Business and Management with a Year in Industry - BSc (Hons)

This module will cover the key concepts of microeconomics and theories related to the individual, firm and industry in the short and long run, underpinned by existing evidence on past and current economic trends in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

• Key microeconomic concepts such as opportunity cost and equity versus efficiency

• Supply and demand; elasticity

• Cost and revenues

• Profit maximisation under different market structures

• Input markets; labour and capital

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Management Principles aims to provide an understanding of the challenges of managing people within complex work organisations. The experience of work and employment are being affected by rapid change as a result of a number of factors including new technology, the growth of global competition and the changing demographic profiles and values of the work force. These developments are considered within an historical context. An exploration of their implications for management practices and organisational forms will also be conducted.

Students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories through readings and discussions of the main authors in the field. Case studies will be used to show how these concepts can impact upon management decision making within work organisations.

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The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in key statistical techniques required to analyse effectively business data and data relevant for business. Indicative content:

• Maths and statistical skills for business; revision of algebra and basic mathematical functions.

• Summarising data with histograms, bar charts, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion.

• Spreadsheets: features and functions of commonly-used spreadsheet software including: workbook, worksheet, rows, columns, cells, data, text, formulae, formatting, printing, , charts and graphs, data management facilities,

• Probability: The relationship between probability, proportion and percent, addition and multiplication rules in probability theory and Venn diagrams.

• Common Probability Density Functions.

• Sampling and its use in inference, and applications of sampling in business management.

• Regression and correlation: scatter plots; simple regression; interpreting computer output.

• Forecasting using spreadsheets.

• Hypothesis testing using z-scores and t-scores

• Simulations- random number generation

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The module introduces to students the importance of marketing in competitive and dynamic environments. The key topics of the module are:

• The marketing concept

• The marketing environment

• Market segmentation & targeting

• Brand development and management

• Management of the marketing mix

• Marketing research and new product development

• The implications of internationalisation for marketing managers

• Ethical issues in marketing

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The module will cover various aspects of the changing international business environment, and their impact upon business operations and strategy. It will give students an appreciation of the business difficulties faced; the variety of factors influencing the choices and compromises that have to be made in international businesses, and the implications of those for the future viability and effectiveness of the organisations concerned.

An list of topics is given below:

• Globalisation: Definition, Evolution, Implications for countries, firms and people

• The International Business Environment: World Institutions, Patterns of International Trade and FDI Activities

• The Triad: European Union, United States, Japan - Investment, Trade, Relations

• Developing and Emerging Economies: Opportunities and Challenges

• Cultural Frameworks for International Business

• Entry Modes: Theory and Practice

• Internationalisation Theories

• International Expansion Strategies

• International Stakeholders – Ethical Issues

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This module will develop core understanding and skills of using Microsoft Excel, a market leading analytical tool and software package. It covers the way in which enterprises such as businesses, not-for-profit organisations and governments utilise quantitative data to obtain insights for decision-making. Techniques will be taught and delivered with case studies and simulated datasets.

Topics to be covered include:

• Microsoft Excel functions and formulae: Nested functions, filters, lookup functions, and logical functions

• Data visualisation: Graphic operations

• Data analysis and statistical analysis: conditional formatting, Solver, Add-ins and Trend analysis

• Excel Macros: defining, recording, assigning, running and storing, etc.

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This module aims to give students a better understanding of the importance of accounting in the modern world and how accounts are produced and regulated to produce meaningful information for all internal and external stakeholders.

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This module provides fundamental knowledge of a range of business organisations, business purpose, ownership types and stakeholder influence. It further introduces organisational structures, functional areas and the impact of the external environment on business. Furthermore, this module introduces the many factors that shape the nature of organisations operating in an increasingly complex business environment such as innovation, internationalisation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Module participants explore this dynamic nature of business and consider successful existence within modern organisations through studying and applying employability skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

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Managing People and Teams aims to provide an understanding of the key concepts within management theory. This core knowledge is applied to a range of organisational settings so that the influence of management theory on management practice is understood. The role played by specialist management functions within Human Resource Management (HRM) and Employment Relations is investigated.

