The VLE

The VLE



The VLE, which complements this subject guide, has been designed to
enhance your learning experience, providing additional support and a
sense of community. It forms an important part of your study experience
with the University of London and you should access it regularly.
The VLE provides a range of resources for EMFSS courses:
• Self-testing activities: Doing these allows you to test your own
understanding of subject material.
• Electronic study materials: The printed materials that you receive from
the University of London are available to download, including updated
reading lists and references.
• Past examination papers and Examiners’ commentaries: These provide
advice on how each examination question might best be answered.
• A student discussion forum: This is an open space for you to discuss
interests and experiences, seek support from your peers, work
collaboratively to solve problems and discuss subject material.
• Videos: There are recorded academic introductions to the subject,
interviews and debates and, for some courses, audio-visual tutorials
and conclusions.
• Recorded lectures: For some courses, where appropriate, the sessions
from previous years’ Study Weekends have been recorded and made
available.
• Study skills: Expert advice on preparing for examinations and
developing your digital literacy skills.
• Feedback forms.
Some of these resources are available for certain courses only, but we
are expanding our provision all the time and you should check the VLE
regularly for updates.

Online study resources

Online study resources



Another additional learning resource for this course is the internet. If
you have access to this, you should start to collect relevant websites
and become familiar with searching for company information on them.
At certain points in the guide you will be directed to internet sites that
are relevant to your studies. Unless otherwise stated, all websites in this
subject guide were accessed in 2009. We cannot guarantee, however, that
they will stay current and you may need to perform an internet search to
find the relevant pages.
In addition to the subject guide and the Essential reading, it is crucial that
you take advantage of the study resources that are available online for this
course, including the VLE and the Online Library.
You can access the VLE, the Online Library and your University of London
email account via the Student Portal at:
http://my.londoninternational.ac.uk
You should receive your login details in your study pack. If you have not,
or you have forgotten your login details, please email uolia.support@
london.ac.uk quoting your student number.

Other learning resources

Other learning resources



Gathering case material on particular companies and countries will also
help you to develop a critical approach to the theories as you relate them
to practice. Building up this material and your knowledge of current
business debates, familiarising yourself with key journals, improving your
reading skills and developing a systematic approach to your reading are all
things that you can begin to do now, today. Remember that reading is key
to progress on this course.
Also, friends, contacts in business and family members who are active in
business can be a useful and relevant resource, because it is very useful to
talk to people with practical experience. As well as this, if you know other
people studying the subject, it is very helpful to talk through your ideas
and to discuss what you are learning.
Finally, do not forget your brain – and your capacity to think critically: you
will not get far without this!

Supplementary literature

Supplementary literature




As well as the readings that will be specified within each chapter, you will
find it helpful to read up on current issues in major journals, specialist
magazines and the business sections of newspapers, etc. Below is a
selection of journals which could be useful, and it is recommended that
you familiarise yourself on a regular basis with the type of articles and
current topics covered by them:
• Journal of Management Studies

• Introduction to business and management

• Asia-Pacific Business Review
• European Business Review
• The Harvard Business Review

Books

Books


Agmon, T. and R. Drobnick Small Firms in Global Competition. (New York:
Oxford University Press, 1994) [ISBN 9780195078251].
Boddy, D. Management: An Introduction. (Harlow: FT Prentice Hall, 2008)
fourth edition, [ISBN 9780273711063].
Cole, G.A. Management Theory and Practice. (London: DP Publications, 2003)
sixth edition [ISBN 9781844800889].
Douma, S. and H. Schreuder Economic Approaches to Organizations. (London:
Prentice Hall, 2008) fourth edition [ISBN 9780273681977].
Introduction
5
Grint, K. Management: A Sociological Introduction. (Cambridge: Blackwell,
1995) [ISBN 9780745611495].
Grint, K. The Sociology of Work. (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2005) third edition
[ISBN 9780745632506].
Held, D., A. McGrew, D. Goldblatt and J. Perraton Global Transformations:
Politics, Economics and Culture. (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1999)
[ISBN 9780804736275].
Hofstede, G. Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work Related
Values. (London: Sage Publications, 1980; abridged edition, 1984) [ISBN
9780803913066].
Huczynski, A. and D. Buchanan Organisational Behaviour: An Introductory Text.
(London: Prentice Hall, 2008) sixth edition [ISBN 9780273708353].
Johnson, G. and K. Scholes Exploring Corporate Strategy. (London: Prentice
Hall Europe, 2005) seventh edition [ISBN 9780273687399].
Mann, C., S. Eckert and S. Knight The Global Electronic Commerce. (Washington
DC: Institute for International Economics, 2000)[ISBN 9780881322743].
Massie, J.L. Essentials of Management. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall,
1987) fourth edition [ISBN 9780132863377].
Miller, G. Managerial Dilemmas: the Political Economy of Hierarchy. (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 1997) [ISBN 9780521457699].
Mintzberg, H. The Nature of Managerial Work. (Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1990) [ISBN 9780060445553].
Needle, D. Business in Context: an Introduction to Business and its Environment.
(London: Business Press, 2004) fourth edition [ISBN 9781861529923].
Pearson, G. Integrity in Organisations: an Alternative Business Ethic. (London:
McGraw-Hill, 1995) [ISBN 9780077091361].
Perman, R. and J. Scouller Business Economics. (Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1999) [ISBN 9780198775249].
Robbins, P. Greening the Corporation: Management Strategy and the
Environmental Challenge. (London: Earthscan Publications, 2001) [ISBN
9781853837715].
Scholte, J.A. Globalization: a Critical Introduction. (Basingstoke: Palgrave,
2005) second edition [ISBN 9780333977026].
Senge, P. The Fifth Discipline: the Art and Practice of the Learning
Organization. (New York: Doubleday, 1990; second edition, 2005) [ISBN
9780385517256].
Sklair, L. The Transnational Capitalist Class. (Oxford: Blackwell, 2001) [ISBN
9780631224624].
Stonehouse, G., J. Hamill, D. Campbell and T. Purdie Global and Transnational
Business: Strategy and Management. (Chichester: John Wiley and Sons,
2000; second edition, 2004) [ISBN 9780470851265].
Tissen, R., D. Andreiseen and F. Deprez The Knowledge Dividend: Creating
High-Performance Companies Through Value-Based Knowledge Management.
(London: Pearson Education, 2000) [ISBN 9780273645108].
Waters, M. Globalization. (London: Routledge, 1995; second edition 2001)
[ISBN 9780415238540].
Wright, S. The Anthropology of Organizations. (London: Routledge, 1994)
[ISBN 9780415087476].

