1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
___________________________________________________________________
Foundation in Natural and Built Environments
Module: Introduction to Business (BUS30104)
Prerequisite: None
Credit hours: 4
Instructor: Chang Jau Ho (jauho.chang@taylors.edu.my)
Module Synopsis
The module is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the basic concepts of business. It
serves to provide an informative background on business systems and help students understand the
different types of business organizations; the know-how in starting and managing a business; and the
importance of ethics and social responsibility of businesses.
Module Teaching Objectives
The teaching objectives of the module are:
1. To understand the different types of business (e.g. physical goods vs. service).
2. To understand the goals, functions and social responsibilities of a business, as well as the various factors
(internal and external) that affect its operations.
3. To understand and evaluate the roles of human resources management, marketing, production and
finance in a business.
Module Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. List and describe the different types of businesses.
2. Explain the internal and external factors that affect a business’ operations.
3. Explain the goals and functions of businesses.
4. Analyze and explain the ethical and social responsibility issues faced by businesses.
5. Describe and analyze the theories of human resources management, marketing, production and finance
and their applications.
6. Undertake leadership roles and make quality decisions/judgments in the context of simulated
business environments.
Modes of Delivery
This is a 4 credit hour module conducted over a period of 18 weeks. The modes of delivery will be in the
form of lectures, tutorials, and self-directed study. The breakdown of the contact hours for the module is as
follows:
 Lecture: 2 hours/week
 Tutorial: 1 hour/week
 Self-study: 6 hours/week
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2. Office Hours
You are encouraged to visit the instructor/lecturer/tutor concerned for assistance during office hours. If the
office hours do not meet your schedule, notify the instructor and set appointment times as needed.
TIMeS
TIMeS will be used as a communication tool and information portal for students to access module materials,
project briefs, assignments and announcements
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3. Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities(TGC)
The teaching and learning approach at Taylor’s University is focused on developing the Taylor’s Graduate
Capabilities in its students; capabilities that encompass the knowledge, cognitive capabilities and soft skills
of our graduates.
Discipline Specific Knowledge
TGCs Acquired
Through Module
Learning Outcomes
1.0 Discipline Specific Knowledge
1.1 Able to put theories into practice. 1,2,3
1.2 Understand ethical issues in the context of the field of studies. 5
1.3 Understand professional practice within the field of studies. 4
Cognitive Capabilities
2.0 Lifelong Learning
2.1 Learn independently. -
2.2 Locate, extract, synthesise and utilise information effectively. -
2.3 Be intellectually engaged. -
3.0 Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
3.1 Think critically and creatively. 6
3.2 Define and analyse problems to arrive at effective solutions. 6
Soft Skills
4.0 Communication Skills
4.1 Communicate appropriately in various setting and modes. -
5.0 Interpersonal Skills
5.1 Understand team dynamics and mobilise the power of teams. -
5.2 Understand and assume leadership. -
6.0 Intrapersonal Skills
6.1 Manage one self and be self-reliant. -
6.2 Reflect on one’s actions and learning. -
6.3 Embody Taylor's core values. -
7.0 Citizenship and Global Perspectives
7.1 Be aware and form opinions from diverse perspectives. -
7.2 Understand the value of civic responsibility and community engagement. 5
8.0 Digital Literacy
8.1 Effective use of information and communication (ICT) and related
technologies. -
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4. General Rules and Regulations
Late Submission Penalty
The School imposes a late submission penalty for work submitted late without a valid reason e.g. a medical
certificate. Any work submitted after the deadline (which may have been extended) shall
have the percentage grade assigned to the work on face value reduced by 10% for the first
day and 5% for each subsequent day late. A weekend counts as 1 day.
Individual members of staff shall be permitted to grant extensions for assessed work that they have set if
they are satisfied that a student has given good reasons.
Absenteeism at intermediate or final presentations will result in zero mark for that presentation.
The Board of Examiners may overrule any penalty imposed and allow the actual mark achieved to be used
if the late submission was for a good reason.
Attendance, Participation and Submission of Assessment Components
Attendance is compulsory. Any student who arrives late after the first half-hour of class will be considered as
absent. A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass the module and/or be eligible for the final
examination. You are expected to attend and participate actively in class. The lectures and tutorials will
assist you in expanding your ideas and your research progression.
Students will be assessed based on their performance throughout the semester. Students are expected to
attend and participate actively in class. Class participation is an important component of every module.
Students must attempt all assessment components including Portfolio. Failure to attempt assessment
components worth 20% or more, the student would be required to resubmit or resit an assessment
component, even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the overall assessment. Failure to
attempt all assessment components, including final exam and final presentation, will result in failing the
module irrespective of the marks earned, even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the
overall assessment.
Plagiarism (Excerpt from Taylor’s University Student Handbook 2013, page 59)
Plagiarism, which is an attempt to present another person’s work as your own by not acknowledging the
source, is a serious case of misconduct which is deemed unacceptable by the University. "Work" includes
written materials such as books, journals and magazine articles or other papers and also includes films and
computer programs. The two most common types of plagiarism are from published materials and other
students’ works
a. Published Materials
In general, whenever anything from someone else’s work is used, whether it is an idea, an opinion or the
results of a study or review, a standard system of referencing should be used. Examples of plagiarism may
include a sentence or two, or a table or a diagram from a book or an article used without acknowledgement.
Serious cases of plagiarism can be seen in cases where the entire paper presented by the student is copied
from another book, with an addition of only a sentence or two by the student. While the former can be
treated as a simple failure to cite references, the latter is likely to be viewed as cheating in an examination.
Though most assignments require the need for reference to other peoples’ works, in order to avoid
plagiarism, students should keep a detailed record of the sources of ideas and findings and ensure that
these sources are clearly quoted in their assignment. Note that plagiarism refers to materials obtained from
the Internet too.
b. Other Students’ Work
Circulating relevant articles and discussing ideas before writing an assignment is a common practice.
However, with the exception of group assignments, students should write their own papers. Plagiarising the
work of other students into assignments includes using identical or very similar sentences, paragraphs or
sections. When two students submit papers which are very similar in tone and content, both are likely to be
penalized.
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5. Student Participation
Your participation in the module is encouraged. You have the opportunity to participate in the following
ways:
 Your ideas and questions are welcomed, valued and encouraged.
 Your input is sought to understand your perspectives, ideas and needs in planning subject revision.
 You have opportunities to give feedback and issues will be addressed in response to that
feedback.
 Do reflect on your performance in Portfolios.
 Student evaluation on your views and experiences about the module are actively sought and used
as an integral part of improvement in teaching and continuous improvement.
Student-centered Learning (SCL)
The module uses the Student-centered Learning (SCL) approach. Utilization of SCL embodies most of the
principles known to improve learning and to encourage student’s participation. SCL requires students to be
active, responsible participants in their own learning and instructors are to facilitate the learning process.
Various teaching and learning strategies such as experiential learning, problem-based learning, site visits,
group discussions, presentations, working in group and etc. can be employed to facilitate the learning
process. In SCL, students are expected to be:
 active in their own learning
 self-directed to be responsible to enhance their learning abilities
 able to cultivate skills that are useful in today’s workplace
 active knowledge seekers
 active players in a teamwork
Types of Assessment and Feedback
You will be graded in the form of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments will
provide information to guide you in the research process. This form of assessment involves participation in
discussions and feedback sessions. Summative assessment will inform you about the level of
understanding and performance capabilities achieved at the end of the module.
Assessment Plan
Assessments Type Learning
outcomes
Submission Presentation Assessment
Weightage
Assignment Group & Individual
(10%+10%) 3, 5 Week 6 Week 6 20%
Class Test Individual 1, 2, 3 Week 10 - 30%
Final Project Group & Individual
(30%+10%) 4,5,6 Week 16 - 40%
E-Portfolio Individual All Week 18 - 10%
TOTAL 100%
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6. Assessment Components
1. Assignment – (Group + Individual)
The aim of this assignment is to broaden students’ knowledge and awareness in contemporary business
issues. Students will research one issue (of their choice) and then explain their findings in a class
presentation.
2. Class Test - (Individual)
This mainly consists of multiple choice questions as well as subjective questions (where recall, analysis and
application of concepts are essential to answering the questions competently).
3. Final Project - (Group + Individual)
The aim of this project is to let students apply the various concepts they have learnt in classrooms (e.g.
leadership, production management, marketing strategies) by running a one-week business operation for
the purposes of charity. They will also need to document the decisions that they have made and the results
achieved in a report known as the business report.
4. Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities Portfolio (Online Portfolio) – (Individual)
Each student is to develop an e-Portfolio, a web-based portfolio in the form of a personal academic blog.
The e-Portfolio is developed progressively for all modules taken throughout Semesters 1 and 2, and MUST
PASS THIS COMPONENT. The portfolio must encapsulate the acquisition of Module Learning Outcome,
Programme Learning Outcomes and Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities, and showcases the distinctiveness and
identity of the student as a graduate of the programme. Submission of the E-Portfolio is COMPULSARY.
