Business BTEC - Unit 1

Aim and purpose

The aim of this unit is to give learners the fundamental knowledge of a range of business organisations, and the many factors that shape the nature of organisations operating in an increasingly complex business world.

Unit introduction

Learners new to the studying of business will already be familiar with organisations through having dealt with them as customers or employees. One of the aims of this unit is to help learners to build on these experiences and learn to 'walk in the shoes' of owners, stakeholders and managers of organisations.

The unit introduces learners to a range of business activities. They will consider the purposes of different organisations and the influence of stakeholders and how businesses organise themselves through strategic planning and organisational structures.

Learners will then explore the dynamic nature of organisations through studying the impact of external (political, legal and social) influences on business operations.

Next, they will study the fundamental economic principles that impact on businesses.

By studying two different business environments learners will gain some insight into how businesses operate in different parts of the world and how the development of a global marketplace impacts on all businesses.

1. Know the range of different businesses and their ownership.
2. Understand how businesses are organised to achieve their purposes.
3. Know the impact of the economic environment on businesses.
4. Know how political, legal and social factors impact on business.