Business Studies - BA (Hons)

Understanding and Managing Marketing Information introduces students to data-based marketing decision making and provides students with the practical experience of using Excel and SPSS to analyse, present and interpret marketing data. The module adopts an applied, problem-solving approach and aims to equip students with the relevant quantitative and information management skills required by employers within the marketing industry.

The focus of this module is business. What is it? What drives it? What makes it successful? Are there ideal environments in which businesses start, grow and mature? Are there ideal types of businesses?
The turbulent and disruptive upheavals of the twenty-first century, including natural disasters, corporate failures, financial crisis, recession and austerity have prompted a review of the traditional view of business and enterprise as encompassing large organisations in a steady state of long-term planning. Today the dynamic of how business is conducted is changing. Recent research (DfBIS, 2011) has shown that 50% of private sector turnover is generated by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition, the DfBIS, (2011) suggests that, “60% of private sector jobs (almost 14 million) are provided by SMEs”.

The module introduces students to key aspects of the corporate environment. It focuses on the economic and legal context in which modern corporations operate. An understanding of the economic environment for businesses is crucial as the market place becomes more globalised and competitive. Hence, a comprehensive overview of topics such as demand and supply, market structures, consumer behaviour, international trade, economic growth, foreign exchange market will be discussed. Similarly, students will study a range of topics designed to introduce them to the essential aspects of business law including the classification of law, sources of law, dispute resolution and elements of a contract. Where relevant these topics will focus on issues from a domestic, European and international perspective.

This module introduces data collection and presentation skills in the context of Business Management. It provides underpinning skills required to deal with numerical information and to make effective use of mathematical and statistical methods of data analysis and interpretation. In other words it provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of statistical methods necessary for business. The module also introduces the principles of accounting and finance, preparation and interpretation of cash flow and other financial statements and methods of investment appraisal. Overall, this module provides analytical and communications skills relevant to understanding business Information with an emphasis on problem-solving techniques in the context of Business Management.
The module provides the skills and knowledge required for later modules that develop the quantitative and qualitative aspects of Business Management.

This module introduces students to the key quantitative and qualitative techniques that are used to solve problems in the business world. The module picks up the knowledge and skills provided at level 4 in Understanding Business Information. It expands on the fundamentals and basics to enhance students’ understanding of the role of data and the use of statistical techniques in business.
The module also provides a grounding in research methods which prepares students for their level 6 research and dissertation.

Why do some companies succeed while others fail? Are some business ideas fundamentally better than others? How can you tell which ideas are worth investing time and money in and which are not? How can you find an idea to pursue that matches your skills, network and passion?

The Management of People is a vital aspect of any manager’s job, whether they are Entrepreneurs; Line Managers; Operations, Marketing, Production, Logistics, Human Resource or Managers of any other specialist discipline. Successful Management & Leadership can make a huge difference to the well-being and thus the performance of an individual. This ultimately assists the organisation to meet its strategic objectives. This module seeks to introduce the Non-HR student to the field of Organisational Behaviour (OB), Human Resource Management (HRM) and related People Management (PM) activities & interventions from a generalist perspective. It is intended that this will give them the vital insight into various aspects of people management regardless of their professional outlook.

Building on the ‘skills development’ students experience in their four (4) Level 4 / Year 1 modules, this core Level 5 / Year 2 Module will focus on developing the students personally, academically, and professionally, using a blended and holistic approach, where their (i) personal development, their (ii) professional development, and their (iii) academic development will be the focus. The (i) personal development section will focus on students analysing their own learning and team-working styles, critical thinking, personal reflection, and their ability to communicate and act in a professional manner in a wide range of scenarios; (ii) the professional development section will focus on their career and employability, involving mock interviews, CV development, job applications, and company visits; (iii) the academic development section will focus on developing student advanced academic writing, reading, researching, creativity, and analysis techniques. Combined, these three areas (PPAD) will ensure that students are ready for the demands of Level 6 study, and are in a position to ensure that they are aware of the demands of continually enhancing their career and employability chances in the competitive external jobs market place.

In the current global climate it is imperative that marketers keep pace with the dramatic and far-reaching changes of the digital age. This module introduces students to the fast-moving world of digital marketing technologies and their applications. It presents theoretical frameworks and models which are relevant to digital marketing practice. It examines the development of supporting technologies for digital marketing and examines digital channels and their suitability for inclusion for effective integrated online and off line marketing programmes and campaigns. Search Engine Optimization (SEO), customer acquisition and retention, display advertising, advergaming, mobile marketing, email marketing, viral marketing, online PR, affiliate marketing, social media, video and etailing, are all explored in detail. It introduces students to digital marketing metrics and related legislation, regulation and codes of practice related to digital marketing. LMBS PRME objective ethics and entrepreneurshipwill be addressed in this module.

The module introduces and explores a range of key topics related to organisation studies. A broad range of organisation theories are drawn upon to encourage students to develop a critical approach towards their understanding and analysis of key issues within contemporary organisations.

This core Module will focus on the preparation and completion of the student individual Business Research Project, the topic of which will be their own choice, and linked to their own career and employability. The Module will be student-centred, practical, and engaged with the preparation and completion of the three major sections (see below), which will also include a final section where the student looks back and reflects on their Business Research Project overall. Each student will be allocated a supervisor to guide them through their Project, as well as having a weekly class dedicated to the delivery of the skills and techniques required to undertake research.

This core Module will focus on developing students ability in business writing and business journalism, whether for internal business writing (marketing / advertising copy, press releases, annual reports) or external business writing (news articles, feature articles, reviews, interviews, columns, social media, blogs). This will enable students to develop confidence and expertise in their business writing for a wide range of audiences, will contribute to their understanding of how business is communicated, and will contribute to their academic development across the course as a whole.

The module equips aspiring managers with the skills and techniques required to critically analyse contemporary organisations and to develop realistic, creative, and informed proposals for future strategic direction and change implementation.

This module enables students to undertake a short period of professional activity and to gain credit for their achievements. The activity can be employment activity, a work placement, professional training, volunteering activity in the not-for-profit sector, or where available, within a Virtual Business Environment within the University.

This module is offered as an option module on the Undergraduate Scheme.
Increasingly managers at all levels of an organisation are required to manage projects, temporary endeavours undertaken to create a unique product or service. This module introduces most of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), as defined by the Project Management Institute – PMI, http://www.pmi.org/ - and therefore prepares students in the capabilities required for effective project management: managing resources, time, people, and the project as a whole. The module therefore includes both the use of computer programmes for project management and approaches to managing people and teams.

Selling is an essential function of business. This module provides students with the opportunity to gain and develop essential selling knowledge and skills. Students who successfully complete this module and Strategy Choice & Impact, will also achieve the ISMM Level 6 Certificate in Strategic Sales Management.