Unit 4 Business Environment
Edexcel HNC Diploma L4
Unit Name | Business Environment | | | Unit No | 1 | Staff Name | Y.Price | Student Name | Darren Griffiths | | | Hand out Date | Sept 2010 | Hand in Date | 6 p.m.11 Oct 2010 | Late Submission | | | | Date agreed | | Staff Signature | YPrice |
Assignment 1
Assessment criteria to be assessed:- LO1 -1.1 Identify the purposes of different types of organisation1.2 Describe the extent to which an organisation meets the objectives of different stakeholders.1.3 Explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. |
Internal Verification | Brief Internally Verified | | Date | | Assessment Decision Verified | | Date | | …show more content…
HNC Assignment Front Page
Unit 3 – Organisations and Behaviour
Assignment 1
1. Aims
This assignment will enable students to demonstrate understanding of the organisational purposes of business through the application of theory to the case study below.
Situation
The objectives and responsibilities of an organisation are both affected by its legal structure and stakeholders. The strategies employed by the organisation to meet these objectives will also be affected by external factors. You will be comparing and contrasting information about the changing needs of Royal Mail stakeholders in the light of forthcoming privatisation.
2. Student Tasks
Produce a report investigating the impact of the proposed privatisation of the Royal Mail upon its purposes and responsibilities.
* List the different purposes of public, private sector business and organisations with different forms of legal ownership. Identify those purposes of the Royal Mail. Briefly describe the major differences arising from the purposes outlined for other types of business. Particularly consider profit, market share, quality of service, ROCE, ethical issues, customer satisfaction. 1.1
* Illustrate the differing stakeholders that may have any interest in any business and highlight those currently involved with the Royal Mail.
Describe how their particular interest in the Royal Mail, i.e. what they want from that organisation and then describe how the Royal Mail is meeting those needs. 1.2
* Explain stakeholder conflict, legal responsibilities and ethical issues with reference to the current position of the Royal Mail. Describe how privatisation of the Royal Mail will impact on these? 1.3
Where applicable use theorists to support your work.
Suggested word content (750 words).
Assignment 1
3. Aims
This assignment will enable students to demonstrate understanding of the organisational purposes of business through the application of theory to the case study below.
Situation
The objectives and responsibilities of an organisation are both affected by its legal structure and stakeholders. The strategies employed by the organisation to meet these objectives will also be affected by external factors. You will be comparing and contrasting information about the changing needs of Royal Mail stakeholders in the light of forthcoming privatisation.
4. Student Tasks
Produce a report investigating the impact of the proposed privatisation of the Royal Mail upon its purposes and responsibilities.
* List the different purposes of public, private sector business and organisations with different forms of legal ownership. Identify those purposes of the Royal Mail. Briefly describe the major differences arising from the purposes outlined for other types of business. Particularly consider profit, market share, quality of service, ROCE, ethical issues, customer satisfaction. 1.1
* Illustrate the differing stakeholders that may have any interest in any business and highlight those currently involved with the Royal Mail.
Describe how their particular interest in the Royal Mail, i.e. what they want from that organisation and then describe how the Royal Mail is meeting those needs. 1.2
* Explain stakeholder conflict, legal responsibilities and ethical issues with reference to the current position of the Royal Mail. Describe how privatisation of the Royal Mail will impact on these? 1.3
Where applicable use theorists to support your work.
Suggested word content (750 words).
Feedback | Assessment criteria being assessed | Assessment criteria achieved | Note – hard copy hand written work received. 1.1 Purposes identified 1.2 Achieved 1.3 Handwritten but correctSuggestions for improvementNeed to present as a word document and page numbered – sequenced in correct order | 1.1 | | | 1.2 | Pass | | 1.3 | | | 2.1 | | | 2.2 | | | 2.3 | | | 3.1 | | | 3.2 | | | 3.3 | | | 4.1 | | | 4.2 | | | 4.3 | |
To achieve a pass grade, meet all assessment criteria stated.
