2.29 international finnace and business（2）

Faculty of

Business and Law

Module Handbook CORP3543– Contemporary Business Issues

2023 – 2024

School: Leadership, Management, and Marketing

Module code: CORP3543 – Contemporary Business Issues

Academic Year: 2023-2024

Credit value: 30 credits

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Module Leader (ML): Dr. Deji Olagboye

Email: [email protected]

Room: HU4.86

Advice and Feedback hours: Monday: 13:00 – 15:00

Assessment 1 (AS1) Assessment 2 (AS2)

Type Individual Video Presentation +

PowerPoint/PDF submission Essay assignment

Length 10 minutes (+/- 10% allowed) 2000 words (+/- 10% allowed)

Weighting 40% 60%

Deadline 08 March 2024 at 12:00 PM (Noon)

UK Time Zone (NOT midnight) 10 May 2024 at 12:00 PM (Noon)

UK Time Zone (NOT midnight)

Return date 04 April 2024 04 June 2024

Note: This handbook is correct at the time of writing and may be subject to change. Throughout your studies, to ensure

you have the most up to date information, you should always consult the online version of this handbook held on Learning

Zone.

Notes:

1. All Turnitin Submissions (main submissions, extensions, re-assessments, resits and deferrals) MUST

be submitted by the deadline at 12:00 PM UK Time (NOT midnight).

2. You are encouraged to submit your assessments before the deadline.

3. All coursework must be submitted electronically via Turnitin by the deadlines unless there are

mitigating circumstances. Information on penalties and late submissions can be found at:

http://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/the-student-gateway/academic-support-office/deferral-of-

assessments.aspx

4. The Faculty is committed to the 20-day turnaround time for the marking and return of coursework.

The turnaround time does not include weekends, bank holidays or university closure days.

1. All e-mail communications between students and the teaching team must be sent and received using

your DMU University e-mail address.

2. Check the Learning Zone and your university mailbox regularly for the updates of the module.

3. Response to students’ requests and e-mails will be made within 48 hours, Monday – Friday / 9:00 – 17:00.

4. If you need a letter of recommendation for your further studies, please, send your request to your Personal Tutor but not to any of the staff members of the CORP3543 module.

***Attention***

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Table of Contents

1. Description of the course .......................................................................................................... 4

2. Teaching team ........................................................................................................................... 5

3. How it’s going to be taught in 2023-24

3.1 Lectures ....................................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Seminars ...................................................................................................................... 6

4. Lecture schedule ....................................................................................................................... 7

5. Assessment overview

5.1 Assessment 1: Individual Video Presentation ............................................................. 8

5.2 Essay assignment ........................................................................................................ 10

5.3 Assessment criteria .....................................................................................................11

6. Reassessment

6.1 General ........................................................................................................................13

6.2 Extension and deferral process ...................................................................................13

7. Reading......................................................................................................................................14

8. Q&A ........................................................................................................................................... 14

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1. Description of the course

Why do businesses behave as reported, observed and analysed by businesses themselves and their numerous

stakeholders: business executives, employees, media, academics, civil societies and the general public? The

module discusses how businesses respond to various global economic, political, ethical and other issues in

contemporary constantly-changing world. This module is designed to critically evaluate how current issues in

business decisions are influenced by both economics and politics in a global context. Strong emphasis is devoted

to analysing the causes of major world events and examining how business managers confront the various

challenges and scenarios that these might produce.

Objectives and Learning Outcomes:

Critically evaluate different views and perspectives on current business issues and apply the appropriate

theories to derive balanced and informed opinions.

Develop academic research techniques justifying research questions and reviewing literature from a

variety of perspectives.

Carry out quality primary and secondary research as an independent learner.

Produce logical, well-presented and coherently argued analysis.

