BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - HIGHER LEVEL

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - HIGHER LEVEL

Aims

• To enhance the student’s ability to make business decisions • To promote the importance of exploring business issues from different cultural perspectives • To encourage a holistic view of the world of business • To enable a student to understand the concepts of a global economy • To promote awareness of social, cultural and ethical factors in the actions of organisations • To appreciate the social and ethical responsibilities associated with businesses operating in international markets • To enable a student to appreciate the nature and significance of change • To enable a student to develop the capacity to think critically • To provide progression from school to higher education or employment in industry or commerce

Course description

The main goal of BM at Tanglin Trust School is to allow students to examine busines s decision making processes and understand how these impact on and are affected by internal and external environments. Students will develop an understanding of business theory and an ability to apply business principles, practices and skills. During the course students will explore a wide range of business organisations and activities, as well as the cultural and economic context in which businesses operate. BM will furnish students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the corporate world. In addition to the topics studied on the Standard level course, the Higher-level course also focuses on Business Strategy, allowing students to appreciate a more holistic and long term view of business organisations. In summary, students will explore strategic decision making and the main functions of the business:

• Marketing • Production • Human resource management • Finance

Requirements

Students should have a keen interest in the business world and have an ability to apply theoretical business concepts to real-life business scenarios. They should be enthusiastic and motivated to learn, and this should be demonstrated by their sustained awareness of the business world around them. As such, students should regularly follow the business news through print media or news websites such as the BBC. The internal assessment (a written report of 2000 words) requires both strong research and report writing skills.

Career Path

The Business Management course is excellent preparation for the world of work as no matter what career a student decides to follow, there will always be an element of business within it. Whether it be a career in medicine or law, architecture or horticulture, an understanding of how businesses operate will prove invaluable. In addition, the BM course helps students develop skills that are critical and easily transferable to the world of work. BM requires students to have an inquisitive mind and to have the ability to apply theory to real life business situations. Students are encouraged to have an astute awareness of the world around them and an understanding of how organisations and society interact. Through its exploration of the various business functions, BM proves to be excellent preparation for any career in the corporate world, such as in human resources, marketing, finance or operations.

Business Management Higher Level

5 TERM OVERVIEW

Core Content: Term 1 - Topic 1: Business Organisation and environment • 1.1 Introduction to Business • 1.2 Types of Organizations • 1.3 Organisational objectives • 1.4 Stakeholders • 1.5 External environment • 1.6 Growth & evolution • 1.7 Organisational Planning tools Management

Term 2 - Topic 2: Human Resources • 2.1 Functions & Evolution • 2.2 Organizational Structure • 2.3 Leadership and Management • 2.4 Motivation • 2.5 Organizational culture • 2.6 Industrial/employee relations

Term 3 - Topic 3: Accounts and Finance • 3.1 Sources of finance • 3.2 Costs & Revenues • 3.3 Break-even analysis • 3.4 Final accounts • 3.5 Profitability & ratio analysis • 3.6 Efficiency ratio analysis • Start internal assessment • 3.7 Cash Flow • 3.8 Investment Appraisal • 3.9 Budgets

Term 4 - Topic 5: Operations Management • 5.1 The role of operations management • 5.2 Production methods • 5.3 Lean production and quality planning • Complete internal assessment

• 5.5 Production planning management • 5.6 Research & Development • 5.7 Crisis Management & Contingency

Term 5 - Topic 4: Marketing • 4.1 The role of marketing • 4.2 Marketing planning • 4.3 Sales Forecasting • 4.4 Market Research • 4.5 The four ‘P’s • 4.6 The extended marketing mix of seven Ps • 4.7 International marketing • 4.8 e-commerce • Complete internal assessment

Option Topics: None

Internal Assessment:

20% on one 1800-word report on a particular business facing a decision or issue to resolve using a conceptual lenns

External Assessment:

80% Examination • Paper 1: Pre seen case study with four compulsory questions and one from two extended response questions (40%) • Paper 2: Four from six unseen case study questions (35%) • Paper 3: One compulsory question based on unseen stimulus material about a social enterprise

Comparison between this course and A-Level

Comparison with the AQA A-Level syllabus shows that both the IB and the A-Level cover the same major theoretical content. There are no optional units in either the IB or the A-Level. The A-Level does not contain any coursework assessment. Exam papers predominantly use unseen case studies, however there is one pre-released context at A level. At A level the examinations are synoptic. We have tended to find that results can be more unpredictable at A-Level but that there is often a wider range of marks than at IB where results have been more grouped around an average.

Contact for further information:

Mrs. Mhairi Aluthge-Donna: mhairi.aluthge-donna@tts.edu.sg