1. Appreciate the interdependence of various functional units in a typical business environment and how they impact upon the success of organisations.
2. Identify and analyse winning strategies in a competitive business environment.
3. Make informed business decisions based on business data generated from simulation games.

1. Initial reflection (20%) (500 words) (LO1) - SWOT analysis of Team Member’s Skills to identify any knowledge gaps to be closed whilst carrying out the game.

2. Group Written Report
part 1, capturing reflection of the group’s experience at every stage of the simulation (LO 2)
part 2 capturing reflection of the group’s overall experience of the simulation (40 %) (1000 words) (LO 3)

This module is designed to replicate the real business world in order to develop strategies. You will be part of the Senior Management Team of an organisation making key decisions and responding to the virtual market. It will allow you to practice theory including managing resources, marketing strategies and financial management.

Using a Business Simulation package this module will allow you to understand and appreciate the interdependence of the different functions within a business and how they impact upon the success of organisations.

The Business Simulation will allow you to analyse successful and unsuccessful strategies in a competitive business environment and enable you to make informed decisions based on the information generated

In this module you will use business simulation tools and immerse yourself in a modern business environment, exploring functional team dynamics to execute business strategy

The tutor led sessions will tend to follow a general pattern of introduction of a topic and provision of frameworks and models for student learning, followed by application by students to appropriate data or case study materials. Students will be expected to work in groups most of the times discussing, analysing and identifying winning strategies to gain a competitive edge in a business simulation environment.¿ Students will be expected to obtain supplementary information from journal articles or relevant electronic sources as part of preparation for their final respective group reports. The tutors would make appropriate recommendations in this regard.¿ All learning will develop and enhance students’ digital competences.

You will undertake ‘formative’ assessments during the module to help you monitor your learning and provide you and us with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the ‘summative assessment(s) during or at the end of the module.

this should be in the resources section below if it is not a specific text

Stephen Skrikpak, Fundamentals of Business, Second Edition (2018) Virgina Tech Libraries (ISBN 9781949373905)

Other Textbooks
Schaltegger, S. & Wagner, M. (2017). Managing the Business Case for Sustainability : The Integration of Social, Environmental and Economic Performance, Routledge (Available as eBook in the Library)
Needle, David (2015). Business in Context. 6th Edition, Cengage Learning EMEA (ISBN-10: 1408095218).

VLE learning support material to be provided for independent /self-directed learning.
Business Simulation Software
Module handbooks
Open Textbook Library
Selected contemporary problem/practice based case examples
LinkedIn Learning