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2. Teaching team

Name Contact details

Dr. Deji Olagboye Module Leader

Email: [email protected] Office: HU4.86 Office Hours: Monday 13:00pm – 15:00pm

Lecturer in Business and Management Tel: TBA Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ibrahim Rufai Office: HU4.82

Senior Lecturer in Business and Management Office hours: TBA Tel: 0116 250 6315

Miss Christiana Cole

Associate Lecturer in Business and Management

Email: [email protected] Office: HU6.92 Office hours: Thursday 11:00am – 13:00pm Tel: TBD

Mr. Emmanuel Chiaha Associate Lecturer in Business and Management

Email: [email protected]

Office: HU5.91 Office hours: Monday 12:00pm – 14:00pm Tel: TBD

Note: Meetings with your tutors during advice and feedback hours can be conducted online via MS Teams or in- person face-2-face. Please, contact your tutor for more information on their availability.

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3. How it's going to be taught in 2023-2024

The University has had to adapt its mode of teaching delivery to hybrid during the pandemic. However, the University has taken the decision that all teaching sessions named ‘Lectures’ and ‘Seminars’ will be delivered face-to-face in classes. Attendance will be tracked by the University.

3.1 Lectures All lectures will be taught face-2-face this academic year. Briefs of lectures will be recorded and subsequently posted on the Learning Zone. All other necessary materials will be posted on the Learning Zone in the section ‘Lecture Materials’ approximately a week in advance and no later than Thursday of the previous week before the teaching session. Our teaching staff will do their best to provide you with the best learning experience in this format. In each week’s folder, apart from the lecture slides and the recording, you will see the folder with additional reading that can be useful for you to expand your knowledge.

3.2 Seminars Seminars will be conducted face-to-face in classes. Please, check your timetable to know what classes you need to attend and when. Please, check regularly in case if any last-minute changes occur. Each week, before you attend the seminar session, you will need to attend the face-2-face lecture session, look at the PowerPoint slides, read the essential book chapter or journal articles and watch the necessary videos. You will find everything on your module’s Learning Zone, in the Learning Materials tab inside every week folder. You should review essential materials to increase and develop your knowledge and understanding of that week’s topic. You must attend the seminar of your allocated tutor only!

The University has a wide range of support services to assist staff and students:

Centre for Enhancing Learning through Technology Student and Academic Services Centre for Learning and Study Support Centre for Academic Innovation Universal Design for Learning De Montfort Students’ Union Equality and Diversity Decolonising DMU Healthy DMU

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4. Lecture schedule

Note: Due to the contemporary nature of the module, changes in emphasis or content may occur if major new issues arise that deserve coverage.

