Module Descriptor

SIM337 CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

TITLE

CODE
CREDITS
LEVEL
FACULTY
MODULE BOARD
PRE/CO-REQUISITES
LEARNING HOURS
module

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CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS IN BUSINESS AND

MANAGEMENT
SIM337
20
6
BUSINESS AND LAW
TOP-UP
NONE
200 hours, the exact nature of which is specified in the
guide

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
Knowledge
K1. Knowledge and understanding of how a range of factors in the domestic and
international environment impact on business.
K2. A deeper knowledge and understanding of how specific external environmental
factors impact on a particular organisation in a designated industry-sector.
K3. An in-depth knowledge and understanding of how a particular organisation in a
designated industry-sector has responded to specific external environmental
factors.
Skills
S1. An ability to research, analyse and explain how a range of factors in the domestic
and international environment impact on business.
S2. An ability to research, analyse and explain how specific external environmental
factors impact on a particular organisation in a designated industry-sector.
S3. An ability to critically evaluate how a particular organisation in a designated
industry-sector has or might respond to external environmental factors.
CONTENT SYNOPSIS
This module considers contemporary developments in business and management in
the twenty-first century. It covers the broad-ranging inter-national business environment,
with a strong emphasis on the phenomenon of globalisation.
Expanded Content:
The contemporary world of business and management
Globalisation
The global business environment
The globalisation of markets and industries
Internationalisation how, where and when?
The political, economic and legal environment

International financial markets and institutions

Technological change
Socio-cultural and environmental issues
Future developments in business and management

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

Scheduled
activities

Independent study

Placement

Hour
s

Detail

Hour
s

Detail

Hours

12

Lectures

164

Directed and selfdirected study

including research

24

Workshop
s including
surgery
time

Total
hours

Detail
176

24

Total

200

ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment 001 - A Business Report based on the students own research into the
impact of a range of external environmental factors (domestic, international and global)
on an organisation of their own choice in a designated industry-sector and an
evaluation of the effectiveness of the organisations responses. This assessment covers
all the stated module learning outcomes.
Sequence
001

Assessment
Type
Assignment

Marking
Scheme
UCMS

Weighting
%
100

Qualifying
Mark
35

Pass
Mark
40

INDICATIVE READING LIST

Main Texts:
Fee K. (2013) Contemporary Developments in Business and Management
University of Sunderland
Hamilton L. and Webster P. (2009) /The International Business Environment/,
Oxford University Press
The Economist, The Economist Newspaper Ltd
Supplementary Texts:
Brooks, I., Weatherston, J. and Wilkinson, G. (2011) /The International Business
Environment: Challenges and Changes/, 2nd edn. Financial Times Press
Capon, C. (2009) /Understanding the Business Environment/, 3rd edn. FT Prentice Hall
Guy F. (2009) /The Global Environment of Business/, Oxford University Press

Harrison A. (2010) /Business Environment in a global context/, Oxford University Press

Morrison, J. (2011) /The Global Business Environment: Meeting the Challenges, 3 rd
edn. Palgrave Macmillan
Sloman J. And Jones E. (2011) /Economics and the Business Environment, 3 rd edn.
Pearson Education Ltd
Worthington, I. and Britton, C. (2009). /The Business Environment, /6th edn. FT
Prentice Hall
A number of journals are all available on the /Emerald/ system.
Students will be encouraged to use the internet as a source of contemporary material
for their studies. To facilitate this, students will be given a list of journals and websites
where relevant information is not only freely available, but is always up to date.