ICS Business Environment (2 Credits Compulsory) Course Duration: Two hours per week for 15weeks (30 hours) As taught in 2010/2011 Session

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1 ICS Business Environment (2 Credits Compulsory) Course Duration: Two hours per week for 15weeks (30 hours) As taught in 2010/2011 Session Courseware Developed by: Olayiwola W. Bello B.Sc. M.Inf Sc. (Ibadan), MBA (Ife) Department of Information and Communication Science, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. Nigeria. laibello@yahoo.com laibelo@unilorin.edu.ng Office Location: Room 10F19 Block 10, Unilorin permanent site. Consultation Hours: 12:00noon 2:00pm on Mondays and Tuesdays Lecturer: O. V. MEJABI, PhD (Ilorin), M.Sc. PGD (Aston) B.Sc. (Ibadan), Department of Information and Communication Science, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. Nigeria. ovmejabi@yahoo.com ovmejabi@unilorin.edu.ng Office Location: Room 10F3 block 10, Unilorin permanent site. Consultation Hours: 12:00pm 2:00pm on Mondays and Thursday Lecturer: Olayiwola W. Bello (Details Above) B.Sc. M.Inf Sc. (Ibadan), MBA (Ife) Department of Information and Communication Science, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. Nigeria. laibello@yahoo.com laibelo@unilorin.edu.ng Office Location: Room 10F19 Block 10, Unilorin permanent site. Consultation Hours: 12:00noon 2:00pm on Mondays and Tuesdays

2 COURSE DETAILS Course Content Business environment: types of organizations; objectives; strategies; performance; markets; international businesses; and the impact of political, legal and economic factors. Course The course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of business organizations and management. It includes introducing students to types of business organizations; objectives; strategies; performance; markets; international businesses and entrepreneurship. It also takes into account the impact of political, legal and economic factors on business activities. Course Justification Every organization has a core business. Identifying the core business and understanding how organizations are managed is important in providing the necessary support for managing information and communication systems. The course would provide a basic background on the business environment which would enable students to situate information and communication science within the context of an organization or business with a view towards blending their technical expertise with management know-how in order to support business decision-making and to communicate effectively in commercial and business environment. Course Objectives At the completion of the course students will be able to: Understand the dynamics of the factors within the business environment and the use of the factors to achieve organizational effectiveness; Demonstrate an understanding of the general functions of management and as potential managers, acquire skills required by managers for effective discharge of their activities; Understand how businesses are structured and forces that influence the marketing environment; Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of business goals and objectives, how to go about setting them and how to assess a business in terms of performance; Understand the effects of globalization on business activities. Course Requirements Students must have a minimum of 75% attendance. As well, all students will be involved in the learning process by participating in assignments individually and in groups. Each student is required to have a yahoo mail address to facilitate students web interaction and web group discussion.

3 Methods of Grading Continuous assessment will carry 30 marks. This will include assignments (10 marks), test (10 marks) and class participation (10 marks). Examination will carry 70 marks, making a total of 100. Course Delivery Strategies The strategies for delivering this course will include lectures and group work. Webinteractions and case studies would be utilized. Lecture Content Week 1: Introduction to the Nature of Business Objectives: The objectives are: Provide an overview of the course Introduce students to the nature of business, including its fundamentals Explore the components and definitions of business environment. An overview of the course. Definitions/description of business. Explain the nature and fundamentals of business 1. What is Business? 2. Mention and explain factors to be considered before establishing a business. 3. Explain business environment analysis. 4. What are the motivating factors for starting a business? 5. Identify and make a list of potential business opportunities in your environment. 1. Babalola-Alaoran 2,4, A.E (2004). Small Business and Entrepreneurship.Bash- Moses, Ibadan. ISBN X 2. Ifechukwu 2,4, J.A.O. (2000). Small Business Management: A Concise Text in Entrepreneurship. Goldland Business, Lagos. ISBN Ifechukwu 2,4, J.A.O. (1986). Business Management: Principles and Practice. (2nd ed). Goldland Business, Lagos. ISBN

