WESTERN SYDNEY
UNIVERSITY
iv
Business
200568 CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Learning Guide Spring 2016
200568 Contemporary Management Issues
Spring 2016 1 CONTENTS
Contents
Unit information 2 Teaching activities 17
Contacts 2 Schedule of activities 17
Consultation arrangements 2
An introduction to this unit 2 Learning resources 21
Credit points 3 Overview of learning resources 21
Textbook requirements 3 Referencing and citation requirements 23
Special requirements 3 Other resources that might help with
university life 23
Student feedback 3
Recent actions to improve this unit 3 You and this unit 24
Approach to teaching 3 What is expected of you 24
Workload 24
Assessment information 5
Compulsory attendance 24
Learning outcomes 5
Student responsibilities and conduct 24
Assessment summary 5
What you can expect from the teaching team
Assessment 1: Report (20%) 6 25
Overview 6 Key policies 26
Details 6 Academic integrity 26
Marking criteria and standards: Benchmarking
report 7 Raising concerns 26
Assessment 2: Reflective journal (30%) 8
Overview 8
Details 9
Marking criteria and standards: Reflective
journal 10
Assessment 3: Group project (50%) 11
Overview 11
Details 11
Contemporary Business Report 11
Presentation 12
Peer evaluation 12
Marking criteria and standards: Report 13
General assessment requirements 15
Assignment cover sheet 15
Turnitin 15
Late submission 15
Extension of due date for submission 15
Special Consideration 15
Feedback on assessment 16
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 20161SECTION ONE
Unit information
Contacts
Below is a list of contacts for this unit. Please liaise directly with your lecturer or unit coordinator regarding appropriate consultation times. It is usually best to make contact with these staff via email.
Unit
Coordinator Pauline Ross
Phone: 0418 666 752 Email: Pauline.Rosswesternsydney.edu.au
Teaching Academics Pauline Ross
Phone: 0418 666 752 Email: Pauline.Rosswesternsydney.edu.au
Ayda Succarie
Phone: 9685 9691 Email: A.Succariewesternsydnev.edu.au
Director, Academic Program Dr Jayne Bye
Building ED.G.44, Parramatta campus
Phone: 9685 9486 Email: j.bve(westernsyclnev.edu.au
Administration Team School of Business Academic and Program Services Team Building ED.G.99, Parramatta campus
Phone: 9685 9200 Email: business.academic(66westernsydney.edu.au
Liaison librarian Paul Jewell
Business Librarian, Parramatta campus
Phone: 9685 9358 Email: Jo.iewellwesternsvdnev.edu.au
Consultation arrangements
Please liaise directly with the academic teaching this unit regarding appropriate consultation times. It is usually best to make contact with these staff via email.
An introduction to this unit
This unit is specifically designed to support students' transition to professional business practice, and has a strong focus on students' reflections about their individual professional performance in practice. As an engaged unit, students are required to undertake real-world projects to support selected industry or community partners. Each class will partner with a 'client organisation', and students will conduct a research project which has been specifically designed by the client to address a real-world business need. Students' written reports will be handed to their 'client' after the reports are assessed, and representatives of the client organisations may attend students' in-class assessable presentations. In addition to this, towards the end of semester, students will be required to present the results of their research at a specially convened industry-based public event to be held at the university.
The unit is the capstone engagement unit in the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Management) programs. With the unit's focus on business management practice, on completing the unit, students will be able to demonstrate comprehensive, coherent and connected knowledge in the business management discipline. Students' participation and learning in the unit contributes to their graduate attributes by developing students' communication and social interaction skills, as well as their information and technology literacies. The real-world projects to be completed in this unit will provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge of business management in professional and applied contexts.
