Business Functions

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.

Syllabus

Unit 1: The Nature of Organisations

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Organisations in Business

Introduction

1.1 What is an organisation?

1.2 What do organisations do?

1.3 Organisations as systems

Summary

Section 2: Organisational Growth and Structure

Introduction

2.1 Growth

2.2 Growth in today's business world

2.3 Organisational structure

Summary

Section 3: The Organisation as a Legal Entity

Introduction

3.1 Sole traders

3.2 Partnerships

3.3 Incorporated companies

3.4 Charities

Summary 38

Section 4: Business Functions

Introduction

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

Summary

Section 5: Organisational Culture

Introduction

5.1 National influences

5.2 What is organisational culture?

5.3 Culture change

Summary

Section 6: Information

Introduction

6.1 Nature of information

6.2 Sources of information

6.3 Accuracy of information

6.4 Information flows and management

6.5 Communication

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 2: The Business Environment

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Environmental Opportunities and Threats

Introduction

1.1 The organisation and its environment

1.2 Environmental analysis

Summary

Section 2: Social Environment

Introduction

2.1 Demographics and organisations

2.2 Social structures and behaviour patterns

Summary

Section 3: Economic Environment

Introduction

3.1 Macroeconomy and governments

3.2 Industrial environment

3.3 Changing economic policies

Summary

Section 4: Political Environment

Introduction

4.1 Politics and power

4.2 International business environment

4.3 Environmentalism and social responsibility

Summary

Section 5: Technological Environment

Introduction

5.1 The new industrial revolution

5.2 New products and processes

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 3: Competition and Change

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Stakeholders

Introduction

1.1 Who and what are stakeholders?

1.2 Conflicting interests

1.3 Stakeholder power

Summary

Section 2: Market Forces

Introduction

2.1 Industry life cycle

2.2 Porter's five forces

Summary

Section 3: Conducting an Environmental Analysis

Introduction

3.1 Monitoring the environment

3.2 Using environmental information

Summary

Section 4: Change and Competitive Advantage

Introduction

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

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Introduction to Marketing

Introduction

1.1 What is marketing?

1.2 The marketing concept

1.3 Marketing management

Summary

Section 2: Markets and Customers

Introduction

2.1 Customers

2.2 Competition

2.3 Market segmentation

2.4 Marketing research

2.5 Marketing research process

Summary

Section 3: The Marketing Mix

Introduction

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

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 5: Operations and Operations Management

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: What are Operations?

Introduction

1.1 Definitions

1.2 Transformation for the customer

1.3 Value added

Summary

Section 2: Running Operations

Introduction

2.1 The operations challenge

2.2 Activities within operations

Summary

Section 3: Design within Operations

Introduction

3.1 Product design and development

3.2 System and process design

3.3 Quality and quality management

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 6: Logistics

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: What is Logistics?

Introduction

1.1 Origins of logistics

1.2 Defining logistics

1.3 Logistics strategy and information technology

Summary

Section 2: Logistics in Practice: a Factory Visit

Introduction

2.1 Factory tour

2.2 Stock control systems

2.3 Physical distribution

Summary

Section 3: Controlling Supply: Materials Planning and Control

Introduction

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

Summary

Section 4: Supply Chain Management and Distribution Systems

Introduction

4.1 What is supply chain management?

4.2 Relationships in supply chains and partnership sourcing

Summary

Section 5: Strategy, Performance and Key Measures

Introduction

5.1 Logistics strategy, fit and performance

5.2 Benchmarking

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 7: Human Resource Management

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Nature of Human Resource Management and its Function

Introduction

1.1 Historical aspects

1.2 HRM or personnel management?

1.3 The function

Summary

Section 2: Employee Resourcing

Introduction

2.1 What is human resource planning?

2.2 Recruitment and selection

Summary

Section 3: Employee Training and Development

Introduction

3.1 The training process

3.2 Staff assessment and appraisal

Summary

Section 4: Employee Relations

Introduction

4.1 Historical aspects

4.2 Procedures

4.3 Legislation and policies

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 8: Business Strategy

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Environment, Values and Resources

Introduction

1.1 Values

1.2 Resources

1.3 Environment

Summary

Section 2: Strategic Planning

Introduction

2.1 Types of business strategies

2.2 Choosing a strategy and setting targets

2.3 Implementing strategy

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

Unit 9: Business Planning and Project Management

Introduction

Objectives

Section 1: Drawing up a Business Plan

Introduction

1.1 What is a business plan?

1.2 Creating the business plan

Summary

Section 2: Implementing the Business Plan

Introduction

2.1 Initial planning

2.2 Creating a project plan

2.3 Management of progress, costs and risks

Summary

Unit Review Activity

Unit Summary

References

Recommended Reading

Answers to Review Activities

For a more detailed syllabus on this course, click here

Qualifications

On completion of your course, you will receive the dual award:

Award 1 is issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Business Functions Diploma

Business Functions Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Award 2 is issued by our Awarding Body: Level 3 Business Functions Award

At the end of this course successful learners will also receive a Level 3 NCFE Award Certificate of Achievement. Our course has been accredited under our NCFE IIQ Licence and the course measurable learning outcomes have been benchmarked at Level 3 (using Ofqual’s Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) level descriptors) to allow you to consider the depth of study, difficulty, and level of achievement involved.

This award has been designed by Stonebridge Associated Colleges to meet specific learners' or employers' requirements. Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that this learning programme has been scrutinised and approved by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals and is quality audited biannually by NCFE.

To view a sample of the NCFE Certificate of Achievement, please click here.

To view a sample of the NCFE Candidate Unit Summary, please click here.

What is NCFE

NCFE is the UK's longest established awarding body, recognised as a highly professional and responsive organisation, committed to maintaining excellent customer service and a friendly approach.

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that the college has been inspected and approved by an independent and experienced education professional and is quality audited biannually by NCFE. The centre delivering the programmes has been licensed by NCFE on the basis of its own quality systems. At the end of an accredited course, successful learners will also receive an NCFE Award certificate of achievement.

For more information on this award, click here

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Study Options

In order to offer our students the most convenient and flexible distance learning courses, Stonebridge Associated College offers you the option to study for your course via two methods:

• 1. Via the traditional paper-based method.
• 2. Through the online method via ElearnUK.

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Stonebridge Prices

Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com

The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.

The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course.
(APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 108 hrs.