4 4. Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston MA, U.S.A. ISBN: Lucey 2,4 T. (2005). Management Information Systems (Ninth Edition). Thomson Learning. ISBN: Ojo 1, A.T (ed) (2004). Small and Medium Enterprises Development: Effective Implementation Strategies. Lagos: Maryland Finance Company. ISBN: Week 2: Introduction to General Management Objectives: This topic will equip students with: Knowledge of functions and different levels of management Skills required by managers for effective discharge of their activities. Levels of management and the role/functions of management Skills and attributes of a good manager 1. List and discuss the basic functions of management. 2. Why do you think planning is an essential endeavour in an organizational context? 3. List and explain the levels of management known to you. 4. What are the attributes and qualities of a good manager? 5. What are the skills required by a manager to appropriately discharge his/her duties within a business organization? 1. Babalola-Alao 2,4, A.E (2004). Small Business and Entrepreneurship.Bash-Moses, Ibadan. ISBN X 2. Ifechukwu 2,4, J.A.O. (2000). Small Business Management: A Concise Text in Entrepreneurship. Goldland Business, Lagos. ISBN Ifechukwu 2,4, J.A.O. (1986). Business Management: Principles and Practice. (2nd ed). Goldland Business, Lagos. ISBN Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston MA, U.S.A. ISBN: Lucey 2,4 T (2005). Management Information Systems (Ninth Edition). Thomson Learning ISBN:

5 6. Ojo 1, A.T (ed) (2004). Small and Medium Enterprises Development: Effective Implementation Strategies. Lagos: Maryland Finance Company. ISBN: Week 3: Forms and Structure of Business Organizations Objectives: At the end of the lectures students should be able to: Describe types of organizations Describe how businesses are structured/ governed. Discuss types of organizations under Profit/Non Profit, Formal/Informal and Private/Public organizations. Also, explore the peculiarities and differences in the types of organizations. Discuss the structure of business organizations and explore the features, advantages and disadvantages of the structures 1. Describe the nature of business organization. 2. What do you understand by formal and informal organization? 3. Explain the concept of sole proprietorship and gives its advantages and disadvantages. 4. Explain the types and characteristics of partnership as a type of business structure. 5. Differentiate between limited companies and joint stock companies? 6. Compare and contrast one man business with partnership. 7. What are the advantages of the limited liability company over other forms of business? 1. Babalola-Alao 2,4, A.E (2004). Small Business and Entrepreneurship.Bash-Moses, Ibadan. ISBN X 2. Ifechukwu 2,4, J.A.O. (2000). Small Business Management: A Concise Text in Entrepreneurship. Goldland Business, Lagos. ISBN Ifechukwu 2,4, J.A.O. (1986). Business Management: Principles and Practice. (2 nd ed). Goldland Business, Lagos. ISBN Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston MA, U.S.A.

6 ISBN: Lucey 2,4 T. (2005). Management Information Systems (Ninth Edition). Thomson Learning. ISBN: Week 4: Market and Marketing Objectives: At the end of the lecture, students should be able to: Understand the various types of markets, marketing mix and forces that influence the marketing environment. Discuss types of markets, marketing scope & orientations, marketing mix and product life cycle Explain marketing environment (forces influencing marketing activities) 2. Marketing a product or service requires some tools/instrument. List and briefly explain each one of them. 3. What do you understand by product life cycle? Describe the phases involved. 4. What are the controllable variables which a business organization can combine in order to satisfy consumer s needs? 5. List and explain the forces affecting the marketing environment. 1. Kotler 4, P and Keller, L. K. (2009) Marketing Management. (13th ed). Prentice Hall. ISBN: Kurtz 4, D. L and Boone L. E (2006) Principles of marketing. (12 th ed). Thomson. ISBN: Lamb 4, C. W., Hair, J. H. and McDaniel, C. (2004). Marketing (7th edition). Thomson. ISBN:

7 Week 5: Business Goals and Objectives Objective: At the end of the lecture, students should be able to: Understand the different objectives that businesses may have Describe how to utilize such objectives to optimize business performance. Discuss what business goals and objectives are, The Importance and rules guiding the Setting of Objectives Discuss the functions/benefits of organizational goals/objectives, Alternative Aims and Objectives and Changing Objectives 1. What are organizational/business objectives? 2. Discuss the Importance and rules guiding the setting of objectives. 3. What are the factors to be considered in setting business objectives? 4. Identify the main objectives that a business might have. 5. Not all businesses seek profit or growth, some organizations have alternative objectives. Identify and explain other objectives of some organizations. 6. In your own opinion, do you think organizations should change their objectives over time? What reasons do you give for your answer? 1. Griffin 4 (2009). Management. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston MA, U.S.A. ISBN: Week 6: Business Strategies and Performance (Business Performance metrics) Objectives: At the end of the lecture, students should be able to: Understand how to formulate strategies towards achieving the business mission Describe how to measure and enhance business performance