Credit points
Textbook requirements
Special requirements Student feedback
Approach to teaching
Assessment information
Learning outcomes
Assessment summary
Assessment 1: Report (20%)
200568 Contemporary Management Issues
Spring 2016 1 SECTION TWO
Marking criteria and standards: Benchmarking report
CRITERIA FAIL
0-49% PASS
50-64% CREDIT
65-74% DISTINCTION
75-85% HIGH
DISTINCTION
85-100%
Quality of research
(25%) Research based on minimal or irrelevant sources. Research based on few but relevant sources; mostly covering limited perspectives. Research based on an adequate number of sources; adopting a broad range of perspectives in general terms. Research based on important and pertinent sources; identifying a comprehensiv e range of perspectives. Research based on important sources; identifying a comprehensiv e range of perspectives; identifying relationships, similarities and contradictions
Application of
concepts and relevance of ideas
(25%) Little understanding of concepts or just mentioning terms without exhibiting understanding . Uses terms relevant to the report but shows only a generalist understanding of concepts. Uses concepts with good understanding ; makes some links with the issues involved. Accomplished discussion of relevant concepts, with insightful use of concepts in analysis. Insightful, in
depth and creative awareness and integration of concepts through discussion of their value, limitations or relevance to the report.
Substantiation of arguments and overall quality of discussion
(25%) Little discussion or argument; simply stating/ restating without explanation. Poor use of argument; unconvincing explanations to substantiate points discussed. Relevant use of argument to substantiate the points under discussion; some point's unpersuasive or lacking conviction. Persuasive and compelling use of arguments to substantiate the points under discussion. Significantly persuasive and compelling use of arguments to substantiate points; integrating alternative or different perspectives.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 1 SECTION TWO
CRITERIA FAIL
0-49% PASS
50-64% CREDIT
65-74% DISTINCTION
75-85% HIGH
DISTINCTION
85-100%
Critical thinking
(10%) Poor attempt to be critical; strong tendency to be descriptive. Evidence of some attempt to be critical; but with poor interpretation s. Clear evidence of critical thinking; with some interpretation of relevant issues. Very clear evidence of clear and reflective thinking, producing insightful interpretation s of issues under consideration. Very clear evidence of critical and reflective thinking, with insightful and in-depth interpretation s of issues under consideration; considers alternative perspectives with creative interpretation s.
Communicatio
n of ideas
through the organisation, structure and logic of argument
(10%) Poorly structured; confused and fragmented ideas. Relatively coherent argument; manages to communicate ideas but lacking clear structure or flow of ideas. Clear
structure with coherent presentation of ideas producing a satisfactory and comprehensiv e argument; good presentation. Clear and well- articulated structure with logical presentation of ideas and comprehensiv e, well sustained argument; very good presentation. A very well sustained, coherent and logical argument; able to synthesise and integrate complex ideas; excellent presentation.
Clarity of expression (sound sentence structure, grammar and spelling)
(5%) Incomprehens ible in places due to poor written expression. Satisfactory but with difficulties in communicatin g ideas. Good communicatio n of ideas; basically well written but with some language mistakes affecting clarity. Very well written, with an accomplished writing style but with some errors of grammar and/or expression. Excellent writing with very clear accomplished writing style; demonstrates careful revision.
Assessment 2: Reflective journal (30%)
Overview
The aim of this assessment task is to enable students to: (i) identify areas for improvement and development in their future professional practice, and (ii) explore and develop their capabilities for reflection in management, especially in the context of their future professional practice, including (but not limited to) their management skills and emotional competence, working in syndicate teams and in the context of the sustainability of business.
® Note: The reflective journal should be 1,500 words in length incorporating students' best three reflective journal entries (of 300-350 words each) as well as a reflective denouement (of 500 words), which takes the form of a conclusion in which the predominant issues, ideas or matters raised in the weekly reflective journal entries are reflected upon or resolved to bring the reflective journal to a close. The denouement is not a summary of the weekly reflections.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 20161SECTION TWO
not write your reflections in the third person: for example, do not reflect on what -managers should do-. Write about yourself, and your future professional practice.
Marking criteria and standards: Reflective journal
CRITERIA FAIL
0-49% PASS
50-64% CREDIT
65-74% DISTINCTION
75-85% HIGH
DISTINCTION
85-100%
Reflection and critical
thinking
(50WD) Some attempt to be
reflective or
critical; but
with poor results; strong tendency to describe. Actually being reflective; with some insights and some interpretation of relevant issues; but with overemphasis on
description. Mostly reflective, producing some insightful interpretation s of matters under consideration; but with unnecessary descriptions. Very reflective, producing insightful interpretation s of apparently some relevance for future professional practice. Very reflective, excellent interpretation of matters under consideration; considers alternatives with apparently significant relevance for future professional practice.