Suggestions for improvement | Indicative characteristics possible | Indicative characteristics achieved |
Suggestions for improvement | Indicative characteristics possible | Indicative characteristics achieved | To achieve a MERIT grade:Cover the pass requirement and any of the following:- * Show effective comparisons have been made in comparing the organisation before and after privatisation in terms of stakeholder interest, and organisational purposes. * An effective approach to study and research has been applied using a range of sources of possible information available to include; internet and written research techniques to analyse the affects of this proposed privatisation. * An appropriate writing style has been adopted using coherent, logical development of concepts on comparative organisational performance. Appropriate technical language has been accurately used to convey business theory and up to date terminology. | M1 | | | M2 | | | M3 | |
LegalStructure | Liability? | No.ofOwners | BecomingAn owner? | Owner/Manager? | DecisionMakers? | Capital | aims …show more content…
| Sole Trader | Unlimited | You are the sole owner/trader | You need to register with the Inland Revenue | You are the owner | The owner makes the Decisions | You have to raise the capital yourself i.e often loans from banks | To make a profit and you have total control Choice and quality | Partnership | Unlimited and jointly | Usually 2 but can have up to 20 | You all have to register as self employed and have a deed of partnership | You are the owners | All partners make the decisions except sleeping partners | Same as above | To make a profit to give good quality of service to get customer satisfaction | Ltd Partnership | Limited | Same as above | all have to register as self employed and LLP register at companies house | As above | Owners are the decision makers | Same as above | As above | PrivateLimitedCompany | Limited (directors may be asked for guarantees) | One owner plus | Sell shares to invited partiesRegister co.house | shareholders | Directors i.e the board | ShareholdersRetained profitsloans | To gain profit and sales maximisation to make the company grow and give a good quality of service | Public Limited company | Limited (directors may ask for guarantees) | Two owners plus | Shareholder to £50,000 min companies house Register Co. Secretary | Shareholders | Directorsi.e the board | As above and they also sell shares on the stock market | To gain profit maximisation Market sharesGrowthROCE | Franchise | Different -usually sole trader partnership or LTD Co | Depends on structure of the franchise | Bought from franchiser | franchisee | Franchisee limited by franchisee | It is easier to raise capital from bank raised by the franchisee and franchise fee plus royalty payments | Is to make a profit and to gain a good quality of service for good customer satisfactionAnd rapid growth | SocialEnterpriseEg co-operative | usually limited by guarantee or shares | Different structures | Dependant on structure as it could be a possible charity | Managers | managers | various | Social objectives | 1.1 Identify the purpose of different types of organisation
LO1 1.2 Meeting the objectives different stakeholders
Stakeholder | The stakeholder expectation or objective | How does Royal Mail meet this objective | Can the Royal Mail improve how they meet this objective? Give details | Investors/Shareholders | They would want a return of capital R.O.C.E | They meet this by offering dividend payments on shares | N/A at the present but will change in the future | Managers | They would want to progress in their career to achieve a good salary | They meet this by offering a good career path | Yes by offering contracts of employment | Employees | The objective is the security of employment | By contracts of employment and pensions | Royal mail are failing in pension provisions | Customers | By offering quality value of service and convenience | They do this by delivering post on time at the right time | By offering a service at a good price but may change due to depot’s likely to increase which makes costs increase | Community | To send local or global | The community wants a quality of service and the large public wants convenience to become a global community | Yes but will it continue | Government | It’s not wanting to cost money to the tax payer | Not growing the pension problem but leaving as a minimum | Not sure at the present but will change | Pressure Groups | The trade unions wants the right things for its workers | They meet it by having regular consultations through time | Not sure but the unions are threatening strike actions | Competitors | Such as couriers uk mail parceline | By sending paper post rather than online sending | The royal mail need to protect the market share | Suppliers | To buy paper delivery vehicles fuel and buildings | They meet it by having long term contracts with these suppliers | Yes when renegotiating contracts with suppliers |
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. Legal responsibilities-legislation
Consumer legislation.
Royal mail are responsible for transferring possessions by delivering the goods i.e letters/parcels in accordance on time and at the place agreed or if they haven’t made an agreement they must deliver to their place of business at a responsible time.
Trades description act.
Products i.e parcels must be received by the customer in the condition it was sent to royal mail.
And whatever the class the letter/parcel as been sent it must be sent and to arrive at the time in which they say it will be delivered.
Data protection act
The royal mail must meet this because they are delivering important personal information and they have a legal obligation to protect the information i.e mail and make sure it gets to the customer.
Employee legislation
When working for royal mail as for example postman/post woman they must be paid the same rate to comply with the equal pay act. Also when working they must work the legal hours but have timed breaks throughout the day.
