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Module Catalogue

IB005-15 Foundations of Business

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Foundation
Module leader
Nicola Burgess
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

N/A.

Module web page

Module aims

To provide a broad and integrate introduction to business that consolidates prior learning and experience, and generates an interest and enthusiasm for the study of business.
To present opportunities for development of a range of practical, presentational, personal, interpersonal, cognitive and transferable skills.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

  • Business Fundamentals.
  • Strategy, Vision and Mission.
  • Modern Management.
  • Value Propositions.
  • Operations Management.
  • Business in Practice Field Trip.
  • Marketing Mix.
  • Project Management.
  • The X, Y and Z Generations at Work.
  • Business Plans.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of organisations and the business environment in which they operate.
  • Identify and discuss issues relating to operations, management, marketing and strategy.
  • Analyse and evaluate the interplay between the organisation and its operations, management, marketing and strategy.
  • Think critically in order to solve business problems.
  • Analyse and evaluate business data and sources of information.

Indicative reading list

Barrow, C., P. Barrow & R. Brown (2018) The Business Plan Workbook: A step-by-step guide to creating and developing a successful business (9th edn.), London: KoganPage.
Combe, C. (2014) Introduction to Management, Oxford: OUP
Hunt, V. et al. (2018) Delivering through Diversity, Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/ourinsights/delivering-through-diversity.
Paliszkiewicz, J. (2018) ‘Trust: A Multifaceted Notion’ in B. KozÌuch, S. J. Magala & J. Paliszkiewicz (eds.) Managing Public Trust, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan 9-23
Slack, N. & A. Brandon-Jones (2019) Operations Management (9th edn.), Harlow: Pearson
Yaneva, M. (2018) 'Z Generation in Corporate Environment. How to Address it?' 27th International Scientific Conference on Economic and Social Development (Rome) p739-745
Young Entrepreneurs Forum (2016) How To Write a Business Plan To Start Your Own Business, Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqch5OrUPvA

Subject specific skills

Evaluate a vision, mission and enablers.
Differentiate between leadership and management activities of the past and present.
Analyse and suggest improvements for teams and organisational structures.
Write the value proposition and do a marketing mix review for a product or service.
Suggest improvements for a supply chain and restaurant's operations.
Create a business plan.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate competence communication (written and oral), presentation, data analysis, time management, digital literacy, peer-review and team-working skills.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 2 hours (13%)
Seminars 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 48 hours (32%)
Assessment 72 hours (48%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private study.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Individual Assignment 50% 36 hours Yes (extension)
Poster & Individual Presentation 40% 29 hours No
Participation 10% 7 hours No
Assessment group R1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Individual Assignment 50% Yes (extension)
Poster & recorded presentation 50% Yes (extension)

Poster & recorded presentation (replaces
Poster & Individual Presentation and participation)
Feedback on assessment

Feedback will be provided via my.wbs.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • UIBA-N404 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year and Placement/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 1 of N404 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and Placement)
    • Year 1 of N405 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 1 of N403 Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)
  • Year 1 of UIBA-N403 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N20J Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year and Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 1 of N20J Management (Foundation Year and Placement)
    • Year 1 of N20K Management (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 1 of N23H Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 1 of N23J Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 1 of N23G Management with Finance (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 1 of N255 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
  • UIBA-N20E Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N23N Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 1 of N23M Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N23E Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N23F Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N23D Management with Finance (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 1 of N254 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 1 of N23P Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Foundation Year)