SBUS45440

This module involves you identifying a worthwhile research topic of clear relevance to the field of international management, undertake a research study related to this topic and present your findings in a clear and impactful manner.

To begin with, we will ask you to identify a topic in a broad area of international management that sparks your interest: an unexplained business phenomenon, a novel business practice that may apply more widely than is currently the case, a set of contradictory ideas or business outcomes that require explanation -- anything you would like to understand better and find practical solutions for. This initial choice is critical as you will invest approximately 500 hours of work in your research; it is important to make it worth your time and to enjoy researching something you are truly interested in. You will work on this topic with a partner of your choosing – we know from experience that the end product is much better when there is a partner involved and having a trusted partner on a big task makes it more manageable and fun.

Having selected your topic, the next stage will be to review, synthesise and critically analyse the extant literature on this topic with the aim of providing a comprehensive, expert insight into it. While novel insights are not necessarily expected, it is hoped that that you will generate some in the research process. A thoughtful synthesis of dispersed or seemingly contradictory knowledge can be very insightful!

The final stage of this research project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to identify, collect and analyse data in a systematic manner to produce a unique piece of applied research to add to the extant knowledge on their chosen topic. This part of the project requires you to develop your research skills by completing a piece of research that has relevance to the understanding and practice of international business and to communicate this clearly in a manner accessible to a managerial cohort.