University of Technology Sydney

21504 Management Capstone

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 21440 Management Skills AND 2 Subjects from 21510, 21511, 21591, 21227, 21228, 21595, 21602, 21555 AND 21512 Understanding Organisations: Theory and Practice
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject consolidates the knowledge learned in the management major by critically and creatively applying theoretical approaches to real-life management problems. Students integrate and apply knowledge and skills developed before and during their final year of undergraduate study. Students analyse business cases and apply problem-solving skills to challenging problems. The subject highlights an understanding of management problems as rising from both external and internal challenges to the organisation. It emphasises appreciation of power and influence, and provides students with first-hand experience of working with and influencing others to effect change. Students undertake research in a team setting and have the chance to reflect on their own and others' impact on team process.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. apply theoretical approaches to real-life management challenges
2. synthesise existing theories and expertise in creative and innovative ways in order to develop plans for solving management problems
3. articulate reasons for advocating for specific solutions and reflect on the implications of selecting one solution over alternative options
4. conduct research in teams and reflect on the student’s own and others’ contributions to team process and outcomes
5. demonstrate detailed understanding of management concepts and effectively communicate such concepts to an audience

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:

  • Critically analyse relevant concepts to understand practice in business and related professions in a global workplace (1.1)
  • Demonstrate interrelationships between differing business and related disciplines (1.2)
  • Locate and critically evaluate relevant data and literature to address business problems through a research approach (2.1)
  • Apply critical and creative thinking to address issues in business (2.2)
  • Convey information clearly and fluently in high-quality written form appropriate for their audience (3.1)
  • Use oral communication appropriately to convey information clearly and fluently (3.2)
  • Apply technical and professional skills necessary to operate effectively in business and related professions (5.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The main aim of the Management Capstone is to enable Management major students to synthesise their learning throughout the major and core subjects in the context of a selected business management project about a contemporary commercial issue impacting on society. Reflection on both the team process and output is an integral part of successful teamwork and is included in the assessment process. The completed project demonstrates students' ability to conduct field work, synthesise salient information, and articulate original ideas and thought processes to make a practical contribution to the existing body of knowledge relevant to their profession. Students gain professional-level competence in preparing a written report and making a public presentation of their findings and their product, process or recommendations.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

  • Business knowledge and concepts
  • Critical thinking, creativity and analytical skills
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Business practice oriented skills

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject focuses on integrating knowledge across core and elective subjects in the Management major and applying it creatively and critically to organisational issues. Key themes around which we will synthesize knowledge are managing change and conflict resolution. The subject will utilize lectures and workshops to deliver a series of modules that assist students in developing hands-on intervention strategies to organisational challenges. These modules include simulated role plays and debriefs as well as reflective discussions. Throughout the term students will undertake a supervised team project using a ‘live case study’.

Extensive use is made of the UTS web-based communication tool UTS-Online, which will be used to share information, provide feedback and encourage interaction between staff and students. Students should regularly check their UTS email accounts to receive important updates and to answer specific requests.

Students will work in self-management work teams throughout the semester. They are expected to attend all workshops to facilitate collaboration as well as develop a project management plan to enable their ongoing collaboration outside of class time. Teams are expected to independently and collectively negotiate the project, present their progress on the project (at various agreed milestones) and finally present the results in class. Teams will be provided with the opportunity for initial feedback on their proposed projects during the first six weeks of the semester. Further feedback will be provided in relation to submitted assessment tasks.

Content (topics)

  • Managing Change
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Managing for Social Good
  • Managing International Expansion
  • Managing Global Supply Chains
  • Managing Diversity

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Analysis and reflection of simulated role play (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

2 and 3

This addresses program learning objectives(s):

2.2, 3.1 and 5.1

Weight: 40%
Length:

A maximum word count of 1,500 words is permitted. A 10% margin is allowed (i.e. up to 1,100 words), beyond which a penalty of 1% mark deduction will be applied.

Assessment task 2: Report and Presentation (Individual and Group)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This addresses program learning objectives(s):

1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 3.2

Weight: 60%
Length:

Group report: maximum 4,000 words with a 10% margin (i.e. up to 4,400 words permitted with a 1% penalty for every word in excess of 3,300) (see assessment guidelines for what's included and excluded in word count)

Team presentations: 15 minutes per team.

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject's total marks.

Required texts

There are no required or recommended texts for this subject. A full list of required readings can be found on UTS Online. Information on sourcing each reading will also be on UTS Online.

Other resources

Additional resources during Autumn 2020 in response to social distancing measures during the Covid 19 crisis:

Using Zoom

If any of your learning activities are to be delivered using Zoom, you will receive a meeting invitation from your Tutor in your UTS mailbox.

If you do need to use Zoom, you will need to go to zoom.uts.edu.au (opens an external website) and log in with your UTS Student ID or Staff ID and IT password. You can find a guide to using Zoom here.

Please check your UTS mailbox regularly for official updates

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Provost and Vice-Chancellor will send information to the whole university community so it’s important you are regularly checking your UTS mailbox.

Visit the UTS website for updates: Please visit the dedicated ‘Coronavirus update’ page on the main UTS website for up-to-date information and FAQs.

IT support

If you need assistance logging into UTSOnline (Blackboard) (most undergraduate coursework subjects) or Canvas (most postgraduate coursework subjects) please contact the IT Support Centre on 9514 2222.

Academic Support

HELPS is going online

  • Virtual Drop-ins: Book in for a Zoom chat about your assignment with one of our Advisors.
  • One-to-one consultations Book in for a 1-to-1 consultation to get Zoom feedback on your draft assignment.
  • Workshops: Zoom workshops to develop your academic skills. The schedule for all our workshops is available here: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/daily-workshops

If you have any questions or concerns then please call 9514 9733 or email helps@uts.edu.au

UPASS

UPASS will be going online in most of its existing subjects, check the UPASS website for the schedule and registration. Go to https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/upass/upass or email us at upass@uts.edu.au

Speaking Programs and Volunteering

If you want to improve your English conversation skills and make friends:

  • Join the Buddy Program for zoom 1 to 1 conversation practice
  • Join our zoom Conversation Group sessions (starting 24 March)

Go to https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/english-speaking

If you’d like to volunteer:

For more information email us at helpsbuddies@uts.edu.au

Help is available

If you need to talk to someone or feel like you need support, please reach out. I also encourage you to continue connecting with your peers online, it is very important that we all continue to work together and support each other during this time.

Confidential and free UTS Counselling services will continue to be available. Please refer to the UTS Counselling page for updates.