Relevance of ideas presented in discussion
(300/0) Some ideas presented but not making sense in the context of the discussion. Ideas presented make sense in the context of the discussion but have little relevance to professional practice. Ideas presented make sense of the
discussion; demonstrates some awareness of self and professional practice. Ideas presented are central to the discussion; demonstrates insightful awareness of self and professional practice; some appreciation of implications. Ideas presented are central to the discussion; demonstrates insightful and in-depth
awareness of
self-going beyond existing perceptions; clear and practical appreciation of
implications and/or implementatio n
Communicatio n of ideas
through the
organisation, structure and logic of argument
(10%) Poorly structured; confused and fragmented ideas. Manages to communicate ideas but poorly structured or with difficulties in the flow of ideas. Clear structure with coherent presentation of ideas producing a satisfactory discussion or argument. Clear and well- articulated structure with logical presentation of ideas and comprehensiv e, well sustained argument; very good presentation. A very well sustained, coherent and logical argument; able to synthesise and integrate complex ideas; excellent presentation.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 1 SECTION TWO
CRITERIA FAIL
0-49% PASS
50-64% CREDIT
65-74% DISTINCTION
75-850/0 HIGH
DISTINCTION
85-100%
Clarity of expression
(sentence structure, grammar and spelling)
(10%) Incomprehens ible in places due to poor written expression. Satisfactory but with difficulties in communicatin g ideas. Good communicatio n of ideas; basically well written but with some language mistakes affecting clarity. Very well written, with an accomplished writing style but with some errors of grammar and/or expression. Excellent writing with very clear accomplished writing style; demonstrates careful revision.
Assessment 3: Group project (50%)
Overview
The aim of this assessment task is to enable students to develop understandings of the current practice of business or the sustainability of business within a defined segment of the business community; to appreciate some of the complexities of that practice; to explore students' capacities to professionally perform in a syndicate work team environment; and to offer opportunities for students to reflect on the practice of business or business sustainability in a real-world environment.
Details
ASSESSMENT PART TASK DUE WEIGHT
1. Written report (Contemporary Business Report) of 4,000 words (to be handed to the client organisation after being assessed). Before 9:00am Monday, 24 October 2015 (Week 15) 40%
2. Formal presentation of 20 minutes (attended by representatives of the client organisation). During the workshop in either Weeks 12, 13, or 14 as scheduled by the lecturer. 10%
Contemporary Business Report
In self-selected teams of no more than four, students will undertake a comprehensive research project that focuses on an allocated segment of the business community, for the client organisation. Teams will be required to prepare a business report to professional business management standards that specifically addresses the project brief of the client organisation. The report may include (depending on the brief) consideration of the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability. In addition to the report, each team will be required to make a formal assessable presentation on their research in either week 12, 13, or 14 as well as a presentation at a specially convened industry-based public event to be held at the university.
Depending on the terms of the brief, each project team may be required to submit to the lecturer/tutor via email a list of no less than 10 potential research participants (businesses) from the segment of the business community allocated to it. The list must be in alphabetical order by the name of the business, and should include the addresses of the businesses. Depending on the terms of the brief, teams would only recruit research participants from the list of those
businesses selected by that team, and which have been approved by the lecturer/tutor. This is designed to ensure that no business will be approached by more than one team of students.
In Week 7 and Week 10 each team will make short in-class presentations during the scheduled workshop periods to report on the team's progress
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 1 SECTION TWO
PROGRESS REPORTS
Week 7 This in-class progress report (on the team's fieldwork) will take the form of an informal presentation to report on the team's progress, with particular reference to what the team has achieved, what obstacles were encountered and what steps have been taken to overcome those obstacles.
Week 10 This in-class progress report (on analysis and recommendations) should take the form of a 5-10 minute presentation, with some presentation aids, to outline the preliminary findings of the research and some indications of the team's analysis and recommendations.
Each presenting team will be allocated a number of discussants, from among the students in the class, who will be expected to offer comments and feedback to the presenting team on the content of each presentation.
At a minimum, the business sustainability report will be expected to contain the following sections (although the title of each section should be consistent with the characteristics of the client organisation and the nature of the research):
1. Executive summary
2. Table of contents
3. Introduction/background
4. Methodology and data collection methods
5. Discussion of findings and theoretical context
6. Analysis of findings and implications for the client organisation
7. Conclusion
8. Recommendations
9. References
10. Appendices
Each report should be submitted as a professionally produced industry report suitable for final submission to a business client, with a title page and other preliminary pages. A group assignment cover sheet should be submitted with, but not attached to, the final report which will be forwarded to the client organisation. The Harvard (-author-date-) system of referencing should be used for both in-text references and the list of references.
