20106 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 2025 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:
- Communicate information clearly in a form appropriate for its audience (2.1)
- Demonstrate ability to work independently and with others as a member of a team to achieve an agreed goal (2.2)
- Apply technical and professional skills to operate effectively in business (4.1)
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. 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.
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 help students develop 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 Learning Management System, 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 and 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 class results. 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 about the submitted assessment tasks.
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, .3, .3, 2.1 and 2.2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Students should provide a short essay (up to 500 words) for each of the four questions below. Please use the sub-headings and numbers given for each question in your assignment. Given that this is a reflection as well as an analysis, you should write from a first person perspective (“I did”, “I said”) and analyse the negotiation from your perspective rather than from the perspective of the role you played.
Describe the nature of the conflict you were faced with during the negotiation. Based on your understanding of the situation, what strategies did you approach the negotiation with? First, analyse the negotiation situation. What is the nature of the relationship between the parties and what are the stakes in this conflict remaining unresolved? What are parties’ interests and around which issues are their interests and/or goals compatible, if any? Second, justify the strategy or strategies you approached the negotiations with by demonstrating your understanding of all negotiations strategies available to you and their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Briefly describe the outcome of the negotiation and assess the effectiveness of your approach during the actual negotiation. Provide examples and illustrations that evidence your effectiveness (or lack thereof) in the negotiation. Why was your approach effective, or why not? How do you know this? In answering this question, consider how appropriate your strategy may have been to the situation at hand/ how your opponent reacted to it/ and how well you implemented your strategy.
Critically assess your strengths and weaknesses as a conflict resolver. Step back from the issues of the negotiation and discuss your qualities (behaviours, skills, communication style, strategies, etc) as a negotiator in ALL negotiations. Provide examples and/or illustrations how these qualities impacted the assigned negotiation or other negotiations in your life. Given what we have learned about negotiations, what situations would your strengths best serve you in and which situations would you want to be more prepared for given your weaknesses? Being critical means that you do not take for granted the received wisdom in readings, that you are able to question existing knowledge and build on it to reach your own conclusions.
What would you do differently in the future to improve the way you negotiate? This question does not refer to repeating the negotiation you were assigned in class; rather, it asks, how would you build on your strengths and avoid any negative consequences of your weaknesses in future negotiations? What steps would you take to avoid pitfalls and what skills would you work on developing? |
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): .2 and 4.1 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject's total marks.
Required texts
None
Recommended texts
See below.
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
Human resource management journal
Organizational Research Methods
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Journal of Business Research
Journal of Management Studies
Qualitative Inquiry
Sociological Methods & Research
Other resources
It is accepted 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.