Students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories through readings and discussions of the main authors in the field. Case studies will be used to show how these concepts can impact upon management thinking and decision making within work organisations.

Indicative topics are:

• Groups and teams

• Motivation in the workplace

• Communication theory and practice

• Power and control

• Job design

• Flexible working practices

• Diversity in the workplace

• Managing learning

• Managing change

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This module aims to develop a critical understanding of project management to enable students to recognise the importance of the discipline in a variety of organisational and functional contexts. Students should develop a critical understanding of the concepts employed in project management at strategic, systems and operational levels, and an appreciation of the knowledge and skills required for successful project management in organisations. The module adopts the Project Management Institute (PMI) approach to delivering projects, and is structured as follows:

1. Introduction to Project Management

2. Scope Planning

3. Time Planning

4. Cost Planning

5. Risk Planning

6. Earned Value Management

7. Human Resources Management

8. Agile Project Management

9. Benefits Management

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This module will require students to develop the ability to use appropriate techniques of analysis and enquiry within the management of operations, and to learn how to evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Indicative topics of the module are:

• Strategic role of operations and operations strategy

• Design of processes and the implications for layout and flow

• People, jobs and organisation

• Capacity planning and scheduling

• Inventory control

• Supply chain management, lean systems and digital operations

• Quality planning and managing improvement

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The module helps prepare students to acquire and develop the employability and transferable skills necessary to search and successfully apply for work experience and graduate opportunities in the commercial and public sector and postgraduate study.

The curriculum builds on employability support offered at Stage 1 providing intermediate level knowledge and exercises in application writing, CVs, careers advice, interview and assessment centre techniques, numeracy and competency tests, and psychometric evaluation.

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This module begins by looking at the role of investments and finance in an organisational context. It then considers the role of financial markets and the links between investors and businesses. Students will learn different investment appraisal techniques used in capital budgeting decisions, such as NPV and IRR. The module also covers the basics of any investment decision, such as the relation between return and risk. In the second part of the module, student will learn about short and long term sources (i.e. capital structure) of finance available to businesses and how to determine the cost and value of each source of long-term finance.

Topics covered include:

- Short-term and long term investment appraisal and capital budgeting techniques

- Estimation of return and risk in the context of portfolio theory

- Short-term finance and working capital management

- Long-term finance and the cost of each source of finance

- Capital structure and weighted average cost of capital

- Interaction of investment and financing decisions

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The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on the importance of law in governing transactions between individuals and businesses; what is required for legally compliant contracts; what the law expects of organisations in terms of protecting the consumer, and how businesses manage and avoid disputes. By enabling students to become familiar with those parts of the law they are most likely to encounter in their careers and in business the module helps them better understand the obligations that parties have to each other in law.

Indicative topic areas are:

• The English Legal System

• The Legal Process and Dispute Resolution

• Law of Contract – including:

• Formation

• Contract terms

• Vitiating elements, such as misrepresentation and economic duress

• Performance and discharge of contract, including frustration

• Common law and equitable remedies, including damages

• Consumer Protection

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This module will review contemporary approaches to marketing research design, data collection and analysis. A range of customer, market and competitor analysis techniques will be explored from conventional marketing research techniques as well as from ecommerce, geodemographic and new-media sources. Students will also develop an understanding of the importance of effective performance measurement (i.e., making marketing more accountable). Students will further develop their appreciation of market information and intelligence and acquire the specialised skills needed to plan, manage and report marketing research studies.

The indicative key topics of the module are:

• Marketing research planning and process

• Research design and data acquisition

• Qualitative and quantitative consumer research

• Data analysis

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This module explores the ever-changing trends of retailers both in the UK and globally. It will explore the dynamics of multi-channel retailing following the development of on-line retailing. It will also consider the store design and visual merchandising techniques that influence the characteristics of the retail brand and environment, which encourage a satisfying retail experience. The learner will understand how to analyse and interpret how the location of products in line with store purchasing and marketing policies influences sales and profit. The complexities of store management will further be explored.