Further reading

Further reading



Please note that as long as you read the Essential reading you are then free
to read around the subject area in any text, paper or online resource. You
will need to support your learning by reading as widely as possible and by
thinking about how these principles apply in the real world. To help you
read extensively, you have free access to the VLE and University of London
Online Library (see below).

At the beginning of each chapter, a list of possible Further readings will be
offered. A selection is always presented, but none of them is compulsory.
You can select from the list for each chapter when you come to it, if you
wish to. Therefore you should not be worried that this list is long: it is only
to give you a choice should you want one!
You may find it helpful to look at these readings if you are particularly
interested. As much reading as possible is always to be encouraged.
Again, however, it should be noted that it is the Essential readings that
make up the course, and your efforts of analysis and evaluation should be
concentrated on these first and foremost.
Journal articles
Alvesson, M. and D. Karreman ‘Odd couple: making sense of the curious
concept of knowledge management’, Journal of Management Studies 38(7)
2001, pp.995–1018.
Barlett, A. and S. Ghoshal ‘Matrix management: not a structure, a frame of
mind’, Harvard Business Review 68(4)1990, pp.138–45.
Beugre, C.D. and O.F. Offodile ‘Managing for organisational effectiveness in
sub-Saharan Africa: a culture-fit model’, International Journal of Human
Resource Management 12(4) 2001, pp.535–50.
Easterby-Smith, M., M. Crossan and D. Nicolini ‘Organisational learning:
debates past, present and future’, Journal of Management Studies 38(7)
2001, pp.783–96.
Gordan, G.G. and N. Ditomaso ‘Predicting organisational performance from
organisational culture’, Journal of Management Studies 29(6) 1992,
pp.783–98.
Hales, C. ‘Leading horses to water? The impact of decentralisation on
management behaviour’, Journal of Management Studies 36(6) 1999,
pp.831–51.
Jackson, T. ‘Management ethics and corporate policy: a cross cultural
comparison’, Journal of Management Studies 37(3) 2000, pp.349–69.
Lowe, J., J. Morris and B. Wilkinson ‘A British factory, a Japanese factory and
a Mexican factory: an international comparison of front-line management
and supervision’, Journal of Management Studies 37(4) 2000, pp.541–62.
Nutt, P. ‘Decision-making success in public, private and third sector
organisations: finding sector dependent best practice’, Journal of
Management Studies 37(1) 2000, pp.77–108.
Porter, M. ‘What is strategy?’, Harvard Business Review 74(3) 1996, pp.61–78.
Scholte, J.A. ‘Globalisation, governance and corporate citizenship’, Journal of
Corporate Citizenship 1, Spring 2001, pp.15–23.
Shimomurs, M. ‘Corporate citizenship: Why is it so important?’, Journal of
Corporate Citizenship 1, Spring 2001, pp.127–30.
Swan, J. and H. Scarborough ‘Knowledge management: concepts and
controversies’, Journal of Management Studies 38(7) 2001, pp.913–21.
Tsoukas, H. and E. Vladimirou ‘What is organisational knowledge?’, Journal of
Management Studies 38(7) 2001, pp.974–93

