BSD108 Business Environments


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: College Summer 2023, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:BSD108
Credit points:12
Equivalent:BSB108
Coordinator:Javier Rojas | j.rojas@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 communication supported by both data and evidence from high quality published research. [KS1.2, PC 3.1, PC 3.2]

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 (Diploma)

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 theoretical and technical knowledge across the broad field of business.

1.2 Apply technical and technological skills to real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business problems, situations and requirements through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theoretical and practical knowledge and information.
2.2 Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to develop and evaluate approaches and perform business operations that effectively respond to a diverse range of real world business problems and needs.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Apply professional communication and academic literacy knowledge and skills to communicate effectively in written forms appropriate for diverse business and academic literacy purposes and contexts.
3.2 Apply professional communication and academic literacy knowledge and skills to communicate effectively in oral forms appropriate for diverse business and academic literacy purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise initiative and judgement and personal responsibility to enhance organization and performance of own work and demonstrate self reflection in relation to own learning and practice.
4.2 Exercise initiative and judgement in planning, organizing and evaluating teamwork.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Apply knowledge of ethical and legal responsibility perspectives in analyzing and addressing business issues.

5.2 Apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues across 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 range of resources 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.

Workshops and tutorials will provide a learning environment to further develop your understanding through engaging in activities ranging from class discussions, debates, and group work with your peers.

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

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

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

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, individual 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: Business Environment Infographic

You will design an infographic that represents the current Australian business environment supported by data to inform a key business sector or industry stakeholder group.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

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

Weight: 20
Length: A4 page back and front
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Business Environment Presentation

You will develop and narrate a PowerPoint presentation which provides a critical analysis of the current drivers of social and technological change in the Australian business environment, supported by data to inform a key business sector or industry stakeholder.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.1), PC (3.2), SE (5.1) 

Weight: 30
Length: 10 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Business environment report

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. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

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

Weight: 50
Length: 2,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
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 Blackboard 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 (Diploma)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Business Environment Infographic, Business environment report

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Business environment report

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO3

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO1, Business Environment Infographic

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO2, Business Environment Infographic, Business environment report

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: Business Environment Infographic, Business environment report

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Business environment report

Course Learning Outcomes

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

BS40 Diploma in Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply foundational theoretical and technical knowledge across the broad field of business.
    Relates to: ULO3
  2. Apply knowledge of social responsibility perspectives in analysing and addressing business issues.
    Relates to: ULO4, Business environment report
  3. Use technical and technological skills to understand real world business operations.
    Relates to: ULO1, Business Environment Infographic
  4. Investigate real world business problems and situations through the effective analysis and evaluation of foundational theoretical and practical knowledge.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Business Environment Infographic, Business environment report
  5. Apply independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills to address real world business problems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Business environment report
  6. Communicate effectively using academic language and literacy skills appropriate to purpose and context across a range of written genres.
    Relates to: ULO2, Business Environment Infographic, Business environment report
  7. Apply knowledge of ethical and legal perspectives in analysing and addressing business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2, Business Environment Infographic, Business environment report

ES21 Diploma in Esports

  1. Demonstrate foundational interdisciplinary knowledge relating to esports.
    Relates to: Business Environment Infographic
  2. Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills.
    Relates to: ULO4, Business Environment Infographic, Business Environment Presentation, Business environment report
  3. Communicate effectively in an academic and professional manner through written and oral genres integrating digital tools.
    Relates to: ULO5, Business Environment Presentation, Business environment report
  4. Apply knowledge of ethical and social practices in analysing and addressing real world problems and issues.
    Relates to: ULO3, Business Environment Presentation, Business environment report