CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS

Description

This is a core module where students can identify, explore, and analyse contemporary issues in the business, management, and economic environments of the 21st century. The overall focus of the module is on: to encourage students to identify and analyse key issues such as inflation and its impact on cost of living from international, national, industry and firm perspectives. To evaluate the impact of these contemporary issues and suggest critical solutions. Teaching inputs introduces students to key concepts and theories of business, management, and economics. Contemporary issues are then identified and discussed, encouraging student to utilise key concepts in analysing these issues. Student through seminars and guided activities are encouraged to carry out research using library resources and reputable internet sources. This develops their research skills by exposing them to a wide range of literature and encourages critical analysis of different perspectives on a topic or issue. This approach guides students through the learning cycle of knowledge, application, and analysis of issues, concepts, and theories. This builds the students confidence and learning skills essential for the degree programmes and professional careers. Throughout the semester students have additional opportunities to book individual/group sessions to clarify /address any learning issues. This module provides an opportunity for students to draw together strands from concurrent Foundation Year modules and apply them to an area of their own interest within a Business, Economics or Hospitality and Tourism Management context. Key module content includes: An introduction to contemporary issues in business, management, and economics – exploring key concepts and analytical frameworks. Exploring the dynamics of competitive markets, business, and organisation lifecycles. Examining the concept of market failure and its implications for contemporary issues and business decision making. Understanding Creativity, Ideation and Innovation and their significance in exploring contemporary issues and solutions in business, management, and economics. Exploring the trends and changes in business finance and the implications for business and management in the 21st century. Discussion of Sustainability, the types of sustainability, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their impact on economies, business, and management. Technology its impact on economies and business and its role in analysing and proffering solutions to identified contemporary issues. Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics and Sustainability in business and management With each student working to a topic of their own choosing over the course of the semester, there are particular challenges in managing time and resources independently, meaning that students need to demonstrate both resourcefulness and resilience as learners. Individual support is built into the module to help students meet these challenges and develop the required attributes, in the form of two scheduled individual tutorial sessions, further ad hoc tutor advice sessions, taking advantage of and learning from these support opportunities is a key part of an active approach to the module. Provide students with an introduction to the fundamental concepts and frameworks used in contemporary issues in business, management, and economics. It builds students skills in applying the theoretical concepts and models to contemporary issues in business management and economics. This encourages development of students analytical skills. Develop students critical comprehension, evaluative and synthesis skills. These skills are essential in decision-making and problem solving in business, economics, and management. The module lays the foundation for more complex study in the degree programme and in professional life post-graduation study. Attributes Developed 001 Demonstrate knowledge and be able to explain key business, management and economic concepts and theories. K 002 Expound and interpret the linkages and interlocking nature of contemporary issues within the wider business, management, and economics context. K 003 Apply and analyse contemporary issues using applicable framework, models, and quantitative and qualitative techniques. CPT 004 Evaluate and synthesize the significance of their analysis of contemporary issues for business and organisations in the 21st century. CPT 005 Communicate effectively in different formats and inform key decision makers of their analysis and recommendations for business and management issues/problems. KCPT