FACULTY OF BUSINESS LAW & SOCIAL SCIENCES

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

COURSEWORK FRONT SHEET

MODULE TITLE: THE REAL WORLD OF MANAGEMENT

MODULE CODE: MAN6006

MODULE LEAD: RUWANDI PERERA

ISSUE DATE: FEB 2020

SUBMISSION DATE: 17 May 2020, 2350 hours

The Real World of Management

Learning outcomes and pass attainment level:

Module Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate the significance, strengths and limitations of theory in a real-world context

2. Apply appropriate research approaches, tools and techniques to

academic/organisational contexts

3. Critically evaluate the role of managers as researchers

4. Draw on research, experience and appropriate literature to evidence depth and

breadth of learning for compilation of the final assignment report.

You will be assessed according to the following criteria:

a) Proper completion of a structured report including all elements of the
assignment requirement, with effective flow and logical compilation.
b) Effective use of an introduction (i.e. setting up a focus, scope and purpose for
the research and literary exploration)
c) Effective use of research approaches, tools and techniques to gather data and
evidence
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 d) Evidence of comparing, contrasting and critically evaluating the potential
linkages, tensions and contradictions between a chosen academic conceptual
framework and its organisational experience.
e) Use of academic literature to support critical commentary, analysis and
evaluation (with appropriate referencing of sources – Harvard format)
f) Evidence of individual learning from the research
g) Evidence of creative thinking and personalisation of the report (structure, style
of writing, flow and conceptual thinking)
h) Effective communication techniques (proper academic/business language as
and when appropriate) and use of structure.
i) Evidence of own work – proof of academic and organisational research
conducted

The following are indicative of the threshold pass requirements for the module.

• Evidence of a properly structured report including all elements of the

assignment requirement
• Report includes a proper introduction of the focus, scope and purpose of the
report and literary exploration
• Evidence of gathering appropriate data/information
• Uses the evidence/academic literature to support discussion of the topic
selected
• Demonstrates some appreciation of the linkages, tensions and contradictions
between a chosen academic conceptual framework and its organisational
experience
• Evidence of individual learning and unique individual diagnostic/analytical
thinking
• Use of creative techniques in compiling the report (use of tables, charts,
graphs and information compilation techniques)
• Clear communication and structure of the report

Stronger reports will include a well-defined area of research and evidence of academic
and organisational evidence collected. Candidates who show analytical thinking and
who show linkages and contradictions of academic and real-world findings will score
more. Originality, depth of research, criticality in terms of analysis and evaluation, and
effectiveness of the compilation of the report will earn more marks.

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 The Real World of Management

Individual Assignment (100% of the Module Assessment)

The assignment context

The Module builds on two fundamental principles:

First, an academic degree qualification demands that participants research and

demonstrate a clear understanding of key theoretical frameworks in their field of study.
On the other hand, employers require individuals who can also show a critical
appreciation of the strengths and limitations of such theory when applied to real world
situations.

Secondly, that planning and conducting research is an integral function of operating

effectively within organisations and therefore a key asset for enhancing your graduate
and professional profile.

What is required?

Students are required to select a desired “theme,” “topic” or “concept” related to

management (e.g. organisational culture, leadership, sustainability, team work,
performance appraisals, etc.) that they have discussed in class or any relevant theory
that they can research on, and conduct sufficient academic research and organisational
research on a selected company/industry to compare, contrast and critically evaluate the
linkages, tensions and contradictions between the chosen theme/concept and its
practical implications in the real world of management.

Students must conduct thorough academic research on the selected theme/concept to

cover a wide spectrum of literature. These can include journal articles, articles from
leading business publications (timely articles are preferred), videos, news sources,
industry reports and company publications.

They must then conduct research on a selected company/industry using primary

research techniques such as observation, surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc. to
assess the practical contextual implications of the selected theme in their
organisation/industry of choice. Students can also research on global best practice
companies to do comparisons. Out of the box thinking is encouraged when finding
linkages between theory and practice. Students must be able to demonstrate proper
understanding of the theory and then apply in in context – with comments wherever
necessary – to their selected organisation.

Students must prepare a 2,000-word report, covering academic literature, findings from
their own research AND a 1,000-word critical commentary. Proper utilisation of word

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limits is necessary where students must plan to ensure that all necessary components
(as stated above) are included in the report.

The report should first explore the theories, secondly demonstrate the data collected
from the real-world (from an organisation or an industry) and finally link together the
theoretical underpinnings and the real-world findings in the critical commentary so that
they show their understanding of how theory is unfolded in the real world.

The findings of the research should be compiled in a structured report with the total word
count not exceeding 3000 words (including 1,000 words as critical commentary)

Your report should include three key elements:

• a range of appropriate academic literature
• research that offers real world insights to the chosen theory or concept
(methodology and findings)
• 1,000 words of critical commentary.

Students should adhere to the below formatting guidelines

- 1” margins on all sides
- Size 12 Arial or Times New Roman
- Header – Name of module and student number
- Footer – page number

Please note this assignment must be seen as a distinct piece assessment and
should not be based on any assignments currently or previously submitted for
assessment.

Recommended format

• Proper cover page and other report elements such as table of contents, list of
figures, etc.
• Executive summary (which will not be counted in the word count)
• Effective introduction to the report
• Definition of the topic, focus area, rationale, limitations, etc.
• Research design – the outline of the academic and organisational research
carried out
• Academic exploration (summarised findings)
• Organisational research findings (summarised evidence can be attached as
appendices) including an introduction of the chosen company/industry
• Critical commentary which compares, contrasts and critically evaluates the
linkages, tensions and contradictions between the chosen theme/concept and its
practical implications (you can refer to benchmark practices in the industry/world
and any emerging themes if applicable)
• Conclusion including any recommendations to the company
• List of references

Your report should be thoughtfully structured and have necessary chapters

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You should consider researching from the following indicative resources:
• Module reading list
• Electronic resources available through BCU Library e.g. ABI, MyiLibrary
http://libguides.bcu.ac.uk/management
• Google Scholar
• There is a wealth of information available via the internet-however, in the spirit of
the module you should consider how do you use this material in a more critical
manner.

The assessment guidelines will be discussed within class sessions and will be essential
to help you compile your report. There will be also be opportunities within class
workshop sessions to share ideas and learning, and to discuss issues emerging from the
shaping of a focus, the ongoing research, the development of draft material and the
design of the final report.

As with all of your assignments you should seek to make effective use of all available
resources to help your work. These resources include those available via Moodle. In
addition there are valuable resources and tutor support from the Centre for Academic
Success - see link https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/celt/centre-for-academic-success

Avoiding issues of academic misconduct

Please note this is an individual piece of assessment and you should ensure you have
read and understood the University’s guidance on avoiding issues of alleged plagiarism
and collusion. Advice is introduced within the Regulations pages
(http://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/academic-regs) and on the Centre for Academic
Success Moodle page. If you have any additional questions on these issues it is
essential to discuss them with the Module tutor.

Where appropriate we may use a viva (‘an oral examination’) as part of the assessment
process to help clarify and establish student understanding, and to examine the research
undertaken for the assignment.

Assignment submission

The Assessment must be submitted as a PDF Document on the NEXT Campus Moodle,
via the Module Assessment submission link on or before the deadline mentioned in page
1. Hard copy submission in not required.

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