The study of Business Management leads to opportunities across all facets of the business and management field such as small business owner, project manager, human resource manager, operations manager or executive manager. Further study can lead to specialisation in areas such as marketing, public relations and event management.

VCE Business Management examines the ways businesses manage resources to achieve objectives, from the first idea for a business concept, to planning and establishing a business, through to the day-to-day management of a business. It also considers changes that need to be made to ensure continued success of a business. Students develop an understanding of the complexity of the challenges facing decision makers in managing businesses.

Students learn to propose and evaluate alternative strategies in establishing and maintaining a business. Students develop knowledge and skills that enhance their confidence and ability to participate effectively as socially responsible and ethical members, managers and leaders of the business community, and as informed citizens, consumers and investors. Business Management comprises four units of study.

There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3. Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4. Units 1 to 4 are designed to a standard equivalent to the final two years of secondary education.

 

Unit 1 Planning a business

Looks at how businesses are formed and the conditions under which new business ideas can emerge and converted into reality. Students explore the factors affecting business ideas and the internal and external environments within which businesses operate, and the effect of these on planning a business.

Outcomes

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe how and why business ideas are created and developed, and explain the methods by which a culture of business innovation and entrepreneurship may be fostered in a nation.
2. On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the external environment of a business and explain how the macro and operating factors within it may affect business planning.

Unit 2 Establishing a business

Examines the environments within which businesses operate. The elements outside a business that may act as pressures on the operations of a business. Factors such as legal, political, social, economic, technological, global and corporate social responsibility factors. The effects these may have on the business decisions. Students investigate how the internal environment relates to the external environment and the effects of this relationship on planning a business.

Outcomes

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the external environment of a business and explain how the macro and operating factors within it may affect business planning.
2. On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the internal business environment and analyse how factors from within it may affect business planning.

Unit 3 Corporate Management

Students investigate how large-scale organisations operate. Students examine the environment (both internal and external) in which large-scale organisations conduct their business, and then focus on aspects of individual business’ internal environment and how the operations of the business are managed. Students develop an understanding of the complexity and challenge of managing large-scale organisations and have the opportunity to compare theoretical perspectives with practical applications.

Outcomes

1. Discuss and analyse the context in which large-scale organisations operate. Marks allocated-20
2. Discuss and analyse major aspects of the internal environment of large-scale organisations. Marks allocated-40
3. Discuss and analyse strategies related to operations management. Marks allocated-40

Unit 4 Managing People and Change

This unit continues the examination of corporate management. It commences with a focus on the human resource management function. Students learn about the key aspects of this function and strategies used to most effectively manage human resources. The unit concludes with analysis of the management of change. Students learn about key change management processes and strategies and are provided with the opportunity to apply these to a contemporary issue of significance.

Outcomes

1. Analyse and evaluate practices and processes related to human resource management. 
2. Analyse and evaluate the management of change in a large-scale organisation, and evaluate the impact of change on the internal environment of a large-scale organisation. 

 

Assessment

Contact Teacher - Lynsey Betts & Maurice Colin