The World at Work

Course Content:

This module introduces the external context in which organisations operate and in which
you will eventually work. As a potential manager of the future (defined as someone
involved in assisting and directing members of an organisation to achieve their
organisational objectives), you need to be equipped to understand the component parts
of the external context within which organisations function. The variety and complexity
of the external environment and interactions with organisations significantly impact the
way organisations are structured, the way their managers behave and the performance
of the organisation in achieving its objectives.

Topics covered include:
? Economic systems: free-market economies
? Practical and theoretical perspectives to business management
? Introduction to macro and micro environment of the firm
? Supply costs and profits
? Government and business
? Business, government and industrial policy
? Consumer and market demand
? Consumer behaviour theory and applications
? Firms? objectives and behaviour: issues of corporate governance
? Ethics and corporate social responsibility
? Industrial structures and size of firm
? Role of small and medium-sized enterprises within an economy
? Market structures, conduct and performance
? Pricing in theory and practice
? Globalisation and international markets
? Legal environment including company, contract law and intellectual property
rights.

Autumn Semester:
? Key concepts
? Macro
? Micro-competitive markets
? Markets in action
? Micro ? demand
? Supply: production and costs
? Supply: revenue and profit
? Market structures
? Alternative theories of the firm

Spring Semester:
? Corporate social responsibility
? Business growth and strategy
? Government intervention
? Macroeconomic environment
? Macroeconomic policy
? Banking, money & interest rates
? International trade
? Balance of payments & exchange rates
? EU, EMU & optimal currency areas

Teaching: Lectures and practical workshops

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Coursework: MCQ test (30%)
? Coursework: Individual essay (30%)
? Coursework: Group report (40%)
STUDY OPTION 2 or 3: individual essay

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer