110003 - INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: Maria Dolors Celma Benaiges

Trimester: First term

Credits: 6

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 1

• Catalan

The material can be in Catalan, Spanish or English

The subject of Introduction to Business Management is a first contact with the world of business management and studies the role of the company and entrepreneurs in society.

It allows to understand the main economic and social indicators to evaluate the operation of the company, to then focus on the basic principles of business management: management, organization, planning and control.

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, either towards students or teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer the prejudices of others.

Block 1: The economic valuation of the company

1.1. Introduction: Concept, administration and types of companies

1.2. Current challenges for business administration

1.3. Economic assessment of the operation of the company

1.3.1. Productivity

1.3.2. Profitability

1.3.3. The deadlock

Block 2: Business administration

2.1. Business planning

2.1.1. Forecasting and analyzing the environment

2.1.2. Planning concept: Different levels of planning

2.1.3. Types of plans

2.2. Control in the company

2.2.1. Information systems for control

2.2.2. The control process

            2.2.2.1. Critical variables and management indicators

            2.2.2.2. The record of results

            2.2.2.3. The analysis of deviations

            2.2.2.4. Corrective actions

2.2.3. The control function

2.3. The organization of the company

2.3.1. Definition and design of the organizational structure

2.3.2 The parts of the organization

2.3.3. The organizational chart: horizontal and vertical design

2.3.4. New organizational visions

2.3.5. Coordination mechanisms

2.4. The company's management

2.4.1. Principles, functions and reality of managerial work

2.4.2. Variables that condition the direction function

2.4.2.1. The motivation of workers

2.4.2.2. Leadership styles

2.4.2.3. Leadership and Gender

2.4.3. Inclusive leadership

The final mark of the subject will be conformed by the weighting of marks of different activities of continuous evaluation, which will be raised during the course, plus the final exam:

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION (60% of the grade)

• Seminars (40%). 4 seminars (10% each)
  • Common Tecnocampus competencies: this subject works on the Gender competency (10% of the final grade of the subject included in the seminars). 
• Taking a partial exam (20% of the grade)

FINAL EXAM (40% of the mark)

The final exam will consist of different theoretical and practical questions. A minimum score of 5 points out of 10 must be obtained in the final exam: this exam will consist of different assessment parts and a minimum score of 4 must be obtained in each of these parts and that the average mark of the marks of the different parts is at least 5 points.

Recovery test

• The grade for the continuous assessment will be saved and cannot be retrieved. Only the final exam can be retaken.
• To recover the mark of the final exam, students who are in the following situations may take the resit test:
  1. If the average of the final exam is passed but less than 4 has been obtained in any of the parts, the part or parts with less than 4 must be recovered.
  2. If the average of the final exam is suspended, all parts below 5 points must be recovered. 
• As in the ordinary assessment, the final mark remaining from the final examination after recovery must be at least 5 points to pass. 
• A student who has not taken the first exam can NOT take the retake.

Any form of academic fraud will be sanctioned in accordance with the center's evaluation regulations. If signs of fraud are detected, including the improper use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the subject's teaching staff may call the student for an individual interview with the aim of verifying
the authorship.

 Osterwalder, Alexander (2015). Designing the value proposition: how to create the products and services that your customers are expecting. god

Osterwalder, Alexander, Pigneur, Yves, Clark, Tim, and Vázquez, Lara (2011). Generation of business models: a manual for visionaries, revolutionaries and challengers (First edition). god

ROBBINS, Stephen. P. and COULTER, Mary. C. (2024): Management (Global Edition). Pearson. 16th edition

GIL ESTALLO, Maria Angeles, GINER DE LA FUENTE, F (2013), How to create and run a company. Madrid Ed. Esic 9th edition.