Presentation
The aim of this assessment task is to enable students to develop the skill of professionally presenting the results of business research; and to explore their capacities to professionally perform in a syndicate team environment. The presentations will be attended by representatives of the client organisation, and will also enable each team to use the feedback and comments from the lecturer/tutor, the client organisation, the discussants and the audience to enhance the team's work on the Contemporary Business Report.
In the presentations, each team will be required to present the findings and outcomes of their research, as well as their recommendations to their client organisation. The presentations should follow a professional style, and should be supported by appropriate presentation software and other visual aids or sound clips, etc. All team members must participate in the team's presentation.
Before their presentations, each team must distribute a one-page summary of their presentation to all others in the class.
Peer evaluation
While the team mark for the report and presentation will be added together to arrive at a combined mark for the team-based project, each individual student's work for and contribution to the Contemporary Business Report and presentation will be peer moderated in order to
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 20161SECTION TWO
calculate a separate mark for each individual student. Under the system of peer moderation, all team members will evaluate themselves and each of their fellow team members (under exam conditions) on 10 specified performance criteria. The criteria are:
1. Quantity of work
2. Quality of work
3. Communication skills
4. Initiative
5. Efficiency
6. Personal relations
7. Group meeting attendance
8. Attitude and enthusiasm
9. Effort
10. Dependability.
The peer moderation will be conducted during the workshop in the final class. The system of peer moderation will be explained in the workshop in the first class, and an outline of the system appears on vUWS.
Marking criteria and standards: Report
CRITERIA FAIL
0-49% PASS
50-64% CREDIT
65-74% DISTINCTION
75-85% HIGH
DISTINCTION
85-100%
Quality of Research Research Research Research Research
research based on based on few based on an based on based on
minimal or but relevant adequate important and important
(20%) irrelevant sources; number of pertinent sources;
sources. mostly sources; sources; identifying a
covering adopting a identifying a comprehensiv
limited broad range comprehensiv e range of
perspectives. of perspectives in general terms. e range of perspectives. perspectives; identifying relationships, similarities and contradictions
Application of Little Uses terms Uses concepts Accomplished Insightful, in
concepts and understanding relevant to with good discussion of depth and
relevance of of concepts or the report but understanding relevant creative
ideas just shows only a ; makes good concepts, awareness
(200/0) mentioning terms without generalist understanding links with the brief and the with insightful use of and
integration of
exhibiting ; with some issues concepts in concepts
understanding attention to involved. analysis; with through
. the brief. clear
relevance to the brief. discussion of their value, limitations or relevance to the report; with particular and compelling relevance to the brief.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 1 SECTION TWO
CRITERIA FAIL
0-49% PASS
50-64% CREDIT
65-74% DISTINCTION
75-85% HIGH
DISTINCTION
85-100%
Substantiation of arguments and overall quality of discussion
(20%) Little discussion or argument; simply stating/ restating without explanation. Poor use of argument; unconvincing explanations to substantiate points discussed. Relevant use of argument to substantiate the points under discussion; some points unpersuasive or lacking conviction. Persuasive and compelling use of arguments to substantiate the points under discussion. Significantly persuasive and compelling use of arguments to substantiate points; integrating alternative or different perspectives.
Critical thinking
(10%) Poor attempt to be critical; strong tendency to be descriptive. Evidence of some attempt to be critical; but with poor interpretation s. Clear evidence of critical thinking; with some interpretation of relevant issues. Very clear evidence of clear and reflective thinking, producing insightful interpretation s of issues under consideration. Very clear evidence of critical and reflective thinking, with insightful and in-depth interpretation s of issues under consideration; considers alternative perspectives with creative interpretation s.
Communicatio n of ideas through the organisation, structure and logic of argument
(10%) Poor attempt to be critical; strong tendency to be descriptive. Evidence of some attempt to be critical; but with poor interpretation s. Clear evidence of critical thinking; with some interpretation of relevant issues. Very clear evidence of critical and reflective thinking, producing insightful interpretation s of issues under consideration. Very clear evidence of critical and reflective thinking, with insightful and in-depth interpretation s of issues under consideration; considers alternative perspectives with creative interpretation s.
