Business Functions Course

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.

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

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

On completion of your course, you will receive two qualifications:

Qualification 1: Business Functions Diploma

Business Functions Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, entitling you to use the letters SAC Dip after your name.

Qualification 2: ASET Level 3 Business Functions Award

This Course leads to an ASET Level 3 Award Certificate for successful learners. That means that it is independantly accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (in which case GCSE's are at levels 1 and 2 and A Levels are at level 3).

The Award has been designed by a learning provider to meet specific learners' or employers' requirements and as such is not listed as a qualification on NQF. While the duration, content or assessment may vary from similar national qualifications, in accrediting the programme at level 3, ASET attests that its learning outcomes are at an equivalent level to a level 3 national qualification.

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.

When you study through ElearnUK you can quickly access your course material online and submit all of your question papers to your tutor online, using your unique student account. You have access to all of your course material immediately, and when you submit question papers, your tutor sends you an email containing your results and feedback.

At the end of the course you will receive an award issued by Stonebridge Associated College, and also gain full ASET accreditation for the course.

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!

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

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.

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
• The course fee includes the ASET registration and certification fee (valued at up to £30.00).

What is ASET

ASET is a recognised National Awarding Body.

This course is accredited by ASET. ASET are a leading National Awarding Body, recognised in the U.K by the Department for Education and Skills (DfEs), Learning Skills Council (LSC) and the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA). ASET specialise in providing, quality-assuring and certificating vocational learning programmes.

For more information on this award, click here