Business Functions
Level 3
 
Title of learning programme Business Functions Programme
Programme level 3
Duration of learning programme 11 weeks x 10 hours*
Total number of learning hours per programme 110**

* Unlike traditional schools, colleges or universities, there are no terms, semesters, or specified intake dates for our uniquely flexible distance education courses. Our system of continuous enrolment means that our students can enrol on any day and at any time of the year. This allows our students the freedom to plan their studies to fit in with their lifestyle or work commitments.

** Please note that this is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and also how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each module there is a question paper which needs to be completed and returned to your personal tutor.

Structure
 
Module Module Title
1

The Nature of Organisations
2

The Business Environment
3

Competition and Change
4

Marketing
5

Operations and Operations Management
6

Logistics
7   Human Resource Management
8   Business Strategy
9   Business Planning and Project Management
 

Learning Outcomes
 

Module 1 – The Nature of Organisations.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Discuss what organisations are, what they do and examine their key features
LO2   Identify how an organisation is affected by changes in size
LO3   Introduce the important features of organisational culture
LO4   Examine the role national culture plays in organisations
 

Module 2 - The Business Environment.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse the impact of the environment on organisations and the representation of an organisation’s business environment
LO2   Describe how particular organisations are open to environmental opportunities and threats
LO3   Summarise the structure of the economic environment
 

Module 3 - Competition and Change.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Examine how stakeholders, competition and change affect an organisation
LO2   Summarise Porter’s five competitive forces for an organisation in its industry
LO3   Define why change needs to be managed in an organisations
LO4   Discuss areas where resistance to change is apparent
 

Module 4 - Marketing.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Examine the role of marketing in the organisation and the key characteristics of the function
LO2   Analyse the method in which markets are segmented and how targets are selected
LO3   Summarise the main steps in market research procedure
LO4   Discuss the elements of the marketing mix
 

Module 5 - Operations and Operations Management.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Discuss scope and challenges of operations for a business and give an overview of recent developments in the field
LO2   Describe varies activities within operations and how they interact
LO3   Introduce the five main aspects of an operation
LO4   Summarise design features in operations
 

Module 6 - Logistics.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1

Examine logistics and the increasing use of computer technology to provide better service to customers and gain competitive advantage
LO2   Analyse problems involving stock holding and control
LO3   Describe the approaches of JIT
LO4   Identify the role of distribution
 
Module 7 - Human Resource Management.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse the background to and philosophy of HRM and its influences on people within the work environment
LO2   Examine elements which affect manpower and human resource planning
LO3   Discuss methods of recruitment and selection
LO4   Define the part assessment and appraisal play
 
Module 8 - Business Strategy.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Introduce key issues involved in setting strategy and at a process for choosing the strategy
LO2   Summarise how the choice of strategy is constrained by resources and behaviour of the organisation
LO3   Analyse how an organisations deals with an uncertain future and reacts to environmental change
 
Module 9 - Business Planning and Project Management.
On successful completion of this module the candidate will be able to:
  Learning Outcome
LO1 Discuss how to create a business plan identifying key issues and introduce project management
LO2   Evaluate what people in project management do and the information they need to do it
LO3   Identify the following terms:
  • Baseline
  • Scheduled costs
  • Actual costs
  • Earned value

Close this window