Clarity of expression (sound sentence structure, grammar and spelling)
(10%) Incomprehens ible in places due to poor written expression. Satisfactory but with difficulties in communicatin g ideas. Good communicatio n of ideas; basically well written but with some language mistakes affecting clarity. Very well written, with an accomplished writing style but with some errors of grammar and/or expression. Excellent writing with very clear accomplished writing style; demonstrates careful revision.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 20161SECTION TWO
General assessment requirements
Assignment cover sheet
All assignments are to be submitted with an assignment cover sheet.
Group assignments are to be submitted with a group assignment cover sheet. Some units may require students to also submit a student evaluation of group member participation form.
Students are to keep a copy of all assignments submitted for marking. Turnitin
Turnitin plagiarism prevention system is a software product that reports on similarities between your paper and other documents. There is a great deal of information regarding Turnitin including an instructional guide at: http://librarv.westernsvdnev.edu.au/main/quides/turnitin .
Turnitin is used by over 30 universities in Australia and is increasingly seen as an industry standard. It is an important tool to assist students with their academic writing by promoting awareness of plagiarism.
Late submission
A student who submits a late assessment will be penalised by 10 per cent per day up to 10 days i.e. marks equal to 10 per cent of the assignment's worth will be deducted as a -flat rate- from the mark awarded. For example, for an assignment with a possible highest mark of 50, the student's awarded mark will have five marks deducted per late day. Saturday and Sunday count as one day each. Assessments will not be accepted after the marked assessment task has been returned to students who submitted the task on time except where compulsory items of assessment must be submitted.
An assessment submitted at any time after the due time on the due date will be deemed to be a late submission and late submission penalties will accrue immediately from the due time and date.
Extension of due date for submission
Requests for extensions, with evidence of extenuating circumstances, may be submitted before, on or up to two days after (by 5.00pm) the due date of an assessment. A student may apply for an extension of the due date for an assessment task if extenuating circumstances outside their control, and sufficiently grave in nature or duration, cause significant disruption to their capacity to study effectively. Applications should be submitted with supporting documentation, to the Unit Coordinator or other designated staff member (with a copy to the lecturer). If a late application is not approved the late penalty will apply from the due date.
The Request for Extension Form is available at:
htto://www.uws.edu.au/ data/assets/pdf file/0004/118273/ARO 00205 0815 Request for E xtension-LRweb.pdf.
Guidelines for Students - Assignment Extensions is available at: policies.uws.edu.au/view.associated.php?id=00227
Special Consideration
Special Consideration may be given to students whose performance during the teaching session, in an assignment or in an exam has been affected by serious misadventure, accident or extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Applying for and receiving special consideration means that those circumstances are taken into account when we calculate your grade. Students can apply for all types of Special Consideration online using the Special Consideration & Deferred Exam eForm. All applications for Special Consideration must contain appropriate supporting documentation to substantiate the circumstances that are impacting on your studies. Applications without supporting documentation will not be considered.
To complete the form go to:
www.westernsvdnev.edu.au/currentstudents/current students/services and facilities/special c onsideration2.
The Special Consideration policy can be found at: policies.uws.edu.au.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 1 SECTION TWO
Feedback on assessment
The Assessment Policy provides that assessment feedback is available to students in a timely way. Your lecturer/tutor will normally provide you with your mark and written feedback within two to three weeks of the submission date, given that your assessment is submitted on the due date.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 I SECTION THREE
Teaching activities
Schedule of activities
Spring semester teaching begins on Monday, 18 July 2016. The intra session break runs from Monday, 12 September 2016 to Sunday, 18 September 2016 (Week 9).
There is one public holiday this semester which may affect classes. Labour Day falls on Monday, 3 October (Week 12). Alternative teaching arrangements for any classes affected by this public holiday will be posted on the vUWS website.
® Note: This unit has a compulsory attendance requirement, so attendance at all scheduled classes is compulsory - including the class in week 1. Classes take the form of three-hour block workshops.
WEEK WEEKLY STUDY TOPIC, ACTIVITIES AND READINGS
1.
18 - 24 July Topic: Introductions; -Engaged- learning and life-long learning.
