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OBS 114 0
Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
Table of Contents
Organisational Component
2 CONTACT INFORMATION....................................................................................................2
3 STUDY MATERIAL................................................................................................................3
5 ASSESSMENT.......................................................................................................................5
6 GENERAL..............................................................................................................................9
Study Component
1 MODULE SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................11
4 LEARNING OUTCOMES...................................................................................................16
OBS 114 1
Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
ORGANISATIONAL COMPONENT
1. GENERAL PREMISE AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
2. CONTACT INFORMATION
2.2 Helpdesk
To assist students with subject-related enquiries, the department of business management has
since 2005, established a “helpdesk”, situated in the E&M Building. The helpdesk has proven a
valuable service especially for purposes of enquiries about assessment marks, appointments
with lecturers and other associated matters. The helpdesk details are as follows:
Helpdesk Building & Office number Telephone E-mail address Office hours
number
Mrs. T. Morris E&M Building, Room 3.27 (012) 420 6255 obs@up.ac.za Monday to Friday
08:30 – 15:30
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
2.3 Lecturers’ Consulting hours
Respective lecturers will announce consulting hours individually during the first lecture. It is
advised that students exploit these times to engage lecturers in discussions pertaining to
whatever subject-related problems they might have.
Appointments with lecturers must however be made via the helpdesk staff or alternatively
through the departmental secretary, Mrs Terblanche (E&M building 3.45, Tel no 420 2411). The
subject coordinator may only be contacted in cases where the student’s lecturer has not
satisfactorily resolved student queries. Appointments must be made with the subject coordinator,
Mrs MN Moos, prior to consultation via e-mail.
3. STUDY MATERIAL
Prescribed book
Nieman, GH. & Bennett, A. (2006). Business Management : A value chain approach
(2nd edition). Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.
Note: The previous edition will not suffice because new chapters have been added in the
second edition.
Groenkloof Campus
Main Campus
During the orientation week, students were placed in one of eleven lecture groups based upon a
convenient criterion decided upon by the department. The large number of students registered for
OBS 114 in the main campus necessitates this. Students should attend classes for only the lecture
groups in which they are placed and NOT change to another group without the consent of the
subject coordinator.
Lectures will be offered either in English or Afrikaans at the main campus on the basis of lecture
groups. The lecture groups as well as associated times and venues are shown in the table on the
next page. Should certain circumstances dictate an alternative placement for a student, the consent
of the subject head must be obtained.
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
OBS 114 LECTURE TIMES AND VENUES
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
5. ASSESSMENT
Student’s performance in this course would be determined by the final mark (FM) obtained. A
student’s final mark is computed from the semester mark (SM) and the examination mark (EM)
both of which carry equal weights (50% each). To be deemed to have passed the subject, a
student must have obtained a minimum FM of 50% subject to the condition that a minimum 40%
mark had been obtained in the examination. The semester mark (SM) is computed from Test
and Quiz scores obtained in the subject during the course of the semester. The method of
computation of SM and FM for OBS 114 students would be posted on ClickUP in the course of
the semester.
NOTE:
• In order to qualify to write the exam, a student must have obtained a minimum
semester mark (SM) of 40%
• In order to pass this course, the student must obtain a minimum exam mark of 40%.
To emphasise the importance of this requirement, a student who may have a 70%
SM but scores 30% during the exam would have failed the course even though
his/her FM will be 50%. The reason for this is that the student has failed to meet the
minimum exam mark requirement given that his/her EM is lower than 40%.
• To qualify for a re-exam (supplementary), a student needs to have obtained a final
mark in the 40 – 49% range. Students with lower marks would have to re-register for
the course in the subsequent year.
5.2 Assessments
Due to the large number of students in their first year, the department is forced to make use of
assessment mainly through a combination of multiple-choice questions and short-essay type
questions. While the structure for tests and examinations would be similar, the durations for tests
and examinations would be 1hour and 2hours respectively. Duration for quizzes and/or exercises
will be communicated to students via ClickUP.
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
5.2.3 Sick test
The sick test would only be for students who may have missed earlier tests (for instance, due to
doctor-certified health reasons) but have obtained permission from the department of business
management to write the sick test. Students must complete a sick permit collected at the
helpdesk and bring it with them on the day the sick test will be written.
5.2.4 Examination
Students are advised to consult the official examination timetable for examination dates and
venues. Students should note that some exam dates may change with time and so must retain
the responsibility to continuously check the notice boards between the Old Club Hall and the
Academic Information Service (Library) to note any changes in dates and times.
Supplementary examinations are not granted automatically, but the final results obtained are
considered individually to determine whether a supplementary examination should be granted.
