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BUSINESS IN CONTEXT, 8th EDITION –
TEACHING MANUAL CHAPTER ONE
THE CONCEPT OF BUSINESS IN CONTEXT
This chapter explains the ‘Business in Context’ model that is used
throughout the book. All four contexts are identified; environmental,
organizational, strategic and functional, referred to as ‘activities level’
context. In addition, two theoretical framework outlines are offered;
systems and contingency. Both frameworks have been used to develop
the ‘Business in Context’ model.
The model can be used to analyze individual firms and entire industrial
or business sectors. A useful exercise for students is to nominate a
particular sector, firm or organization known to them (it could be their
college, university or their department) and get them to develop an
analysis using the ‘Business in Context’ model.
Discussion questions and answers
Below you will find suggested answers to the discussion questions set at
the end of every chapter. It must be stressed that these answers offer
guidance only and are not intended as ‘model’ answers. It is important
that students think for themselves and many of the questions require
them to apply the knowledge they have gained from the book to a
specific context. We recognize that such contexts may vary for different
groups of students. It is more important that students think of the
issues in the industry, business or even national context that is most
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
relevant to them. In some cases, a specific answer cannot be given but,
where this happens, suggestions are offered for tackling the question.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
1. The five environmental variables, five organizational variables and
five business activities have been identified in the model. By necessity,
these represent broad categories. What are the possible elements that
might be considered under the various headings used in our model of
business?
Environmental
context Economy
(The natural environment and its impact on the economy could
be considered here or under a separate heading, in addition to the
five elements identified in the book. This could be a useful
starting point to get students to think about the utility of the
model.)
• Level of activity
• Economic structure
• Economic change
• International finance and currency exchange
• Nature of labour markets
• Competitive structures
• Globalization
• Multinationals
The state
• Political ideology
• Political change
• Government economic policy
• Legislation
• Level of intervention and types of intervention
• Nature and role of bureaucracy
• Interest groups
• Supranational organizations and globalization
Technology
• Product and process technology
• Changing use of technology in organizations
• Information technology
• Digital and social media technology
• Scale and nature of technological change
• Technology and the global economy
• E‐Commerce
• Impact on organization structure
• Impact on labour markets and jobs
Labour
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
• Behaviour of labour markets
• Composition of the labour force
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
BUSINESS IN CONTEXT, 8th EDITION –
TEACHING MANUAL CHAPTER ONE
THE CONCEPT OF BUSINESS IN CONTEXT
This chapter explains the ‘Business in Context’ model that is used
throughout the book. All four contexts are identified; environmental,
organizational, strategic and functional, referred to as ‘activities level’
context. In addition, two theoretical framework outlines are offered;
systems and contingency. Both frameworks have been used to develop
the ‘Business in Context’ model.
The model can be used to analyze individual firms and entire industrial
or business sectors. A useful exercise for students is to nominate a
particular sector, firm or organization known to them (it could be their
college, university or their department) and get them to develop an
analysis using the ‘Business in Context’ model.
Discussion questions and answers
Below you will find suggested answers to the discussion questions set at
the end of every chapter. It must be stressed that these answers offer
guidance only and are not intended as ‘model’ answers. It is important
that students think for themselves and many of the questions require
them to apply the knowledge they have gained from the book to a
specific context. We recognize that such contexts may vary for different
groups of students. It is more important that students think of the
issues in the industry, business or even national context that is most
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
relevant to them. In some cases, a specific answer cannot be given but,
where this happens, suggestions are offered for tackling the question.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
1. The five environmental variables, five organizational variables and
five business activities have been identified in the model. By necessity,
these represent broad categories. What are the possible elements that
might be considered under the various headings used in our model of
business?
Environmental
context Economy
(The natural environment and its impact on the economy could
be considered here or under a separate heading, in addition to the
five elements identified in the book. This could be a useful
starting point to get students to think about the utility of the
model.)
• Level of activity
• Economic structure
• Economic change
• International finance and currency exchange
• Nature of labour markets
• Competitive structures
• Globalization
• Multinationals
The state
• Political ideology
• Political change
• Government economic policy
• Legislation
• Level of intervention and types of intervention
• Nature and role of bureaucracy
• Interest groups
• Supranational organizations and globalization
Technology
• Product and process technology
• Changing use of technology in organizations
• Information technology
• Digital and social media technology
• Scale and nature of technological change
• Technology and the global economy
• E‐Commerce
• Impact on organization structure
• Impact on labour markets and jobs
Labour
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
• Behaviour of labour markets
• Composition of the labour force
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
