This module aims to:

Prepare students for doctoral management research;

Embody a critically reflexive approach to learning and problem-management;

Support a wider agenda of scholarly leadership practice in organisations.

(LE1) A team player.
This skill will be developed through the online and face-to-face action learning set discussions and through activities to engage with lecturer feedback.

(LE2) A lifelong learner.
Critical reflexivity will be developed through exercises in reflecting on work-based incidents and questioning assumptions.

(LO1) Students will be able to differentiate single-loop learning from double-loop learning.

(LO2) Students will be able to compare and contrast the nature and applicability of a range of other action modalities.

(LO3) Students will demonstrate ability to critically evaluate personal biases, assumptions, and attitudes in the context of organisational learning.

(LO4) Students will demonstrate ability to formulate problem statements for enquiry related to work-based issue.

(LO5) Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the purpose of scholarly practice for leadership.

(LO6) Students will be able to differentiate between different epistemological positions in management studies.

(LRE1) Ethically aware.
This skill will be developed through classroom discussions of the role and responsibilities of managers and the rationale for scholarly practice in management.

(LRE2) IT literate.
The nature of the module in terms of online delivery will enable students to develop skills in using a virtual learning/communications environment.

(LRE3) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have the opportunity to develop written and oral communication skills through in-person and virtual group discussions, presentation, and individual assessment.

(LRE4) Organised and able to work under pressure.
This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and by meeting coursework deadlines.

(LRE5) A problem solver.
Students will be able to develop skills to formulate a problem statement and identify inquiry questions to enable them to investigate a work-based problem.

(LRE6) Flexible and adaptable.
Students will develop the skills needed to be open and responsive to the challenges faced in senior management, through the use of case studies, analysis, and inquiry.

(LRE7) Internationally aware.
Students from diverse international backgrounds will have the opportunity to engage and collaborate with each other, enabling a rich understanding of global management practice and developing skills in cross cultural working.

This module will be delivered over 15 weeks. Initial content will be introduced to students in the online classroom where peer discussion and structured activities will guide them to relate material to their work situations, through the learning mechanism of action learning. A compulsory 3-day face-to-face workshop held 2-3 weeks into the module will deepen this learning and underpins the entire module. This will be followed by further online learning over subsequent weeks. Throughout the module students will be expected to read all resources in the classroom as well as to engage in questioning and discussion with peers.

Method 1 – Students will attend a compulsory 3-day workshop in Liverpool, held 2-3 weeks into the module. This will consist of tutor-led workshops, including lectures, discussions, and student presentations. The dates of the workshop will be confirmed at the start of the programme.

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 30 hours

Description: T he workshop in Liverpool will equate to 10 hours/day over 3 days undertaken synchronously.
Attendance Recorded: Yes.

Method 2 - The face-to-face workshop will be supported though online learning. This will include a variety of online tasks, such as action learning set meetings, collaborative tasks and discussion boards, which will be used to develop and apply learning. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 180 hours

Description: The online workshops will equate to 12 hours/week over 15 weeks.
Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Method 3 - Additionally, students will participate in a total of six synchronous action learning sessions.
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12 hours

Description: The synchronous sessions will be scheduled approximately fortnightly, but excluding the weeks adjacent to the face-to-f ace workshop or the final week. Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Method 4 – In advance of the 3-day workshop in Liverpool, students will be expected to undertake pre-work, involving directed reading. They will also conduct post-work after the workshop.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 10 hours

Description: The workshop pre- and post- will equate to 5 hours/day over 2 days undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recorded: No.

Method 5 - Self-directed learning hours: 218
Description: This will involve directed and independent reading and independent research.

Arguments for and elements of scholarly practice in leadership (inquiry, reflection, praxis).

Philosophy of management research; types of knowledge and ways of knowing in management studies.

Action modalities; epistemology of practice.

1st, 2nd and 3rd person enquiry.

Identifying problems and problematisation.

Frameworks for reflection; sources of evidence; critical self-evaluation; single vs double loop learning.

Giving and receiving feedback.

Introduction to scholarly resources (library, databases).