The key elements of the curriculum are as follows:

1. The dynamics of retail management and the macro environment

2. Retail theories and strategic approaches

3. Store formats

4. Store location and international factors

5. E-Retail

6. Store design and visual merchandising

7. Store operational management

8. Customer service and the customer experience

9. Commercial management and selling skills

10. Case Studies of Food and Fashion retailing

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A synopsis of the curriculum:

This module aims to enable students to understand the social and economic changes that have raised the status of enterprise, small business and entrepreneurial ventures in the global economy. It examines the diverse nature of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations, as well as the barriers and issues facing entrepreneurs when planning and establishing a new venture.

The indicative topics of the module are:

• Factors that have influenced the growth of the enterprise culture in the UK.

• The role and relevance of SMEs in the UK economy; definitions of SMEs; statistical information; Government policies and initiatives, and support agencies.

• Whether entrepreneurs are born or made; whether enterprise skills can be taught or learned, and whether entrepreneurs differ from business owners and other managers.

• Enterprise and innovation development in organisations.

• Differences in attitudes, objectives, skill requirements and business strategies between small and large firms.

• Surviving the early stages of business development, including failure rates in new and small enterprises and barriers to growth and development.

• The planning process for starting a new venture – including risks and liabilities; problems and pitfalls, and potential profit and success.

• The protection of ideas and intellectual capital.

• Funding a new enterprise, including via 'friends, family and fools', business angels and venture capitalists.

• Enterprise in different contexts, including corporate enterprise, public sector enterprise and social enterprise.

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This module will cover the core principles of macroeconomics; including the measurement of key macroeconomic variables and limitations to existing practices. Students will consider competing theories related to the macro economy in the short and long run and their overall consequences for the business environment. This will be underpinned by existing evidence on past and current levels of macroeconomic indicators in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Indicative topics are:

• The Macro economy – as a system: the circular flow (including injections and withdrawals), national income measurement, economic growth and international comparisons

• Macroeconomic variables: GDP, unemployment, inflation, money supply and balance of payments

• The open macro economy; including imports and exports; the role of exchange rates and trade theory.

• Macroeconomic theories: including the classical approach, the Keynesian demand management approach and monetarism

• Macroeconomic policies: demand versus supply side economic management

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This module is designed to expose students to contemporary business innovation management issues and the strategic and operational choices that businesses have to make when dealing with them. This module will explore the historical context, current perspective and emerging issues for contemporary businesses, including the challenges, opportunities and threats they face. External speakers will be invited to address the students on specific issues of relevance to their businesses. Indicative topics of the module are:

• Disruption

• The role of innovation in the creation of sustainable business models

• Open and User innovation

• Managing the risks of innovation

• Digital innovation

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Leadership and Corporate Strategy aims to provide an understanding of strategic analysis, strategic decision-making and strategic processes within organisations. The module content comprises two complementary components. The first involves the understanding and learning of the main strategic management concepts and theories. The second implies its application in organisations.

These two core components of the course are then divided into four main sections:

1) Strategy development: comprising topics on how strategies are developed;

2) Strategic decision-making: introducing students to concepts and theories on strategic methods; evaluation (including risk assessment and management), and implementation and change;

3) Strategic context: introducing issues of leadership and their impact on strategy;

4) Strategic content: comprising topics on management issues such as resource management.

Topics on this module include:

1) Strategic leadership

2) Identification of strategic issues and options

3) Evaluation of strategic options

4) Implementation of strategic options

For each of these topics the students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories. Further to that, contemporary issues of businesses and case studies will be used to show how these concepts affect the strategic management of organisations.

