AP2SB1-Business Management

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: AP1SB1 Introduction to Management
Non-modular pre-requisites: Must take this module if want to take AP3EB1 Business Strategy; Part 2 and Part 3 students of the Agricultural Business Management Degree are not allowed to enrol for this module
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Mr Philip Jones

Email: p.j.jones@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module, building on material given in AP1SB1, aims to consider: • Specification of management problems for selection of appropriate tools and techniques • Application of tools and techniques to management problems • Presentation of the application of management tools and techniques to business problems

Aims:
Develop a deep understanding of the different classifications of management tools, key business, knowledge and analytical skills required to deal with challenges in a fast growing and changing business environment. Contemporary organisations and companies require graduates to be equipped with skills for fast and successful decision making, project design and able to demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:
•To be able to plan projects and enable the evaluation of objectives
•To be able to control and evaluate the performance of projects
•Develop skills enabling the specification of management problems for selection of appropriate tools and techniques (network analysis, critical path analysis, stakeholder analysis, flow charts, Gantt charts, etc.)
•Pr esentation of the application of management tools and techniques to business problems
•Presentation skills - developing skills in discussion
•Analytical thinking - developing numeric, literacy, reasoning and appraisal skills

Additional outcomes:
•Work both independently and in a team
•Appropriate use of information technologies
•Think creatively and identify trends in data to enable decision making/ development of an argument
•Improve time management and organisational skills.

Outline content:
Subjects covered will include the following:
•Classifications of management tools and techniques
•Modelling
•Network and systems analysis
•Gant charts, scheduling, critical path analysis
•Decision analysis – risk and uncertainty, payoff matrices
•SWOT, PEST and Porter’s Five Forces
•Tools and techniques for people management –negotiation skills
•Stakeholder analysis
•Tools for brainstorming.
For some students this wil l provide pre-requisite knowledge for more advanced teaching in Part 3; for others, a grounding in business techniques.

Global context:

The module uses a set of case studies and examples derived from the global economy and business world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Methods of delivery:
•Lectures - incorporating in-class assignments and discussion
•Directed learning - reflecting on your experience and assignments.
Lectures will include exercises to reinforce and apply management theory. Students will be expected to present their thoughts on selected aspects of the module through discussions, short written reports and other methods.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
An examination paper.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The class test is an on-line based (Blackboard) set of questions/exercises that are based on Management Theory and Practice (30% of the final mark). The sets of questions and problems will need to be completed in a strictly defined window of time. Unless the test is completed within the predetermined window a mark of zero will apply

Formative assessment methods:
At the beginning of the autumn term students will be asked to install to their Android/Windows/iOS devises the “Socrative” student app. This is used for in class quizzes, open questions, group competitions and instant feedback. The app enables the user to present graphs and instant reports. This will enable further understanding and also will allow the instructor to evaluate and assess learning techniques and methods.

Penalties for late submission:

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

• where the piece of work is submitted 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 for each working day[1] (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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

The following books are available at the library either on shelf or on-line and are part of the recommended reading list for this module:

Daft Richard, (2013) Management, 11th Edition, South Western Educational Publishing; 11 Har/Psc edition (13 February 2013)

Boddy, D (2013) Management: An introduction. 5th Edition, Pearson Education / University Library 2nd Floor Folio -- 658 – BOD

Drucker, P.F. (2007) The Practice of Management. Butterworth Heinemann. Elsevier / University Library 2nd Floor 658 – DRUDrucker, P.F. (2011) Management. Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices. Butterworth

Heinemann. Routledge / University Library 2nd Floor 658 DRU (1999 edition)

 

Last updated: 4 April 2020