMENT WEEK (Check Blackboard)

Week 23:

Revisit Possible Exam Questions: Topics TBA

Week 24:

Innovation Technology and Human Capital

Week 25:

Contemporary Business – Globalised Resources, Logistics and Environmental Impact

Week 26:

MCQ Test / Preparation & Revision

Week 27:

MCQ Test / Preparation & Revision (2)

Week 31: Week 31:

Self study Examination Week (Module exam to be confirmed by the examination office)

Assessment Summary There is no group work in the final year of undergraduate studies and so each student will be solely assessed on their own work. . As a result, and as you can see from the summary graphic below, there are now two individual assessments, namely: Your presentation (including the essay element); and the end of year MCQ examination plus a choice of an essay question out of three options . 7|Page

weeks 10,1121-23 40%

Exam May 2020 60%

Presentation

You will be given guidance presentation skills during your first 3 seminar sessions. All assignments will be submitted via Turnitin DO NOT submit a hard (paper) copy to the Student Advice Centre. Upload your PRESENTATION to YOUR TUTORS CORRECT TURNITIN assignment button

no later

than 11.59,

2 days prior or the Friday BEFORE a Monday / Tuesday PRESENTATION in the NEXT WEEK. This will allow your Tutor 24 hours to preview your 5 SLIDESHOW pages PLUS 3 other written pages of Analysis required for this assignment.

In-course reassessment:

Where a student attempts, yet fails the first unit of assessment they can resubmit without this counting as a formal re-sit opportunity. In such cases, and where the student then passes this component, the mark is capped at 40%.

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Individual Presentation tasks

Assignment 1 Presentation Each student may choose the subject area that they would like to cover in their presentation. Thus, Students could choose or be allocated any of the five topics set out below. Please note that the topics\themes below are optional, and indicative only. Therefore, you are free to frame your presentation within the scope of the module’s coverage if you wish. Weeks 10 & 11 The economy of USA and its influence on Global Business or the concept of Protectionism Weeks 15 &16 The economy of China and its influence on Global Businesses or the concept of economic liberalisation Weeks 17 & 18 The effects of BREXIT on business decision making Weeks 19* & 20 Rise of emerging economies and implications for global business Weeks 21 & 23 CSR, Business Ethics or Climate Change Your task is to demonstrate to your audience during your mini-presentation that there is a direct link between your chosen topic and business. You must submit to turnitin 24 hours before the date / time of your presentation in POWER POINT DOCUMENT format. The Turnitin power point must include a short Literature Review of your chosen topic area (see below) These will be included as powerpoint slides but will not be presented due to short time allowed for the presentation Literature Review: 200-300 (20%) Research and topic background: You must include in your submission, a 200 - 300 word literature review of your chosen topic for presentation using non-academic and academic sources predominantly. Your audience will need to be convinced that you have not simply fabricated your ideas. It is absolutely essential that you support your argument with supporting researched, referenced views and/or data from reputable sources

Analytical Framework(s): 300-500 words (40%) An argument or point of view not convincing if you do not clearly demonstrate that you have considered the standpoint of others and either rejected them or used them to support and validate your perspective. . You must analyse the point of view of the various key

sources used in your presentation.

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Seminar\Presentation Schedule Seminar 1 (weeks 1 or 2 depending upon your personal timetable): Introduction by your tutor on the new seminar programme. This session will include:     

An introduction by your tutor to the new seminar programme; A full briefing on the requirements of your Individual Presentation (IP); Advice on how to get the most out of your IP; Information on how your IP will be judged; and: Allocation of IP dates.

Seminar 2 (weeks 3 or 4 depending upon your personal timetable): Tutor- led discussion and revisit to advice / allocation of Individual Presentations Students: discussion - Globalisation, homogenous or diverse business culture Trans National Corporations and the impact of International Banking and Finance Seminar 3 (weeks 5 or 7 depending upon personal timetable): Students: practice presentations. Seminar 4 (weeks 8 or 9 depending upon personal timetable): Students: practice presentations. Seminar 5 (week 10 or11 depending upon personal timetable): Students: individual presentations. Seminar 6 (week 15 or16 depending upon personal timetable): Students: individual presentations. Seminar 7 (week 17 or 18 depending upon personal timetable): Students: individual presentations. Seminar 8 (week 19 or20 depending upon personal timetable): Students: individual presentations. Seminar 9 (week 21 or 23 depending upon personal timetable): Students: individual presentations.

During weeks 24 – 28, seminar sessions will be reinforcing the lecture topics as well as focusing on preparation for the final examinations.

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Final Examination CORP3543: Contemporary Business Issues Date: May 2020 (First Attempt) Time allowed: Two Hours. Instructions to candidates: Attempt ALL questions. _________________________________________________________________________

This element of the module’s assessment is worth 60% of the overall module mark. Due to the highly contemporary nature of the module, the syllabus and its emphasis can change from year to year. As a consequence, previous examination papers are not always a perfect guide. However, for reference, mock exams and a copy of last year’s exam will be made available to you on Blackboard. The examination will be part-seen in as much as you will be told of the topic areas well in advance of the exam period (see Lecture Schedule). The format of the exam will comprise two components, an essay and 30 multiple choice exam style questions. This year, the multiple choice style questions which require you to critically reflect on theories and contemporary business issues. A copy of last year’s multiple choice exam will be made available on Blackboard.