Objectives: (i) Introduce students to the unit, including the nature of -engaged- learning and the learning outcomes of the unit, (ii) ensure students have a clear understanding of the requirements of the unit, including the team project and the system of peer moderation of the team work and (Hi) address any concerns students might have about the unit and the -engaged- approach to the learning.
Workshop preparation: No preparation is required before the workshop in Week 1. The Week 1 Workshop Activity Sheet (available on vUWS) provides an outline of the workshop.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials will be available on vUWS.
2.
-
25 31 July Topic: Sustainability - environmental and social dimensions of business; Emotional competence.
Objectives: (i) Introduction to the concepts of business sustainability and sustainable development; (H) explore the environmental and social dimensions of business practice, (Hi) consider individual values and beliefs about the environmental and social aspects of business.
Workshop preparation: In preparation for the workshop, students should attempt items 1-3 of the Week 2 Workshop Activity Sheet (on vUWS), and should complete the required readings (below).
Required reading: Fallon, W 2013, 'Sustainability, stakeholders and the nature of the firm', in Sustainability in Australian business: principles and practice, Moscardo, Lamberton, Wells, Fallon, et al, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.
Dunphy, D, Benveniste, J, Griffiths, A & Sutton, P 2003, Sustainability: the corporate challenge of the 21st century, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards. [Chapters 1, 2 and 3 (E-Title)]
Additional/recommended reading: Students should begin their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites.
3.
1- 7 August Topic: Benchmarking report and reflection
Objectives: (i) Workshop the work required for the Benchmarking Report, and (ii) introduce students to managerial mind-sets and reflection.
Required reading: Gosling, J & Mintzberg, H 2003, 'The five minds of a manager', Harvard Business Review, November, pp. 54-63.
Gosling, J & Mintzberg, H 2004, 'Reflect yourself: take time out of your busy day to reflect on yourself and where your team is headed', HR Magazine, September,
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Springy2016 1 SECTION THREE
WEEK WEEKLY STUDY TOPIC, ACTIVITIES AND READINGS
pp. 151-156.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should begin their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. The weekly online reflections which students are required to post on vUWS will commence after the class in Week 3 - the reflection for Week 3 should be posted before the start of the class in Week 4, and the work covered in the Week 3 workshop will assist students to do that.
4.
8 - 14 August Topic: Emotional competence; team formation and teamwork.
Objectives: (i) Introduce students to the concept of emotional competence and invite students to explore the concept in a personal context, (ii) invite students to form into groups for the team project, and (Hi) to plan their work on the project and their involvement in the team.
Workshop preparation: To prepare for the workshop, students must complete the required readings (see below) and complete the activities listed in item 1-3 of the Week 4 Workshop Activity Sheet. These activities require students to (among other things) complete an online EQ test and to reflect on the outcome. Students must post their week 3 online reflection before the start of the class in Week 4.
Required reading: Goleman, D 1998, 'What makes a leader?' Harvard Business Review, vol. 76, no. 6, Nov-Dec, pp. 93-102.
Goleman, D & Boyatzia, R 2008, 'Social intelligence and the biology of leadership', Harvard Business Review, vol. 86, no. 9, Sept, pp. 74-81.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should continue their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. Students must post their Week 4 online reflection before the start of class in Week 5.
5.
15 - 21 August Topic: Presentation by client organisation; business research and interviewing.
A representative of the client organisation will make a presentation to students in support of the students' project. The session will: (i) include a reflection about the presentation and the connection with students' research, (ii) introduce students to methods and techniques for conducting research in business including interviewing, (Hi) outline the dimensions of ethical research practice, and (iv) workshop students' proposals for interviewing businesses.
Workshop preparation: Students must post their Week 4 online reflection before the start of the class in Week 5. Complete the required reading (see below).
Required reading: Keats, DM 2000, Interviewing: a practical guide for students and professionals, UNSW Press, Sydney. [Chapters 3 and 5 (E-Title)]
Additional/recommended reading: Students should continue their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other Information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. Students must post their Week 5 online reflection before the usual start-time for the class in Week 6.
6.
22 - 28 August RESEARCH WEEK - working on team project
Students will be required to meet in their teams to advance their work on the team project. During the usual workshop period, the lecturer/tutor will be available as arranged by the individual lecturer/tutor to answer any questions and
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Springy2016 1 SECTION THREE
WEEK WEEKLY STUDY TOPIC, ACTIVITIES AND READINGS
address any concerns about the project.
