CE3CBM-Business Organisation and Management

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Colm Lundrigan
Email: c.p.lundrigan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This intensive course of study provides students with an understanding and appreciation of business principles and methods, as required in the construction industry. Included within the course is a case study company seeking strategic choices which will form the basis of the learning experience.

Aims:
To provide the student with sufficient knowledge to understand and evaluate a business in terms of its goals, business plans, options, marketing strategy, responsible business practice and overall organisation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completing the module students should be able to evaluate a business in terms of its:Ìý

• Company ethos and leadership.


• Business plans, taking account of stakeholders and capabilities.


• Marketing strategy.


• Sustainable business initiatives.


• Organisation structure and culture.

Additional outcomes:
􀀕 Students will enhance their team working, time-management and presentation skills and gain confidence in using computer analysis.

􀀕 They will develop their understanding of business and the relationship between different functions of business, compare strategic opportunities, decision making, implementation and the resulting outcomes.

Outline content:

• Introduction to business and structure of the construction industry.


• Organisational theory and practice.


• Management of change, innovation.Ìý


• Business strategy process and theory.


• Effective marketing plans and processes.


• Case Study Workshops – in-class interactive workshops to understand the practical realities of the course content, culminating in the student’s solving a series of real world business problems.

Global context:
The international context is addressed in both the taught element and the company case study

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, participative workshops and private study.