Understanding Organisational Context: Inside and Outside Organisations (Paperback)

Understanding Organisational Context provides a comprehensive introduction to the internal and external aspects of organisations. It examines structures, resources and functions, as well as behaviour and culture, and finishes by addressing the issues involved in the management of a changing environment. The text offers strong pedagogical support with many activities integrated throughout the text to encourage the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills.

This book is suitable for students taking a core introductory module on a Business Studies degree, as well as those studying business as an elective part of another course. The text is also appropriate for post-experience or postgraduate students requiring an introductory text on organisations, their behaviour and activities.

• New chapter 1 ‘What is an Organisation?’ discusses the nature of management, the organisation, and organisational theory

• New and revised case studies; update of all material and notable expansion of international coverage and HRM

• More on issues such as globalisation, innovation, entrepreneurship, SMEs and e-commerce

• Revised structure flows from internal environment through business functions to external environment

• New glossary at end of book

• Companion website includes Instructor Manual, PowerPoints, additional FT cases, glossary, weblinks, additional short-answer questions (with model answers), model answers to assignment questions

• Improved pedagogy: questions with exit cases; expanded summaries; short answer questions at end of each chapter; website references throughout

• New two-colour design

• Coverage of both internal and external aspects of business
• Widespread use of material from European and international sources, providing global relevance and cross-cultural perspective
• Ethical slant running through the book in the form of ethical issue cases and questions
• Organisational context diagram in chapter-opener enables clear understanding of overall model
• ‘Check your understanding’ feature enables self-assessment of progress
• Strong pedagogical framework encompasses objectives, entry cases, exit cases (with questions), ethical issue cases, review and assignment questions

Supplements

Companion Website

Instructor Manual

Powerpoint slides

This text is aimed at students taking an introductory module on BA and HND Business Studies courses and those studying business as part of any degree course. It is also suitable for post-experience or postgraduate students requiring an introductory text to organisations, their behaviour and activities.

The book examines the internal environment of organisations -- their structure, behaviour, culture, resources and functions -- before showing how they manage their external environment. It features:

for the student

: full support in the learning process with lively discussion topics and relevant examples throughout the text to encourage the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills; a website with further questions and resources to reinforce and assess progress.

for the lecturer: comprehensive analysis of the business environment both inside and outside the organisation; guidance, support and additional activities and ideas on a secure website, as well as an online course by the same author.

The fully updated second edition offers:

• a new chapter on organisational behaviour
• many new case studies and examples
• extensive weblinks and further references for each chapter
• brand new glossary of key terms
• business ethics case study in each chapter
• comprehensive web-based support for lecturer and student

Claire Capon is Senior Lecturer in the Business School at Staffordshire University, where she teaches strategy. She previously taught at Sheffield Hallam University and has also worked as a researcher in the areas of strategic management and the use of design by SMEs.