Week Lecture Lecture Topic Lecturer

01 01 Introduction / Innovation, Industry, and Competition Dr Deji Olagboye

02 02 Lean Management, Systems and Logistics Dr Deji Olagboye

03 03 Quality Management Dr Deji Olagboye

04 04 Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Dr Deji Olagboye

05 05 Industry 4.0: challenges and opportunities for businesses Dr Deji Olagboye

06 Enhancement week

07 06 Measurements of the global economies Dr Deji Olagboye

08 07 Management structure, corporate governance, and agency theory

Dr Deji Olagboye

09 08 Retail, consumer behavior, digitalization, & experience economics

Dr Deji Olagboye

10 09 Capitalism, ownership, and sharing economy Dr Deji Olagboye

11 10 Summary of the term / Assessment 1 Q & A Dr Deji Olagboye

12 Winter Break

13 Winter Break

14 Winter Break

15 11 Economics of Innovation Dr Ibrahim Rufai

16 12 The Ethics of Consumption Dr Ibrahim Rufai

17 13 Child Labor in Contemporary Supply Chains Dr Ibrahim Rufai

18 14 The UN Sustainable Development Goals Dr Ibrahim Rufai

19 15 The Role of Certification in Product Branding and its Development Impact

Dr Ibrahim Rufai

20 16 Emerging Economies and International Division of Labor Dr Ibrahim Rufai

21 17 International Trade Theory and Market Entry Modes Dr Ibrahim Rufai

22 Enhancement week

23 18 Regional Economic Integrations, Eurozone, and Brexit Dr Ibrahim Rufai

24 19 FDI and Sino-African Relationships Dr Ibrahim Rufai

25 20 Assessment 1 Support and Q & A Session Dr Deji Olagboye

26 Easter

27 Easter

28 Easter

29 21 Reputation & Change Management Dr Ibrahim Rufai

30 22 Assessment 2 Essay clarification, explanation, Q & A, and Drop-in Sessions

Dr Ibrahim Rufai

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5. Assessment overview

5.1 Assessment 1: Individual Video Presentation (AS1) The module assessment is designed to encourage students to analyse and critically review all aspects of business decision making from global perspectives. This is an assessment worth 40% of the overall module mark. It involves a video-recorded presentation with the help of Panopto. The individual presentation is used to help students practice to develop communicative and verbal skills in order to be more successful in interviews and the workplace. Due to the scope of the presentation, students are expected to provide detailed research on their chosen topic. Hence, this will help them get prepared for the essay exam as well. This task enables the students to examine a business-related issue in-depth and gain useful feedback from the tutor. Please, read another file with the instructions on how to upload the recorded video to DMU Panopto.

Task The students are expected to select any company from the real world and critically evaluate the impact of global economic and political challenges on the business activity of the chosen entity. This can be any company from any industry sector and of any size: small, medium or multinational enterprise. It can be a local business or an international organisation. It can even be the business of your parents, brother/sister, friend, and your own existing enterprise. In this task, it is very crucial for the student to demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to a chosen case of a specific company. This is a problem-based learning task, which is a student- centered approach where the student learns about a subject by solving an open-ended problem. Hence, apart from discussing the practical aspect of the business case and proposing the solutions, students are expected to provide the academic debate on the chosen topic and apply the relevant theories accordingly. The theme of the problem, as well as the theoretical discussion, must fit one of the lecture topics listed above in ‘Lecture Schedule’.

Instructions For this task, the students are free to use any video recording device and software. You can use your smartphone and/or laptop camera to record yourself. You can use various software tools depending on your needs and computing skills: Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, etc. Using software tools will probably be an inevitable stage of the process as you are expected to edit and merge separately recorded parts. It will be welcoming if you demonstrate the variety in your presentation delivery, i.e., showing slides together with showing yourself in the camera.

This is an individual assignment. You are expected to record a 10-minute presentation with +/- 10% deviation. Hence, if your video is shorter than 9 minutes and longer than 11 minutes, your grade will be reduced accordingly. The recorded file must be uploaded to DMU Panopto website to the relevant folder for grading purposes: please, see another file with the instructions on how to upload the recorded video to DMU Panopto.

Note: You must submit a copy of your presentation slides in the PDF or PPT formats to Turnitin; otherwise, your submission will not be graded in the system, and you will get zero/fail for this assessment. Besides, if you submit the PDF or PPT files only without a video-presentation, you will get 50% of the mark only.

Note: When you upload and save your video recording on DMU Panopto website, please, name the file in the following way: Full Name_Student ID

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The structure of the presentation There is no limit in terms of the number of slides you are expected to provide. However, taking into account that it must be a 10-minute video-presentation; hence, you are expected to demonstrate approximately ten slides in your presentation, excluding the title, ‘thank you’, and bibliography slides.

The approximate structure of the presentation can be the following - it’s just the recommendation):

Slide 1: Title Your name, student number, the title of the research project, etc.

Note: when you submit PDF or PPT file to Turnitin, you must paste the link to your video file in Panopto folder in the Slide 1 Title or Slide 2. If you do not do that and a member of the teaching staff cannot find your file, you will get zero/fail for this assessment.

Slides 2-3: Background of the study Description of the chosen company, association theme (Brexit, innovation management, digitalisation of the retail industry, etc.) and the relevance of the study/topic

Slide 4: Research aim and objectives/questions Clarify the aim of your study (what are you trying to find and achieve); state your research objectives and questions.

Slides 5-6: Theoretical discussion Generally, discuss relevant theoretical frameworks and models related to your case study problem (Porter’s Five Forces, Agency Theory, Liberalisation, etc.). This is some sort of ‘literature review’ section; hence, the use of academic sources is compulsory.

