BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Pearson
BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business
Unit 1 Assignment: Business and the Business Environment
The aim of this unit is to provide students with background knowledge and understanding of business, the functions of an organisation and the wider business environments in which organisations operate. Students will examine the different types of organisations (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 organisations 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.
The recommended word limit is 2,000–2,500 words, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.
Assignment Introduction:- The assignment is aimed at providing you with an understanding of different organisations, the influence of stakeholders and the relationship between businesses and the local, national and global environments.
Learning Outcomes (LO)
LO1 Explain the different types of organisations, including their size and scope
LO2 Demonstrate the interrelationship of the various functions within an organisation and how they link to organisational structure
LO3 Use contemporary examples to demonstrate both the positive and negative influence/impact the macro environment has on business operations.
LO4 Determine the internal strengths and weaknesses of specific businesses and explain their interrelationship with external macro factors.
Assignment Brief
Students should use their own employment context or that of an organisation they are very familiar with. For students who are not able to do this, they should use the following scenario. Scenario You are employed as a junior manager in a business sector of your choice and have been asked to produce a written report for senior management.
The purpose of the report is to provide senior management with a better understanding of the business environment that their business operates in.
Assignment Guidance – Management Report This management report should include an introduction and an overview of the business sector you have chosen or you are employed in or you are very familiar with. This should include an explanation of the products or services they supply, the Brighton School of Business and Management Limited organisations vision, mission and business objectives and information about the business stakeholders.
The report will include the use of models, frameworks and tools for example:
Power / interest stakeholder matrix – to identify the different types of stakeholders ? PESTLE analysis – to identify and discuss the macro environment factors
SWOT or TOWS analysis – to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the business The report should contain information and detail to cover the assessment criteria and the essential content for this unit. In addition students should note the command verbs for the assessment criteria. A list to explain the command verbs can be found in the student study guide.
Section 1 – Learning Outcome 1 and 2
LO1 Explain the different types of organisations, including their size and scope P1 Explain different types and purposes of organisations; public, private and voluntary sectors and legal structures. P2 Explain the size and scope of a range of different types of organisations. M1 Analyse how the structure, size and scope of different organisations link to the business objectives and product and services offered by the organisation.
LO2 Demonstrate the interrelationship of the various functions within an organisation and how they link to organisational structure P3 Explain the relationship between different organisational functions and how they link to organisational objectives and structure M2 Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of interrelationships between organisational functions and the impact that can have upon organisational structure LO1 and LO2 D1 Provide a critical analysis of the complexities of different types of business structures and the interrelationships of the different organisational functions. Word count guideline: 1,000 - 1,250 words Section 2 – Learning Outcome 3 and 4 Brighton School of Business and Management Limited
LO3 Use contemporary examples to demonstrate both the positive and negative influence/impact the macro environment has on business operations. P4 Identify the positive and negative impacts the macro environment has upon business operations, supported by specific examples. M3 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. P5 Conduct internal and external analysis of specific organisations in order to identify strengths and weaknesses. P6 Explain how strengths and weaknesses interrelate with external macro factors. M4 Apply appropriately SWOT/TOWS analysis and justify how they influence decision-making. LO3 and LO4 D2 Critically evaluate the impacts that both macro and micro factors have upon business objectives and decision-making. Word count guideline: 1,000 - 1,250 words To assist you with this process there are study guides for each of the learning outcomes. Where ever possible you should use practical examples to demonstrate your understanding of the subject.