Posted: May 14th, 2015

BUS4002 Business Project

BUS4002 Business Project
20 credits

5 Getting Started
This is arguably the hardest part of the process!  Please make sure you attend the introductory lectures as well as all the small group sessions. These are held every week in a classroom as shown on your timetable. You must make sure that you follow the schedule shown on page 6 of this guide: independent research by each student that is followed by discussing your progress with your supervisor in the weekly classes. Your supervisor is there to facilitate your learning, not to teach you. This is an independent piece of work.
6 Indicative Content
The project requires each student to complete a piece of independent, supervised study based around the structure/ criteria shown below. This should complement the student’s taught programme (while avoiding duplication) and facilitate a detailed understanding of these business issues. Each individual project is, by definition, a unique piece of work. However, it should be remembered that each project must use a variety of academic theories/ models to discuss and analyse the areas mentioned in Section 7, below.
•         Students choose one multinational company
•         Each student then has to research and discuss two aspects out of the three areas suggested.  These two core areas should be interlinked as shown below, in Section 7  – in relation to their chosen company. This must be  from a worldwide perspective and using relevant theory as a framework.
7   Structure of the Project
•         Title page
•         Introduction (500 words)
1)    Choose 2 from the 3 suggested areas below: Research relevant academic models and literature and apply to your chosen company.

2)    Comparative Analysis of the company’s competitive position in its various markets (1800 words)

3)    What does the company need to consider when trading across borders – (1800 words

4)    What considerations should your company look at when trying to create Social Impact (1800 words)

5)     In addition to the above, Critically evaluate and analyse academic theories related to your two chosen areas,  and discuss what your company needs to consider to enhance their business. (1000 words)
•         Conclusion linked to the earlier critical analysis (700 words)
Ø  Total: 5000 words
•         Full bibliography/ reference list using the Harvard system
o    Note: Appendices are not permitted
8 Assessment Guidelines
This module is assessed by one 5,000-word piece of work, covering all the learning outcomes.  You must hand-in an electronic copy via the module’s NILE site; you do not need to hand-in a printed copy. (Note that the refer/ defer hand-in date for work that did not pass at the first opportunity will be put up on Nile.)
In general, tutors will consider the following aspects when grading your work. Please note that the work is graded as a whole; we do not allocate grades separately to each of  these areas.
Your work should:
•         be well-presented;
•         be written in good English, including grammar and spelling;
•         be fully and correctly referenced, using the Harvard system, both in the text and at the end;
•         use relevant theory appropriately in all three sections;
•         show clear links between theory and practice;
•         be logically structured;
•         show a good level of analysis and understanding (not just simple description); and
•         have conclusions that fit with the earlier analysis.

15 Technical Details
•         The title page must clearly show the student name and number, the module code (BUS4002), the hand-in date, the supervisor’s name and the project title
•         A contents page must be included
•         The word limit is 5,000 words  (+/- 10%)
•         All projects should be word-processed using Verdana font size 10 or 11
•         All pages must be numbered
•         Use only white, A4-size paper – and print on only one side of the paper
•         One-and-a-half (or double) line spacing must be used in the main body of the text
•         Use Harvard referencing in the text and at the end
•         Do not use SWOT ‘analysis’ except, perhaps, as part of the conclusion
•         Do not use footnotes or end-of-chapter notes
•         Appendices are not allowed