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. When paid employees must be paid no lower than the national minimum wage limit. The redundancy rights should be put on your contract and as well as your stator rights and pay. Employees should receive a minimum of 4 weeks holiday but some companies can offer more due to time served with the company. When working for the company if you have to do any special requirements such as forklift driving or first aid the training should be given to enable them to work safely. Larger companies have a trade union and any employees are allowed to join if they
wish.
Equal opportunities and anti discrimination laws.
Sex discrimination act 1975.
Companies must offer equal opportunities whether the employees are male or female or married or single they should be treated as equals. The company must keep within the antidiscrimination law such as offering promotion to both sexes and not just cause they are male or female and also offer the same i.e toilets for both sexes and not just for one sex.
Race relations act.
All employees should be treated the same and not for the colour of their skin, nationality or ethnic origin.
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them.
Legal responcibilities-legislation. Disability discrimination act
When companies advertise jobs for employees they must not discriminate job applicants due to a person’s grounds of disability. And when employed by the company the company must make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities and must not treat them less favourably for a reason related to the disability.
Environmental legislation
You must comply with the environmental legislation such as down to storage of waste i.e paper/paper bands/boxes and must be disposed of or recycled correctly. And the vehicles working for the company would be better with lower emissions as not to affect the health of employees with the smoke. Also with the noise of the vehicles which could affect neighbours and cause a nuisance at night times. Signs around the work place should also be visible so employees can see where waste should be put and what they should or shouldn’t do to make a safe environment to keep up with health and safety.
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. Health and safety legislation
This should be applied into the work place so that employees can go to an office and report an accident into an accident book. Other legislations which warn you of whether you need to wear safety goggles/ear plugs and other safety equipment to work on special equipment. And also most companies will have a safety officer on board.
Ethical issues
Environment
Looking at royal mail as a growing company it needs to look at these issues such as waste and what to do with it such as recycling the paper and boxes and not incinerating and going to landfills which will be good for the environment. And as far as global warning it is best for them to keep up with newer lesser smokier vehicles which will use bio fuels and will help by reducing energy use and carbon footprint. Royal mail does use the ethical vehicles such as the pedal bike which doesn’t require any fuel and is good for the environment.
Fair trade
This is seen as ethical buyer it’s about better prices/better working conditions and local sustainability.
Charter compliance
They have to be chartered to ofcom.
Unit Name | Business Environment | | | Unit No | 1 | Staff Name | Y.Price | Student Name | Darren Griffiths | | | Hand out Date | Sept 2010 | Hand in Date | 6 p.m.11 Oct 2010 | Late Submission | | | | Date agreed | | Staff Signature | YPrice |
Assignment 1
Assessment criteria to be assessed:- LO1 -1.1 Identify the purposes of different types of organisation1.2 Describe the extent to which an organisation meets the objectives of different stakeholders.1.3 Explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. |
Internal Verification | Brief Internally Verified | | Date | | Assessment Decision Verified | | Date | | …show more content…
HNC Assignment Front Page
Unit 3 – Organisations and Behaviour
Assignment 1
1. Aims
This assignment will enable students to demonstrate understanding of the organisational purposes of business through the application of theory to the case study below.
Situation
The objectives and responsibilities of an organisation are both affected by its legal structure and stakeholders. The strategies employed by the organisation to meet these objectives will also be affected by external factors. You will be comparing and contrasting information about the changing needs of Royal Mail stakeholders in the light of forthcoming privatisation.
2. Student Tasks
Produce a report investigating the impact of the proposed privatisation of the Royal Mail upon its purposes and responsibilities.
* List the different purposes of public, private sector business and organisations with different forms of legal ownership. Identify those purposes of the Royal Mail. Briefly describe the major differences arising from the purposes outlined for other types of business. Particularly consider profit, market share, quality of service, ROCE, ethical issues, customer satisfaction. 1.1
* Illustrate the differing stakeholders that may have any interest in any business and highlight those currently involved with the Royal Mail.
Describe how their particular interest in the Royal Mail, i.e. what they want from that organisation and then describe how the Royal Mail is meeting those needs. 1.2
* Explain stakeholder conflict, legal responsibilities and ethical issues with reference to the current position of the Royal Mail. Describe how privatisation of the Royal Mail will impact on these? 1.3
Where applicable use theorists to support your work.
Suggested word content (750 words).
Assignment 1
3. Aims
This assignment will enable students to demonstrate understanding of the organisational purposes of business through the application of theory to the case study below.
