Delivery will be by means of a weekly one hour lecture addressing the theoretical issues. The lectures will be supported by a weekly one hour tutorial which will take various forms. Case studies may be used to encourage group working and analysis of organisations. Many tutorials will involve tutor-led group discussions of pre-circulated questions. Where appropriate, video presentations will be used.

Business School Website
Broadsheet newspapers e.g. Financial Times

Core Text
The Business Environment, Ian Worthington & Chris Britton, Pitman Publishing
Support Texts
Economics for Business, John Sloman, Mark Sutcliffe, Prentice Hall Europe
Economics - A Student's Guide, J. Beardshaw, Pitman Publishing
Business Economics, Win Hornby, Bob Gammie & Stuart Wall, Longman

The module is concerned with understanding the influences on corporate decision making. It looks at the factors which determine how organisations choose, or are forced to behave. It considers the various constraints that are faced by different types of organisation. Initially the module looks at the different types of legal structures found in organisations. It goes on to consider external factors in an organisation's environment and seeks to understand the potential impact of these factors on corporate decision making. The module goes on to look at basic microeconomic theory in terms of demand and supply, elasticity, costs, market structure and market failure and how this theory affects organisations. The module also analyses the importance of understanding stakeholders' influences on corporate decision-making, paying particular attention to the role of the shareholder and the workings of the stock market. The factors influencing organisational location are considered. Finally the module looks at the organisational attention to quality issues.

1. Appreciate the influence of internal structure and external factors on business decision-making.
2. Use microeconomic theory to understand markets and business decision-making.
3. Understand the role of the stock market and shareholders.
4. Analyse the factors influencing the location decision.
5. Understand quality issues within organisations

Coursework based on a Case Study 30% weighting (Tests Learning Outcomes 1, 4 and 5)

A 2-hour end of module examination - 70% weighting (Tests Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)

For a pass grade students are expected to demonstrate some understanding of economic theories with reference to business examples.

For the highest grades students are expected to show a thorough understanding of economic theories and their application to the contemporary examples drawn from UK and international markets.

A COURSEWORK -ESSAY weighted at 30%.
A EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS length 2 HOUR(S) weighted at 70%.
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