Slide 7: Resources used for data collection and analysis Shortly describe the sources you used for this study. Apart from journal articles and books, you can mention the use of secondary statistical sources such as the World Bank, OECD, National Federal Statistics of any country, FAME database, etc.

Slides 8-10: Analysis and discussion of the findings In this section, you can discuss the case study in full. You should demonstrate the figures and tables that prove that the problem takes place in a particular industry sector and applies to the chosen company. You are expected here to specifically utilise and connect your case study with the theoretical framework you have mentioned previously in slides 5-6. As a result of the theoretical debate and application as well as demonstration of the figures and tables, you are expected to propose solutions to the problem of your chosen company. You may also want to compare and mention other examples of similar companies in similar or even different industry sectors but with the same problem in order to enrich your findings and support the argument.

Slide 11: Conclusion and summary List the key findings and points as the result of your work.

Slides 12-14: “Thank you for your attention” slide and bibliography list (Harvard referencing)

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Each section above may contain more slides than suggested, obviously. At the same time, don’t overload your slides with information, i.e., text, figures, tables, and pictures. It is still a presentation, not an essay. The quantity of information on each slide must be just enough to deliver the message to the reader, listener, spectator. Only key points and the most important information should be shown on the slides – the rest must be said and explained by the presenter.

Summary

10-minute (+/- 10%) individual video presentation

Deadline: Friday 08th March 2024 at 12pm UK time

Weighting: 40% of the overall mark

Submitted online to DMU Replay

A link to the file in Panopto must be provided in the PDF/PPT file

PDF/PPT file must be submitted via Turnitin; otherwise, the submission will not be graded

5.2 Essay Assignment (AS2)

This is a traditional essay assignment with 2000 words, which will worth 60% of the overall module mark. Due to the highly contemporary nature of the module, the syllabus and its emphasis can change from year to year. The students are expected to demonstrate both theoretical and practical knowledge while answering the question. Students are expected to develop a greater understanding of the subject by continued and extensive reading using a range of sources while getting prepared for the assessment. It will not be sufficient to rely on material given in lectures only. Instead, the student should develop an awareness of diverse opinions, theoretical frameworks, and practical examples.

This is an individual essay assignment that must be submitted online before the submission deadline. The questions are based on the taught material throughout the academic year. Please follow all instructions carefully.

• You must choose only one question out of four.

• You must prepare your answer in a single word document so that it can be submitted as a single document via Turnitin.

• Word limit is 2000 words (+/- 10%) excluding references

• Please, name the document as “CORP3543 – Pnumber”

• You must submit your essay via Turnitin on or before Friday 10th May 2024, 12pm UK Time

• You may submit your answers at any time up to the submission time, but you may not resubmit once your answers have been uploaded.

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Answer only ONE question from four options. Each of the questions carries equal marks.

Question 1: What are the contemporary challenges and trends reshaping the retail industry?

Indicative Answer: Students are expected to explain the essence of retail, consumer behaviour, customer service and satisfaction, and some elements of marketing. They also need to clarify how digitalisation changes the shape of retail as well as consumer behaviour and expectations. Emphasis should be given to the discussion of contemporary customers’ expectations and link them to the theories of sharing economy and experience economics, which companies should take into account and adjust their business strategies accordingly. Students must provide a specific case study example(s) in their discussion: e.g., John Lewis, Thomas Cook, Deliveroo.

Question 2: Has the COVID19 pandemic disrupted the landscape of standard supply chain management concept and how?

Indicative Answer: Students must discuss the standard theories and models of the supply chain and lean management. They are also expected to examine how current pandemic challenges these existing models and debate whether businesses (and scholars) should rethink them. Specific emphasis should be given to a particular case study example of the industry sector: for instance, car manufacturing (e.g., VW, Toyota), clothing (textile) industry (e.g., Nike), technology production (e.g., HP), maritime transportation, etc. Students must demonstrate the ability to apply theories in their discussion of real-life examples.