Situation
The objectives and responsibilities of an organisation are both affected by its legal structure and stakeholders. The strategies employed by the organisation to meet these objectives will also be affected by external factors. You will be comparing and contrasting information about the changing needs of Royal Mail stakeholders in the light of forthcoming privatisation.
4. Student Tasks
Produce a report investigating the impact of the proposed privatisation of the Royal Mail upon its purposes and responsibilities.
* List the different purposes of public, private sector business and organisations with different forms of legal ownership. Identify those purposes of the Royal Mail. Briefly describe the major differences arising from the purposes outlined for other types of business. Particularly consider profit, market share, quality of service, ROCE, ethical issues, customer satisfaction. 1.1
* Illustrate the differing stakeholders that may have any interest in any business and highlight those currently involved with the Royal Mail.
Describe how their particular interest in the Royal Mail, i.e. what they want from that organisation and then describe how the Royal Mail is meeting those needs. 1.2
* Explain stakeholder conflict, legal responsibilities and ethical issues with reference to the current position of the Royal Mail. Describe how privatisation of the Royal Mail will impact on these? 1.3
Where applicable use theorists to support your work.
Suggested word content (750 words).
Feedback | Assessment criteria being assessed | Assessment criteria achieved | Note – hard copy hand written work received. 1.1 Purposes identified 1.2 Achieved 1.3 Handwritten but correctSuggestions for improvementNeed to present as a word document and page numbered – sequenced in correct order | 1.1 | | | 1.2 | Pass | | 1.3 | | | 2.1 | | | 2.2 | | | 2.3 | | | 3.1 | | | 3.2 | | | 3.3 | | | 4.1 | | | 4.2 | | | 4.3 | |
To achieve a pass grade, meet all assessment criteria stated.
Suggestions for improvement | Indicative characteristics possible | Indicative characteristics achieved |
Suggestions for improvement | Indicative characteristics possible | Indicative characteristics achieved | To achieve a MERIT grade:Cover the pass requirement and any of the following:- * Show effective comparisons have been made in comparing the organisation before and after privatisation in terms of stakeholder interest, and organisational purposes. * An effective approach to study and research has been applied using a range of sources of possible information available to include; internet and written research techniques to analyse the affects of this proposed privatisation. * An appropriate writing style has been adopted using coherent, logical development of concepts on comparative organisational performance. Appropriate technical language has been accurately used to convey business theory and up to date terminology. | M1 | | | M2 | | | M3 | |
LegalStructure | Liability? | No.ofOwners | BecomingAn owner? | Owner/Manager? | DecisionMakers? | Capital | aims …show more content…
| Sole Trader | Unlimited | You are the sole owner/trader | You need to register with the Inland Revenue | You are the owner | The owner makes the Decisions | You have to raise the capital yourself i.e often loans from banks | To make a profit and you have total control Choice and quality | Partnership | Unlimited and jointly | Usually 2 but can have up to 20 | You all have to register as self employed and have a deed of partnership | You are the owners | All partners make the decisions except sleeping partners | Same as above | To make a profit to give good quality of service to get customer satisfaction | Ltd Partnership | Limited | Same as above | all have to register as self employed and LLP register at companies house | As above | Owners are the decision makers | Same as above | As above | PrivateLimitedCompany | Limited (directors may be asked for guarantees) | One owner plus | Sell shares to invited partiesRegister co.house | shareholders | Directors i.e the board | ShareholdersRetained profitsloans | To gain profit and sales maximisation to make the company grow and give a good quality of service | Public Limited company | Limited (directors may ask for guarantees) | Two owners plus | Shareholder to £50,000 min companies house Register Co. Secretary | Shareholders | Directorsi.e the board | As above and they also sell shares on the stock market | To gain profit maximisation Market sharesGrowthROCE | Franchise | Different -usually sole trader partnership or LTD Co | Depends on structure of the franchise | Bought from franchiser | franchisee | Franchisee limited by franchisee | It is easier to raise capital from bank raised by the franchisee and franchise fee plus royalty payments | Is to make a profit and to gain a good quality of service for good customer satisfactionAnd rapid growth | SocialEnterpriseEg co-operative | usually limited by guarantee or shares | Different structures | Dependant on structure as it could be a possible charity | Managers | managers | various | Social objectives | 1.1 Identify the purpose of different types of organisation
LO1 1.2 Meeting the objectives different stakeholders
Stakeholder | The stakeholder expectation or objective | How does Royal Mail meet this objective | Can the Royal Mail improve how they meet this objective? Give details | Investors/Shareholders | They would want a return of capital R.O.C.E | They meet this by offering dividend payments on shares | N/A at the present but will change in the future | Managers | They would want to progress in their career to achieve a good salary | They meet this by offering a good career path | Yes by offering contracts of employment | Employees | The objective is the security of employment | By contracts of employment and pensions | Royal mail are failing in pension provisions | Customers | By offering quality value of service and convenience | They do this by delivering post on time at the right time | By offering a service at a good price but may change due to depot’s likely to increase which makes costs increase | Community | To send local or global | The community wants a quality of service and the large public wants convenience to become a global community | Yes but will it continue | Government | It’s not wanting to cost money to the tax payer | Not growing the pension problem but leaving as a minimum | Not sure at the present but will change | Pressure Groups | The trade unions wants the right things for its workers | They meet it by having regular consultations through time | Not sure but the unions are threatening strike actions | Competitors | Such as couriers uk mail parceline | By sending paper post rather than online sending | The royal mail need to protect the market share | Suppliers | To buy paper delivery vehicles fuel and buildings | They meet it by having long term contracts with these suppliers | Yes when renegotiating contracts with suppliers |
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. Legal responsibilities-legislation
Consumer legislation.
