Introduction to Business and Management

Module title	Introduction to Business and Management
Module code	BEM1028
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff	Mrs Fiona Smith (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	300

Module description

This module is designed for first year accounting students looking for an introduction to business and management, and greater business insight.

Additional information:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

This module considers how business and management can promote greater EDI within their own team, department, organisation and sector, as well as within wider society.

Internationalization
Differences relating to the international dimensions of business and management are covered, with a strong emphasis on the UK context to exemplify a variety of different business structures may be possible depending upon local context, and these in turn require alternative approaches for management.

Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS)

Consideration is given to the wider impact of business upon the environment, communities and society as a whole.

External Engagement

The focus of the module is not only to engage with core theories, concepts and empirical examples, but also to understand how institutions and managers perform in practice. Students engage with material sourced from academic as well as reputable business media references.

In addition, the module content meets the standards of the professional accountancy bodies (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA) and is accredited by them.

Employability

This module assists recruitment preparation and enhances employability by developing practical student skills throughout the module. Students also become familiar with aspects of business management terminology, concepts, and organizational examples, thereby enabling them to speak with authority during interviews about the business environment and major trends.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to:

Introduce students who have no prior academic study of business and management to the fundamental concepts of what a business is, what business does and an overview of how they are managed.
Enhance the employability of students taking the module.
Allow students to consider the impact of business and management on their own futures; as consumers, as employees, as managers and/or as entrepreneurs.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. explain major contemporary developments in the business and management environment.
2. explain what business organisations do and how their activities are structured and how they are managed.
3. explain interventions to improve and/or develop business strategy, stakeholder engagement and management of performance.
4. explain interventions designed to improve business ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
5. critically evaluate contemporary theory and practice within business and management.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. illustrate what is involved in the activities of businesses by discussing published literature.
7. explain and interpret the theory and practice of management by comparing published literature with organisational examples of practice

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. apply critical thinking and problem-solving by developing arguments and justifying effectively using published literature
9. write and verbally communicate proficiently

Syllabus plan

The contemporary trends in the global business environment and their future implications for business and management.
The business of managing: managing and organising a business
The principles of business ethics and corporate social responsibility
Managing individual and team performance at work
Managing change

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
15	135	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	15	Lectures, workshops, group activities, analysis of case studies
Guided Independent Study	15	Preparatory reading prior to taught sessions
Guided Independent Study	30	Self-guided study on ELE
Guided Independent Study	30	Reflection and further reading: Guided reading & completion of exercises.
Guided Independent Study	60	Researching & preparing your assignment & revising for your exam

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Presentation outline	5 minutes	8-9	Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	50	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Business idea presentation	50	10 minutes	1-9	Oral and written feedback form
Exam	50	90 minutes	1-9	Feedback summary to group on ELE
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Business idea presentation	Business idea presentation	1-9	Referral/Deferral Period
Exam	Exam	1-9	Referral/Deferral period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Daft, R., Benson, A. & Henry, B. (2020). Management (2^nd ed.). London Cengage.
Flynn, P. (2019). Introduction to Business: A primer on Basic Business Operations. New York, Business Expert Press.
Wetherly, P., & Otter, D. (Eds). (2018). The business environment: Themes and issues (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Key words search

Business, Management.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	This module is for accountancy students only.
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	09/08/2021
Last revision date	21/03/2024