Business Management – a fundamental understanding of today's world

This course is designed to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Business Management theories, as well as their ability to apply a range of tools and techniques.  Pupils learn to analyse, discuss and evaluate business activities at local, national and international levels. A range of organisations from different sectors are covered in the course, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts in which they operate.

The course covers the key characteristics of how a business is organised and its environment - including the business functions of human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing and operations management. Through the exploration of six underpinning concepts (change, culture, ethics, globalisation, innovation and strategy), the course allows students to develop a holistic understanding of today’s complex and dynamic business environment. The conceptual learning is firmly anchored in business management theories, tools and techniques and placed in the context of real world examples and case studies.

The course encourages the appreciation of ethical concerns at both a local and global level. It aims to develop relevant and transferable skills, including the ability to: think critically; make ethically sound and well-informed decisions; appreciate the pace, nature and significance of change; think strategically; and undertake long term planning, analysis and evaluation. The course also develops useful subject-specific skills, such as financial analysis.

The aims of the Business Management course at Higher Level and Standard  Level include:

1. Encourage a holistic view of the world of business.
2. Empower pupils to think critically and strategically about individual and organizational behaviour.
3. Promote the importance of exploring business issues from different cultural perspectives.
4. Enable pupils to appreciate the nature and significance of change in a local, regional and global context.
5. Promote awareness of the importance of environmental, social and ethical factors in the actions of individuals and organisations.
6. Understanding the importance of innovation in a business environment.