This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module provides fundamental knowledge of a range of business organisations, business purpose, ownership types and stakeholder influence. It further introduces organisational structures, functional areas and the impact of the external environment on business. Furthermore, this module introduces the many factors that shape the nature of organisations operating in an increasingly complex business environment such as innovation, internationalisation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Module participants explore this dynamic nature of business and consider successful existence within modern organisations through studying and applying employability skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
Total contact hours: 20
Private study hours: 130
Total study hours: 150
Main assessment methods:
Individual report, 2500-3000 words (60%)
MCQ Online Moodle test (15%)
Seminar Groupwork (15%)
VLE Employability Award (10%)
Reassessment method:
100% coursework
Cottrell, S. (2015) Skills for Success: Personal Development and Employability London: Palgrave Macmillan
Lumley, M., and Wilkinson, J. (2014) Developing Employability for Business, Oxford: OUP
Wetherly, P. and Otter, D. (2018) The Business Environment: A Global Perspective, Oxford: OUP
Worthington, I, Britton, C., Thompson, E. (2018) The Business Environment: Themes and Issues in a Globalizing World, Pearson
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a variety of business types and functions.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of major forces that shape the world of modern business such as innovation and knowledge creation, technology, ethics and sustainability, internationalisation, and entrepreneurship.
- Evaluate the business environment in terms of key PESTEL influences as well as major forces shaping business developments such as sustainability, innovation and internationalisation from the perspectives of managers from various management career contexts.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories underlying key employability skills.
- Use theory to inform practice by analysing and reflecting on a range of key employability skills in the context of personal development and business management.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Research topics independently to extract and synthesise information from a range of academic and online sources to formulate and support a well-reasoned and structured line of argument.
- Make sound judgements to distinguish between fact and opinion; relevant and irrelevant information, and between opposing views based upon conflicting evidence.
- Evaluate leadership, communication, and teamwork skills
- Exercise personal responsibility.
- Relate knowledge of theory to practice and experience to enhance employability.
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