MM0IBJ-An Introduction to Business and Management

Module Provider: International Business and Strategy
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: d.tsang@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module covers the fundamental theories in the domain of business and management.

Aims:

The aims of this module are: 

1. For students to develop an enthusiasm for studying business and Introduction to Business and Management. 


2. To provide students with a good knowledge of the key principles and concepts on which business, Introduction to Business and Management and finance practice are based. 


3. To make students aware of the role of corporate governance in organisations and the ethical issues faced by organisations and the individuals in them.  


4. To gain a holistic understanding of business and organisations. 


5. To encourage students to engage critically with theory, by generating creative solutions to business problems and issues presented as case studies and by evaluating theory in extended pieces of writing.


6. Students will also have opportunities to demonstrate the skills necessary to study effectively at Henley Business School including decision making, problem solving, challenging assumptions and quantifying and managing information. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the completion of this module students will be able to: 

1. Identify, describe, analyse and evaluate the general objectives of business and the context in which it operates. 


2. Describe and assess the functions and tasks that businesses perform in order to meet their objectives. 


3. Describe and discuss the nature, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of different forms of business and organisational structure .


4. Describe, analyse and evaluate the purpose of financial information produced by businesses, the role that the finance function plays in business and sources of finance available to businesses. 


5. Handle quantitative data in order to provide information suitable for Introduction to Business and Management planning, decision making and control.


6. Describe and explain the role that governance and ethics plays in the Introduction to Business and Man agement of businesses and explain how a business might promote corporate governance, sustainability, corporate responsibility and an ethical culture. 


7. Describe and explain the environment in which businesses operate and its impact on businesses. 


8. Apply the above knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate case based examples. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will also be able to demonstrate an improvement in their ability to think critically, to organise their thoughts logically, and to argue persuasively. Students will successfully engage with the University online teaching and learning platform Blackboard, becoming familiar with the features for accessing learning resources (e.g. online live teaching, live group, assessment delivery, assessment submission and performance monitoring).  

Outline content:

• Business Management and Marketing   


• Business objectives and environment  


• Business objectives and business structures 


• Business functions – marketing 


• Finance and financial information  


• Governance and ethics  


• Strategy and strategic management 

Global context:

Global environment, case studies and examples drawn from around the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops (practicals) and seminars (discussions or presentations) as well as online to include screencasts, narrated PowerPoints, live sessions and discussion boards. Students can successfully complete the module on campus or remotely. Tutorials allow students to work through examples at their own pace. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One final 2-hour exam in summer (July-August): 50%.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Week 11 of spring term (January-March) in-class test:  1 x 1.5 hour test. (10%) 

 

Week 7 of summer term (April-June) group report: about 2,200 words. (20%) 

 

Week 8 of summer term (April-June) in-class test:  1 x 1.75 hour test. (20%) 

Formative assessment methods:

Mock test, group work, Q&A, report.

Penalties for late submission:

University penalties for late submission apply.  See: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf 

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% to qualify for a non-Management degree programme.

70% to qualify for a Henley Business School degree programme.

70% to qualify for a ICMA degree programme. 

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books  - Stimpson, P. and Farquharson, A. (2014) Cambridge International AS and A level Business course book (3rd ed.)

About £30 pounds per book without discount

Last updated: 9 September 2020