Module Descriptors
UNDERSTANDING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
ORGB40142
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: John Cooper
Email: J.Cooper@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 10
Independent Study Hours: 140
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
An individual 1500 work based assignment, (100%) covering Learning Outcomes 1-4.
Module Indicative Content
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the environment in which organisations have to operate. To understand the impact on the internal environment and the dilemmas that management teams may have to face.
This module will familiarise students with tools to analyse the business environment and how management can prepare for external change.
The content of this module will also assist the students to understand the importance of carefully considered strategic plans and effective functional areas to enable organisations to compete in an increasingly competitive business world.
Students will be introduced to:
Strategic management.
- Purpose of organisations.
- Strategic decisions.
- Impact of strategy on factors of production and internal structure.
The external environment.
- PESTLE.
The internal environment
- SWOT
Change management
- Managing change in response to the external environment
This module will familiarise students with tools to analyse the business environment and how management can prepare for external change.
The content of this module will also assist the students to understand the importance of carefully considered strategic plans and effective functional areas to enable organisations to compete in an increasingly competitive business world.
Students will be introduced to:
Strategic management.
- Purpose of organisations.
- Strategic decisions.
- Impact of strategy on factors of production and internal structure.
The external environment.
- PESTLE.
The internal environment
- SWOT
Change management
- Managing change in response to the external environment
Module Learning Strategies
The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 150 learning hours (including assessment). This will include 10 hours of class support and 140 hours of independent and self directed study.
There will be an initial class session to introduce the key aspects of the module content, including a summary of the blended learning material, the type of formative feedback available both through Blackboard and the Module Tutor. The nature of the summative assessment will also be examined. There will be additional tutorial support available, for students to address queries regarding the module content and to clarify any issues arising from the coursework assignment.
Students are expected to regularly engage with the blended learning material on Blackboard. This will include reading the material, undertaking additional research and formative exercises to reinforce the learning. Students will have additional support from the Module Tutor via email and phone.
There will be an initial class session to introduce the key aspects of the module content, including a summary of the blended learning material, the type of formative feedback available both through Blackboard and the Module Tutor. The nature of the summative assessment will also be examined. There will be additional tutorial support available, for students to address queries regarding the module content and to clarify any issues arising from the coursework assignment.
Students are expected to regularly engage with the blended learning material on Blackboard. This will include reading the material, undertaking additional research and formative exercises to reinforce the learning. Students will have additional support from the Module Tutor via email and phone.
Module Resources
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
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
Module Texts
Core texts
Worthington, I & Britton C, The Business Environment, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0273678272
Sloman J, (2006) Essentials of Economics, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall 2003, ISBN 0-273-68382-9
Campbell, D.J. (1997), Organisations & the Business Environment, Butterworth Heinemann,
Additional Reading
Begg, D, Fischer, S & Dornbusch, R. (2002) Economics, 7th Edition, McGraw-Hall
Brooks, I, Weatherston, J. (2000) The Business Environment ? Challenges and Changes, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall
Ferguson, K. (2002) Essential Economics A Guide for Business Students, Palgrave
Hornby, W. Gammie, B. & Wall, S. 1(997) Business Economics, Longman,
Mulhearn, C. et al, (2001) Economics for Business, Palgrave
Worthington, I & Britton C, The Business Environment, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0273678272
Sloman J, (2006) Essentials of Economics, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall 2003, ISBN 0-273-68382-9
Campbell, D.J. (1997), Organisations & the Business Environment, Butterworth Heinemann,
Additional Reading
Begg, D, Fischer, S & Dornbusch, R. (2002) Economics, 7th Edition, McGraw-Hall
Brooks, I, Weatherston, J. (2000) The Business Environment ? Challenges and Changes, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall
Ferguson, K. (2002) Essential Economics A Guide for Business Students, Palgrave
Hornby, W. Gammie, B. & Wall, S. 1(997) Business Economics, Longman,
Mulhearn, C. et al, (2001) Economics for Business, Palgrave