Generally, though, only students that have obtained a final mark within the 40% - 49% range for
OBS 114 are granted the opportunity for a re-examination.
It is the policy of the Department of Business Management not to make any previous
examination or test papers available to students. We believe that students that study only
questions will not gain the required insight into the prescribed literature. The desired
approach should be for students to study the prescribed literature and then see how they
can account for their knowledge when questions are put to them during the
test/examination session.
5.3.2 Tests
In cases where poor health or work-related circumstances prevent a student from writing the test,
he/she will have to submit a medical certificate or employer’s declaration to the HELPDESK of the
Department of Business Management within THREE working days of the test in question. Your
name, student registration number and the subject code must be clearly indicated on the document
that you hand in.
Often students will go to the doctor after they have recovered and compel the doctor to then write a
sick note saying: “I was informed that the patient was sick”. According to the Health Professions
Council of South Africa, the validity of such a medical certificate is questionable and so, can be
refused. On this premise therefore, the Department of Business Management has decided that
such medical certificates will NOT be accepted. Furthermore, no affidavit or declarations in respect
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
of any other reasons for absence will be accepted. For instance, the fact that some other tests
have to be written on that same day will not be seen as a valid excuse.
Students may only miss one semester test, since this concession will only be made once. Tests,
however, cannot be re-written to improve poor marks obtained from a previous attempt.
5.3.3 Examinations
The Faculty Administration deals with matters related to absence from scheduled examinations.
Applications in respect of this should therefore be directed to faculty administration.
These assessment-related instructions have been provided here because experience has shown
that students often fail to read through these regulations during the test/exam time even though
they appear on the examination papers / answer scripts.
• No candidate may enter the test/examination hall later than half an hour after the test /
examination session has commenced and no candidate may leave the test/examination hall
earlier than half an hour after the test/examination session has commenced.
• Candidates are obliged to immediately execute all instructions given by an invigilator.
• Candidates may not take into the test/examination hall or have in their possession any
unauthorised apparatus, books, notes or paper of whatever nature or size.
• Once the invigilator has announced that the test/examination has commenced, all conversation
or any other form of communication between candidates must cease. During the course of the
test/examination, there must not be communication of any nature between candidates.
• No candidates may assist or attempt to assist another candidate, or obtain assistance or
attempt to obtain assistance from another candidate with regard to any form of information.
• Candidates shall not act dishonestly in any respect.
• Writing on any paper other than that supplied for test/examination purposes is strictly
prohibited. Candidates may also not write on the blotting paper or the examination paper
except if, in the case of the latter, they are required to fill answers or to respond to multiple-
choice questions therein.
• Rough work should be done in the test/examination answer book and then crossed out. Pages
may not be removed from the answer book.
• Smoking is not permitted in the test/examination hall and candidates may not leave the
test/examination hall during the test/examination in order to smoke outside.
• Only in exceptional circumstances will a candidate be given permission to leave the
test/examination hall temporarily, and this must be done, only under the supervision of an
invigilator.
• Candidates may not remove used or unused answer books or blotting paper form the
test/examination hall.
• When the invigilator announces that the time for the test/exam has expired, candidates must
stop writing immediately.
PLEASE NOTE:
Candidates are seriously warned to desist from contravening any of these instructions.
If found guilty, a candidate could forfeit all credits for a whole year and may also be
suspended from the University (and consequently from all South African Universities)
for a period that could range from one year to permanent suspension.
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
5.5.1 Quizzes / Exercises
If necessary, venues for common writing of quizzes and/or exercises would be announced on
ClickUP. In the event of no venue announcement being made, students are advised to complete
all quizzes/exercises ONLY in any of the university’s LANS.
5.5.2 Tests
• Main campus - Venues will be announced one week prior to the test. The information will
also be made available on Click-up and at the departmental office notice board (EMB, Dept
of Bus. Mgt Foyer). Placement of students in test venues is usually done according to
students’ surnames and must be adhered to since venues have fixed seating capacity and
test papers are supplied according to the number of students expected. Students that
ignore this provision will have 4% subtracted from scores obtained by them for that
particular test.
• Groenkloof campus - Venue allocation would follow a similar procedure, as that outlined for
the man campus, above. Consequently, the penalty for writing a test in the wrong venue
would also be applicable.
5.5.3 Examinations
University Administration determines the venues for examinations. Information about groups and
the venues will be displayed on the notice boards between the Old Club Hall and the Academic
Information Service (Library) at the appropriate time.
Supplementary examinations for the first semester usually take place in the month of June.
