BE422-6-SP-CO:
Business and International Development

The details
2024/25
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
02 September 2024

 

Requisites for this module
BE400 or BE401
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module provides students with an understanding of enterprise-based development models emerging within the developing world, as well as those from within developed nations such as the UK. This module considers and evaluates the role they may play in sustainable development and poverty alleviation in low-income communities.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To equip students with a nuanced awareness and understanding of enterprise-based initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable development and poverty alleviation within the low income countries of the world.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Explain and critically assess the impact of various types of business models emerging in the developing world to promote sustainable development and poverty alleviation, and to consider possible differences in a developed world context.

  2. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the nature of multidimensional poverty.

  3. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the nature of informal economy in these regions and how formal and informal institutions interact with those located within the poorest segments of society.

  4. Utilise secondary based data to identify, evaluate and critically analyse one or more examples of such business models and their potential impact on sustainable development and poverty alleviation.


Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)



  1. To develop reflective skills when reflecting on the meaning of poverty.

  2. To develop a commercial awareness of the role of business in development.

  3. To develop written skills in the analytical critique of their coursework assignment.

  4. To develop a nuanced appreciation of what poverty means for those in vulnerable and marginalised communities.

  5. To have experience of contributing to class discussions and reflections.

Module information

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of the different types of social purpose business models that are emerging within such regions including social enterprises, not-for-profits, inclusive business ventures, green for profits (renewable/organic), fair-trade  and hybrid organisations.


This module also explores the role the informal economy plays in these business models and within the economies of the poorest parts of the world. It draws upon ideas of social exclusion, stages of progress out of poverty and the debate around the boundary conditions shaping social enterprises.


This module will utilise a series of case studies to frame this module, drawing upon cases in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, India, Mozambique and the UK, amongst others.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • A series of 2-hour workshops.

Each session will include a mixture of lectures, discussions, films, and hands-on-exercises. It will require preparation work prior to the workshop each week.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Individual Essay  25/02/2025  100% 
Exam  Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during January 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Aylin Kunter, email: aylin.kunter@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Aylin Kunter & Dr Callum Cant
aylin.kunter@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Prof Owain Smolovic Jones
Durham University
Professor of Organisational Studies
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 22 hours, 22 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Essex Business School

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