Business studies in action : preliminary course

Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
To the student
About the authors
How to use this book
About eBookPLUS
ICT activities
Acknowledgements
TOPIC 1: NATURE OF BUSINESS
	CHAPTER 1 Role of business
		1.1 Introduction
		1.2 The nature of a business
		1.3 Other functions of business
	CHAPTER 2 Types of businesses
		2.1 Introduction
		2.2 Classification by size
		2.3 Classification by geographical spread
		2.4 Classification by industry sector
		2.5 Classification by legal structure
		2.6 Types of companies
		2.7 Factors influencing choice of legal structure
	CHAPTER 3 Influences in the business environment
		3.1 Introduction
		3.2 Business environment
		3.3 External influences
		3.4 Internal influences on business
		3.5 Stakeholders
	CHAPTER 4 Business growth and decline
		4.1 Introduction
		4.2 Business life cycle — stages and responding to challenges
		4.3 Factors that can contribute to business decline
		4.4 Voluntary and involuntary cessation
		TOPIC 1 Suggested assessment tasks
TOPIC 2: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
	CHAPTER 5 Nature of management
		5.1 Introduction
		5.2 The features of effective management
		5.3 Skills of management
	CHAPTER 6 Achieving business goals
		6.1 Introduction: What are goals?
		6.2 Business goals
		6.3 Achieving a mix of business goals
		6.4 Staff involvement
	CHAPTER 7 Management approaches
		7.1 Introduction
		7.2 Classical approach to management
		7.3 Behavioural approach to management
		7.4 Contingency approach to management
		7.5 Comparing management approaches
	CHAPTER 8 Management process
		8.1 Introduction
		8.2 Different ways of coordinating key business functions and resources
		8.3 Operations
		8.4 Marketing
		8.5 Finance
		8.6 Human resources
		8.7 Ethical business behaviour
	CHAPTER 9 Management and change
		9.1 Introduction
		9.2 What is organisational change?
		9.3 Responding to internal and external influences
		9.4 Managing change effectively
		TOPIC 2 Suggested assessment tasks
TOPIC 3: BUSINESS PLANNING
	CHAPTER 10 Small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
		10.1 Introduction
		10.2 Definition of SMEs
		10.3 The role of SMEs
		10.4 Economic contribution of SMEs
		10.5 Success and/or failure of SMEs
	CHAPTER 11 Influences in establishing a small to medium enterprise
		11.1 Introduction
		11.2 Personal qualities
		11.3 Sources of information
		11.4 The business idea
		11.5 Establishment options
		11.6 Market considerations
		11.7 Finance
		11.8 Legal considerations and influence of government on SMEs
		11.9 Human resources
		11.10 Taxation
	CHAPTER 12 The business planning process
		12.1 Introduction
		12.2 Business planning process
		12.3 Sources of planning ideas
		12.4 Vision, goals and/or objectives
		12.5 Organising resources
		12.6 Forecasting
		12.7 Monitoring and evaluating
		12.8 Taking corrective action — modification
	CHAPTER 13 Critical issues in business success and failure
		13.1 Introduction
		13.2 Importance of a business plan
		13.3 Management — staffing and teams
		13.4 Trend analysis
		13.5 Identifying and sustaining competitive advantage
		13.6 Avoiding overextension of financing and other resources
		13.7 Using technology
		13.8 Economic conditions
		TOPIC 3 Suggested assessment tasks
ICT activities
Appendix
Glossary
Index