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:
Module version for: 2016/7

Module Convenor: Dr Denise Tsang

Email: d.tsang@henley.ac.uk

Summary module description:

Aims:
The aims of this module are:
1.To develop in students an enthusiasm for studying business and Introduction to Business and Management
2.To provide students with a sound 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 an 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:

Identify, describe, analyse and evaluate the general objectives of business and the context in which it operates
Describe and assess the functions and tasks that businesses perform in order to meet their objectives
Describe and discuss the nature, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of different forms of business and organisational structure
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
Handle quantitative data in order to provide information suitable for Introduction to Business and Management planning, decision making and control
Describe and explain the role that governance and ethics plays in the Introduction to Business and Management of businesses and explain how a business might promote corporate governance, sustainability, corporate responsibility and an ethical culture
Describe and explain the impact on a business of the environment in which it operates
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.

Outline content:
Unit 1: Business objectives and environment (10%)
Unit 2: Business objectives and business structures (15%)
Unit 3: Business functions – one option studied (20%)
Unit 4: Finance and financial information (15%)
Unit 5: Governance and ethics (10%)
Unit 6: Strategy and strategic Introduction to Business and Management (synoptic unit) (30%)

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops (practicals) and seminars (discussions or presentations). Tutorials allow students to work through examples at their own pace.

Contact hours:

	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Lectures	Two hours per week	Two hours per week	Two hours per week
Total Lectures	20	22	12
Workshops or seminars	Three hours per week	Three hours per week	Three hours per week
Total Workshops or seminars	20	22	12
Tutorials	A weekly ad hoc hour for assistance as required	A weekly ad hoc hour for assistance as required	A weekly ad hoc hour for assistance as required
Total Tutorials	10	11	6
Other contact (eg study visits)	Ad hoc	Ad hoc	Ad hoc
Other (eg presentations)	Self study: weekly reading, practice objective testing and case studies	Self study: weekly reading, practice objective testing and case studies	Self study: weekly reading, practice objective testing and case studies
Other: assessments	Test	Test Coursework	Synoptic Test
Total other (including self study)	80	95	80
Total hours	130	150	110

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Report	20

Other information on summative assessment:
Assessment comprised of the following:
• End of autumn term exam: 10%.
• Spring term marketing report: 20%.
• End of spring term exam: 20%.
• Final exam in Summer Term: 50%.

Formative assessment methods:
Group work, Q&A, report.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.

where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
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.

Length of examination:
2 x 1.5 hour exams.
1 x 2 hour exam.

Requirements for a pass:
40% to qualify for a non-Management degree programme.
60% to qualify for a Management / HBS degree programme.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 21 December 2016