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AERD20030

Academic Year 2024/2025

Business Management (AERD20030)

Subject:
Agribus Extension & Rural Dev
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr James Breen
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module will examine the process of management and decision-making in companies/organizations. The module begins with an introduction to management theory and the role of the manager in terms of planning, directing, organizing and controlling. The module then examines the four key management functions of human resources management, operations and supply chain management, marketing management and financial management. The importance of human resources management within the firm will be considered. The processes involved in Operations and Supply Chain Management will be discussed. The role of marketing, focussing on the stages involved in producing a written marketing plan from research through decision making in relation to market segmentation, positioning and marketing mix will be discussed. Financial accounting principles and concepts. Structure of financial accounting statements, measurement and analysis of financial performance and issues in asset management and sources of business funding.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
Describe the nature of management, corporate structures and management processes within an organization or firm and its role in achieving objectives.
Explain the role and activities involved in Human Resources Management.
Describe the factors involved in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Explain the role of marketing in business life and in society and describe, explain and apply the process of marketing management.
Outline the structure of the financial accounts of a business and describe and use the more important indicators of financial performance.
Describe business asset structures and the principles of business funding.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Agribusiness Management, the food chain, management role and activities, the role of the manager, proccess of management viz. planning, organising, directing and controlling; Irish agribusiness and food environment
Organisational management; organisational structures and configurations; Examples from Agribusiness, food and other sectors; delegation and decentralisation.
Production Planning and Management understanding the operations process, how unique characteristics of agricultural products can influence operations decisions, factors affecting plant location and capacity.
Supply Chain Management objectives and functions, purchasing and procurement, role of inventory.
Human Resources Management functions of a HR manager,
Conceptual and definitional aspects of marketing including strategic marketing decisions and the marketing mix.
Introduction to business finance including basic financial accounting concepts and terminology.
Understanding the main Financial Statements

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36

Autonomous Student Learning

70

Total

106


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Module will be delivered via lectures with in-class quizzes and end of semester final exam.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Two hour Final Exam held at the end of the trimester. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online Quiz conducted through Brightspace Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Online Quiz conducted through Brightspace Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in 4 online blog discussions related to course material Week 3, Week 5, Week 9, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

In class quiz in week 7 with results returned to students in week 8, second in class quiz in week 11 with results returned to students during week 12.

Agribusiness Management Fourth Edition by Barnard, F., Akridge, J., Dooley, F. and Foltz, J.
Tiernan, SD, MJ Morley and E Foley, Modern Management - Theory and Practice for Irish Students, 2006
Accounting: Understanding and Practice by R. Perks and D. Leiwy, McGraw-Hill, 2010
Marketing An Introduction for Students in Ireland, 3rd Edition by Donal Rogan, Gill and Macmillan, 3rd Edition, 2007

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 09:00 - 09:50