This topic is suitable for Master-level students wishing to pursue a program of original research in a particular field of business studies in which they have a strong personal interest.

Students are required to submit a 8,000 to 10,000 words research paper.

Research-Led Teaching

This is an advanced PhD-level topic course. Students are expected to be in their second year or above. They are expected to have completed their proposal and the three methods courses (MGMT8006, MGMT8018 & MGMT8019). The topic will cover the role of theory in management and marketing research in a two pronged way—by covering both, theory process and content. The course will begin with the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of theory and theoretical contribution (i.e., the process element of theory) in management/marketing research. Then the topic will move on to theory content by covering influential theories in management and marketing. The topic will aim to cover theories that deal with micro, meso and macro phenomena. The overall goal is to strengthen knowledge and skills of advanced research candidates on the role of theory in research, learn about—and from—influential theories and practice developing their own theoretical insights into management and marketing phenomena of interest to them.

Learning Outcomes (Sem 2 2019 class)

1. Understand the nature of theory and theoretical contribution in research
2. Gain familiarity with key theories in management and marketing
3. Critically evaluate theoretical contribution in research
4. Develop a theoretical model on the topic of your choice
5. Communicate theoretical contribution in oral and written formats

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Scaling

Your final mark for the course will be based on the raw marks allocated for each of your assessment items. However, your final mark may not be the same number as produced by that formula, as marks may be scaled. Any scaling applied will preserve the rank order of raw marks (i.e. if your raw mark exceeds that of another student, then your scaled mark will exceed the scaled mark of that student), and may be either up or down.

Support for Students

The University offers a number of support services for students. Information on these is available online from http://students.anu.edu.au/studentlife/

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Introduction; What is theory
2	Nature of Theoretical Contribution	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
3	OB Theories I – Social Exchange Theory	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
4	OB Theories II – Identity Theory	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
5	Meso-level Theories – Networks	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
6	IS Theories – I	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
7	IS Theories – II	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
8	Strategy/IB Theories – I	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class Submit term paper proposal
9	Strategy/IB Theories – II	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
10	Marketing Theories – I	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
11	Marketing Theories – II	Complete weekly readings & prepare summary for class
12	Student Presentations	Deliver conference-style presentation End of first week of exam period - submit final term paper

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Weekly summaries of readings (50%)	50 %	13/08/2019	27/08/2019	1,2,3
Theory Presentation (10%)	10 %	17/09/2019	01/10/2019	2,3
Term paper (40%)	40 %	01/11/2019	28/11/2019	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly summaries of readings (50%)

You will be assigned 2-3 required readings relevant to the topic of the week. The number of the required readings has been kept at a minimum so you can deeply engage with them. In this assessment, you are asked to:

• write (a maximum of) 400 words on ONE assigned reading (the specific reading will be assigned to you).
• Your write-up should include a summary of the article (about 200 words) as well as the key takeaway for you (i.e., what did you find the most interesting or relevant; about 200 words).
• When relevant, you might want to do some additional research on the key takeaway (e.g., whether or not any empirical research exists on the element you find interesting).

Each written summary is worth 5%, for a course total of 50% over the 10 weeks of readings. Submit to Turnitin via course Wattle site and bring a hard copy of the weekly summaries to class. You will also be required (not assessed) to briefly speak to these summaries and participate in discussion that may arise from your own or others’ summaries.

Feedback on each written summary will be provided within two weeks of submission.

Assessment Task 2

Theory Presentation (10%)

You are required to make a presentation on one of the theories being covered in the course. Select a theory that is outside your disciplinary focus (e.g., if you doing a PhD in OB, do not select an OB theory). Identify its main tenets. Also research how the theory has been used, the types of empirical work it has spawned, how much support there is for the theory, the types of modifications that may have been made to the theory and the overall impact of the theory.

Prepare a presentation of about 20 minutes covering this content (about 20 slides) and present it in class.

The presentation will be video recorded for review purposes

Assessment Task 3

Term paper (40%)

You are required to write a conceptual paper on the topic of your choice. The topic should not be the same as (or part of) your PhD dissertation, but it can be on an associated area so you may benefit from your knowledge in the area (but also be able to develop a new model). The paper should aim to apply one or more theories of your choice and develop a model explaining an organisation-relevant phenomenon. Remember this is not a literature review. The idea is to use theory and literature to propose a new model. So the literature review is only relevant to the extent it helps you develop the rationale for and support the elements of the model. A good model to follow is the types of papers that get published in the Academy of Management Review. You may wish to consult your PhD supervisor on the model you are developing for this assignment.

While this assessment is worth 40% of the course grade, this percentage is further divided into three elements:

1) a 500 words proposal (worth 5%)

• due 5pm Friday Week 8
• submitted via Turnitin

2) a conference-style presentation (worth 10%)

• due in-class during Week 12
• In this presentation you are asked to deliver a typical academic conference-style presentation on the model you have developed for the term paper assignment. The idea is to give you an opportunity to rehearse explaining theoretical ideas comprising your model. The ability to explain and convince your peers on the soundness and contributions of your theoretical model is a vital skill for researchers. Make sure you convey the key elements: 1) what need or gap in knowledge are you filling with this model, 2) what are its expected contributions and 3) the support for the main elements of your model. The presentation should be clearly structured/organised and delivered. I strongly urge you to practice the presentation at least a couple of times before presenting it in class.
• As in professional and academic conferences, you will have a fixed time of 20 mins. available for the presentation. Prepare a presentation of about 15 minutes (allowing about 5 mins for questions and discussion) covering this content (about 15 slides) and present it in class.
• The presentation will be video recorded for review purposes

3) the final term paper (worth 25%)

• due 5pm Friday first week of exam period
• submitted via Turnitin
• maximum word limit 5000 words, not counting the reference list, tables or figures

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

All requests for extensions to assessment in RSM courses must be submitted to the RSM School Office with a completed application form and supporting documentation. The RSM Extension Application Form and further information on this process can be found at https://www.rsm.anu.edu.au/education/education-programs/notices-for-students/extension-application-procedure/

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Please see relevant assessment task details section.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assignment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students