London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Modules

107
Introduction to business and management

The syllabus consists of four sections, each one dealing with several major topics. It is important to recognise the interrelationships between these themes and students should be identifying links, making comparisons, and considering the implications of the different issues throughout the course.

Section 1: Development of Business and Management
Concepts, definitions and origin
- introduction to key concepts; development of organisational theory and management thought.

Section 2:Decision Making
The management role
- decision making as central to main activities of planning, leading, motivating, controlling
Theoretical approaches to strategic decision making and organisational change
- game theory; rational choice; strategic management; change management; resistance
Managing the main functional areas
- human resource management; production; marketing; finance; communication systems.

Section 3: Business and Its Environment
Approaches to understanding the business organisation
- perspectives of sociology; psychology; economics; management; the stakeholder model
Key internal elements of the firm
- size; type; structure; ownership; technology; strategy; culture
Key external elements of the business environment
- industry; location; and political, economic, social, technological and cultural spheres
The diverse and dynamic nature of the business context
- small business management; international business; cultural diversity; globalisation; MNCs.

Section 4: Contemporary Issues in Business and Management
Current trends in business development
- knowledge management; e-business; the learning organisation
The social responsibilities of business organisations
- business ethics; managerial integrity; social responsibility; corporate citizenship.