Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

During this course the students learn how to apply theories from various business disci-plines to real company problems. The students will be provided with a strong foundation of analytical tools and techniques, problem-solving methodologies and effective presentation and communication techniques. The students will then be able to apply and refine their use of these techniques through hands-on learning with several business cases.

After having completed the course, the students
- can develop and evaluate alternative feasible solutions for different international and na-tional business cases
- are able to apply theories and analytical tools from different business disciplines to real-world situations
- can make clear and justifiable recommendations to real-life business problems
- are able to present decisions to public in a professional manner
- demonstrate various leadership skills related to teamwork, innovation process manage-ment, work organization and methods, and initiative.

Content (course unit)

How to identify relevant information for different business decisions?
What are the methods in solving business cases with a structured approach?
How to give clear, convincing and engaging business presentations?

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student is present the required amount of contact classes (80 %) but the contribution to the different processes of team work and presenting case solutions is not more than satisfactory.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

In solving the cases, the student is able to participate in decision-making and gives an average input in the process of defining the problem(s), gathering and analyzing relevant information, and finally developing and evaluating alternative courses of action. Based on this analytical process, the student is able to participate in creating a recommendation on what he/she thinks the best course of action is as well as providing detailed implementation and risk mitigation plans. Presentation skills are of an average level in professionalism and assertiveness. The operation in a team is varying in perspectives of being responsible, considerate, motivated and task-oriented.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

In solving the cases, the student is able to act as a decision-maker and go through the stages of defining the problem(s), gathering and analyzing relevant information, and finally developing and evaluating alternative courses of action. Based on this analytical process, the student is able to create a recommendation on what he/she thinks the best course of action is as well as providing detailed implementation and risk mitigation plans. Presentation skills are convincing and professional. The operation in a team is responsible, considerate, motivated and task-oriented.

Location and time

On main campus (Kuntokatu), see detailed schedule in intranet

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Teaching methods focus strongly on practical, hand-on learning. This will be implemented by providing business cases that students solve by applying knowledge from various areas of study and effectively present the solutions. There will also be lectures focusing on specific areas that needs to be considered in analyzing and solving business cases.

Student workload

Classroom sessions:42 hours
Class preparation (case analyses): 68 hours
Other assignments: 25 hours

Practical training and working life cooperation

The study module will be implemented in cooperation with companies that provide real business cases for student teams to solve.

International connections

The best student team will have an opportunity to represent TAMK in an international case competition given that they are willing to spend time on additional case coaching if necessary.

Further information

Criteria for enrolling to the study module:
- full-time student
- Studying Business Administration/International Business/Industrial Engineering/Management
Because of the nature of the study module, cancelling participation after the study module has started is not possible.
If selected to a team representing home institution in a business case competition, please notice that some competitions have a rule of an age limit.