Exploring the Business Environment

Assignment Brief
Introduction
The aim of this unit is to provide students with background knowledge and understanding of business, the functions of an organization and the wider business environments in which organizations operate. Students will examine the different types of organizations (including for profit and not for profit), their size and scope (for instance, micro, SME, transnational and global) and how they operate.
Students will explore the relationships that organizations have with their various stakeholders and how the wider external environments influence and shape business decision-making.
The knowledge, understanding and skill sets gained in this unit will help students to choose their own preferred areas of specialism in future studies and in their professional career.

LO1 Explain the different types, size and scope of organizations

LO2 Demonstrate the interrelationship of the various functions within an organization and how they link to organizational structure

Using an organization of your choice, write an essay of approximately 1500 words critically analyzing different kinds of organizations (profits, non-profits, public sector etc.) based on their purpose, size and scope. You are also to consider the interrelationship between different organization structures and functions within the organization.

Your essay must be structured to cover three key areas;

1) Different types of organizations.
• Differences between profit, not for profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), you must provide examples of organizations within the three different sectors (public, private and voluntary) commenting on their legal structure.
• Business purpose and supply of goods and services

2) Size and scope of the organizations.
• Difference between micro, small, medium-size and large enterprises
• Market share, profit share, growth and sustainability

3) Organization structures and functions
• Different kinds of structures relating to size and scope of operations
• Complexities of transnational, international and global organization structures
• How functions relate to overall organization mission and objectives commenting on the interrelationships between functional areas.
• Advantages and disadvantages of interrelationships between organizational functions and the impact that can have upon organizational structure.
LO3 Use contemporary examples to demonstrate both the positive and negative influence/impact the macro environment has on business operations.

1.Identify the positive and negative impacts the macro environment has upon business operations, supported by specific examples.
2.Apply appropriately the PESTLE model to support a detailed analysis of the macro environment within an organisation.

LO4 Determine the internal strengths and weaknesses of specific businesses and explain their interrelationship with external macro factors.
1. Conduct internal and external analysis of specific organisations in order to identify strengths and weaknesses.
2. Explain how strengths and weaknesses interrelate with external macro factors.
3. Apply appropriately SWOT analysis and justify how they influence decision-making

Sources of Information Textbooks

1. BARON, P. (2012) Business and its Environment. 7th Ed. London: Prentice Hall.
2. PALMER, A. and HARTLEY, B. (2011) The Business Environment. 7th Ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.
3. WEATHERLEY, P. (Editor) and OTTER, D. (Editor) (2014) The Business Environment: Themes and Issues in a Globalised World. 3rd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. WORTHINGTON, I. and BRITTON. C. (2014) The Business Environment. 7th Ed. Harlow Pearson. 5. Jewell B – An Integrated Approach to Business Studies (Longman, 2000) ISBN 0582405424
6. Palmer and Hartley – The Business Environment (McGraw-Hill, 2006) ISBN 0077109902
7. Worthington and Britton – The Business Environment (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2006) ISBN 0273704249

Websites

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-types
https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house
www.phillipallan.co.uk – Phillip Allan Publishers -Journal Business Review Magazine