The aim of this module is to give the learner an overview of the core principles of the common business functions, how whole organizations can be structured and how each function interfaces with others and external suppliers and market places.
It has been designed to show the importance in terms of organizational effectiveness and `fitness for purpose' of identifying and developing appropriate functions and expertise in terms of their role and contribution to the business objectives. Students will explore the three `front-line' functions of marketing (including sales and customer service), manufacturing i.e. adding value to raw materials to create interim or finished goods, and service organizations i.e. the provision of tangible and non-tangible services (utilities, banking/insurance, legal,). Students will also explore the dynamic nature of these functions in terms of time and technology and how effective integration of the different functions achieves total organizational performance.

- Introduction to the nature of a business function, its characteristics and role and the differences between `front-line' i.e. those which define the nature of an organization and support functions i.e. those which enable an organization to perform effectively
- Introduction to key marketing, manufacturing and service concepts
- Fundamentals of marketing
- market place, marketing mix, competition, product management, implementation
- Fundamentals of manufacturing
- production processes, quality & yield, planning & control, implementation
- Fundamentals of service management
- service operations, supply & demand, capacity plans & quality, implementation
- Issues of effective integration and support
- Implications of technology and innovation
- Implications of functional orientation on whole organization.

Note: This module draws on and extends the learning within the previous module Understanding the Business Environment and will serve as a basis for a future module on Managing (organizational) Performance.

The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment). This will include 40 hours of academy study and 100 hours of independent and self directed study.

The academy study will include formal articles, case study analysis and journal reflection based on student experiences in the subject area. Students will be encourage to integrate their work based experience with new knowledge and skills developed in the classroom as the module progresses

Jobber, D. and Fahy, J. (2006), Foundations of Marketing, 2nd edition McGraw Hill
Kotler P & Armstrong, F (2007) ; Marketing an Introduction, 8th edition, Pearson Education,
Brassington, F. & Pettitt, S. (2006) Principles of Marketing, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, Pearson Education
Jobber, D. (2007) Principles & Practice of Marketing, 5th Edition, McGraw Hill
James A Fitzsimmons (2005) Service Management: Operations, Strategy, Information Technology, 5th edition
John M. Nicholas (2005) Competitive Manufacturing Management: Continuous Improvement International Edition, Irwin/McGraw-Hill

There is a wide range of contemporary information available:

www.staffs.ac.uk/library
The TWM module website

Mintel
Lexis Nexis (articles from a wide range of newspapers/ magazines worldwide)
Emerald - academic journals eg International journal of marketing management

A reflective journal relating the formal learning to the students own work situation and covering at least one front-line and one support function (25%)
A 1500 word individual work based assignment, (75%),covering learning outcomes 1 to 4.