Question 3: Mission impossible? What are the motivating factors and challenges to businesses being sustainable and how effective are contemporary sustainability strategies?

Indicative answer: Students must discuss some of the motivating factors to business being sustainable (such as consumer/NGO pressure, legislation, SDGs, climate change and threats to long-term business survival as a result of inaction) as well as the challenges to businesses being sustainable (e.g., cost, consumer apathy, shareholders, weak legislation, ‘unreachable’ parts of the supply chain etc.) Students must also discuss the effectiveness of sustainability strategies such as making changes to supply chain or manufacturing practices, adopting the SDGs or a certification system (such as ISO26000, Fairtrade etc.) and how effectiveness can be ascertained/measured. The analysis must include real-life case study examples and practical recommendations for businesses.

Question 4: Critically discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses within Industry 4.0.

Indicative Answer: Students must assess and debate the changing landscape of the world economies and the impact of technologies on the labour market. Good answers should include the critical discussion of how digitalisation has created new types of jobs and now requires new skills of potential employees. Students should also provide how digitalisation influenced other spheres of doing business and how technologies are being implemented there: supply-chain, sales, customers service, and public, private sectors, in general. Students must provide a specific case study example(s) in their discussion by examining a particular industry sector or a company: e.g., financial industry, deliveries (e.g., Deliveroo), or streaming services (Netflix vs Blockbuster).

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Structure of the essay

The approximate structure of the essay can be the following - it’s just the recommendation:

Title Page (not included in the word count). Title page MUST include the

1. Introduction (200-250 words)

• Introduction into the topic

• Problem statement / background of the problem / Relevance

• Research aims and objectives 2. Theoretical discussion of the topic (750-800 words)

• Discuss relevant theoretical frameworks and models related to your case study problem: for example, retail, digitalisation, consumer behaviour, international trade theories, regional integration, agency theory, stakeholder theory, supply chain and lean management, etc.

• This is a literature review section; hence, the use of academic sources is compulsory.

3. Example / Case study (750-800 words) • Students must provide a specific case study example(s) in their discussion by examining a particular

company or an industry sector.

• Students must demonstrate the ability to apply theories in their discussion of the real-life examples. Demonstration of the figures, graphs, and tables with secondary data will be beneficial.

4. Conclusion (200-250 words)

• Provide a summary of your work

• Cover the key findings and points as the result of your work

Bibliography list (not included in the word count)

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5.3 Assessment criteria In your final year on a degree course, you are expected to research your own information. This makes for more varied work as a set reading list does not constrain you. Moreover, it gives you more freedom to generate your own individual perspectives. However, you may wish to ask your tutor for some guidance. Marks will be awarded for logical development and depth of argument, research quality and measured critical analysis. The highest grades are attained by the uniqueness of the interpretation research sources. Marks are awarded for the ‘professionalism’ of your work.

Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct file is uploaded and that you have an appropriate internet connection to facilitate electronic submission of your work. Paper or e-mailed copies of your work, whether draft, work in progress or completed, will not be accepted by your Tutor for review or as an official submission. Only documents/files uploaded to Turnitin will be accepted as an official submission.

Logical development and clarity of argument: To convince the Assessor that your point of view is valid and correct, your argument should be clear and straightforward and developed in a logical and understandable manner.

Level of research/theoretical application: Your Assessor will need to be convinced that you have not merely fabricated your ideas. As such, it is absolutely essential that you support your argument or arguments with supporting studies, referenced views, appropriate theories and/or data from reputable sources. Remember to cite and construct your reference list in Harvard format.

Depth of content: To add additional weight to your points, they should be sufficiently well explained to ensure that they stand up as good supporting evidence. Too many points covered superficially are usually less effective than a few expressed in detail. Credit is given for the application and critical evaluation of theory.

Measured/critical analysis/synthesis: An argument or point of view is only normally convincing if you clearly demonstrate that you have considered the standpoint of others and either rejected them or used them to support and validate your perspective. Your concluding argument needs to critically reflect on the data and theoretical underpinning (where appropriate) rather than summarise the earlier presented material.

