LO1 Describe the inter-relationships between business organisations and the environments in which they operate

Table of contents

1 Key team contact details                                                             3

2 Module content                                                                           3

3 Learning materials                                                                      4

4 Maintaining Academic Honesty and Integrity                              4

5 Meeting Deadlines                                                                       4

6 Getting Support                                                                           5

7 Preparing for your Assessment                                                  5

8 Summative Assessments                                                            6

Summative Assessment 1............................................................ 6

Summative Assessment 2............................................................ 8

9  Glossary and Acronyms                                                            11    

1Key team contact details

2 Module content 

The title of the module is Understanding Business and as such, you will be introduced to basic concepts in business studies, and explore the nature, structure and ways contemporary business organisations operate. This module will prepare you to become sensitive to the wide variety of issues and topics encountered in business transactions from the perspective of a business professional. Teaching, learning and assessment on this module will be based on an hour-long lecture and one seminar of 2 hours. You are required to take part all teaching sessions and/or any external visits arranged for you. Please note that you will be required to attend these sessions without exception, unless otherwise stated. Failure to do this or to contribute to the module as required in this MSG may result in you being unsuccessful in completing the module. For most teaching sessions, you will be required to contribute something to the session based on any tasks that are handed out in class.

The main aims of the module are:

• To explore the nature, structure, and ways of operating businesses
• To introduce students to basic finance mechanics
• To provide an overview and understanding on the main topic issues in human resources management, accounting and finance and marketing
• To relate business functions to the external environment

Expectations 

Specific expectations students can have of tutors:

• Lecture slides made available on Blackboard before lecture
• Knowledge of the subject area and how to apply knowledge to the business environment
• Timely responsibility to queries and timely marking
• Help with assessment preparation
• To make learning enjoyable and relevant

Specific expectations tutors will have of students: 

• Full attendance at class
• Effective contribution to practice exercises and all activities
• Engagement in all course activities
• Timely work submission
• Behave professionally in classes and not cause any disruption that may affect other students’ learning
• God communication with tutors in a professional manner
• Constructive feedback where possible
• In case of absent, let the tutor know in good time.

3 Learning materials 

The reading list for this module is available on Blackboard in the module area and online by searching readinglists. This shows real-time availability of books in the library and provides direct links to digital items, recommended by your lecturer.

Remember to log into Blackboard daily to receive all the latest news and support available at your module sites!

LO1 Describe the inter-relationships between business organisations and the environments in which they operate

Subject guides (libraryguides) are also available to help you find relevant information for assignments, with contact details of the Subject Librarian for your School.

Essential Reading:

Begg, D. Ward, D. (2020). Economics for business: McGraw-Hill education

Cavegirl, ST., Knight, G. and Riesenberger, J (2016) International Business: The New Realities, Pearson Education

Attrill, P. and McLaney, E. (2015) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists, Pearson Needle, D (2015) Business in Context, Cengage Learning, Andover

Paul Byrne, (2021) Business skills for the 21st century, Pearson Education limited

4 Maintaining Academic Honesty and Integrity 

Academic Integrity means avoiding plagiarism and cheating and owning your own work, the use of essay mills and AI content is also considered academic misconduct. This is when you submit a piece of work which is not completely your own, but which you are presenting as your own without acknowledging the author or properly referencing the original source. All your work must demonstrate Academic Integrity; it must be an honest and fair submission, complying with all the requirements of the assessment. Failure to meet these standards of behaviour and practice is academic misconduct, which can result in penalties being applied under the Academic Offences Regulations. You can get support with your academic writing by speaking to our Study support team.

5 Meeting Deadlines 

You should always try your best to submit your work on time. You can submit coursework up to 10 calendar days late without penalty if you request an extension before the submission deadline.

Without an extension, the maximum mark you will be able to get for that work will be the pass mark.

6 Getting Support

There may be times when you experience circumstances outside of your control and talking to your Module Leader and other support services available to you in the university will help keep you on track with your studies. You can access information on support services and further guidance at our Support for current students page.

If your circumstances mean that you are not able to submit at all or are unable to attend an in- person assessment like an exam or in-class test, then you can request mitigation for the assessment. Approved mitigation means that you can have another attempt without penalty if you fail an assessment or do not submit.

If you request an extension or mitigation before the deadline you can choose to self-certify, without providing evidence, so long as you have a valid reason. You can only self-certify three assessments per academic year. If you have used all your self-certification opportunities, or requested mitigation after the deadline, you will need to provide evidence of your exceptional circumstances for your request to be granted.

Your Students’ Union Advice Team will be able to support you through the process.

7Preparing for your Assessment 

A key part of your learning will be preparation for your summative assessment. You will be provided feedback on your formative assessments, and this will help you to better understand what is required of you when you submit your summative assessment. Please see below guidance on your formative assessment and how to access your feedback.

Assessment Support

8 Summative Assessments 

Summative Assessment 1

Submitting, feedback & grades online using Blackboard Assessment brief

Assessment 1 requires you to choose a small or medium business (SMB) organisation and having conducted a SWOT or PESTAL analysis on it write a case study on your findings.

Include a critical evaluation of how the SWOT or PESTAL analysis might be used by the organisation’s senior management. Conclude your case study with the list of five recommendations for your chosen organisation. The case study must be submitted it on Turnitin and you will be given 5 minutes to present your case study in class.

Main objectives of the Assessment 1

A1: Assessment criteria

A1: Marking Grid

Employability Skills

This assessment covers the following employability skills, which you could demonstrate on your CV and at job interviews if you successfully pass the assessment:

• Communication
• Writing
• Speaking
• Listening
• Presenting
• Non-Verbal
• Problem solving
• Take initiative and self-motivating
• Can work under pressure and to deadline
• Planning and organisation skills
• Ability to learn and adapt
• Enterprising
• Industry/commercial aware
• Digitally literate
• Creativity/lateral thinking
• Time management 

Summative Assessment 2

LO2 Analyse how the main business functions operate in practice

Assessment brief

Select one organisation listed on the London Stock Exchange FTSE250 index and write an essay which analyses the core functions of a business and describes their importance in the context of the organisation current inter-relationship with its external environment.

This assessment element is to be submitted to Turnitin. You will find a link to the Turnitin Assignment from the Assessments area of the Blackboard course menu.

For guidance on online submission of assignments, including how to submit and how to access online feedback, please refer to the UWL Blackboard student-help pages at: uwl.ac.uk/current- students/online-learning-tools

You will need to ensure that your assessment is uploaded as a single document, and in the correct format (e.g., a Word document or PDF – the acceptable file formats are displayed on screen when you come to submit via Turnitin).

When submitting, please enter your student ID number in the “submission title” box. The document itself should contain your student ID number in a header or footer; your name should not be visible on the work.

Turnitin generates an Originality Report, and you are encouraged to make use of this facility as a support tool to help you ensure the source material in your assignment is correctly referenced before final submission.

You will be able to submit revised drafts of your work up until the assignment due date. Only the final version will be marked by your tutor.

At the due date and time, no further submissions or changes are possible. Whatever is in the Turnitin inbox at this time will be regarded as your final submission.

Main objectives of the Assessment 2

A2: Assessment criteria

A2: Marking Grid

Employability Skills

This assessment covers the following employability skills, which you could demonstrate on your CV and at job interviews if you successfully pass the assessment:

• Communication
• Writing
• Speaking
• Presenting
• Take initiative and self-motivating
• Critical thinking
• Planning and organisation skills
• Industry/commercial aware
• Time management
• Intellectual curiosity
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal
• Perseverance
• Confidence