Students are however advised to consult ClickUP for more specific information. Timetables will also
be available on the Internet: http://www.up.ac.za, “student online”.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Perusal is a 5-minute inspection event that provides an opportunity for students that
doubt the test results to compare their answers with the marking memorandum. In the
case of any errors with student marks, lecturers would adjust these. It is important to
note that such perusals present the only opportunity for change of marks, as test marks
would not be re-visited thereafter.
Results for first year students would be published on selected notice boards at the different
campuses. Students may contact the HELPDESK for specific information in this regard. However,
the results for second and third year, as well as postgraduate students will only be available on the
MTN line (telephone 083 123 111) and Internet at http://www.up.ac.za, “student online”. Results will
be mailed to individual candidates after the examination period.
LECTURERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WILL NOT GIVE CANDIDATES RESULTS OF
ASSESSMENTS PERSONALLY OR BY TELEPHONE.
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
6. GENERAL
The University of Pretoria is keen to accommodate students’ special needs. These needs are
catered for without compromising academic standards. It is however the student’s responsibility to
inform his/her lecturer in good time of any special needs in order to ensure that this is catered for
during quizzes, tests or examinations.
VERY IMPORTANT:
ClickUp is used among others for providing students with lecture presentation slides and
quizzes, publishing test marks, making important announcements etc. Since all students
have access to ClickUP, no excuses will be acceptable if a student claims to be ignorant
about matters that are published on ClickUP. Students are therefore encouraged to visit
ClickUP regularly.
It is expected that the class would elect a Class Representative by the second meeting of the
group but not later than the end of February (for the first semester). This person will act as the
spokesperson of the group and as liaison between the lecturers and students. The person’s
name and contact numbers must be given to the Course Coordinator/Responsible lecturer as
well as the Head of Department.
The following procedural steps must be followed, in the event of any student-related problem as
it concerns OBS 114:
This basic procedure that is outlined below, calls for candidates to exhaust each step before
proceeding to the next level with a problem. Do not take short cuts or eliminate a person or
step in seeking a solution.
If a student has a module-related problem he/she must discuss it with the Class Representative.
The Class Representative must determine whether it is a general or an individual problem, and
discuss it firstly with the particular lecturer offering the module without reference to the person
from whom the problem emanated.
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, he/she and the Class representative must then
take up the matter with the Course Coordinator/Subject head/Lecturer. If the Course
Coordinator/Subject head/Lecturer cannot solve the problem, it must be taken up with the
relevant Head of Department.
Step 3: Discuss with Head of Department/Chairperson of School
A student, who is dissatisfied with the outcomes of steps 1 and 2, may then contact the Head of
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
Department, or the Chairperson of the School. If the Head of Department or Chairperson of the
School can not solve the problem, it should be taken up with the Head: Student Administration.
In the event of the problem not being solved after the discussion with the Head of Department /
Chairperson of the School, the student concerned may refer the matter to Student
Administration. Steps 5 to 6 will be the sequence of actions if the complaint has not been solved
by this stage.
1. It is important that candidates take note of the procedures set out in the study guide or by
lecturers in class or other subject-related notices.
2. Candidates must read the “Manual on Discipline and Disciplinary Measures (Candidates)”
at: http://www.up.ac.za/services/registrar/intranet/reg0065
3. It is important that you study the General Rules and Regulations pertaining to your
course/ degree as many problems are the result of candidates not being aware of these
requirements.
Class Representative: Person appointed by the class of a certain module/s to coordinate information,
feedback and to represent the class
Chairperson of School: The Chairs of the four following Schools in the Faculty: Economic Sciences;
Management Sciences; Financial Sciences, and Public Management and Administration
Dean of students: The Dean that oversees all student affairs at the University
Principal: The person in Top Management of the University responsible for the Faculty of Economic and
Management Sciences
STUDY COMPONENT
1. MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
1.1 Purpose statement
This module will help students gain understanding of the general dynamics of business
organisations and equip the student with knowledge of important issues that must be considered
in the quest for business and management success.