The professional appearance of submission: Your work needs to exhibit a professional presentation, free of grammatical, punctuation, spelling errors, etc. Ensure that you write in the academic style as opposed to 1st person. Ensure that margins and paragraphs are aligned. Include a title page and label all diagrams, tables, appendices, etc. Take care with any loss of visual clarity when copying images from the internet. You must look professional on the video presentation as well. Your speech must be clear and distinctive.

The use of charts, tables, and figures is a highly effective means of summarising research / representing a concept. All tables and figures must have a title and a reference to the original sources if they are not constructed by the student.

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This is a guide to the criteria used by staff in the Faculty of Business and Law assigning a mark to a piece of undergraduate work. The final mark awarded to a piece of work will be informed by its predominant correspondence to these descriptors. The University generic descriptors, as well as advice for students, can be accessed here.

Modules are marked on a range of 0-100%. Mark descriptors are given in the table below. A mark below 40% indicates a Fail grade (the shaded boxes). Modules are marked on a range of 0-100%. Mark descriptors are given in the table below. These descriptors are inter-related: with regard to marks of 40 and above there is an assumption that in awarding marks in one band work will have met the requirements of the previous band; with regard to marks of 39 and below there is an assumption that in awarding marks in one band work will NOT have met the requirements of the previous higher band. When marking an individual piece of work, there is an expectation that it will clearly demonstrate most of the criteria within each band:

Mark Range Criteria Classification

90-100%

Indicates that no fault can be found with the work other than very minor

errors, for example typographical, or perhaps failure to satisfy the most

challenging and exacting demands of the assessment.

First class

honours

Distinction

80-89%

Indicates a very high level of understanding evidenced by an ability to

engage critically and analytically with source material. Likely to exhibit

independent lines of argument. Only minor errors or omissions.

First class

honours

Distinction

70-79%

Judged to be very good, yet not outstanding. May contain minor errors or

omissions. A well-developed response showing clear knowledge and the

ability to interpret and/or apply that knowledge.

First class

honours

Distinction

60-69%

Indicates a sound understanding of basic points and principles but with

some failure to express or to apply them properly. Hence the answer is

essentially correct, has some errors or omissions, and is not seriously

flawed.

Upper second-

class honours

(2:1)

Merit

50-59%

Indicates a more limited understanding of basic points and principles, with

significant errors and omissions. These errors and omissions, however, do

not cast doubt on the basic level of understanding.

Lower second-

class honours

(2:2)

Pass

40-49%

Indicates questionable understanding of basic points and principles yet

sufficient to show that learning outcomes have been achieved at a

rudimentary level.

Third-class

honours

Pass

30-39% Indicates an answer that shows only weakly developed elements of

understanding. The learning outcomes have been insufficiently realised. Fail

20-29% Very little knowledge has been demonstrated and the presentation shows

little coherence of material or argument. Fail

0-19% Only isolated or no knowledge displayed. Fail

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6. Reassessment

6.1 General This module does not provide any ‘in-course reassessment’ opportunity. If you fail any of the assessments in this module (receive mark below 39%), you may not need to resit it. This will depend on a number of things: for example, the mark you received in the other assessment(s) for that module and other modules. In general, if your overall mark for this module is above 40%, you won’t have to take any reassessment. However, you will be told via your Results Tile in July 2024 which assessments you need to resit. If you have to retake any assessment, its task will be different from the one you failed. The resit task will be available on the Module Learning Zone in July 2024 after the final marks are available to students with further notifications about the reassessments. The deadline for reassessments will be in August 2024. A more specific date will be given in July 2024. The deferral task will be the same as the resit, so you will also see it from the Module Learning Zone.

Note:

It is your responsibility to access this information and follow the instructions carefully - it will not be emailed to you individually!

We understand that you may not be happy with your grade, but you cannot resubmit the work just because you are not satisfied with it. You can resubmit it only in case if the University notified you about it.