Workshop preparation: Not applicable - students will be required to work on their team projects. Students must post their Week 5 online reflection before the usual start-time for the class in Week 6.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should continue their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. Students must post an online weekly reflection before the start of class in Week 7.
7.
29 August -
4 September Topic: Progress report on fieldwork; Business sustainability report; planning for student presentations. This workshop will consist of each team making a short informal presentation about their progress on the fieldwork.
Objectives: The session will workshop (i) students' work on the report and (u) the requirements for making presentations and report writing. The class will decide on the order of the presentations in Weeks 12, 13 and 14. The discussion will also include a review of students' progress with the reflective journal.
Workshop preparation: Students must post their Week 7 online reflection before the usual start-time for the class in Week 8.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should continue their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. Students must post their Week 8 online reflection before the usual start-time for the class in Week 9.
8.
5 - 11
September RESEARCH WEEK - working on team project
Students will be required to meet in their teams to advance their work on the team project. During the usual workshop period, the lecturer/tutor will be available as arranged by the individual lecturer/tutor to answer any questions and address any concerns about the project.
Workshop preparation: Not applicable - students will be required to work on their team projects. Students must post their Week 8 online reflection before the usual start-time for the class in Week 9.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should continue their work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. Students must post an online weekly reflection before the start of class in Week 10.
9.
12 - 18 September INTRA SESSION BREAK
Note: Students should take the opportunity to continue to work on their team project, including interviewing local businesses.
10.
19 - 25 September Topic: Progress report on analysis and recommendations.
This workshop will consist of each team making a short (5-10 minute) presentation about their progress on the team project, with particular attention on the research analysis and recommendations.
Workshop preparation: Each team should prepare the progress report presentation to be delivered in class. Students must post their Week 9 online reflection before the start of the class in Week 10.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should work on their research for
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Springy2016 1 SECTION THREE
WEEK WEEKLY STUDY TOPIC, ACTIVITIES AND READINGS
the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS. Students must post an online weekly reflection before the start of class in Week 11.
11.
26 September - 2 October RESEARCH WEEK - working on team project
There is no scheduled workshop this week. Students will be required to meet in their teams to advance their work on the team project, and to prepare for the team presentation in either Week 12, 13 or 14 (as decided in Week 7). During the usual workshop period, the lecturer/tutor will be available as arranged by the individual lecturer/tutor to answer any questions and address any concerns about the project.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
Other information: The workshop notes and other relevant support materials are available on vUWS.
Due: Students must post their online reflective denouement (final reflective journal entry) before submitting the reflective journal for assessment before 9.00am on Tuesday, 4 October 2016 (Week 12).
12.
3 - 9 October Topic: Team presentations
This workshop will consist of presentations by half of the teams in the class. All students must attend all presentations, and audience participation is required.
Workshop preparation: The teams scheduled to present this week will be required to prepare a professional-level presentation of their research.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
13.
10 - 16 October Topic: Team presentations
This workshop will consist of presentations by half of the teams in the class. All students must attend all presentations, and audience participation is required.
Workshop preparation: The teams scheduled to present this week will be required to prepare a professional-level presentation of their research.
Additional/recommended reading: Students should work on their research for the assessments and will need to refer to the recommended reading list, as well as local, State and Federal government websites and the vUWS site.
14.
17 - 23 October Topic: Team presentations; Debriefing and conclusion.
Objectives: Conclusion, debriefing and feedback; Peer evaluation of the group work on the team project. Students can also use the session to refine their work on the Contemporary Business Report, to be submitted by 9.00 am on Monday, 24 October 2016 (Stuvac).
Workshop preparation: No specific preparation is required.
Public presentation: Students will be required to present their research at a specially convened industry-based public event to be held at the university.
Complete SFU questionnaire.
15.
24 - 30 October STUVAC
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 I SECTION FOUR
Learning resources
Overview of learning resources
Additional resources or materials
Referencing and citation requirements
Other resources that might help with university life
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 1 SECTION FIVE
You and this unit
What is expected of you
Workload
This unit will require your full attention to maintain the highest possible grades. It is expected that you will spend an average of 10 hours per week on learning activities in this unit. Some weeks you will spend more time on learning activities and assessments than in other weeks where the workload will be somewhat less. It is essential that you keep up with the weekly learning activities and come prepared to each session so that you can actively participate and interact with your peers and instructor.
