Course Description
Distance learning course of 9 units
This course has FREE Online Videos Associated with it.
This course presents an introductory over-view of the study of business organisations. The course examines business organisations in terms of their missions and values, their structures and cultures and the key organisational processes which underpin business activity. Although organisations are essentially unique, they also share common features which are explored in detail. We also present a number of basic models for analysing business organisations and their performance. Business organisations can only be fully understood if we know how they interact with their environments and the course presents a number of ideas for analysing their interaction with their competitors, their markets and the wider set of prevailing circumstances which influence business performance.
Tutor Support,/b>
With this course you will have unlimited access to your own personal tutor who specialises in their field of study. It is your personal tutor's role to ensure that you receive constructive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have. You are more than welcome to telephone, fax or email your personal tutor.
You will also have access to a dedicated and friendly team of administrators and course advisors who offer sound and professional guidance and advice when you need it. This ensures that you will never feel neglected and that you will always succeed!
Assessment Method
After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.
What's Included
All study materials Study Guide Full Tutor and Admin support
Back to Top
This course has FREE Online Videos Associated with it.
This course presents an introductory over-view of the study of business organisations. The course examines business organisations in terms of their missions and values, their structures and cultures and the key organisational processes which underpin business activity. Although organisations are essentially unique, they also share common features which are explored in detail. We also present a number of basic models for analysing business organisations and their performance. Business organisations can only be fully understood if we know how they interact with their environments and the course presents a number of ideas for analysing their interaction with their competitors, their markets and the wider set of prevailing circumstances which influence business performance.
Tutor Support,/b>
With this course you will have unlimited access to your own personal tutor who specialises in their field of study. It is your personal tutor's role to ensure that you receive constructive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have. You are more than welcome to telephone, fax or email your personal tutor.
You will also have access to a dedicated and friendly team of administrators and course advisors who offer sound and professional guidance and advice when you need it. This ensures that you will never feel neglected and that you will always succeed!
Assessment Method
After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.
What's Included
Course Outline
Unit 1 The Nature of Organisations
Section 1: Organisations in Business
1.1 What is an organisation?
1.2 What do organisations do?
1.3 Organisations as systems
Section 2: Organisational Growth and Structure
2.1 Growth
2.2 Growth in today�s business world
2.3 Organisational structure
Section 3: The Organisation as a Legal Entity
3.1 Sole traders
3.2 Partnerships
3.3 Incorporated companies
3.4 Charities
Section 4: Business Functions
4.1 Porter�s value chain
4.2 Inbound and outbound logistics
4.3 Operations (production)
4.4 Sales and marketing
4.5 Service
4.6 Infrastructure
4.7 Human resource management
4.8 Research and development
4.9 Procurement
4.10 Management information systems
Section 5: Organisational Culture
5.1 National influences
5.2 What is organisational culture?
5.3 Culture change
Section 6: Information
6.1 Nature of information
6.2 Sources of information
6.3 Accuracy of information
6.4 Information flows and management
6.5 Communication
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 2 The Business Environment
Section 1: Environmental Opportunities and Threats
1.1 The organisation and its environment
1.2 Environmental analysis
Section 2: Social Environment
2.1 Demographics and organisations
2.2 Social structures and behaviour patterns
Section 3: Economic Environment
3.1 Macroeconomy and governments
3.2 Industrial environment
3.3 Changing economic policies
Section 4: Political Environment
4.1 Politics and power
4.2 International business environment
4.3 Environmentalism and social responsibility
Section 5: Technological Environment
5.1 The new industrial revolution
5.2 New products and processes
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 3 Competition and Change
Section 1: Stakeholders
1.1 Who and what are stakeholders?
1.2 Conflicting interests
1.3 Stakeholder power
Section 2: Market Forces
2.1 Industry life cycle
2.2 Porter�s five forces
Section 3: Conducting an Environmental Analysis
3.1 Monitoring the environment
3.2 Using environmental information
Section 4: Change and Competitive Advantage
4.1 Responding to the PEST environment
4.2 Responding to the competitive environment
4.3 Implementing change
4.4 Future trends
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 4 Marketing
Section 1: Introduction to Marketing
1.1 What is marketing?
1.2 The marketing concept
1.3 Marketing management
Section 2: Markets and Customers
2.1 Customers
2.2 Competition
2.3 Market segmentation
2.4 Marketing research
2.5 Marketing research process
Section 3: The Marketing Mix
3.1 What is the marketing mix?
3.2 Products, services and benefits
3.3 Product classification
3.4 Product life cycle
3.5 Product mix
3.6 Setting prices
3.7 Role of distribution
3.8 Promotion
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 5 Operations and Operations Management
Section 1: What are Operations?