It is your responsibility to submit the correct version of your work to Turnitin (or Panopto). Resubmissions after the deadline will not be possible. The submitted version of your work will be graded accordingly.

6.2 Extension and Deferral process

Extensions: The University recognises that there are cases when students are unable to meet assessment deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances or have significant personal or medical issues. The University offers specific options for students in such situations, one of which is extensions to deadlines that can only be granted up to a maximum of 14 calendar days. Requests should be made and submitted not later than 24 hours in advance before the assessment deadline. Requests received after the date and time that the work is due to be submitted will not be considered.

You can apply for an extension by completing the request form available from the Student Advance Centre ASK BAL. This is a centralised process; so, please, do not send any forms to the module leader. Only ASK BAL now deals with the extensions and deferral procedures. Extensions to relevant deadlines are only granted where there is a satisfactory explanation provided in advance. ASK BAL can grant a short extension of up to 14 calendar days, or they can, if appropriate or practical, make alternative arrangements for the assessment. Remember, it may not always be possible to make alternative arrangements. In exceptional circumstances, extensions beyond 14 days can be granted by the Associate Dean Academic or their nominee.

Deferrals: If your circumstances are such that an extension of 14 days would not be sufficient and your performance in a piece of coursework has been seriously impaired, you may apply formally to your faculty panel for a deferral of assessment of coursework. The requests should also be completed before the assessment deadline. You can apply for a deferral by completing the request form available from the Student Advance Centre ASK BAL. This is a centralised process; so, please, do not send any forms to the module leader. Obviously, these resits and deferrals complicate the lives of both students and the teaching team. We all will be grateful if you do your best and submit all your assessments with high-quality standards on time during the academic year.

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Summary: 1) Students should make their requests in advance of the deadline using the forms on ASK BAL 2) The forms will be reviewed by the Student Advice Centre 3) Extensions up to a maximum of 14 calendar days (10 working days) will be approved by the Student

Advice Centre, provided students meet the requirements 4) The Student Advice Centre will contact the student directly with the decision and inform the module

leader accordingly

Note: An extension will not be granted where a student’s own organisational abilities have caused an issue with meeting a deadline. These include poor time management, failure of IT equipment, uploading incorrect information to Turnitin, commitments to paid or voluntary employment and other similar situations.

7. Reading

Due to the nature of the module, which involves covering many theoretical debates and discussions of contemporary business cases, there is no specific and universal literature. At the end of each teaching session, the lecturer will provide a few academic sources (books or journal articles), which will help you to gain the necessary knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the delivered topic. Also, generic recommended texts books you may consider:

Contemporary Business Issues: A Custom Book Covering Most of the Topics on this Module; McGraw-Hill. 2020.

Print: https://www.mheducation.co.uk/contemporary-business-issues-9781307592894-emea E-book: https://www.mheducation.co.uk/ebook-contemporary-business-issues-9781307593464- emea Use 20% Student Discount: MGH20UK5

Note: Please, also check DMU library for the availability of this textbook.

Pugel, T. (2020), International Economics (17th eds.), New York: McGraw Hill Education.

Hill, C., & Hult, T. (2020). ISE International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace (13th eds.), New York: McGraw Hill Education

8. Q&A

8.1. Attendance Attendance and engagement in all learning activities are expected in all Faculty of Business and Law modules. For absences due to illness, lasting up to six consecutive calendar days, students must inform tutors, whose classes they are missing, of the reasons for their absence. For absences of seven consecutive days or more due to illness, a medical certificate must be submitted to the Faculty Student Advice Centre. The students who wish the illness to be taken into account in relation to an assessment of work must follow the procedures relating to deferral.

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Please note that attendance is not only expected but indeed is compulsory and that your attendance will be both recorded and monitored for each interactive lecture/seminar in accordance with DMU policy. The faculty is committed to providing an equal learning experience for every DMU student through the use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Examples of the ways in which we do this include a focus on flexible ways of learning, providing flexible study resources such as by recording lectures, and by using a variety of assessment methods.