Royal mail are responsible for transferring possessions by delivering the goods i.e letters/parcels in accordance on time and at the place agreed or if they haven’t made an agreement they must deliver to their place of business at a responsible time.
Trades description act.
Products i.e parcels must be received by the customer in the condition it was sent to royal mail.
And whatever the class the letter/parcel as been sent it must be sent and to arrive at the time in which they say it will be delivered.
Data protection act
The royal mail must meet this because they are delivering important personal information and they have a legal obligation to protect the information i.e mail and make sure it gets to the customer.
Employee legislation
When working for royal mail as for example postman/post woman they must be paid the same rate to comply with the equal pay act. Also when working they must work the legal hours but have timed breaks throughout the day.
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. When paid employees must be paid no lower than the national minimum wage limit. The redundancy rights should be put on your contract and as well as your stator rights and pay. Employees should receive a minimum of 4 weeks holiday but some companies can offer more due to time served with the company. When working for the company if you have to do any special requirements such as forklift driving or first aid the training should be given to enable them to work safely. Larger companies have a trade union and any employees are allowed to join if they
wish.
Equal opportunities and anti discrimination laws.
Sex discrimination act 1975.
Companies must offer equal opportunities whether the employees are male or female or married or single they should be treated as equals. The company must keep within the antidiscrimination law such as offering promotion to both sexes and not just cause they are male or female and also offer the same i.e toilets for both sexes and not just for one sex.
Race relations act.
All employees should be treated the same and not for the colour of their skin, nationality or ethnic origin.
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them.
Legal responcibilities-legislation. Disability discrimination act
When companies advertise jobs for employees they must not discriminate job applicants due to a person’s grounds of disability. And when employed by the company the company must make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities and must not treat them less favourably for a reason related to the disability.
Environmental legislation
You must comply with the environmental legislation such as down to storage of waste i.e paper/paper bands/boxes and must be disposed of or recycled correctly. And the vehicles working for the company would be better with lower emissions as not to affect the health of employees with the smoke. Also with the noise of the vehicles which could affect neighbours and cause a nuisance at night times. Signs around the work place should also be visible so employees can see where waste should be put and what they should or shouldn’t do to make a safe environment to keep up with health and safety.
Unit 1 lo1 1.3 explain the responsibilities of an organisation and strategies employed to meet them. Health and safety legislation
This should be applied into the work place so that employees can go to an office and report an accident into an accident book. Other legislations which warn you of whether you need to wear safety goggles/ear plugs and other safety equipment to work on special equipment. And also most companies will have a safety officer on board.
Ethical issues
Environment
Looking at royal mail as a growing company it needs to look at these issues such as waste and what to do with it such as recycling the paper and boxes and not incinerating and going to landfills which will be good for the environment. And as far as global warning it is best for them to keep up with newer lesser smokier vehicles which will use bio fuels and will help by reducing energy use and carbon footprint. Royal mail does use the ethical vehicles such as the pedal bike which doesn’t require any fuel and is good for the environment.
Fair trade
This is seen as ethical buyer it’s about better prices/better working conditions and local sustainability.
Charter compliance
They have to be chartered to ofcom.