MG4J4      One Unit
MiM Capstone Course - International Management in Action

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Heather Kappes

Prof Connson Locke

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Management (1 Year Programme). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes.

Course content

This Capstone Course builds connections between management theory and practice and equips students with the skills necessary to succeed in their managerial careers. The first part of the course builds on the introduction to leadership that students received in their core Organisational Behaviour course.  It supplements this knowledge with professional skills needed in the practice of leadership such as communication skills and conflict resolution. These professional skills are learned through experiential learning and in-class activities and are designed to prepare students for the consulting project in Part 2 as well as in their future careers. 

The second part of the course gives students the opportunity to apply material learned in MiM courses to create managerial recommendations that can help a firm improve and defend its competitive advantage both immediately and for its future. Before, during, and after an international trip, students will work in groups to tackle a client company’s business problem(s). Students will need to balance company objectives, available resources, theoretical knowledge, and group members’ knowledge and expertise. Success requires analytical techniques and reasoning as well as the ability to switch between considering the big picture and the fine-grained detail.

Teaching

27 hours of seminars plus approximately 40 hours of work during a one-week international trip the period after exams and summer term.

In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.

Formative assessment

In the first part of the course, in-class case discussions will prepare students for the individual essay.

In the second part of the course, formative feedback will be provided on the basis of preparatory seminar work.

 

Indicative reading

  • Baaij, M. G. (2022). An Introduction to Management Consultancy (Second Edition). Sage Publications.
  • Rasiel, E. M. (1999). The McKinsey Way: Using the Techniques of the World's Top Strategic Consultants to Help You and Your Business. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational Culture and Leadership, 5th edition. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Yukl, G. A. (2012) Leadership in Organizations.

Assessment

Project (60%, 2000 words)

Essay (30%, 1500 words)

Learning Log / reflective learning report (10%)

This course is assessed on an individual essay (30%), project report (60%), and a reflective learning report with a peer evaluation component (10%) that makes use of the concepts from the course and their application illustrated in the international trip. Details will be discussed during lectures.

For detailed assessment information, including all deadlines and timings, please see the relevant course Moodle page. Assessment timings will be available at the start of each term.


Key facts

Department: Management

Course Study Period: Spring Term

Unit value: One unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 74

Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Commercial awareness