- By this point you will have submitted and received formative feedback on your developing research investigation during what is termed
IMP1.
Now you will produce a report that:
Identifies an issue or problem in your own organisation (another organisation is acceptable only in exceptional circumstances. Seek
approval from the Unit Coordinator) that has multiple and varied approaches to its resolution. This should be a current or impending but
not a past issue. You will identify and integrate a range of theories and techniques drawn from multiple appropriate disciplines from your
MBA in the creation of appropriate solutions.
Once you have framed the problem you will identify and discuss relevant theories, models and paradigms related to the problem. Make
sure that you look at the problem from different points of view and relate them to your learning from as many different units of the MBA.
For example:
People - LMP, LP, MCI – how does your problem/ solution impact on the team & company? Performance, leadership, managing
2
creativity/innovation etc.
Financial aspect – AfL – How will your solution improve/ impact positively on the financial aspect of the company?
Marketing – How does your problem/solution impact on the marketing dimension?
Strategy – From the Strategy unit (Business Strategy) and from TCGC (locating your problem / organisation within the wider
context of global business/ sector – macro-environmental impact – PESTEL, etc.)
Operations Management – How does the problem/solution impact on the supply chain, procurement and operational
management issues?
Project management – Consider the models for managing change and other project management theories or models. Can any of
these be applied to your problem area? You may use the soft and hard systems approach within this context. Is there any other
approach that would be appropriate? If so, present it (with appropriate referencing) and explain how and why it is more suitable to
the task at hand.
This is not an exhaustive list and you may want to broaden the range of theories as you see fit. You will also want to be selective in the
approach you adopt, justifying the selection methodologically. It is important to use an integrated approach rather than look at each
dimension on its own.
Having done this, which will be roughly half of your word count, You will need to produce a critical review of the literature where you will
locate your work, discussing its broader contribution and demonstrating its distinctiveness. You will do this by critically evaluating the
concepts, theories, models, etc., used and extending this to identify and review the wider body of knowledge and latest research in the
field.
ASSESSMENT 1 – Word Count: 8,000 words
A substantial report which (a) analyses a current workplace problem with
multiple approaches to its resolution; (b) a critical literature review which
justifies the selection and solution generation
ASSESSMENT 2 – Word Count: 2,000 words
A reflective report which critically evaluates your capabilities at managing
the process of producing the project
