Introductory description

This module is designed as a primer in business for students who have no previous experience in business studies. By the end of the module students will be able to analyse a company from the different perspective of strategy, finance and accounting, operations management and marketing.

The module involves looking at examples from business and providing practice in the different topics, enabling students to apply theory to real world situations and enter the world of work knowing how a business works.

This is an elective module designed specifically for non-WBS students. To find detailed availability and to apply for this module, log in to my.wbs.ac.uk using your normal IT login details and apply via the my.wbs module application system. Once you’ve secured a place on my.wbs you should apply via your home department’s usual process, which usually takes place via eVision.

Note that you do not require the module leader’s permission to study a WBS module, so please do not contact them to request it.

Module web page

Module aims

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.

1. Introduction:
   Introduction to Business and Management

2. Strategy:
   Introduction to 'strategy';
   The application of strategic models to secure long-term organisational success

3. Marketing:
   Introduction to 'marketing',
   The role and function of marketing over the course of the customer/consumer journey

4. Financial Management:
   Introduction to accounting and financial management;
   Analysing management accounts to inform strategic decision-making

5. Operations Management:
   Introduction to OM;
   Appraising how businesses function on a daily basis

6. Other themes will include:
   Working in Teams
   Planning and organisation
   Resolving conflict

Learning outcomes

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

• Reflect upon the role and purpose of a range of functional areas that exist within an organisation.
• Analyse a context and propose potential solutions to achieve given objectives.
• Reflect critically upon a course of action taken and appraise sources of both success and failure.
• Critically reflect upon the challenges of managing a multifunctional organisation.
• Differentiate and critically appraise the contribution that different business functions make to the effective functioning of an organisation.
• Analysis a given business scenario and evaluate the relative strength and value of a range of strategic options.
• Critically appraise actions taken individually and collectively as a group, to identify causes of relative success and failure.
• Critically reflect upon their performance within the module and what they might do differently in future.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Interdisciplinary

This module is interdisciplinary by nature as students are not only required to explore the different business functions within an organisation but also how they interact and impact upon each other in the course business.

International

The main source of international content will come from the students taking the module as they are likely to include students from a range of nationalities, each bringing their unique perspective into the business arena.

Subject specific skills

Reflect critically upon a context to inform strategic decision making.

Reflect critically upon the value of working in teams and the challenges of working within and managing a team.

Present their written work in business-appropriate format.

Demonstrate how the application of theory and frameworks enables an understanding of how businesses generate value and how they capture value.

Transferable skills

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing in a business-appropriate manner.

Work effectively in a team to deliver mutually agreed goals

Demonstrate a growth mindset through critical reflection upon individual and team performance to identify areas for improvement.