BA (Hons) in
Business Management
(Enterprise)

This module introduces Organizational Behavior (OB) theory and research to help students gain an understanding of the range of individual, group and organizational factors which can influence the way that employees behave in the workplace. Students will apply the theory to case studies of organizations to explore how it can be used as an analytical tool to gain a clearer understanding of the complex causes of workplace behavior in order to develop effective management interventions.

10 ECTS

This module develops the comprehensive knowledge of business functions, skills and professional acumen required to allow students to make the desired impact when seeking a career. They will be introduced to key business subject areas and develop and apply their learning to a business scenario through practical activities. This module will also enhance communication and personal presentation skills to give students more confidence in business contexts such as networking and interviews.

10 ECTS

Economics are present in almost every aspect of our lives. Knowledge of economics will therefore provide students with essential insight into how markets work, how firms and consumers make decisions in market economies, and how businesses identify opportunities and potential threats in the environment in which they operate. This module develops students’ understanding of the core principles of micro- and macroeconomics and uses economic models and theories to explore current economic issues.

10 ECTS

This module assumes no prior accounting knowledge. Students learn how to prepare accounts for small businesses and then apply that knowledge to larger organizations. They examine accounting statements to assess just how well a business is performing; identify and analyze business costs to aid decision-making relating to the control and viability of projects; and identify and discuss sources of finance. This basic financial knowledge is essential to anyone wishing to pursue a career in business, whether on a self-employed basis or in a larger corporation.

10 ECTS

Being able to apply an enterprising mindset is highly desirable in today’s fast-moving business environment, where managers must react to gaps in the market or competitor actions, deal with uncertainty, make decisions and act. Building on and integrating the other first-year business function modules, this teaches students how to channel their creative energy, recognize the difference between a business idea and a business opportunity, decide which approach is most beneficial, and then design and implement an appropriate plan of action. The module helps students to understand the relevance and interaction of these elements within a business context, and to provide transferable skills that can be applied in any organizational situation. Students are encouraged to demonstrate these skills and to reflect upon their progress.

10 ECTS

This introduction to the fundamentals of marketing gives students a basic understanding of the current and emerging marketing principles and techniques within the business environment. It seeks to establish that sustainable market success within a highly competitive environment can only be achieved by developing products or services based upon an understanding of the external environment and customers’ needs and wants. During the module, students learn how to add value for customers and other stakeholders and to assess the impact of marketing activities on consumers’ lives.

10 ECTS

This module develops essential competencies for future employment in the business world: the ability to use spread sheets for quantitative analysis, and the skills to interpret and communicate the results of data analysis. These are key skills required by the Chartered Management Institute. Students will gain the confidence and experience to prepare an analysis of real data that will inform a business decision or underpin a business strategy. These skills also prepare students for evidence- based analysis required in other program modules, including finance, marketing and strategy. This module contributes to the CMI accreditation for BA (Hons) Business Management students.

10 ECTS

This module provides students with knowledge of the principles of responsible leadership by exploring concepts of ethics, global social responsibility, and the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value for organizations and corporations. The module encourages students to consider the importance of these issues from the perspective of the organization and other stakeholders, and to reflect on the relevance of responsible leadership as a basis for sustainable competitive advantage. The module equips students with the knowledge and understanding of the complex ethical issues that are commonly encountered by organizations.

10 ECTS

The module aims to bring together elements of enterprise, entrepreneurship and business which are usually taught separately, such as strategy, human resource management, finance, marketing, innovation, logistics and international business. The module is designed to help students fully understand the relevance and interaction of these elements, and how they contribute to the growth of the organisation, whether it be an MNE, SME, not-for-profit or public body. Students will be required to demonstrate skills and evaluate how knowledge can be applied in a business environment. Transferable skills will be developed which can be applied in both academic and business context.

10 ECTS

The module provides a framework for understanding the crucial role of operations to business success. It examines how people, capital, materials, equipment, knowledge, technology, information and time are combined to produce goods and services. This module will also provide students with opportunities to experience real workplace operations scenarios where their skills and knowledge can be applied in a practical way with real organizations or in valid case study situations. It provides an overview of the key areas of operations management, particularly in maintaining and improving the quality of goods and services and making sure that this is also reflected in company performance.

10 ECTS

Managing the performance of staff is essential to the smooth running of organisations. This module analyses the range of human resource management (HRM) activities undertaken within organisations to manage the performance of its employees and explores the devolution of many of these roles and responsibilities to line managers. It provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills required to undertake these activities professionally and effectively in the workplace. By the end of the module students will be able to analyse the causes of poor performance within organizations and the principles and practices of effective performance management and explain how these practices can be integrated into high performance work systems (HPWS).