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
2. PROPOSED LECTURE SCHEDULE
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
3. STUDY THEMES AND UNITS
3.1 STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT VIA THE VALUE CHAIN
APPROACH (see learning outcomes on page 3 of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 1 Introduction Read and study the
Functional areas of Business Management chapter
The role of needs in the Business Cycle • Attempt the discussion
The Free Market System questions
Need satisfaction institutions in the free market • Attempt case studies
system and do the experiential
The organisation as a system with value-adding exercises
elements
Adding competitive value
Sections Preparation
Chapter 2 Introduction Read and study the
The environment of the organisation in perspective chapter
International environment • Attempt the discussion
Macro environment questions
Market environment • Attempt case studies
Micro-environment and do the experiential
Environmental analysis and scenario development exercises
3.3. STUDY UNIT 3: GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP (see learning outcomes on
page 85 of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 5 Introduction Read and study the
Management skills and roles chapter
Management levels • Attempt the discussion
Planning and strategy questions
Organising • Attempt case studies
Leadership and do the experiential
Control exercises
Managerial decision-making
Managing and competitive advantage
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
3.4. STUDY UNIT 4: PURCHASING AND INBOUND LOGISTICS (see learning outcomes on page
117 of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 6 Introduction Read and study the
Purchasing chapter
Transportation • Attempt the discussion
Warehousing questions
Inventory management • Attempt case studies
and do the experiential
exercises
Sections Preparation
Chapter 7 Introduction Read and study the
Tasks of production and operations management chapter
Layout of operations • Attempt the discussion
Quality control questions
Production and operations management aids • Attempt case studies
Outbound logistics and do the experiential
Research and development exercises
3.6. STUDY UNIT 6: MARKETING MANAGEMENT (see learning outcomes on page 158 of
textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 8 Introduction Read and study the
The marketing concept chapter
Market orientations • Attempt the discussion
Marketing management defined questions
The role of marketing • Attempt case studies
Marketing strategy and do the experiential
Customer service exercises
Sections Preparation
Chapter 9 Introduction Read and study the
Interrelationship of financial management within the chapter
PLEASE organisation • Attempt the discussion
NOTE: Budget planning and control questions
Sections Financial measurement and reporting • Attempt case studies
9.1 – 9.4, Management of working capital and do the experiential
9.6 – 9.7 Financial performance measurement and analysis exercises
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
3.8. STUDY UNIT 8: HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (see learning outcomes on page 243
of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 11 Introduction Read and study the
The task and scope of human resources management chapter
(HRM) • Attempt the discussion
Human resources provision questions
Human resources retention • Attempt case studies
Governance affecting HRM and do the experiential
exercises
3.9. STUDY UNIT 9: COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT (see learning outcomes on page 266 of
textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 12 Introduction Read and study the
What is communication? chapter
Internal communication • Attempt the discussion
Communication with the external environment questions
Barriers to effective communication • Attempt case studies
Overcoming communication barriers and do the experiential
exercises
3.10. STUDY UNIT 10: INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND E-BUSINESS (see learning
outcomes on page 285 of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 13 Introduction Read and study the
Information as a resource chapter
Information and the IT-function • Attempt the discussion
Electronic business questions
Protecting information on the internet • Attempt case studies
and do the experiential
exercises
3.11. STUDY UNIT 11: MANAGING DIVERSITY (see learning outcomes on page 303 of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 14 Introduction Read and study the
Nature of diversity chapter
Problems, challenges and benefits of diversity in the • Attempt the discussion
workplace questions
Reasons for increasing diversity in the work place • Attempt case studies
Concepts that impact on employment practices and and do the experiential
diversity exercises
Managing diversity
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria
3.12. STUDY UNIT 12: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (see learning outcomes on page 377
of textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 18 Introduction Read and study the
Environmental responsibility chapter
The ecological environment and the potential for • Attempt the discussion
damage questions
Managing the environment • Attempt case studies
South African legislation on the environment and do the experiential
International standards exercises
Adapting a different paradigm
3.13. STUDY UNIT 13: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (see learning outcomes on page 404 of
textbook)
Sections Preparation
Chapter 19 Introduction Read and study the chapter
Corporate governance and principles involved • Attempt the discussion
The necessity for good corporate governance questions
Corporate governance in the King II report • Attempt case studies and do
the experiential exercises
4. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Every topic discussed in class has study objectives. These objectives are achieved when the
student has mastered the unit. Understanding of the unit is often tested by the use of
concepts like define, explain, distinguish, describe etc. These measures / objectives should
be seen as the minimum (and not the maximum) knowledge required for the specific study
unit. To assist the student to prepare properly, the meaning of some of these knowledge-
testing concepts are outlined in the table on the next page.
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© 2010 University of Pretoria
5. SELF-STUDY ACTIVITIES
It is the responsibility of each student to attempt the case studies and discussion questions at the
back of each chapter in the textbook. Also, following the completion of each study unit, students
are advised to attempt the exercises per chapter, bearing in mind, the knowledge-test concepts in
the table above.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism refers to the appropriation of the work or ideas of others. Plagiarism is both
unethical and illegal and may be regarded as a criminal offence in terms of the Copyright Act
98 of 1978. The University of Pretoria places a high premium on its academic standards and
subscribes to a value system that requires strong action against plagiarism. Being regarded
as a serious contravention of the University's rules, plagiarism can lead to expulsion from the
University. For more information, see http://upetd.up.ac.za/authors/create/plagiarism.htm.
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
© 2010 University of Pretoria