BSB108 Business Environment


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:BSB108
Credit points:12
Equivalent:BSD108
Coordinator:Louisa Coglan | l.coglan@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In this introductory business unit, you will examine the features that define and shape the national, international and global environments in which businesses operate. You will gain an understanding of the roles of key economic, political and legal institutions and regulatory frameworks and how they impact businesses, and apply critical thinking skills and evidence-based approaches to solve real-world business problems. This unit also introduces you to professional skills in analysing and presenting data to inform business decisions. Along with the rest of the introductory business core, this unit forms the foundation for further study across the breadth of business disciplines, introducing you to business capabilities to prepare you for the future world of work and ignite your career.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Understand the external macro influences (national and international) on the business environment through analysis of political, legal and financial institutions and economic, social and technological conditions [KS 1.2, HO 2.1, SE 5.1]
  2. Analyse and evaluate national and global policy and regulatory frameworks in shaping the business environment [KS 1.2, HO 2.1, SE 5.1, SE 5.2]
  3. Identify and assess the impact of ethical, sustainability and geopolitical issues that impact the business environment [SE 5.1, SE 5.2]
  4. Interpret, analyse and present data on key macro external indicators from published databases [KS 1.2]
  5. Develop capabilities in professional writing supported by both data and evidence from high quality published research [KS 1.2, PC 3.1]

Content

This unit will introduce you to foundational knowledge and skills in analysing national and international environments in which businesses operate along with concepts, frameworks and theories describing how these environments affect business. You will also be introduced to tools to identify, describe, draw inferences from and present key business data and decisions.

 

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgment and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

In this unit, your learning will be supported through a structured program that puts you at the centre. You will have access to a repository of QUT experts and industry partner commentaries (including videos and readings) as appropriate, that introduce you to the foundational concepts, frameworks and theories and explain how they are used to provide an understanding of and insights into the business environment.

Tutorials facilitated by QUT experts will provide you a learning environment to further develop your understanding through engaging in activities ranging from class discussions, debates, role plays and group work with your peers.

Students will be supported through on-line environments to facilitate ongoing peer to peer engagement throughout the teaching period.

You will be expected to attend and contribute regularly to tutorials, and work through content and self-directed formative learning activities presented on the unit Canvas site before and after class to supplement your learning.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

The assessment tasks in this unit provide you with opportunities to practise and develop applying higher order thinking skills in real-world business contexts, and analysing the features that define and shape national, international and global environments in which businesses operate.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Insight report: National business environment

Critically analyse the current Australian business environment supported by data to inform a key business sector or industry stakeholder group, and present your findings in a business report. 

Formative or Summative: Formative and summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Length: 2,500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment

Perform a critical analysis of the regulatory and international or global business environment supported by data, to inform a key business sector or industry stakeholder group. Present your findings in the form of a business report.

Formative or Summative: Formative and summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals):  KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.1), SE (5.2)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Length: 2,500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Weekly resources will be made available on the unit Canvas site.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Insight report: National business environment, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Insight report: National business environment

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO5, Insight report: National business environment, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Insight report: National business environment

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Insight report: National business environment
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Insight report: National business environment, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5, Insight report: National business environment, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Insight report: National business environment

BS06 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Insight report: National business environment
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Insight report: National business environment, Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  5. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5, Insight report: National business environment
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Insight report: Regulatory and International business environment
  7. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Insight report: National business environment