B120An Introduction to Business StudiesDay School 3

Tutor: Phillippa Seaward

Agenda

• Introduction• TMA’s 3 & 4 Experiences & Feedback• Harvard Referencing• Book 5: Faces of Power & Influences on

Business

• Activity: Preparation for the ECA• Questions & Close

Learning Objectives

• To review progress so far in B120• To introduce Book 5 and understand the different

‘Dimensions (or Faces) of Power’ and Influences on Business

• Offer practical advice for the ECA

Experiences? - TMA03 & TMA04

Feedback

Feedback on TMA03 & 04

• Word count– Always use all the word count but don’t exceed by more than

10%• Read the question

– Ensure that you have answered all parts of the question• Answer the Question

– Ask someone else to check your understanding of the question

Use of course material– Demonstrate you have read, understood and can apply course

concepts

Feedback on TMA 03 & 04

• Allocating time / words– Look at the weighting of the marks and what you are asked to do

• Use diagrams– With a picture or table you can apply a course concept with very few words

• Choose Your Subject– Choose a subject that offers obvious links to course material– There were no marks for the strength of feeling about the activity

• Referencing– When you use a course concept reference it in the text (

Harvard referencing)

Dimensions of Power

Dimensions of Power

What are the 3 Dimensions or ‘faces’ of Power ?

• The Interpersonal Dimension• The Organisational-structural-cultural Dimension• The Societal-structural-cultural Dimension

• (Watson, 2001, pp 322-3) quoted inBook 5 pp 42-4

Activity: Dimensions of Power

• The Interpersonal Dimension– Person A has power over person B and therefore person A

is able to get person B to do something they would not otherwise do

– Dahl (1957)

– Examples?

Activity: Dimensions of Power

• The Organisational-structural-cultural Dimension– The pattern of relationships and cultural norms that make it

normal and reasonable for those higher in the organisation to get those lower in the organisation to do what they would not otherwise do

– Examples?

Activity: Dimensions of Power

• The Societal-structural-cultural Dimension– Certain groups or sectors of society have the material

capacity to exert pressure on others (because they have wealth, access to policy arenas, membership of particular networks or institutions etc) and that a legitimacy is given to practices whereby certain people can get others to do what they would not otherwise do

– Examples?

Activity: Dimensions of Power

Case Study: BEC Engineering

• In your groups consider…– Which of the faces of power can you identify in the article and

how do they manifest themselves? Give examples to illustrate your answer.

• Be prepared to share your findings with the class

Take 15-20 minutes to discuss your ideas

Influences On Business • Globalisation• Technology• Networks

• Sessions 2,3,4 and 5 in book 5

Globalisation power– what’s this about?

• changes in the pattern of global business and the political, social and economic environment that supports or hinders it

• example?

Technology power – what’s this about?

• the use of internet, email and other communication technologies, mobile tracking technologies, robotics and automation, electronic point of sale information, and other consumer information

• example?

Networking power – what’s this?

• the use of other organisational and individual service providers to contribute to the businesses core activities

• example?

Group Activity

• Which of these three trends highlighted in Book 5 do you think will, and which of them will not influence BEC Engineering in the future and why?

• refer to information from the case study

• 15 mins

• Be prepared to feedback to the group

SWOT analysis

• Book 1 section 2.4 & essential reading 2

• What’s a SWOT analysis?• Have a look at these… • Don’t forget the paragraph at the end of the SWOT analysis

Business Cultures Book 1 Session 4

• In a small group

• Look at Drennans (1992) list on page 47, • What factors seem to be influencing the organisation culture in the

case study• Which of these seem to be most important, and why?

• Be ready to feedback to the class

Preparation for The ECA

Preparation for the ECA

• Read the question– Read the questions before reading the case?– Choose either question 2, 3 or 4. Don’t answer every question!– Answer questions 1 and 5 fully

• Answer the Question– Most people who fail do so because they have not answered the question– Ask someone else to check your understanding of the question

• Use the course material– Demonstrate that you have read, understood and can apply course concepts– Mind-map what course concepts you use for each question?– Search the pdf course books for terms you have used to find the reference

Preparation for the ECA

• Allocating time / words logically– Look at the weighting of the marks and what you are asked to do– Always use all the word count but don’t exceed by more than 10%

• Use diagrams– With a table you can apply a course concept with very few words– With a picture or you can explained a course concept with very few words

• Referencing– When you use a course concept reference it in the text (Harvard referencing)

Preparation for the ECA

• Look out for the words in the question and guidelines– Words such as 'describe', 'discuss' and 'explain' mean more is required

than just stating an area of theory.

– You need to demonstrate you have understood and can apply the area of theory by explaining the main aspects, and typically referring to an example from the case study

– Without explaining and applying course material you are simply “Name Dropping” and this does not attract many marks

– You should therefore state the area of theory, describe it, reference it, and link it to the appropriate section of the case study.

Preparation for the ECA

Tips for Reading Case Studies• Read the case through quickly once to get a feel for the situation• Understand what it is you are required to do

– Check the question and any instructions or guidance notes

• Re-read the case, make notes, ask yourself, ‘what seems to be going on here that may be relevant?

• Start organising your thoughts / notes using concepts from the course to help you expand upon and support your diagnosis

• Justify why your argument is the best– what other perspectives might there be, why are these limited?

Activity: Google Behind The Screen

Now…

• Identify examples of a particular Dimension (or Face) of Power• Discuss your findings from the video• What can be done about the example in the film ?

Take 10 minutes to discuss your ideas

Important Dates

• ECA – 11 October 2010 -12 noon

There can be no extensions

Questions