Module Code - Title:
MP6052
-
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTING
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The overall aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding ot and an opportunity to engage in, a business consultancy process within small and medium sized finns. The module addresses business analytical and auditing techniques for identification of the consultancy task and guidance on how to develop strategic action plans with clearly defined implementation and evaluation metrics to address the task.
Syllabus:
This module provides students with an understanding of the concepts and practices that underpin successful consultancy. The roles adopted by the consultant are reviewed and in particular their role as business advisor and change agent. The stages of the consultancy process are examined such as diagnostic and problem definition phase, definition of the research proposal or the consultancy contract, setting and prioritising goals, undertaking research, developing strategies and implementation plans with financial budgets and determination of critical success factors for the evaluation of recommended actions. The importance of, and techniques for, managing the client and consultant relationship are explored and the need to develop key project management, people and time management skills for successful completion of the consultancy assignment are highlighted.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Understand the nature of business consultancy and how a consultant can add value for a business through the completion of various types of projects.
Implement project and team management techniques necessary for the completion of a successful consultancy assignment.
Undertake company audits from an internal fimi and external environment perspective.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Practice consultancy skills such as relationship building skills, rapport-building and team working skills.
Diagnose client needs effectively along with problem analysis, specification and quantifications skills.
Practice project management skills i.e. pricing projects, managing administration tasks, conducting and facilitating meetings.
Compile consultancy reports for different stakeholder needs and adopt presentation styles to multiple stakeholder audiences.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Practical experiential learning by working with a small or medium enterprise in the role of consultant and problem solver.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Experience in sourcing and analysing relevant information (both primary and secondary information) to facilitate the requirements of the consulting process.
Prime Texts:
Biggs, D. (2010)
Management Consulting- A Guide for Students
, Cengage Learning EMEA
Beich, B. (2007)
The Business of Consulting - The Basics and Beyond
, John Wiley and Sons.
Other Relevant Texts:
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2004)
Business Research Methods
, Oxford Press University
Brace, I. (2004)
Questionnaire Design
, London, England: Kogan Page Publishers
Wickham, P.A. (2004)
Management Consulting
, Pearson Education
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
yvonne.costin@ul.ie