2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS1795 The Contemporary Business Environment

20 Credits Class Size: 260

Module manager: Nawon Oh
Email: N.Oh@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

The core objective of the module is to introduce students to the study of organisations, their management and the changing external business environment. The module aims to analyse the impact of the external environment upon the strategy, behaviour, management and sustainability of organisations. It will explore key concepts of business and management, the relationships between these and their application. It will prepare students for their subsequent exploration of the broad range of areas of business and management at Levels 2 and 3 of their programme.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:

- Discuss and outline key features of modern management and the nature of the contemporary business environment
- Investigate and analyse real world businesses using the published literature
- Outline a number of key themes in contemporary management research
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between organisations, management and the business environment

Skills outcomes

Transferable skills:
- Critical thinking
- Ethical awareness
- Commercial awareness

Subject specific skills:
On completion of this module students will be able to:
Express and articulate strategic and commercial issues facing contemporary businesses

Syllabus

Indicative Content:
- Business overview and introduction: Introducing business organisations, their aims and missions, and the role they play within the business environment.
- The business environment and strategic uncertainty: Understanding macro- and micro- environmental influences on organisations in a changing business environment.
- Organisational objectives, strategy, and culture: Examining organisational goals, strategic directions, and cultural characteristics.
- Capabilities, competition, and sources of competitive advantage: Analysing organisational capabilities, sources of competitive advantage, and competitive behaviour in changing market contexts.
- Performance and organisational success: Considering different approaches to evaluating organisational performance and success.
- Ethics, responsibility, and social impact: Examining ethical issues, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and the social impacts of organisational activities.
- International perspectives on business: Understanding internationalisation and the challenges organisations face across national and global contexts.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Workshop 5 2 10
Lecture 10 1 10
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

You will have the opportunity to submit a 500 word draft of part of your report for formative feedback.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Report Project Report - 2,500 words 100
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: 30/04/2026

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