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The aims of this module are to develop an insight into the key concepts and theories of human resource management (HRM) and organisational behaviour (OB). It will develop in students an understanding of the links between HRM policies and practices and organisational performance, and the factors that influence the management of employees

Content will include:

1) An introduction to Human Resource Management (HRM) and Organisational Behaviour (OB)

2) Strategic HRM

3) Performance Management

4) Strategic Recruitment and Selection

5) Leadership

6) Power, Politics and Decision Making

7) Making the business case for diversity

8) Organisational Culture and International HRM

9) Pay, Performance and Reward

10) Managing Innovation and Change

11) HRM and Ethics

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This module examines recent developments in marketing thinking and market strategy development. It focuses on the dynamic aspects of market strategy development, and current issues such as relationship and Internet marketing.

Indicative topics of the module are:

• Define Strategic Marketing: A First Principles Approach and assessment requirements

• Approaches and Framework for Managing Customer Heterogeneity: STP approach & Positioning Maps

• Approaches and Framework for Managing Customer Dynamics: Customer Mapping

• Managing Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA): Branding, Offering and Innovation, Relationship and digital marketing strategies

• Managing Resources Trade Off

• Building Strategic Marketing Analytics Capabilities

• Overview and Implementation of the 4 Strategic Marketing Principles

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The module helps prepare students to acquire and develop the employability and transferable skills necessary to search and successfully apply for work experience and graduate opportunities in the commercial and public sector and postgraduate study.

The curriculum builds on knowledge and experience gained in related employability modules delivered at Stages 1 and 2, providing further guidance and more advanced practical exercises in application writing, CVs, careers advice, interview and assessment centre techniques, numeracy and competency tests, and psychometric evaluation. The aims here are to support students during their final year in applying for good graduate jobs and MSc degree programmes.

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The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on the importance of law in governing transactions between individuals and businesses; what is required for legally compliant contracts; what the law expects of organisations in terms of protecting the consumer, and how businesses manage and avoid disputes. By enabling students to become familiar with those parts of the law they are most likely to encounter in their careers and in business the module helps them better understand the obligations that parties have to each other in law.

Indicative topic areas are:

• The English Legal System

• The Legal Process and Dispute Resolution

• Law of Contract – including:

• Formation

• Contract terms

• Vitiating elements, such as misrepresentation and economic duress

• Performance and discharge of contract, including frustration

• Common law and equitable remedies, including damages

• Consumer Protection

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This module investigates the importance of having a dynamic buying function in retailing to meet the ever changing needs of the consumer and maintain a profitable business. It explores both Fashion and Food retailing and the differences between these industries. It considers how different strategic approaches influence new product design and purchasing as well as the importance of economic, legal and financial issues. Students will acquire expertise in how to plan and develop a range of products; how to develop pricing strategies, and how to work with strategic suppliers and partners to get a product that exceeds consumer needs to market ahead of the competition.

The key elements of the curriculum are as follows:

1. Organisational approaches to buying and the impact on the brand

2. Process models of buying

3. Competitor analysis

4. Impact of trends and fashion on new product development

5. Impact of innovation and technology on new product development

6. Range planning

7. Quality strategies and quality assurance

8. Supplier selection and management

9. Sustainability of product sourcing

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The understanding and application of enterprise knowledge is seen as a transferable skill that can have cross-division application within the University, in that it has relevance to students from a broad range of academic disciplines who might be considering self-employment after graduation.

The curriculum is based on the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (National Standards-setting body for small business) Standards for Business Start-up but has been expanded to include contemporary issues such as Intellectual Property and recent legislation.

Indicative areas of study are:

• Why firms become insolvent – economic financial and operational reasons for business failure; risks & liabilities; skills requirements for business ownership; self-development planning; sources of advice, and support for businesses.

• The new business planning process and format - developing and evaluating the business idea, and producing a business plan for potential lenders.

• Financial aspects – budgetary planning and control; cash-flow and working capital; understanding financial accounting and key financial documents; break-even analysis; credit control, and debt recovery.