8 Discuss strategy as a subset of business mission (others elements are: Purpose, Policies & Standards of Behavior and Values & Culture). Explain the need for business strategy and different levels of business strategy. Explain the concept of business performance, why we measure business performance, and business performance metrics. 1. What do you understand by business strategy? What are the different levels of business strategy? 2. Explain the concept of business performance 3. List and explain the business performance metrics known to you. Why do we measure business performance? 4. Explain the need for business strategy. 5. Explain how business strategy influences the future of a business organization. 1. Vince 3, K. (2003) Business performance Measurement [Available at: 2. Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston MA, U.S.A. ISBN: Pp72-86 Weeks 7 & 8: Business Organization Environment Objectives: At the end of the lectures, students should be able to: Discuss the nature of business environment and identify the environment of interest to most organizations. Describe the components of the general and task environment (external environment) and discuss their impact on organizations Identify the components of the internal environment and discuss their impact on organizations. Understand the concept of environmental scanning and its components

9 Week 7 Outline the nature of business environment and environmental scanning. Discuss the internal environment variables (owners, board of directors, employees, physical work environment, culture, technology) Week 8 Discuss the general environment as a subset of the external environment that includes: Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Political/legal and International environments. Discuss the Task environment (subset of the external environment) comprising of competitors, customers, suppliers, regulators and strategic allies. 1. Why is an organization s environment so important? Identify and discuss each of the major dimensions of the general environment. 2. What is an organization s task environment? What are the major dimensions of that environment? 3. What is an organizations internal environment? Identify and discuss each of the dimensions of this environment 4. What are the management implications of these environments to the survival of the business organization? 5. Outline the several environment of your university. Be detailed about the dimensions and provide specific examples to illustrate how each dimension affects you institution. 6. What is environmental scanning? 7. How does environmental scanning affect the fortune of an enterprise? 1. Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston MA, U.S.A. ISBN: Pp72-86

10 Week 9: Business-Environment Relationships Objectives: At the end of the lectures, students should be able to: Identify and describe how the environment affects business organizations Describe how organizations adapt to their environment. : (wk 9) Discuss how environments affect organizations (wk 9) Discuss how organizations adapt to their environment 1. What are the ways through which the environment affects the organization? 2. In what ways do organizations adapt to their environment? 3. Name and describe the major forces that affect organization-environment relationship. 1. Ball 1, D. A., McCulloch, W. H., Geringer, J. M., Minor, M. S. and McNett, J. M. (2008). International Business: The Challenges of Global Competition. New York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: Griffin 4 (2009). Management (6th ed). Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: Pp Week 10: Organizational Effectiveness Objective: At the end of the lectures, students should be able to: Understand models of organizational effectiveness : (wk 10) Discuss models of organizational effectiveness and its implication for business performance (wk 10) Discuss examples of organizational effectiveness 1. What is organizational effectiveness? 2. How is it studied and assessed? 3. Explain the models of organizational effectiveness known to you. Also give examples

11 of organizational effectiveness. 1. Ball 1, D. A., McCulloch, W. H., Geringer, J. M., Minor, M. S. and McNett, J. M. (2008). International Business: The Challenges of Global Competition. New York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management (6th ed). Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: Pp Week 11: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Objectives: At the end of the lectures, students should be able to: Understand the concept of acceptable norms in carrying out business activities Discuss business ethics and ways of managing ethical behaviour Discuss the concept of social responsibility, specify to whom or what an organization might be considered responsible Definition, types and determinants of Business Ethics. Also Internal/External forces affecting Ethics, Codes of Ethics and managing Ethical Behavior. Discuss Organizations Social Responsibility and its areas (Organizational Stakeholders, Natural Environment and General Social Welfare). Discuss arguments for and against social responsibility. Organizational approaches to social responsibility. (Obstructionist, Defensive, Accommodative and Proactive) Questions 1. Do business organizations have ethics? Why or why not? 2. What are the types and determinants of business ethics? 3. What is the relationship between law and ethical behavior? Can illegal behavior possibly be ethical? 4. How do you feel about whistle-blowing activity? If you were aware of a criminal activity taking place in your organization and if reporting it might cost you your job, what will you do? 5. What are the arguments for and against social responsibility?

