University of Surrey - Guildford
Registry
  
 

  
 
Registry > Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
View Module List by A.O.U. and Level  Alphabetical Module Code List  Alphabetical Module Title List  Alphabetical Old Short Name List  View Menu 
2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: MAN1062 Module Title: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Module Provider: School of Management Short Name: MAN1062
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: LI G Dr (SoM)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 1
Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment

 

 

Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)

 

 

Formative assessment: Self-assessed class test

 

 

0

 

 

Summative assessment: Closed-book examination, 1.5 hours

 

 

100

 

 

Qualifying Condition(s)

 

 

A weighted aggregated mark of 40% is required to pass the module.

 

 

Module Overview

Businesses do not exist in isolation. They must operate within a complex and sometimes turbulent environment. The key forces facing businesses are economic, political, legal, technological, demographic, social-cultural, ethical as well as ecological environments. This module examines the influences of various external environments at local, national and international levels on business organisations.

 

 

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
None
Module Aims

This module aims to demonstrate the relationships between businesses and a number of related external environments, with particular attention being paid to the economic, political, legal, technological, social-cultural, ethical and ecological environments. For example, consideration is given to how governmental organisations at local, national and international levels influence business organisation and management, including the increasingly significant role played by the European Union.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module the students will be able to:

 

  • Outline the key features of the environment affecting the conduct of business organisations (C, K)

     

  • Give examples of situations where the political, economic, legal and social environment has had a direct effect on business operations (P, T)

     

  • Describe the key features of the economic, political, legal, technological and social-cultural environments (C, K)

     

  • Classify environmental influences in an appropriate manner (C, K)

     

  • Distinguish between internal and external factors affecting business performance (C, K)

     

 

Key: C-Cognitive/Analytical; K-Subject Knowledge; T-Transferable Skills; P- Professional/ Practical skills

 

Module Content

Introduction

 

 

The nature and meaning of the business environment; models and theories used to explain and illustrate the concepts; the relationships between the business organisations and related environments such as the economic, legal, political, ethical, socio-cultural and technological environments.

 

 

Structure and Levels of Government

 

 

The nature of government and what governments are for; levels of government from local through to international; accountability, bureaucracy and official secrecy; the British system of government and levels of policy making; the executive, legislature and judiciary.

 

 

Economic Environment

 

 

The economic environment at both macro and micro levels; the flows of economic activity; macroeconomic policies and their influences on businesses; market structure and competition; the international economic environment; international trade and globalisation.

 

 

The Public Sector Environment

 

 

The range and scope of the public sector, what it is and what it does; comparisons and contrasts with the private sector; how it has changed over time; privatisation and managerialism; managing in the public sector.

 

 

Introduction to the Role of Law in the Legal Environment

 

 

Major areas of business law will be introduced in the context of the business environment: business organisations, contract, agency, property, environmental, competition, consumer, health & safety, and international.

 

 

Technological Environment

 

 

The importance of technology and innovation; how technology affects organisations, people and jobs; technological changes, especially the emergence of e-business.

 

 

Ethical and Ecological Environment

 

 

The meaning of corporate social responsibility and the actions business needs to undertake in order to be considered socially responsible; the benefits that are available to business from following a strategy of corporate social responsibility; how businesses can be encouraged to accommodate environmental policies into their strategic management techniques.

 

 

Social Policy and the Social Environment

 

 

Issues of corporate social policy and social responsibility concerning such matters as the environment and equal opportunities; the role and activities of pressure and interest groups and their influence upon business; corporate attitudes and responses to environmental and other social issues such as environmental audits.

 

 

 

 

International Business Environment

 

 

As businesses exploit opportunities abroad, they face challenges from international business environment, including international economic environment, international legal regulations and cross-cultural issues; The influences of these international business environments on business organisations’ global operations are investigated in the module.

 

 

 

 

Methods of Teaching/Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to encourage students to respond to formal presentations but also take responsibility for their own learning by combining lecture presentations with self directed learning based around the core text and supporting material on ULearn.

 

 

 

 

The teaching and learning methods include lectures, directed reading and case studies followed by discussions on ULearn. Given the variety of topics covered in this module, two lectures are scheduled every week, including a two-hour session and a one-hour session.

 

 

 

 

Assessment Strategy

 

 

The assessment methods include both formative and summative assessment. The formative assessment is an in-class self-assessed test with instant feedback provided by lecturers during the course. The summative assessment is a closed-book examination at the end of the semester.

 

 

Selected Texts/Journals

Essential Reading

 

 

This module uses a customised textbook: The Business Environment, third edition, compiled by Gang Li, John Tribe, Graham Miller, Edith Szivas, Caroline Scarles, Avital Biran and Victoria Eichhorn, in conjunction with Pearson Education.

 

 

 

 

Recommended Reading

 

 

  • Brooks, I. , Weatherston, J., and Wilkinson, G., (2011). The International Business Environment: Challenges and Changes. Second edition. Harlow : Prentice Hall.

     

  • Capon, C., (2009). Understanding the Business Environment. Third edition. Harlow : Prentice Hall.

     

  • Morrison, J., (2006). The International Business Environment. Global and Local Marketplaces in a Changing World. Second edition. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan.

     

  • Worthington, I. , and Britton, C., (2009). The Business Environment.  Sixth edition. Harlow : Prentice Hall.

     

 

 

Background Reading

 

 

Journal articles and web sites as appropriate.

 

 

Last Updated
15/4/2011