Module Identifier MM10510  
Module Title INTRODUCTION TO THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Sajjad M Jasimuddin  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   15 Hours.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  100%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours  100%

Learning outcomes

Having followed this module the student should be able to:


Aims

This module introduces a variety of tools, concepts and techniques that are used to understand the internal and external business environments in which businesses and organisations operate. Some business and managerial key issues that organisations face on a day-to-day operation will also be discussed. The following areas will be addressed:

Brief description

Business Environment is a broad area and comprises of internal environments and externals environments in which business organisations operate. It deals with the issues, forces, factors and influences that companies face in their daily operational activities and business strategies.

Content

Introduction to the Business Environment- From PEST to STEEP to PESTLE Analysis
   Environmental stakeholders, forecasting, planning, analyses, organisational structure and strategy
The Competitive Environment
   Market economy and structures, price mechanism, nature of products and services, industry competitive advantage, competition, economies of scale and contestable markets
The International Economic Environment
   Macroeconomic goals, growth and structural change, economic cycles, unemployment, international trade, currency markets, inflation and deflation
The Technological Environment
   Research and development, technology, knowledge, technological change and competitiveness, society and ethics in technology, technology indicators and labour
The Cultural, Demographic and Social Environment
   National culture, convergence and divergence, business practices, population, migration, dependency, family development, lifestyle, organised labour and changing work trends
The Ecological Environment
   Environmental pollution, externalities, equilibrium, sustainable development, environmental impact assessment, environmental contexts and options, the consumer and ethics
The Political Environment
   Sovereignty, levels of government, institutions, cooperation and integration, risk, stability and liberalisation
The Legal Environment
   Sources of law, consumer law, codes of conduct, stakeholder theory, business ethics, ecommerce and internet security
Challenges and Changes
   Dynamism, complexity, uncertainty, turbulence, chaos, long-term planning, environmental scenarios, flexible operation structure, social inclusion and exclusion

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Brooks, I, Weatherston, J and Wilkinson, G (2004) The International Business Environment Prentice Hall
** Supplementary Text
Brooks, I and Weatherston J (1994) The Business Environment 2nd edition. Prentice Hall, UK
Johnson, G and Scholes, K (2002) Exploring Corporate Strategy 6th edition. Prentice Hall
Worthington, I and Britton, C (2003) The Business Environment 4th edition. Prentice Hall, Europe

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4