MM0IBM-An Introduction to Business and Management

Module Provider: Henley Business School
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Summer / Autumn / Spring module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2013/4

Email: d.tsang@henley.reading.ac.uk

Summary module description:

Aims:
1. To develop in students an enthusiasm for studying business and management.
2. To provide students with a sound knowledge of the key principles and concepts on which business, 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. To 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 management planning, decision making and control
6. Describe and explain the role that governance and ethics plays in the management of businesses and explain how a business might promote corporate governance, sustainability, corporate responsibility and an ethical culture
7. Describe and explain the impact on a business of the environment in which it operates
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.

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 management (synoptic unit) (30%)

Global context:
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). Tutorials allow students to work through examples at their own pace.

Summative Assessment Methods:

Other information on summative assessment:
•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:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy.
The following penalties will be applied to coursework which is submitted after the deadline for submission:
• 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;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar week 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.
(Please refer to the Undergraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guideUG.aspx)

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

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.

Last updated: 23 April 2013