LSBM103 Business Environment | Marks and Spencer

Learning Outcomes

• Examine and evaluate the macro- and micro-environmental influences that affect business organisations today.
• Analyse upon theory on how the forces in the macro environment shape business performance.
• Discuss and analyse strategic tools in the analysis of the internal business environment.
• Communicate central ideas effectively.
• Self-reflection and self-management.

Task

 The task is divided into 2 components: Reflective Quizzes (to be completed over 3 weeks, i.e. wk9 – wk11) and a 2,000-word essay.

Part A: Reflective Quizzes.

• The quizzes will analyse your understanding on the macro- and micro-environmental influences that affect business organizations today and will help you reflect on the theory of how forces in the macro environment shape business performance.
• You will only be able to access each quiz once and you will need to respond to all questions within 90 minutes.
• Log into Canvas and go to the Assessment area in Business Environment site to access the quizzes.
• Each quiz may contain a combination of multiple choice and open-ended questions which will cover the topics discussed in class in earlier weeks of the term.
• Reflective Quizzes component is worth 30% of the overall grade for AS2.

 The details of the quizzes are presented below:

Quiz	Title	Details
1	Analysing Macro factors and Firm structure	7 questions from PESTEL Model, Firm’s legal structures & Circular flow of economy
2	Highlight on and Micro Factors and Porter’s 5 Forces	10 questions for reflection on usage of Porter’s 5 Forces Model and Market Mechanisms

Part B: Essay

Write a 2,000-words essay titled ‘Reflective analysis of the internal business environment’.

• Determine the Value Chain Model proposed by Porter (1985).
• Select and describe a business familiar to you which operates in the UK.
• Apply the Value Chain model to examine the internal environment of your chosen business. Focus on only the relevant primary and/or supporting activities for the chosen business.
• Highlight on the usefulness of the Value Chain Model in helping you understand the internal business environment of Marks & Spencer.

Structure

The essay should be completed using the following structure (additional guidance in brackets):

• Cover page
• Introduction (i.e. aims of the essay and a brief overview content; approx. 100 words)
• Value Chain Model (i.e. response to Task 1; approx. 400 words)
• Company (i.e. response to Task 2; the heading should be the name of the company that you will be describing here; approx. 300 words)
• Internal environment (i.e. response to Task 3; you may add subsections here; approx. 600 words)
• Reflection on Value Chain Model (i.e. response to Task 4; approx. 500 words)
• Conclusion (approx. 100 words)
• References