COMMGMT 2503NA - Small and Family Business Perspectives II
Ngee Ann Academy - Trimester 2 - 2015
-
General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code COMMGMT 2503NA Course Small and Family Business Perspectives II Coordinating Unit Adelaide Business School Term Trimester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s Ngee Ann Academy Units 3 Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Chris Graves
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
-
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Small firms and family businesses make a significant contribution to the economic development of national economies around the world. According to latest statistics, 96 percent of Australian private sector enterprises are small firms while approximately 67 percent are family-controlled businesses. Just as a small firm is not a little ‘big’ firm, an unlisted privately-owned family business is not a ‘clone’ of a publicly-listed business. Therefore it is important to have an understanding of the issues faced in growing and managing a firm from the small and family business perspectives.
As a consequence, the overarching objective of this course is for students to understand how business-related issues (such as marketing, management, finance, law and accounting) are applied and / or addressed in the small and family business contexts.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:COMMENCEMENT
Common pathways in which an individual becomes a small firm or family business ownerGROWTH
Issues that owners need to address when growing a small firm or family businessEXIT
Ways in which an owner of a small firm or family business ceases to be an ownerTopic 2: Getting into business: new ventures, franchises, and purchasing or inheriting a business Topic 3: Strategic planning and business plans
Topic 4: Marketing: product, price and promotion decisions
Topic 5: Financing the business
Topic 6: Legal issues
Topic 7: Managing growth & transition
Topic 8: Accounting issues
Topic 9: Taxation issuesTopic 10: Exit – part 1 (succession & next gen)
Topic 11: Exit – part 2 (decline & closure or turnaround and/or sale)
F O U N D A T I O N: TOPIC 1 - Definition, characteristics and significance of small firms and family businesses - Define and differentiate between what is meant by the terms ‘small firm’ and ‘family business’ and describe their significance and contributions to national economies;
- Describe the alternatives to commence working in (or owning) a small firm or a family business and identify their relative advantages and challenges;
- Formulate a business plan which outlines a firm’s objectives, business and marketing strategy, management structure, sources of finances and projected financial results.
- Identify the family, ownership and business issues that need to be considered when developing a strategic plan for a family business;
- Evaluate the appropriateness of a range of interrelated decisions associated with managing an growing a small firm and a family business;
- Identify the alternative legal structures available to small firms and choose the most appropriate form according to the objectives and needs of the owners;
- Evaluate the appropriateness of a firm’s management structure and processes in place based on its stage of development and growth;
- Identify the issues that need to be addressed when planning for succession to the next generation;
- Describe common reasons why firms become financially distressed and identify what steps can be taken to enact a turnaround;
- Develop an ability to apply the course concepts, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. ALL The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 4, 5 & 9 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. ALL A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 4 & 5 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
No information currently available.
Workload
No information currently available.
Learning Activities Summary
No information currently available.
-
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
No information currently available.
Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
-
Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
-
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
-
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
-
Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