12 1. Griffin 4 R.W (2009). Management (6th ed). Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: Pp Thompson 1, A. A. and Strickland, A. J (2001). Strategic Management: Concept and Case. (12 th ed) York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: web.tepper.cmu.edu/ethics/whybizethics.pdf Week 12: Managing Social Responsibility and Government Involvement Objectives: - At the end of the lecture, students should be able to: Describe some of the activities organizations may engage in to manage social responsibility. Explain the relationship between the government and organizations regarding social responsibility : Discuss formal and informal organization dimensions to managing social responsibility which includes: Legal compliance, Ethical Compliance, Philanthropic Giving, organization s leadership and whistle blowing. Discuss evaluation of social responsibility, how government influence organization and vice versa. Questions 1. How does the government influence organizations? How do organizations influence the government? 2. Discuss the formal and informal organizational dimensions of managing social Responsibility 3. What is Corporate Social Audit? 4. What are the ways of evaluating social responsibility? What management implication does this have on management? 5. How are the ethics of an organization s CEO related to social responsibility?

13 6. Assume you owned a large and highly profitable business. What stance would you take towards social responsibility? List five specific programs or causes you are likely to support. 1. Griffin 4 R.W(2009). Management (6th ed). Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: Pp Snell 1, B. (1999). Management: Building Competitive Advantage (4th ed). New York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: Robbins 1, S. P and Coulter, M. (2007). Management. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: Week 13: International Business Objectives: At the end of the lectures students should be able to: Describe the nature of international business, including its meaning, recent trends, managing globalization and managing the global environment Identify and discuss the environmental challenges inherent in international business Describe the structure of global economy and how it affects international business Discuss the nature of international business to include the meaning, trends and approaches to international business and the advantages and disadvantages of identified approaches. Discuss the structure of the global economy and environmental challenges of international business. Management challenges in a global economy should also be explained. 1. What do you understand by international business? 2. Explain the factors that could be barriers to international business and what measures do governments put in place to control international business? 3. Briefly note some of the environmental challenges of international business 4. Explain with example why international business takes place. 5. Dumping means some countries receive very cheap goods. Nevertheless, governments often dislike it. Why?

14 1. Ball 1, D. A., McCulloch, W. H., Geringer, J. M., Minor, M. S. and McNett, J. M. (2008). International Business: The Challenges of Global Competition. New York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: Hill 1, W. C (2001). Global Business Today (2nd ed). New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN: Griffin 4 R.W(2009). Management (6th ed). Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: Week 14: Entrepreneurship Objectives: At the end of the lectures students should be able to: Describe the nature of entrepreneurship and its importance to the development of the country s economy Identify and discuss the challenges facing entrepreneurship in Nigeria Explain the concept of Entrepreneurship (Profile and Attribute), Importance and Benefits of Business/Entrepreneurship should be discussed. Discuss the conditions that promote or hinder entrepreneurship development 1. What is entrepreneurship? 2. What are the benefits of being an entrepreneur? 3. Discuss the attributes and traits required of a successful entrepreneur. 4. What are the conditions that promote entrepreneurship? 5. What are the hindering factors to entrepreneurship? 1. Obasan 2, K. A. (2005) Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice. Ijebu-Ode: Gratia Associates International. ISBN: Obasan 2, K.A. (2001) Small Business Management: An Entrepreneurial Approach. Lagos: Higher Education Book Publishers. ISBN: Week 15: Revision

15 All topics treated will be revised. Questions will be entertained on all topics taken from the beginning of the course, and hopefully, clarifications would be made on ambiguous concepts and grey areas. 1. Discuss the concept of globalization as it affects business transaction and enterprise. 2. Why is an organization s environment so important? Identify and discuss each of the major dimensions of the general environment. 3. What is an organization s task environment? What are the major dimensions of that environment? 4. What is an organization s internal environment? Identify and discuss each of the dimensions of this environment 5. What are the management implications of an organization s internal and external environments to the survival of the business organization? 6. Outline the several environment of your university. Be detailed about the dimensions and provide specific examples to illustrate how each dimension affects your institution. Further Readings 1. Ball 1, D. A., McCulloch, W. H., Geringer, J. M., Minor, M. S. and McNett, J. M. (2008). International Business: The Challenges of Global Competition. New York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: Ojo 1, A.T (ed) (2004). Small and Medium Enterprises Development: Effective Implementation Strategies. Lagos: Maryland Finance Company. ISBN: Hill 1, W. C (2001). Global Business Today (2nd ed). New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN: Snell 1, B. (1999). Management: Building Competitive Advantage (4th ed). New York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN: Thompson 1, A. A. and Strickland, A. J (2001). Strategic Management: Concept and Cases. (12 th ed) York: Mc Graw- Hill. ISBN:

16 Legend: 1 University Library 2 Bookshops 3 The Internet 4 Personal Collections 5 Departmental Library