2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC1434 Business Environment

40 Credits Class Size: 25

Module manager: Greg Tidswell
Email: G.S.Tidswell@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Sep to 31 Jan View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

LLLC 1418 LLLC 1425

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will introduce you to a broad range of business concepts, including organisational structure, stakeholder analysis and national culture. You will gain an appreciation of the external environment and how this can impact on a range of individual organisations, industries or economies. These external factors include changes in the national and global economies, political factors and developments in technology. Through the exploration of these subjects the module will also develop academic skills addressing areas such as academic and reflective writing, referencing and research skills, as well as developing professional and digital skills appropriate to working and learning environments. You will engage in developing your confidence in digital skills by working on preparation tasks before face to face sessions and through interaction with other students online.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:
- Introduce students to business organisations and the business environment
- Examine how national and global economic change affects a business
- Prepare students for the study of management and leadership through the development of academic skills
- Engage in academic and professional development

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Explain the inter-relationship between organisational structure, culture and the wider business environment
2. Identify the impact of the external environment on a specific organisation
3. Apply numeracy and IT skills to to appropriate professional and academic standards
4. Produce academic writing following relevant academic conventions
5. Develop an online professional profile
6. Evaluate and use appropriate digital learning tools effectively

Skills outcomes

As part of this module students will develop a range of digital literacy skills. Further details are provided in the module handbook

Syllabus

The content will cover such areas as:
- Methods of academic referencing
- Written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Research skills
- Reflection, analysis and evaluation
- Types of public and private sector organisations (profit and not-for-profit organisations)
- Organisational structures
- Organisational cultures and behaviour
- The political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and ecological dimensions to an organisation's external environment
- Stakeholder analysis
- The impact that a change in national and global economic systems can have on the competitive environment

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Seminar 14 3 42
Independent online learning hours 130
Private study hours 228
Total Contact hours 42
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 400

Private study

Independent online preparation for class - 35
Independent online learning/research - 40
Reading and research for assignments - 55
Reading - 83
Critical reflection on practice - 55
Assignment writing - 60
Exam preparation - 30

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Peer feedback on in-class activities and online discussion.
Draft submissions

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Written Work 2,000 word Project Report 30
Written Work 1,500 word Learning Conversation 25
Written Work 1,000 word Critical Analysis 15
In-course Assessment 2 hour 30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 08/09/2023

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team