Module Description

In this module, students apply the practice-based theory learned in previous semesters to a real-life consulting project. Working in diverse teams consisting of both exchange and Swiss students, they support a client from sectors such as business, government, or NGOs.

The project involves one of two main tasks: conducting a comprehensive primary research study (e.g., market analysis, employee surveys, image and attractiveness assessments) or developing a management concept (e.g., business case development, strategic management recommendations). Students will plan, conduct, and manage the research process, collect and analyze data, and draw actionable conclusions. The findings are documented in a detailed report (60 pages, plus appendices) and presented to the client in a final presentation.

By the end of this module, students will have acquired a fundamental understanding of the methods, tools, and techniques used in market research and management concept development. They will be capable of conducting sound research, systematically documenting results, and formulating well-founded management recommendations.

Moreover, this module enhances students' intercultural competence. Through collaboration in a multicultural team, they will apply intercultural knowledge gained in earlier semesters. In today’s interconnected business environment, intercultural competence is essential, as working in diverse teams is common in both virtual and in-person settings.

Students will learn how to leverage the strengths of a multicultural team to achieve project goals, find cross-cultural solutions, and foster a respectful and collaborative team environment. This experience is invaluable for navigating today’s globalized and agile business world.

For the intercultural part, the module builds on Intercultural Communication and Personal Development (ICPD) and is an application of it.

• Präsentation in Gruppen
• Schriftliche Gruppenarbeit

According to the evaluation form (depending on project content: qualitative vs quantitative study)

Professional competences:

Participants can:

• apply the previously learned theory and methods to solve a specific practical problem,
• implement the formal requirements of a holistic, scientific conceptual work in within a real-life project,
• apply the basics of intercultural communication and competence (4 steps, cultural dimensions, communication styles) to their consulting project and hence work on the project become more effectively,
• utilise the diversity of their team to achieve better results,
• recognise and timely overcome intercultural challenges in their consulting project, and
• implement the knowledge gained on multicultural teams in their consulting project.

Methodological competences:

Participants can:

• meet the formal and scientific requirements of a rigorous consulting project involving secondary and primary research,
• plan and carry out a complex primary survey and report the survey results and/or develop an implementable management concept in a consistent and structured manner,
• apply advanced project management methods,
• document and present results in a manner appropriate to the target group,
• demonstrate the ability to think and work scientifically (e.g., research design, questionnaire design and coding, evaluation with statistical functions, qualitative data collection and analysis), and
• apply the taught intercultural instruments to practical multicultural team situations, especially the 4 steps method.

Self-competences:

Participants can:

• reflect and challenge their own judgement as well as the opinions of the team members
• familiarize themselves with a new topic in a short time,
• demonstrate flexibility, independence, and responsibility,
• work under pressure, show endurance and be able to take criticism,
• develop a sense for conflict potential and find constructive solutions,
• reflect on intercultural situations, analyze them and find solutions,
• demonstrate awareness of their own culture; in particular, they are aware of their own cultural imprint and its impact on working in their team,
• consider a particular situation from various cultural perspectives, and
• be open to and respect different styles of working and different mind-sets, and work with them in an unbiased way, i.e. use the potential of culture for the success of the project.

Social competences:

Participants can:

• demonstrate their communication, team, and leadership skills,
• develop their work experience as part of an international project team,
• show knowledge and demonstration of their readiness and openness towards other cultures and people, thus develop their intercultural sensitivity,
• collaborate and co-create effectively in a multicultural team, and
• strengthen their cross-cultural communication skills.

Topic area I: Market research / management concept

• Classes in research and consulting methods, market research, and project management
• Integration of preexisting know-how (previous and current semester) to conduct a systematic market research and/or to develop a management concept, resulting in management recommendations directly applicable by the client company
• Presentation and communication skills (customer meetings, final report, final presentation)
• Market study: research design, questionnaire design, statistical data analysis
• Management concept: scope statment, analysis of current situation, idea collection evaluation, concepualisation, development of recommendations

Topic area II: Intercultural competencies

• Kick-off training: Build the team (Code of conduct, team profile, get-together)
• Classes on multicultural teams and collaboration&co-creation
• Mid-project reflection per team: Reviewing and strengthening team collaboration
• Final reflection per team with the aim to gain insights of what has been learned and transferring it to a next project
• Support to overcome intercultural challenges, thus create opportunities

Topic area III: Statistics

• Introduction to XLSTAT
• Data Analysis in XLSTAT

Group work, guided self-study, individual and group reflection, group coaching, experience-based learning.

Mandatory:

• ICP1 Moodle and PPRx-Servicecenter
• Project Draft from WTT/client
• Kickoffs with WTT, Project-Coach and client
• Documents from client
• Intercultural communication materials
• Further literature