Module BIC-0012:
Business Functions

Module Facts

Run by Bangor University International College

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Mrs Laura McKenzie

Overall aims and purpose

1) To provide students with a basic introduction to the study of business

2) To introduce the function and purpose of marketing within a range of different types of businesses and organisations

3) To explain the importance of marketing information and marketing research, the bases for segmenting markets and the elements of a marketing strategy and approach

4) To consider issues around the liberalisation of trade and the development of the global market and how these have affected businesses and the emergence of the international manager

5) To help students to understand the importance of issues around work and people in organisations by looking at basic HRM functions, activities and issues.

Course content

a) The marketing function within a business; marketing goals and structures and simple strategic analysis of the marketing environment

b) Pricing, distribution and marketing communications; marketing mix planning, the product life cycle and research into and development of new products

c) Globalisation; the growth of the multi-national company; the impact of new technology, especially the Internet; the international manager

d) European Union and its impact on British business; implicit and explicit barriers to trade; WTO and other global organisations and agencies

e) HRM role and standard functions; managing change and resolving conflict in the workplace

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Grade A

Student has demonstrated consistent engagement with all topics and issues studied in the module and attained a grade which shows the ability to study effectively at undergraduate degree level.

good

Grade B

Student has demonstrated a sound, basic knowledge of most of the topics and issues covered in the module and achieved a grade showing clear suitability for study at undergraduate degree level.

threshold

Grade D

Student has shown sufficient grasp of some of the topics studied to have achieved the lowest level of pass which allows progression onto an undergraduate degree programme

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of marketing and devising an appropriate marketing strategy for a business

  2. Explain the factors affecting the effective marketing of a product, including market research, planning, positioning, pricing, promotion and distribution of products

  3. Explain the move towards a global economy and give examples of international organisations, groupings and agencies that influence the flow of international trade

  4. Show how globalisation has impacted on businesses and influenced the development of the managerial role and function

  5. Explain the HR role and functions in terms of recruitment, appointment, training and appraisal of staff

  6. Show how HR can contribute to change management and conflict resolution within businesses

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Coursework essay

A coursework essay on a topic related to the marketing element in this module. Specific and task relevant assessment criteria.

 30.00
EXAM Final exam

Unseen examination with short answer questions on the human resource function of businesses and longer answers on questions on globalisation and the impact that the growth of the ‘global economy’ has had on the structures and activities of businesses. Specific and task relevant assessment criteria.

 70.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

Private Study – reading time, preparing and taking assessments

 50
Seminar

50 hours in seminar style classes – 5 hours a week over a 10-week term

 50

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)

Subject specific skills

  • Demonstrate an understanding and ability to analyse economic issues on a local and international scale
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the business environment, legal processes and systems

Resources

Reading list

Hall, D., Jones R., Raffo, C. and Anderton, A. (2008) Business Studies (4th edition) Causeway Press Lines, D., Marcouse, I. and Martin, B. (2009) A-Z Business Handbook (6th edition) Philip Allan Smith, P., Farmer, M. and Yellowley, W. (2012) Organizational Behaviour Hodder Education: Abingdon Armstrong, G., Kotler, P., Harker, M. and Brennan, R. (2009) Marketing; an introduction Pearson Education Dibb, S., and Simkin, L. (2013) Marketing Essentials Cengage Learning

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: