Business Degree Success

Jonathan Groucutt

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2008
• Print ISBN:
  9780230506459
• eBook ISBN:
  9781350314757
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Aides à l'étude
• Subtopic: Guides d'étude

This is a practical guide for those studying business and management-related subjects at undergraduate level. Written in an engaging and clear style, the book helps students prepare effectively for assignments, presentations, examinations and dissertations, encompassing both business studies and the real workings of business.

1 Introduction

‘Learning without thought is labour lost;
thought without learning is perilous.’

K’ung Fu-Tzu (Confucius), 551–479 BCE,
Chinese philosopher

Contents

What is a business school?

What constitutes the meaning of the word ‘business’?

What do you seek from reading for a business degree?

The purpose of studying for a business degree

Before your arrival at business school

Creating documentary folders

Expectations – students and staff

Your motivation

Events that are beyond your control

Reflection zone

What is a business school?

While it is beyond the scope of this book to examine fully the role and purpose of a business school, it is nonetheless worthwhile briefly exploring the concept. The aim is to provide you with an understanding of the world you are now entering.

Perhaps, contrary to popular belief or myth, the development of business and management knowledge did not start in the United States (Antunes and Thomas, 2007). During the 19th century, several schools of commerce were established across Europe. In fact, it was not until the late 19th century that US business schools were established. As Antunes and Thomas (2007) state, the now famous Wharton Business School launched its Bachelors Degree in business in 1881, while in 1900 Dartmouth offered the first US Masters Degree in business. Compare these events with the study of classics that date back centuries. So, business as a subject is, relatively, the ‘new kid on the block’.

Business schools and their students though have their own set of issues of which you need to be aware:

Increasingly, they operate within highly competitive global environments, both for recruiting students and reputation. No longer is it competition with other universities within a particular home region or a state. Universities as geographically separate as the UK and Australia are often competing for similar student groups. Psychic distance (perceived physical distance from one place to another) is no longer a barrier to market entrants. Students today (and in the future) increasingly venture across regions in search of their educational goals.

Good business schools have very strong links to industry. This is often achieved through placements (internships), work-based learning schemes and executives contributing to business school advisory boards. Such activities contribute significantly to providing you with the learning and understanding that ‘fits’ with business, both today and tomorrow.

Business schools, as with universities as a whole, have to be generators of revenue and financial surplus. While academic learning is an important concept, so too is the combination of financial stability and growth. In many ways they are no different to numerous other companies and organizations.

They are often either the rising stars or the cash cows for the university (see your studies on the BCG or Boston Consulting Group Matrix). However, that does not mean that they have priorities in terms of, for example, building requirements. You might still find yourself in poor teaching room accommodation.

Occasionally, business schools operate independently of a university, either with their own powers to award degrees or in a collaborative provision with another.

According to various surveys, over recent years, ‘business studies’ has usually been in the top three of most chosen courses. This trend is likely to continue as industry, commerce, government and non-governmental organizations seek graduates with an understanding of business techniques.

What constitutes the meaning of the word ‘business’?

This is more than you buying a CD from a music store. There is a whole chain of interrelationships across subject disciplines, ranging from accounting through to warehousing (both electronic and physical). Moreover, a business does not have to exist purely for the creation of profit. Consider, for instance, the role of charities. Although these are not-forprofit organizations, they are still involved in business. For example, they have to purchase goods and services, whether it is for those who directly benefit from the charity or those who might support the charity by purchasing merchandise. An example would be greeting cards from the international charity Save the Children Fund.

C Connections: Chapter 2, section on business subjects

Business is an all-encompassing activity that influences all our lives, no matter where we live in the world.

What do you seek from reading for a business degree?

Here are just a few thoughts on what you personally might seek from undertaking a business degree. Rather than thinking of these as mutually exclusive, consider them more as nodes that are linked to form a network.

The ability to:

Gain knowledge of how businesses (both for-profit and not-for-profit) actually operate.

Develop your own ability to think rationally and critically.

Enhance your ability...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Figures, Tables, Examples, Slides, Illustrations and Scenarios
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Note on the Author
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Important First Steps to Success
• 3 Getting to Know Your Tutors and the Administrative Staff
• 4 Preparing for Study
• 5 So, Who Marks Your Work?
• 6 Cheating: Copying, Collusion and Plagiarism
• 7 A Brief Guide to Referencing
• 8 When Things Go Wrong – You Are Not Alone
• 9 Assignments
• 10 Team Working
• 11 Presentation Skills
• 12 Examinations
• 13 Managing Dissertations
• 14 What’s Next for You?
• Appendix
• References
• Index