• Market research, competition and barriers to market entry - identifying customers; market segmentation; planning the sales and marketing processes; customer perceptions and customer care, and developing quality standards for the business

• Legal issues - reporting requirements; UK & EU law relevant to small businesses; business formats and trading status and their respective risks and liabilities; insurance; insolvency, and intellectual property rights such as patents and copyright.

• Planning and employing staff - planning and obtaining premises; physical and financial resources, and the phased implementation of the business plan.

• Commercial Presentation – prepare and facilitate a commercial business presentation on a newly created venture

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The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on how businesses fulfil their legal obligations to customers, suppliers and their workforce. As well as exploring how businesses are structured and the duties on directors and partners it also considers the legal obligations individuals and organisations have over those to whom they have a duty of care. The module further covers the main laws governing the employment of staff and contractors. By applying the law to real-world business situations students are able to fine-tune their problem solving skills and their ability to construct well-reasoned and persuasive arguments.

The module covers the following topic areas:

• The English Legal System, Legal Process and Dispute Resolution;

• Law of Negligence – including general principles and negligent mis-statement

• Law of Business Organisations - classification of business organisations; main principles applying to general and limited liability partnerships and registered companies, and directors' duties

• Employment Law - the general scope of the legal obligations owed by employers to employees, including the employment contract, discrimination and dismissal

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Students will be expected to develop the ability to use appropriate techniques of analysis and enquiry within supply chain and service management, and to learn how to evaluate the alternatives and make recommendations. Topics include:

• The nature of services and service strategy

• Supply chain management

• Managing quality within supply chains

• Service development and technology

• Service quality and the service encounter

• Project/Event management and control

• Managing capacity and demand in services

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The aim of the module is to develop an understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability informed by ethical theory and stakeholder perspectives. Students will have the opportunity to familiarise with essential readings and cases in CSR to enable them to recognise key issues raised by stakeholder groups. such as shareholder activism; socially responsible investment; employee discrimination; working conditions; ethical issues in marketing; management; consumer protection; gifts/ bribes; accountability; collaboration with civil society organisations, and corruption of governmental actors. The module will therefore contribute in building an understanding of contemporary social issues in business by highlighting the importance of a collaborative approach with internal and external stakeholder groups.

Indicative topics are:

- Business Ethics

- Corporate Social Responsibility

- Sustainability

- Social responsibilities of sectors and industries

- Stakeholders of organisations, including:

Employees

Suppliers

Competitors

Shareholders

Civil society

Government

- Implementation of socially responsible and sustainable programmes and initiatives

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This module examines the key factors that influence the digital consumer, including social networks and virtual communities. It identifies the importance of developing campaign content aimed at specific market segments and how campaigns can be measured.

Topics to be covered are likely to include:

• Introduction to consumer behaviour across cultures

• The digital marketplace and its impact on consumers

• Online consumer behaviour

• e-CRM and managing the customer experience

• Generational differences in digital responsiveness

• Global multichannel retailing

• Analysis of the causes of failure in international retail brand development

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This module builds on previous sociological and criminological learning. It aims to enhance students' understanding of the 'third sector' and the criminal justice system, and how they operate in practice. It is designed to give students experience of working in the third sector and in the criminal justice system.

Students will undertake work as a volunteer with an organisation that works within the fields of social justice, the third sector or in the criminal justice system, as agreed by the module convenor (assistance is available to identify appropriate volunteering opportunities). Students will complete 100 hours of volunteering for this module by the end of the Spring term.

In addition to their volunteering, students attend lectures and seminars that cover topics such as: the history and development of voluntary action in the ‘third sector’ and in English criminal justice system; the relationship between volunteers and professionals in ‘third sector’ and in the criminal justice system; the management, organisation and funding of the principal criminal justice agencies in the public sector; the management and organisation of voluntary/third sector organisations, and the application of sociological and criminological theory to practice.

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