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2022/2023  KAN-CICOO1009U  Project in International Business Communication

English Title
Project in International Business Communication

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Master of Arts (MA) in International Business Communication in English
Course coordinator
  • Whitney Byrn - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Communication
  • Marketing
  • Organisation
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 23-06-2022

Relevant links
Learning objectives
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to
  • Make informed methodological choices and motivate these;
  • Include one or more theories related to the research question in order to develop concrete hypotheses or to explain the findings;
  • Identify relevant challenges in international business communication
  • Write up a group based, empirically based project that relates to an international business communication challenge that the students have identified using appropriate communication and/or marketing strategies and demonstrating high English language competences;
  • Critically analyze empirical data from a relevant theoretical point of departure and have a well-reasoned research question, which delimits the field of research and provides a clear direction for the study;
  • Reflect on issues and findings in international business communication that have been identified as challenges.
Examination
Project in International Business Communication:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 3-4
Size of written product Max. 20 pages
Assignment type Project
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
15 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The re-take takes place as the ordinary exam, on the basis of the same, an improved, or a new project report.

If the student has handed in his/her project on time, but is sick at the oral defence, he/she can register for the re-take with the same project within the same exam period (the project report must be uploaded to DE again).

If the student for any other reason does not go to the ordinary oral exam or if the student does not pass the ordinary exam he or she must submit additional 10 pages, which reflects upon the project. (The project report must be uploaded to DE again)
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course prepares students for thesis work and allows students to topic-wise draw on MA IBC courses that they have taken or are taking in their 2nd semester. Students select a topic of interest and work in groups of 3-4 students. The purpose of the course is to enhance students’ ability to conduct theoretically, methodologically and empirically well—founded research of a business relevant topic. The student groups freely choose a research question within the limits of the themes covered by the IBC courses. The research question must relate to international business communicationon situations broadly understood.

 

Students are introduced to research methods which enable them to make informed choices as regards answering a research question addressing challenges within international business communication.
Description of the teaching methods
Following introductory lectures, students subdivide into groups or clusters, which will address more specific issues and challenges related to their project. Supervision and tutorials/workshops constitute the bulk of course work together with the study of methods and challenges in methodological choice(s).

The supervisor identified by/or assigned to each group will assist with formulation of the research question, choice of theory, method, data collection, data analysis and the structure of the paper. Students and supervisors meet on a regular basis.
The project groups are expected to send drafts or preliminary notes to the
supervisor before each meeting.

Students are required to work in groups of 3-4 students, and students are encouraged to start looking for writing partners as early as possible. In the event that students are unable to find writing partners and form groups of 3-4, students must contact the Study Board who will then help them form groups of 3-4 members. A formal application for exemption is required for students to be allowed to work in groups of fewer than 3-4 members, and dispensations are not given unless students have an extraordinary reason to apply for a dispensation.

Students are required to upload information about group members, topic and name of supervisor to the course-coordinator via Canvas no later than in week 10.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is given in the form of supervision:

Supervision is allocated as following:

3 students: 10.5 hours

4 students: 14 hours
Student workload
Participation in introductory lectures 20 hours
Preparation for introductory workshops 10 hours
Group work and supervisor contact 176 hours
Further Information

Students are required to fill in and submit a form stating the names and student group numbers of the project group members, an outline of their topic as well as the name of their supervisor not later than in week 10 of the spring semester. A catalogue of supervisors for the MA-IBC programmes can be found on CANVAS.
Expected literature

Saunders, N.K., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.
Last updated on 23-06-2022