Compulsory attendance
This unit has a compulsory attendance requirement. Attendance is compulsory for each of the scheduled workshop classes - attendances will be recorded.
There is a genuine and legitimate need for the attendance requirement. This is an -engaged- unit that requires students to conduct primary research on local businesses, in partnership with a local industry organisation. The students' activities in the unit therefore involve students engaging with businesses, and students' research has real-world outcomes - and students' assignments will be handed to the client organisation after they are assessed.
The University's and the School's reputations are dependent upon (i) the professionalism exhibited by students in their engagement with the local business communities and (ii) on the quality of the students' reports for the client organisations. To ensure all students have the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to conduct the research with businesses at appropriately professional level, students must attend all scheduled workshops. Classes are structured in three-hour blocks, and these are mandatory for Weeks 1-5 (inclusive), and a further four (3-hour) workshops have been scheduled at designated times later in the semester. In addition, students will be required to undertake weekly online and other out-of-class activities.
In the case of documented illness or other verifiable misadventure which prevents any student from attending any scheduled workshop class, the absence may not be recorded if the student completes and submits (to the lecturer/tutor) the required workshop activity sheet before the start of the workshop immediately following the absence. The workshop activity sheets can be downloaded from vUWS.
Student responsibilities and conduct
Student Familiarise yourself with University policies on assessment and examinations.
responsibilities Ensure that you understand the requirements, including timetables, for examinations and other assessments tasks.
Ensure you read and understand the assessment requirements and note the submission dates, and seek assistance from the lecturer and/or unit coordinator when needed.
Notify relevant staff (e.g. lecturer, unit coordinator, disability adviser) as soon as possible prior to, or at the beginning of, the semester to accommodate special requirements.
Submit individual and unassisted assessment work, except as otherwise
permitted. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data will be severely dealt with.
Behave ethically and appropriately, avoiding any action or behaviour which would unfairly disadvantage or advantage another student. Where group work is assigned, ensure that every group member has the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.
Student Attend all lectures and tutorials - failure to attend is often the main cause for low
conduct and final grades.
200568 Contemporary Management Issues Spring 2016 SECTION FIVE
behaviour Respect the needs of other students who are participating in any class activities.
Pay attention in lectures and tutorials - these provide key information for all examinable material.
Do not use mobile phones during the lecture and tutorials and do not have ongoing conversations with fellow students during the lecture or if another student is presenting work in the tutorials.
Please use electronic devices for taking notes only, not surfing the net or checking email.
Use vUWS discussion boards constructively - they are there for interaction between the students and between teaching staff and the students. Unfounded criticisms will be removed from the relevant discussion board.
If issues arise with other students, or teaching staff, please see the unit coordinator in the first instance rather than broadcasting your concerns in a public forum.
What you can expect from the teaching team
Academic staff carry out their teaching responsibilities under the authority of the Dean of the School of Business. The responsibilities of staff are outlined below.
Staff Assess students' work fairly, objectively and consistently and when in doubt
responsibilities consult with the unit coordinator or Director of Academic Program.
Provide students with appropriate, helpful and explanatory feedback on all work submitted for assessment.
Make reasonable accommodation (e.g. length of time to complete) in assessment tasks and examinations for students with special requirements and to seek assistance from the Disability Advisor and Counsellor where appropriate and needed.
Ensure deadlines for the submission of examination papers to the Academic
Registrar are met.
Immediately report to the unit coordinator any instances of student cheating, collusion and/or plagiarism.
Staff code of conduct Act in good faith and with honesty, integrity, transparency and impartiality.
Act with diligence and responsiveness and treat other University members with fairness, respect and courtesy and without discrimination or harassment.
Foster and protect the reputation of the University.
Carry out duties as best you can within your delegated authority, constantly enhancing your professional knowledge.
Be accountable for all actions and decisions, providing documentation and sound reasons for them.
Not act in a manner that inhibits another person from fulfilling the requirements of their position.
Respect the confidentiality of entrusted information.
Be alert to issues of conflict of interest and take action to declare and avoid them.
Use University resources properly and in accordance with work health and safety obligations.
Report all fraud and corrupt conduct.
Key policies
Academic integrity
Raising concerns
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