Details :-
A 1000 word Assignment weighted at 30% (LOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14)
An Examination weighted at 70%. (Covers all LOs)

Students must achieve at least 30% in both elements of assessment in order to pass the module.

Distinction level work will display an ability to apply the theories and concepts analysed on the module to the successful completion of the tasks in the module assessment. There will be evidence that in learning the module content the student has read the relevant parts of a variety of different texts, articles and sections of the Broadsheet press dealing with business, market, strategic and economic issues related topics relevant to the module content. Where appropriate, a critical awareness of the strategic and economic fields' boundaries in the area of an understanding of the business environment will be demonstrated, along with the ability to form relevant linkages with knowledge in other academic fields and disciplines such as Politics and Management. The structure of responses to the assessment tasks will assist the assessor in understanding the student's responses to those tasks; the form of communication will be appropriate to the specified tasks; the arguments used in responses will be sound and coherent, and the student will display an ability to use appropriate business environment-related technical and/or conceptual language and/or skills, as required, with confidence.

Pass level work will display an understanding of the theories and concepts analysed on the module. There will be evidence that in learning the module content the student has done limited reading of relevant sources. The structure of some of the responses to the assessment tasks will assist the assessor in understanding the student's responses to those tasks; the form of communication will be appropriate to the specified tasks; some of the arguments used in responses will be sound and coherent, and the student will display some ability to use appropriate business environment-related technical and/or conceptual language and/or skills, as required.

The structure and working of market economies; supply and demand; competitive strategies; economies of scale; mergers and acquisitions; public and voluntary organisations.

The impact of current and future technological developments on organisations and markets; resistance to change; the increasing significance of knowledge.

The causes and extent of globalisation; impact on organisations; response of governments and the E.U.

Demographic trends and their significance for the labour market.

Current social trends and their implications for social attitudes, markets and people management.

Major policy developments and debates in Government industrial, economic, education and social policy; implications for markets and employment; international differences and the role of the E.U.

The principles of old and new developments in the laws of contract, tort, competition, consumer, employment and health and safety. How organisations can influence governments and regulatory bodies.

Approaches to strategic management; tools of environmental analysis; shaping the corporate environment.

Corporate ethics; major debates and the response of organisations.

The learning strategy requires students to commit to 150 learning hours (including assessment). Of this there will be 36 hours of class or workshop support and 114 hours of independent and self-directed study for students working alone or as part of a learning group.

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 to appropriate data or case study materials. Also key readings will be provided for class discussion and critical evaluation. Students will be expected to perform the set exercises (including calculations) prepare the cases and undertake the critical readings either individually or as part of a learning group. Classes will include group and individual presentations. Students will be expected to obtain supplementary information from a number of paper or electronic sources as part of their preparation.

- Case study and video teaching materials, supplied
- Specified readings, as supplied
- Materials for delivering presentations
- Access to library and web sources
- Regular reading of the business pages of an appropriate daily or weekly paper/journal
- http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/business/bsadmin/staff/s3/jamr.htm (for assessment related skills)
- http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/business/ramsay/environment/ (for material relating to the business environment)

Sloman, J. & Sutcliffe, M. (1998), Economics for Business, Prentice-Hall, London,
Capon, C (2000) Understanding Organisational Context,
Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Harlow

Must be enrolled on the CIPD Award