1.1 Definitions
1.2 Transformation for the customer
1.3 Value added
Section 2: Running Operations
2.1 The operations challenge
2.2 Activities within operations
Section 3: Design within Operations
3.1 Product design and development
3.2 System and process design
3.3 Quality and quality management
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 6 Logistics
Section 1: What is Logistics?
1.1 Origins of logistics
1.2 Defining logistics
1.3 Logistics strategy and information technology
Section 2: Logistics in Practice: a Factory Visit
2.1 Factory tour
2.2 Stock control systems
2.3 Physical distribution
Section 3: Controlling Supply: Materials Planning and Control
3.1 Scope and purpose of materials control
3.2 Constraints on material planning and control
3.3 Reordering stock
3.4 Just in time
Section 4: Supply Chain Management and Distribution Systems 4.1 What is supply chain management?
4.2 Relationships in supply chains and partnership sourcing
Section 5: Strategy, Performance and Key Measures
5.1 Logistics strategy, fit and performance
5.2 Benchmarking
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References 390
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 7 Human Resource Management
Section 1: Nature of Human Resource Management and its Function
1.1 Historical aspects
1.2 HRM or personnel management?
1.3 The function
Section 2: Employee Resourcing
2.1 What is human resource planning?
2.2 Recruitment and selection
Section 3: Employee Training and Development
3.1 The training process
3.2 Staff assessment and appraisal
Section 4: Employee Relations
4.1 Historical aspects
4.2 Procedures
4.3 Legislation and policies
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 8 Business Strategy
Section 1: Environment, Values and Resources
1.1 Values
1.2 Resources
1.3 Environment
Section 2: Strategic Planning
2.1 Types of business strategies
2.2 Choosing a strategy and setting targets
2.3 Implementing strategy
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 9 Business Planning and Project Management