You are expected to attend all timetabled sessions. In order to register your attendance, it is important that you sign the register in class or/and swipe your student card against the reader (in rooms fitted with card readers). Fraudulent use of student cards for attendance monitoring, i.e., swiping in other students who are not in attendance or asking other students to swipe your card when you are not in attendance, will not be tolerated. If you are caught doing this, you will be asked to attend a meeting with the Associate Dean Academic, and if found in breach of university regulations, this may be recorded on your student record. Please note that you will be recorded as absent if your attendance is not recorded at your timetabled activities. Your attendance will be monitored weekly; if you miss classes, you will be contacted by the faculty, initially by email (to your University email address) and thereafter, if you fail to respond and/or you continue to miss classes, by post to your term-time and permanent address. Monitoring your attendance allows us to identify and assist students who are experiencing difficulties. You will be expected to respond promptly to any correspondence we send you; failure to do so could result in termination of your student registration.

8.2 Is it obligatory to provide Final Harvard Reference List and citations? Yes, even though your first assessment is a video-presentation, you must provide in-text references (where necessary) and a final bibliography list. Please, make sure you support your statements with references. Please check source selection guideline on your Assessment Support folder. You MUST use the Harvard system (Cite Them Right).

8.3 Plagiarism and bad academic practice De Montfort University's Academic Regulations describe plagiarism as: “the significant use of other people's work and the submission of it as though it were one's own in assessed coursework (such as dissertations, essays, experiments etc.)”. This includes:

• Copying from another student's work

• Copying text from sources such as books or journals without acknowledgement

• Downloading information and/or text from the Internet and using it without acknowledgement

• Submitting work which you claim to be your own when it has been produced by a group

• Submitting group work without acknowledging all contributors.

De Montfort University describes bad academic practice as: Low level duplication without citation for example errors made through carelessness or misunderstanding or passing off ideas, data or other information as if originally discovered by the student. Information on academic offences can be found here. Full details can be found in the University regulations.

Students are reminded that module assessment results are provisional until ratified by the programme management boards and that results released to students can be revised or redacted if there are concerns regarding academic practices. Turnitin checks student work for possible textual matches against available internet resources and its own proprietary database. When you upload your work correctly to TURNITIN you will receive a receipt which is your record and proof of submission.

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Typically, your work should not exceed 20% of the plagiarism level. If the plagiarism level is between 20% and 40%, the Assessor has a right to reduce the grade of the submission accordingly. Specific attention will be given to all the submissions, which plagiarism level exceeds 40%. This is excluding the title pages, tables, figures, and bibliography lists. If the level of plagiarism exceeds 40%, the Assessor will notify the Module Leader, and subsequently another further University department. As a result, the student can be penalised, i.e., resubmit the assignment or retake the entire course. For more details, please see “Academic Offences”.

Basic tips:

• You cannot copy and paste the text from the original sources

• You cannot copy and paste the text from your own work submitted previously at another institution

• You cannot copy and paste the text from your own work submitted previously in another institution in a different country

• You must write/rewrite/rephrase everything in your own words using appropriate citations

8.4 When will I know my results? All students will be informed via a Learning Zone announcement when their assessment is marked. You are strongly encouraged to discuss your written or in some cases, audio feedback with your workshop tutor in the first instance and subsequently, your module leader if you have any questions or concerns. Modules assessed wholly or in part by examination may have generic feedback on examination performance made available via Learning Zone. All marks on assessed work are provisional marks only, and they will not be confirmed until the Assessment Board meets. Marks and feedback on assessed work will be available within 20 working days. The turnaround time does not include weekends, bank holidays or university closure days. The full Assessment and Feedback policy can be consulted at: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/quality-management-and- policy/academic-quality/learning-teaching-assessment/assessment-feedback-policy.aspx. Once you receive your work with grades, please, read the feedback provided by your assessor. This feedback is expected to help you improve your skills for future projects and submissions. Also, if you have any questions and doubts about your grade and feedback, you can contact your assessor/tutor/module leader for further clarifications.