International Bridging Programme for

Masters in Management (PMM) 2014

Introduction to the Course and the
Case Study 1

Introduction to the case study 1

The aims of this session are to:

Explain the assessment procedure of the course

Look at the timetable
Look at the workload
Look at the dates for submission of work
Look closely at the case study

Introduction to the case study 1

PMM is a 5 week intensive course. You are assessed

by:

A reading test (week 4)

A listening test (week 4)
A writing test (week 4)
An oral presentation (week 5)
A case study a major writing assignment (week 3
and week 5)

Introduction to the case study 1

Continuous class assessment

Your tutor will monitor your performance in class on

certain tasks and on your contribution to activities.
Your class participation and performance counts
towards your final grade.

Introduction to the case study 1

Case studies are a common form of written assignments

in management and business degrees.
We expect you to:
show your ability to apply knowledge by integrating ideas
presented in the course in a critical evaluation of a
business situation
write in a formal academic style
present your work according to academic conventions
complete and submit your work within a specific time limit

Introduction to the case study 1

What specific skills do you think or hope you

will learn?
Task: List your ideas and discuss with your
partner

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How many of these skills did you list?

identify relevant information

take efficient notes
summarise and paraphrase
write an outline
write a first draft in an appropriate style
observe conventions on citation and presentation of the
reference bibliography
avoid plagiarism
use feedback from your tutor and classmates to help you
edit
hand in a tidy and accurate piece of writing on time

Introduction to the case study 1

In doing this work, you will show that you are

able to:
read around a topic, selecting suitable materials
from the department reading list and, if appropriate,
relevant e-journals
apply this knowledge in a critically evaluative piece
of work
make a clear distinction between your opinion and
that of others
show that you can communicate your ideas
effectively and quite accurately in both written and
spoken English

Introduction to the case study 1

Basic timetable:
Week 1
initial plan + reading

Week 2
detailed plan + your own sources

Week 3
1st draft due Monday (about 50% of case study,
approximately 700 words) respond to tutors feedback

Week 4
re-drafting and final submission (1500 words) Friday

Week 5
Tutors feedback

Introduction to the case study 1

Length 1500 words (+/- 10%)

font: Times New Roman 12, black
Line spacing : 1.5
Must contain a cover page
A contents page
The case study
References correctly cited in the case study
A bibliography/ references page

NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

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What is a case study?

TASK
Quickly scan the definitions on page 38 of your
handbook. What key words are common to each
definition?

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What did you find?

puzzle, problem, analyses, causes
interpretation, solution,

What kind of essay does this remind you of?

SPRE/Problem-Solution

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What help will you be given to write the case study?

Business School Lectures
Small lectures (seminars) on referencing,
bibliographies, plagiarism and paraphrasing
Tutorials with your tutor in a small class,
focussing on aspects of the case study and
writing

Introduction to the case study 1

Business School lectures (2 per week)

Each Business School lecturer has asked you to:
prepare beforehand ensure you have read the relevant
texts
Access the PowerPoints for their lectures either print or
bring an electronic device to lectures
You will be given a task for each lecture by your tutor
this may take the form of giving a summary to your
classmates or submitting your lecture notes for your tutor
to mark
You will need to identify the most significant factors in the
lectures and apply them to the case study

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Case study seminars (small lectures)

Your lecturer will give you help with understanding:
How to reference
How to use sources
How to avoid plagiarism

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Tutorials small classes with your tutor who will:

help you with academic writing
show you how to follow basic essay structures: SPRE,
analyse and evaluate
monitor your understanding of the Business School
lectures and application of the management principles
give feedback on your oral presentations of lecture
summaries

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The case study

Quickly skim pages to answer these questions.
1. What kind of business is involved?
2. What is the name of the business?
3. What sources of information do you have?
4. What is the main problem?
5. Who are the customers?
6. How would you describe the problem in business
terms?

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1. What kind of business is involved?

airport shuttle service
2. What is the name of the company?
SuperShuttle New York (Blue Van)

3. What sources of information do you have?

story, email, letter, fax
4. What is the main problem? Other?
poor service and very unhappy customer
5. Who are the customers?
Mr and Mrs G. Southern/ the Southerns

6. How would you describe the problem/s in

business terms? Customer relations

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The Business School Lectures:

Managing Internal Relationships how might this be
useful for the case study?
Managing Operations what do you think this might
mean?
Managing External Relationships how relevant will this
be for your case study?
Managing Operational Finance can you see how this
might be relevant to the case study?
The Business School Lectures will form the basis of your
case study.