Synopsis of Module

This module is designed to introduce students to the ways in which business organisations are structured and operate, and to provide an understanding of the dynamic influences within the organisation. It will recognise that an organisation can be seen as an open system which is in continual interaction with its environment. The module will consider organisations within both the public and private sector through a mixture of lectures, seminars and direc6ted reading. Assessment will be by means of an examination.

Aims of Module

1.  To provide students with a knowledge of the range of purposes and structures of business organisations.

2.  To provide students with an overview of how organisations develop, and of the relationships between the nature of the organisation; the size of the organisation; and the context within which it operates.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module the student will be able to:

i)   describe the various forms of business structure, relating these to the nature of the business

ii)  describe each of the principal functional specialisms within a organisation, and relate these to the size and structure of the organisation

iii)  demonstrate an understanding of the methods used to integrate and control the operation and contribution from each of the functions

iv) identify the principal environmental influences on the organisation and describe the effects of these on the organisation

Students will also develop skills in analysis of 'soft' data and in structured written presentation.

Outline Syllabus

1 The purpose of the Business

- Forms of business enterprise

2 Forms of Business Structure

- The bureaucracy

- Mechanistic and organic structures

- Matrix structures

- The dynamics of business structure

- Departmentalisation

- Size and structure

3 Business Functions

Descriptions of each of the principal functional divisions within organisations and the nature of their interdependence:

- Marketing

- Operations

- Purchasing

- Finance

- Research and Development

- Administration

- Human Resource Management

4 Integrating the activities within the organisation

- Management control systems

- Organisation infrastructure

- Quality assurance

5 Interacting with the Environment

- Contingency theories of organisational structure

- Stakeholders in the business

- Business ethics

- Monitoring changes in the environment

Summative Assessment

Assessment is 100% by closed book examination – 2 hours.