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7. Marks and Grading Table
Assessments and grades will be returned within 2 weeks of your submission. You will be given the grades
and necessary feedback for each submission. The grading system is shown below:
Grade Marks Grade
Points Definition Description
A 80 – 100 4.00 Excellent
Evidence of original thinking; demonstrated outstanding
capacity to analyze and synthesize; outstanding grasp of
module matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base
A- 75 – 79 3.67 Very Good
Evidence of good grasp of module matter; critical capacity
and analytical ability; understanding of relevant issues;
evidence of familiarity with the literature
B+ 70 – 74 3.33
Evidence of grasp of module; critical capacity and analytical
Good
ability, reasonable understanding of relevant issues;
B 65 – 69 3.00 evidence of familiarity with the literature
B- 60 – 64 2.67
Pass
Evidence of some understanding of the module matter;
ability to develop solutions to simple problems; benefitting
from his/her university experience
C+ 55 – 59 2.33
C 50 – 54 2.00
D+ 47 – 49 1.67
Marginal
Fail
Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with module
D 44 – 46 1.33 matter, critical and analytical skills
D- 40 – 43 1.00
F 0 – 39 0.00 Fail
Insufficient evidence of understanding of the module matter;
weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant
use of the literature
WD - - Withdrawn Withdrawn from a module before census date, typically mid
semester
F(W) 0 0.00 Fail Withdrawn after census date, typically mid semester
IN - - Incomplete
An interim notation given for a module where a student has
not completed certain requirements with valid reason or it is
not possible to finalise the grade by the published deadline
P - - Pass Given for satisfactory completion of practicum
AU - - Audit Given for a module where attendance is for information only
without earning academic credit
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8. Weekly Module Schedule
Week/Date Topic Lecture
Hour
Tutorial
Hour
Blended
Learning
Week 1 Topic 1: Introduction to Business Environment
(Part 1)
· Goals and functions of a business
· Major forms of business
2 1 6
Week 2 Topic 1: Introduction to Business Environment
(Part 2)
· Environmental factors affecting business
· The capitalistic market vs. the planned
economy
2 1 6
Week 3
Topic 2: Starting & Organizing a Small Business
(Part 1)
· The small business entrepreneur
· Types of business organization, its advantages
and disadvantages.
2 1 6
Week 4 Topic 2: Starting & Organizing a Small Business
(Part 2)
· Starting and financing a small business
· Types of legal ownership in businesses
2 1 6
SEMESTER BREAK
Week 5 Topic 3: Managing Business (Part 1)
· The Management Process
· Managers: Types, Levels & Skill Sets 2 1 6
Week 6 Topic 3: Managing Business (Part 2)
· Setting goals, strategies and tactics
· SMART goals 2 1
6
Digital
upload of
Assignment
Week 7 Topic 3: Managing Business (Part 3)
· Organizing your people
· Organizational charts
· The committees
2 1 6
Week 8 Topic 4: Managing Employee (Part 1)
· Managing human resources
· Understanding employee behaviors 2 1 6
Week 9 Topic 4: Managing Employee (Part 2)
· Motivating today’s workforce
· The Big 5 Personalities and Job attitudes
· Employee motivational theories
2 1 6
Week 10 Topic 4: Managing Employee (Part 3)
· The Hiring Process
1 6
Class Test
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9. · Employee remuneration and compensation
· Employee and manager training
2
Week 11 Topic 5: Developing Marketing Strategies (Part 1)
· What is Marketing?
· The 5 Ps of Marketing: Product
· The 5 Ps of Marketing: Price
2
1 6
Week 12 Topic 5: Developing Marketing Strategies (Part 2)
· The 5 Ps of Marketing: Promotion
· The 5 Ps of Marketing: Place 2 1 6
SEMESTER BREAK
Week 13 Topic 5: Developing Marketing Strategies (Part 3)
· The 5 Ps of Marketing: Packaging
· The consumer buying process 2 1 6
Week 14 Topic 6: Managing Financial Information (Part 1)
· What is Accounting?
· The purposes of accounting
· The Accounting Reports: Statement of Income
2 1 6
Week 15 Topic 6: Managing Financial Information (Part 2)
· The Accounting Reports: Statement of Financial
Position
· Break-even Analysis
2 1 6
Week 16 Topics 7: Production Process
· Types of production process
· Production planning and control
· Total Quality Management
2 1 6
Week 17 Topic 8: Responsibility of a Business (Part 1)
· Business ethics and policies
· Business responsibility to shareholders,
community and workplace.
2 1
5
Digital
upload of
Final Project
Week 18 Topic 8: Responsibility of a Business (Part 2)
· Corporate social responsibility
· 4 approaches to corporate social responsibility 2 1
5
Digital
upload of
E-portfolio
Week 19 Study Leave
Note: The Module Schedule above is subject to change at short notice.
References
Main References : 1. Ebert R.J. & Griffin R.W. (2005), Business Essentials, Prentice Hall.
2. Bovee C.L., Paul A., Thill J.V., Schatzman B.E, (2004), Business In Action,
Prentice Hall.
3. Pride W.M., Hughes R.J., Kapoor J.R. (2005), Business, Houghton Mifflin.
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10. Additional
References :
1. John Sloman and Mark Sutcliffe. 2004. Economics for Business. 3rd Edition,
Prentice Hall.
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