10 ECTS

Innovation can be defined as the development and application of new ideas to create new opportunities and to solve problems. In this hands-on module, students will learn why the best companies are those which innovate. They will research how successful organizations harness the creativity of their people and steer their way through the unexpected hazards which business life throws at them. Students will consider the type of thinking needed to implement these problem-solving ideas and how to manage this implementation to make better organizations and products. Students will have the opportunity to work with other students on a real business problem, discovering their individual strengths and abilities, but also areas for development. They will work with an actual employer and organization based in the local area, applying their ideas, combined with the theories we will study, to promote creative solutions to issues they are facing right now.

10 ECTS

This module studies global business using a combined strategic and economic approach. The recent major global economic shifts are explored, and current international business events are analyzed. Students will study the key theoretical underpinnings, trends and challenges of international trade and foreign direct investment. They will analyze the importance of government and institutions in controlling/regulating international business behavior. The long-term sustainability of businesses in the ever-changing, and often hostile, global business environment is considered, in order to understand the critical role played by strategic management.

10 ECTS

Improvements to processes, services, products, people, and systems are core to the strategy of organizations. Improvements bridge the gap between current and required performance to add value and achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in the long-term. Effective consultation and project management using appropriate business improvement and research methodologies is key to the successful implementation of change. In this module students will explore how to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources to achieve defined goals, on time and to agreed cost and quality criteria. Using a consultative approach, students will be challenged to make decisions based on their own research to provide practical advice and solutions to real-life scenarios taking into consideration the organization’s constraints. They will liaise with employers, establish agreed objectives and present their findings in a clear, business-focused report and presentation.

10 ECTS

There are many ways in which to decide to become your own boss, especially if you plan to use your own skills, knowledge and interests as the basis. You can exploit your unique set of characteristics through freelancing; set up and run a social enterprise with a charitable purpose; become self-employed and work for yourself; start your own business; become an entrepreneur with a new and innovative product or service which you have developed; or some combination of the above. However, in the end, all these opportunities amount to the same thing. You have to offer a product or service for which potential customers are prepared to pay; you have to deliver value greater than the customer’s equivalent financial outlay; you must do this either personally or through the organization; you need to collect payment; and you need to ensure that you operate within the law. Simple. This straightforward process is what students will be asked to demonstrate within this module. The aim is for students to experience how simple it is to become one’s own boss and to reflect on the pros and cons of achieving that goal. The focus will be on using one’s own skills, knowledge and interests as a basis from which to progress; finance: how a corporation should invest its funds; how it should finance its investments; and to what extent it should distribute some of its assets to its owners. Students look at practical examples of how this balance is achieved in order to maximize the value of the organization.

10 ECTS

This module examines the concepts of leadership and management. It explores the similarities and differences in the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers in the workplace and the development of leadership theoretical approaches as well as the practical application of these within organizations. Students will analyze the skills and competencies of effective organizational leaders and examine alternative methods of leadership development to enhance these.

10 ECTS

Improvements to processes, services, products, people, and systems are core to the strategy of organizations. Improvements bridge the gap between current and required performance to add value and achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in the long-term. Effective consultation and project management using appropriate business improvement and research methodologies is key to the successful implementation of change. In this module students will explore how to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources to achieve defined goals, on time and to agreed cost and quality criteria. Using a consultative approach, students will be challenged to make decisions based on their own research to provide practical advice and solutions to real-life scenarios taking into consideration the organization’s constraints. They will liaise with employers, establish agreed objectives and present their findings in a clear, business-focused report and presentation.

10 ECTS

This module develops students understanding of how enterprises, especially start-ups and SMEs, can operate and prosper in a global landscape, and that knowledge can be applied in a real-life situation. In the last few years, the twin issues of globalization and culture have been forcing business to look to trade beyond their national boundaries. A greater appreciation of cultural similarities and differences, allied with technological advances, have resulted in both SMEs and startups being able to compete on a more level playing field with large MNEs. The command of resources of the latter being counteracted by the nimbleness of the former. Indeed, many new businesses are ‘born global’ in that they begin trading across national boundaries immediately as this is part of their strategy. As the world becomes smaller, taking an enterprising approach to gaining and keeping international customers is likely to become more important in the coming years as businesses can no longer rely exclusively on their own domestic markets.

10 ECTS