This module introduces the student to the place of their organisation in the wider economy and society, and encourages them to explore how the organisation interacts with these elements.

Content will expect to cover the following topics and themes:

• Models for understanding the business environment
o PESTLE analysis
o SWOT analysis
• How competitive forces shape the business environment
o Porters 5 Forces model
• Fundamentals of economics:
o Supply and demand
o The rational consumer
• The role of Government, policy and regulation, and the impact of social trends and mores
• Trans-national aspects –
o The EU and impacts on business activity
o The Global Economy and its implications

A work based assignment, (1200 words) (60%) (Learning Outcomes 1- 2).

Preparation and presentation of a poster relating to an aspect of the module content. (40%) (Learning Outcome 3)

Begg, D, Vernasca, G., Fischer, S & Dornbusch, R. (2014) Economics, 11th Edition, McGraw-Hall
Brooks, I, Weatherston, J., and Wilkinson, J. (2011) The International Business Environment – Challenges and Changes, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall
Craig, T., and Campbell, D.J. (2012), Organisations & the Business Environment (2nd Edition), Butterworth Heinemann
Ferguson, K. (2002) Essential Economics A Guide for Business Students, Palgrave
Hornby, W. Gammie, B. & Wall, S. (2001) Business Economics, Longman,
Mulhearn, C. et al, (2011) Economics for Business (2nd Edition), Palgrave
Sloman J, (2013) Essentials of Economics, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall
Worthington, I & Britton C, (2011) The Business Environment, 7th Edition, Prentice Hall

Staffordshire University electronic resources and off-campus library facilities Module website
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development – www.cipd.co.uk
Employers for Work-life Balance – www.employersforwork-lifebalance.org.uk
Department for Trade and Industry – www.dti.gov.uk/employment
www.guardian.co.uk
www.timeonline.co.uk
www.economist.com
www.independent.co.uk

1. DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT Knowledge and Understanding

2. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO USE APPROPRIATE TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Analysis
Application

3. COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY INFORMATION AND ARGUMENTS IN AN APPROPRIATE FORMAT Communication

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 150 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 111 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module.
The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning."