MQ1IBM: Introduction to Business and Management

Module code: MQ1IBM

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Joseph Lane, email: j.lane@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides an introduction to business and management by exploring the environmental context of organisations. The module considers the influences on organisations, including their consumers and competitors, an appraisal of stakeholders, and consideration for their local, national and international contexts. It will consider how this operating environment may be analysed and used to direct strategy. It will consider the key approaches to strategy formation and approaches to stakeholder, customer and supplier management.  

The module also aims to develop students 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to: 

• evaluate different types of strategy and strategy creation 
• apply models and frameworks to analyse the external environment and the industry in which an organisation operates 
• apply models and frameworks to analyse an organisation’s resources and capabilities 
• explain how organisations realise their strategy 
• appraise stakeholder engagement and management tools and techniques as part of a stakeholder management strategy 
• apply stakeholder management techniques to your organisation 

Module content

The module focuses on key aspects of business and management broadly speaking. 

The module will cover key topics relating to business and management such as: 

• organisational purpose 
• the external and internal environments of organisations 
• how organisations design strategy 
• how to develop strategic ideas relevant to your own organisation 
• evolution and strategic change 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught using a blended learning approach. This will include directed self-study, seminars, a workshop, group work, peer support, and other learning activities. During the module, students will follow a guided-learning path that will require them to read materials, access other core and optional learning materials and undertake a range of activities.  

In addition to the learning path, students will attend a workshop. This is a facilitated session that will help consolidate knowledge, apply it the workplace and develop higher order cognitive skills of analysis and evaluation. Students will be expected to relate their learning to their day-to-day work.  

The contact hours are shown for one semester in the table below for illustrative purposes only. The actual timing will vary depending on your cohort start date.  

Study hours

At least 7 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs