Module Rationale

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to different types of business organisations and the environments that they operate within. Using London's vibrant business ecosystem as our laboratory, the module will mainly focus on the factors affecting businesses that are located in advanced economies. The analysis and discussion will centre around issues that relate to industrial structure, international trade and technological change, with case studies drawn from London's financial district, tech sector, and creative industries (e.g., Canary Wharf, Silicon Roundabout, Shoreditch). Although factors affecting businesses in developing countries/emerging

economies will be covered to a certain extent, there will be less of a focus on businesses operating in such environments. Similarly, economic, financial and technological influences on organisations will be emphasized, although political, social, cultural, legal and environmental factors will also be covered through an introduction to PESTLE analysis.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should:

• have developed an understanding of business organisations and global business environments;

• be able to apply basic environmental analysis techniques to organisations.

Topics

• The Business Environment and Introduction to Markets

• Globalisation

• Types of Business Organizations

• Objectives and Functions of Business Organizations

• The Global Economy

• Analysing Global Industries

• International Trade

• The Global Business Environment and Firm Strategy

• Economic (Policy) Environment

• Assessing Country Attractiveness

*Course content subject to change