20106 Management Capstone
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Subject handbook information prior to 2021 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 20101 Management Skills AND Two subjects from 20102, 20103, 20104, 20105
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject is regarded as a crowning achievement and consolidates the knowledge that has been learnt in the major as well as integrates the core disciplines in a holistic manner. The subject provides students with opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills developed before and during their final year of undergraduate study. Students gain transferable skills with research application including presentation, research process and team-working skills. Students produce submissions to relevant authorities, professional bodies and the wider academic community through a formal presentation. The subject engages students in ethical and sustainability issues at the same time giving them experience of some of the practical aspects of management, highlighting how various business disciplines contribute to their professional knowledge.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | apply theoretical approaches to work practice |
|---|---|
| 2. | engage in critical theoretical and professional discourse |
| 3. | synthesize existing theories and expertise in creative and innovative ways |
| 4. | reflect on personal, social, emotional and practical issues of working in the context of a team |
| 5. | develop logical, consistent plans to solve a research-in-action problem, evaluate the consequences of the solution and articulate reasons for choosing the solution in an interdisciplinary context |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:
- Demonstrate interrelationships between differing business disciplines (1.2)
- Locate, select and analyse relevant data and resources (2.1)
- Critically evaluate data and resources in the context of relevant academic literature (2.2)
- Apply critical and creative thinking to address issues in business (2.3)
- Demonstrate an awareness of conflicting ethical demands of various stakeholders within business (4.1)
- Evaluate business responses to ethical issues and dilemmas (4.2)
- Critically analyse the core professional obligations, values and operations of organisations, including sustainability in teams in an inclusive manner (4.3)
- Demonstrate work-ready disciplinary knowledge (5.1)
- Apply technical skills necessary for professional practice in business (5.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The main aim of the capstone courses 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. This is an ambitious project that requires careful coordination and division of labour, and constitutes a real contribution to a student's e-portfolio. Reflection on both the team process and output is an integral part of successful teamwork and is regarded as important 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. In preparing a written report, and making a public presentation of their findings and their product, process or recommendations, students demonstrate professional-level competence.
Content (topics)
- Advanced team management skills
- Researching organisations
- The reflective practitioner
- Project management and planning
- Problem-solving and interdisciplinarity
- Strategic and appreciative dialogue
- Preparing a portfolio of learning
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Short business analysis (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 5 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 2000 words (excluding executive summary, reference list and appendices) |
Assessment task 2: Business Analysis (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 5 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 3000 words and in-class presentation |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 and 4 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 4.1 and 4.2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject's total marks.
Required texts
Jill Collis and Roger Hussey (2014) Business Research: a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. 4th edn. Palgrave: London, UK.
References
Books:
Dane, Francis C. Research methods. Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishing Co, 1990.
Easterby-Smith, Mark, Richard Thorpe, and Paul R. Jackson. Management research. Sage, 2012.
Gummesson, Evert. Qualitative methods in management research. Sage, 2000.
McNabb, David E. Research methods in public administration and nonprofit management. Routledge, 2017.
Tharenou, Phyllis, Ross Donohue, and Brian Cooper. Management research methods. Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Academic Journals:
Academy of Management Journal
Academy of Management Review
Administrative Science Quarterly
Organizational Research Methods
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Journal of Research Practice
Qualitative Inquiry
Sociological Methods & Research
Other resources
It is excepted you will have developed and applied professional information literacy capabilities throughout your management major. For each assessment task in this subject you should apply those capabilities to access the library databases and use your professional discretion to identify reliable and valid sources of information to support your analysis.