Essential reading

Essential reading



For each topic you are required to study some readings that are essential
and compulsory. It is from this material that the majority of your
knowledge will be gained. It is therefore vital that you do all the Essential
reading specified.
All the Essential reading will be listed at the beginning of each chapter.
However, it is best to study these readings and the guide in parallel.
Therefore you will work from the guide and, at the most relevant points in
each chapter, you will be advised which is the relevant reading and when
to read it. Please note that when you are advised to read certain pages
in a chapter, this will usually refer to the section that starts and finishes
on those pages rather than all the text on them. It will be clear from the
subject matter of the section which passages you are intended to read. If
you flick through one of the chapters of the guide now, you will see how
this will work.
Key texts
One main key text has been selected for this course:
Mullins, L.J. Management and Organisational Behaviour. (Essex: Pearson
Education, 2010) ninth edition [ISBN 9780273728610].
One secondary key text has been selected to supplement this, because not
all topics are covered by Mullins (2010) and this will also offer you an
alternative perspective. This is:
Daft, R.L. New Era of Management. (Mason, Ohio: South Western: Cengage,
2008) second edition [ISBN 9780324537772].
Detailed reading references in this subject guide refer to the editions of the
set textbooks listed above. New editions of one or more of these textbooks
may have been published by the time you study this course. You can use
a more recent edition of any of the books; use the detailed chapter and
section headings and the index to identify relevant readings. Also check
the virtual learning environment (VLE) regularly for updated guidance on
readings.
In the past, Daft’s text (initially titled Management and then New Era of
Management) has not changed substantially, apart from updating of case
studies, etc. There may be a reordering of chapters. Both of the key texts
have new editions produced on a regular basis, but the content of the
Essential readings should be clear enough for you to use older versions if
necessary.
An alternative text which covers the course syllabus in most areas is:
 Boddy, D. Management: An Introduction. (Harlow: FT Prentice Hall, 2008)
fourth edition [ISBN 9780273711063].
Readings in this text will be listed in the Further reading sections at the
beginning of chapters.

Reading system

Reading system

• Essential reading
• Further reading
• Books
• Supplementary literature
• Other learning resources

Reading and learning resources

Reading and learning resources



A vast array of material has been written about business and management,
and this is a major reason for the subject being such an interesting one.
Many different people, organisations and groups hold widely differing
views on issues in this area. You are going to be taking an academic
approach to the subject, and this needs to be reflected in your reading.
Reading is a vital and central part of your work and successful progress in
this course. It is important that you make use of your academic and study
skills handbook Strategies for success. This will really help you, because
it includes guidance on reading technique. It is possible for everyone to
develop their reading skills, and consciously working on this will be of
great benefit to you.
This subject guide is designed to guide you through academic material in
the major areas of business and management, as set out in the syllabus. It
is important at this stage to understand the reading system, for this will
ensure that you cover all the necessary elements of the main topics in a
comprehensive way.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes



On completion of this course, you should be able to:
• understand the evolution of the business organisation and management
thought, identifying the interconnections between developments in
these areas
• evaluate alternative theories of management critically, recognising the
centrality of decision making and strategic thinking to the managerial
role and functions
• discuss and compare different models and approaches to understanding
the firm, evaluating these in the context of the business environment
• explore the impact of key environmental factors on decision making
and organisational behaviour
• evaluate the significance of contemporary issues in business and
management.

Aims

Aims of Study of Business Management



This has three main aims, and these directly relate to the major
themes that will be emphasised throughout. The course aims to:
• provide a comprehensive introduction to the key elements of the
business organisation, and to competing theories and models of the
firm and its environment, and to provide a critical perspective on the
main functional areas of management
• build a foundation of knowledge on the different theoretical
approaches to management and decision making
• develop analytical skills to identify the links between the functional
areas in management, organisations, management practices and the
business environment.

Introduction

Introduction



Welcome to Introduction to business and management. You have chosen to study a dynamic subject that will stretch your knowledge and challenge your ideas. This is an introductory course, which is designed to engage you with the key concepts, models, debates and problems in the study of business and management. Developing this foundation will be beneficial to your subsequent study of specialised subjects, because you will be able to make connections between different issues. This introductory course is also a chance for you to develop your academic skills, in particular your critical approach to the ideas you are presented with. Studying at this level means actually engaging with what you are reading: considering what is being said in relation to other theories, practical examples, and your own reflections. The subject of business and management offers an ideal opportunity to develop this academic approach, as a wide variety of groups, individuals and organisations offer diverse opinions and theories regarding the workings of business and successful management. Throughout the course you will be taking an active part in your learning, developing your own responses to what you read and so building a deeper appreciation of issues concerning business and management. It is therefore helpful to view this introductory course as an opportunity to develop a solid framework of knowledge, as well as a critical academic approach. Together these will make your work on this course engaging and stimulating, and will equip you with the tools needed to do well in your future studies. In the remainder of this introductory chapter you will be given advice and guidance on the following: • the course aims and learning outcomes • the reading system • your role in using the subject guide • the structure of the course • preparing for the assessment. It is important to understand all of these at the beginning to ensure that you are able to get the most out of the course. The subject of business and management is an important and exciting one. You will learn about the workings of business organisations, how they function, and how they interact with the environment. The subject also includes how these business organisations are managed, including the strategies used to guide them and the decisions involved in the role of the manager. Studying these issues by following the course as it is designed should ensure that although challenging, it will also be an enjoyable and satisfying experience.