Reading RECOMMENDED CORE TEXT: Contemporary Business Issues: A Custom Book Covering Most of the Topics on this Module; 1st edition Charles W. L. Hill. Mcgraw-Hill. 2019 Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy; 7th edition . Peter Dicken. Sage, London. 2015 Also recommended: Mankiw, N.P. and Taylor, M.P., Economics ,3rd edn. Cengage Learning. 2014 Alan Rugman Rajnees Narulah and Simon Collinson, 7th Edition, International Business

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Assessment Regulations Assessment strategies: The module has been designed to encourage students to think deeply, critically, and from a number of different perspectives. The assignments enable the student to examine topical business-related issues in depth. The use of a multiple choice partially seen exam also facilitates the learning process. The multiple choice test aims to test the Students general knowledge and understanding of the theories and current issues affecting businesses. Students will be advised, towards the end of the module, of the general subject areas that will appear on the exam. They will not be given the exact examination questions. Students are then expected to develop greater understanding through extensive reading using a range of sources. It will not be sufficient to just rely on material given in lectures, and the student should develop their own ideas, opinions, and examples. The multiple choice test is to be delivered under closed-book examination conditions and to be completed within a 2 hour timeframe. Assessment criteria: The assessment criteria require:  Evidence of wide & relevant (and correctly referenced) reading and research;  Presentation of a balanced and well considered argument;  Originality;  Good use of appropriate frameworks, theory or models;  Good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of models used;  A logical conclusion fitng the arguments presented; and:  Demonstration of a clear and concise writing style.

Plagiarism, collusion, poor academic practice including inadequate referencing and late (unauthorised) submissions will be specifically penalised. 1. Suspicion of plagiarism, collusion, and poor academic practice will be investigated in accordance with University regulations and may be referred to the Faculty’s Academic Practice Officer (APO). Proven evidence of any academic offence may result in failure of this module and could result in additional disciplinary action by the University, including expulsion, dependent on circumstances. It is a requirement of this module that the written assignments are submitted in typed format, via Blackboard. Failure to upload the submission will result in a zero score. 2. Students should adequately reference all submitted work, using the standard Harvard referencing style (see Faculty Referencing Guide, available in SAC and on the module website). Marks will be awarded for excellence in presentation, including accurate referencing, a correct reference page, and high standards in the use of written English. 3. Work submitted late without authorisation (see directly below) will be subject to the standard penalties applied across the School of Business. Extensions to deadlines will only be granted with the prior consent of a module tutor. These will only be authorised in very exceptional, fully verified cases. Students are reminded, however, that we seek to encourage business-like and professional behaviour. Therefore, work submitted late without authorisation will be the subject of a penalty. 4. Extensions and deferrals will only be given for situations which can be described as real ‘crises’ which could not reasonably be anticipated and which are of sufficient severity and duration to 12 | P a g e

interfere with the production of assessed work. Examples which may result in an extension include illness of the student or the illness of a close relative. 5. Extensions to deadlines and deferrals will not be considered for a period in excess of fourteen days. It is not generally seen as appropriate to offer extensions for longer than that period. Requests for extensions must be submitted before the deadline by completing and submitng an ‘Extension to Coursework’ Form. This form requires you to negotiate the period of extension with an authorised module tutor and also submit (where appropriate) documentary evidence, such as a Doctor’s Certificate. At the discretion of your module tutor, a copy of the work in progress should also be provided. 6. To request a deferral, you should complete a ‘Deferral of Coursework’ Form. The application (and supporting documentation) for deferral will be considered by a Faculty Panel. Where deferrals are agreed, the coursework will then be submitted at an agreed date, during the summer vacation. 7. Extensions and deferrals cannot be given for anticipated events such as house moves, holidays, or increases in workload. In particular, problems with the use of information technology (loss of data, printer failure, internet connection, hardware issues etc) will not be accepted as justification for an extension. 8. It is essential that all students get into good and ‘safe’ habits with regards to computing equipment and ensure that they take regular back-ups of work at regular intervals and they do not leave printing/uploading work until the last moment. 9. ‘Extension to Coursework’ and ‘Deferral of Coursework Forms’ are both obtainable from the Student Advice Centre (SAC) in the Hugh Aston Building, or your designated School Office. Upon completion, they should then be submitted to those offices. Policy for the unauthorised late submission of work: Late submission of work up to seven actual days after the submission date will be capped at 40%.

Late submission of work exceeding seven or more actual days after the submission date will be allocated a mark of 0%.

Please note that the above policy uses: Actual days rather than working days (since a weekend and Bank Holidays, give students real extra days). A single penalty for work that is handed in late, but up to 7 days late. The definition of ‘late’ in the Business School will be if your work is uploaded to Turnitin at any time after 4.00 in the afternoon on the submission date. ‘Submission’ is normally defined ...