Section 1: Drawing up a Business Plan
1.1 What is a business plan?
1.2 Creating the business plan
Section 2: Implementing the Business Plan
2.1 Initial planning
2.2 Creating a project plan
2.3 Management of progress, costs and risks
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Back to Top
Section 1: Organisations in Business
1.1 What is an organisation?
1.2 What do organisations do?
1.3 Organisations as systems
Section 2: Organisational Growth and Structure
2.1 Growth
2.2 Growth in today�s business world
2.3 Organisational structure
Section 3: The Organisation as a Legal Entity
3.1 Sole traders
3.2 Partnerships
3.3 Incorporated companies
3.4 Charities
Section 4: Business Functions
4.1 Porter�s value chain
4.2 Inbound and outbound logistics
4.3 Operations (production)
4.4 Sales and marketing
4.5 Service
4.6 Infrastructure
4.7 Human resource management
4.8 Research and development
4.9 Procurement
4.10 Management information systems
Section 5: Organisational Culture
5.1 National influences
5.2 What is organisational culture?
5.3 Culture change
Section 6: Information
6.1 Nature of information
6.2 Sources of information
6.3 Accuracy of information
6.4 Information flows and management
6.5 Communication
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 2 The Business Environment
Section 1: Environmental Opportunities and Threats
1.1 The organisation and its environment
1.2 Environmental analysis
Section 2: Social Environment
2.1 Demographics and organisations
2.2 Social structures and behaviour patterns
Section 3: Economic Environment
3.1 Macroeconomy and governments
3.2 Industrial environment
3.3 Changing economic policies
Section 4: Political Environment
4.1 Politics and power
4.2 International business environment
4.3 Environmentalism and social responsibility
Section 5: Technological Environment
5.1 The new industrial revolution
5.2 New products and processes
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 3 Competition and Change
Section 1: Stakeholders
1.1 Who and what are stakeholders?
1.2 Conflicting interests
1.3 Stakeholder power
Section 2: Market Forces
2.1 Industry life cycle
2.2 Porter�s five forces
Section 3: Conducting an Environmental Analysis
3.1 Monitoring the environment
3.2 Using environmental information
Section 4: Change and Competitive Advantage
4.1 Responding to the PEST environment
4.2 Responding to the competitive environment
4.3 Implementing change
4.4 Future trends
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 4 Marketing
Section 1: Introduction to Marketing
1.1 What is marketing?
1.2 The marketing concept
1.3 Marketing management
Section 2: Markets and Customers
2.1 Customers
2.2 Competition
2.3 Market segmentation
2.4 Marketing research
2.5 Marketing research process
Section 3: The Marketing Mix
3.1 What is the marketing mix?
3.2 Products, services and benefits
3.3 Product classification
3.4 Product life cycle
3.5 Product mix
3.6 Setting prices
3.7 Role of distribution
3.8 Promotion
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 5 Operations and Operations Management
Section 1: What are Operations?
1.1 Definitions
1.2 Transformation for the customer
1.3 Value added
Section 2: Running Operations
2.1 The operations challenge
2.2 Activities within operations
Section 3: Design within Operations
3.1 Product design and development
3.2 System and process design
3.3 Quality and quality management
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 6 Logistics
Section 1: What is Logistics?
1.1 Origins of logistics
1.2 Defining logistics
1.3 Logistics strategy and information technology
Section 2: Logistics in Practice: a Factory Visit
2.1 Factory tour
2.2 Stock control systems
2.3 Physical distribution
Section 3: Controlling Supply: Materials Planning and Control
3.1 Scope and purpose of materials control
3.2 Constraints on material planning and control
3.3 Reordering stock
3.4 Just in time
Section 4: Supply Chain Management and Distribution Systems 4.1 What is supply chain management?
4.2 Relationships in supply chains and partnership sourcing
Section 5: Strategy, Performance and Key Measures
5.1 Logistics strategy, fit and performance
5.2 Benchmarking
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References 390
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 7 Human Resource Management
Section 1: Nature of Human Resource Management and its Function
1.1 Historical aspects
1.2 HRM or personnel management?
1.3 The function
Section 2: Employee Resourcing
2.1 What is human resource planning?
2.2 Recruitment and selection
Section 3: Employee Training and Development
3.1 The training process
3.2 Staff assessment and appraisal
Section 4: Employee Relations
4.1 Historical aspects
4.2 Procedures
4.3 Legislation and policies
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 8 Business Strategy
Section 1: Environment, Values and Resources
1.1 Values
1.2 Resources
1.3 Environment
Section 2: Strategic Planning
2.1 Types of business strategies
2.2 Choosing a strategy and setting targets
2.3 Implementing strategy
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
Unit 9 Business Planning and Project Management
Section 1: Drawing up a Business Plan
1.1 What is a business plan?
1.2 Creating the business plan
Section 2: Implementing the Business Plan
2.1 Initial planning
2.2 Creating a project plan
2.3 Management of progress, costs and risks
Unit Review Activity
Unit Summary
References
Recommended Reading
Answers to Review Activities
More Information
| Language | English |
| Content Length | 72.00 hours |
| Duration of Access | Unlike other Distance Education Colleges, we impose no time limits or pressures on you to complete your course material. Your course will not expire, and it will not become invalid until you have successfully completed it. |
| Instructor | Self Study |
| Vendor | Stonebridge (Read more about Stonebridge accreditation.) |
| Course Certification | On completion of this course you will receive two qualifications: Qualification 1: Business Functions Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, entitling you to use the letters SAC. Dip. (Business Functions) Qualification 2: ASET Level 3 Business Functions Award All students will receive a certificate in the mail on successful completion of their course. |
| Prerequisites/Audience | There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds. |
| Requirements/Materials Included | This program can be accessed and completed using either PC or Macintosh computers. You'll need an Internet connection of 28Kpbs or higher, and a Web browser. There are no required textbooks. |
Price: € 337.76 (EUR)
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