B120-14JAn Introduction to Business StudiesDay School 1

Tutor: Phillippa Seaward

Welcome..

• Format for today – Introduction, Book 1, Book 2, questions throughout

• 2 Breaks• Admin – ‘register’, badges, alarms, phones• Visual aids will be online in Slideshare• How’s it going so far?

Learning Objectives

• To meet fellow students and tutor face to face• Explain how the components of B120 fit together• Introduce Book 1• Tackle a small case study example (SWOT)• Introduce Book 2• Consider some concepts of HRM• Practical advice for the TMA’s

Introduction

Introduce the Person next to you

• Their name

• Where they live, or what they do

• Why they are taking B120

• What are they looking forward to

• What are they most scared about

• 5 minutes

B120 Course Structure

Book 1: What is a business

Book 2: An introduction to HRM

Book 3: An introduction to Accounting & Finance

Book 4: An introduction to Marketing

Book 5: Different ways of looking at business

And 1 Study Companion– A friendly guide covering

the whole course

B120 On-Line ComponentsThere are also on-line components

• Module Web Site• Tutor Group Forum (TGF)• Activity Forums for the books/ topics• B120 Glossary (download from course website)• B120 Course-wide Student cafe• Direct links to Library and other resources• Assignment Booklet and EMA

• Check the B120 website regularly for module updates

B120 Assessment

Four TMAs and oneEnd of Module Assessment (EMA)• Final written assessment• Extended Case Study covering all 5 books• There are no extensions to the EMA deadline• More to come on this nearer the

time..

Each TMA is marked out of 100• 90% for the written assignment• 5% for Activity Forum contribution• 5% for a Précis of one Activity forum discussion

Each TMA / EMA counts towards your final mark• TMA01: 5%• TMA02: 15%• TMA03: 15%• TMA04: 15%• EMA: 50%

TMA / EMA Marking Structure

BOOK 1 What Is A Business?

Book 1: Key Concepts & Ideas

• Businesses come in all shapes and sizes• A business cannot operate without being influenced by and

impacting upon its external environment• The shape and identity of a business is closely linked to its

structure and culture• Business ethics is an important part of business and of B120• Small businesses, while often overlooked, provide a large

proportion of employment and are an important part of the business world

• Business Types (Public / Private, Profit / Not for Profit)• Morgan’s Metaphors (Morgan)• Stakeholders, STEEP & SWOT Analysis• Business Structures (Pugh & Hickman)• National Cultures (Hofstede, Drennan)• Organisational Culture (Trice & Beyer / Drennan)• The Role of Ethics in Business (CSR)• Stakeholder Analysis (Johnson & Scholes)• Introduction to other Business Functions

Book 1: Key Theories

In mixed groups..In your group, discuss

• Use Book 1 study session 2.2 and essential reading 1

• What is a stakeholder?

• Who are the stakeholders in the Streetwise case study here? • What do they contribute? • What concerns might they have?

• Take 20 minutes to talk over your ideas and prepare

• Be able to discuss your analysis with the other groups

In mixed groups (option 2)..In your group, discuss

• Why might a STEEP analysis be useful in this case study? Use the ideas in Book 1

• Then make a STEEP analysis to explain the possible partnership

• Take 20 minutes to talk over your ideas and prepare

• Be able to discuss your SWOT frameworks to the other groups

Break 11.30

• Motivational Theory (Maslow, Macgregor)• Psychological Contract (Guest)• Job Characteristics (Hackman & Oldham)• Taylorism / Socio-Technical Approach (Trist &

Bamworth)• Recruitment / Selection / Induction &

Socialisation• Performance Management• Training and Development• Academic Models of HRM (Harvard vs Michigan)

Book 2: Key Theories

Group Activity• Consider recruitment in your current organisation/s.

• what are the risks to both the org’n and employee if the recruitment process were outsourced?

• Using 3.3, what are the main methods of selection, what are their advantages and disadvantages?

• Take 10 minutes to discuss in a small group. Be prepared to feedback

Group Activity• Using 3.4, what would a good induction and socialisation

process include?

• Take 10 minutes to discuss. Be prepared to feedback to the group

Preparation for TMA’s

• Backup your work• Send the Test TMA (TMA00)• Date your files while you are working on them• Read the student guidance notes• Don’t under-estimate what is required• Don’t be too shy to ask for advice• Referencing• Word count• Answer the question!!

Preparation for TMA’s

• Use course material• Allocating time / words• Use diagrams• Contribute to the Activity Forum for that topic• Write a summary of an activity forum discussion• Start early, finish on time

Referencing Course Books

Here is the correct reference for your books:• Preston, D (2012), What is a business?, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

• Preston, D (2012), An introduction to human resource management in business, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

• Day, J & Krakhmal, V(2012), An introduction to accounting and finance in business, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

• Schaefer, A (2012), An introduction to marketing in business, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

• Ball, K, (2012), Different ways of Looking at Business, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

Questions

Important Dates

• TMA01: 30 Oct 14

• TMA02: 27 Nov 14

• Next Tutorial: December