NBS8401 : Business Context and Operations
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Mr Ben Dickson-Green
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 5 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To enable students to critically analyse and assess the context of business operations (economic, social, political), and to develop awareness of developments, tools, and techniques in the functional business areas of information systems, operations, marketing and managing human capital. The module also develops report writing and time management skills.
Outline Of Syllabus
Introduction to organisations
• The social political and economic context
• Structure, governance and regulation
Managing Technology and Information
• The role of information systems
• Systems implementation and business strategy
Operations Management
• Operations management and the organisation
• Quality management
• Managing capacity and inventory
Marketing
• Marketing and business strategy
• Marketing plans, branding and communications
• Developments in marketing
Managing Human Resources
• Human resource management
• Human resource practices
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | PIP |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 28:00 | 28:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | PIP Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 19:00 | 19:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture materials will enable explanation of the material. Guided learning will help students to apply what they have learnt in real life scenarios and gain a deeper understanding of what they have learnt in their lectures. Discussion boards and seminars will allow for dealing with questions and offering support for areas as needed.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 100 | N/A |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Question practice, with some opportunity for review of answers. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment fits the aims and learning outcomes of the module, enabling students to demonstrate and to develop critical thinking and written communication skills. The exam focuses on application of theoretical information to real-world settings, helping to prove that students have fully developed their understanding of the topics examined.
In the case of an alternative semester 2 assessment (worth 100% of the overall module mark) being necessary due to circumstances, the module leader will in the first instance consult with the DPD as to the requirements of the professional accrediting body to discuss possible acceptable alternatives. In 2020/21 this alternative was a 24 hour take home exam delivered online, and it is envisioned that if circumstances do not allow a present-in-person timed exam at the end of semester 2, and the professional body agrees, than this may well be an example of the type of alternative assessment which could be put in place.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8401's Timetable