Target audience: Managers and supervisors wanting to understand the complexity of contemporary enterprises and their role in the hierarchy of the organisation.

Learning outcomes:

1. Be aware of the nature and the aim of contemporary enterprises;
2. Understand the inner and outer environment of the enterprise;
3. Identify the main categories of stakeholders;
4. Realize the role of management;
5. Know how to programme, organize, direct and control a team, a department or a company;
6. Be able to delegate effectively.

Duration: 25 hours over 3 weeks

Source material: learning resources at the openED website (English version / Greek version)

Module Chair: Georges Alexakis /Christos Makedos, HMA Hellenic Management Association, Greece

Contents

1 Introduction

 1.1 Spaces & Meetings

 1.2 Assignment

2 Module Activities

 2.1 Week 1

 2.2 Week 2 and 3

3 Assignment Submission & Peer Assessment

4 References

5 Acknowledgements

1 Introduction

This module defines the role of the enterprise in our society and describes the human, financial, natural and technical resources needed for its function, as well as the economic, social, political, loyal, technical and natural factors which influence its function. There is a broad presentation of the stakeholders, in and out of the enterprise. The role of management and the four managerial functions (programming, organizing, directing and controlling) are discussed in detail.

1.1. Spaces & Meetings 

A. Forum for general communication: Module 5 P1 - Introduction to the contemporary enterprise and managerial functions

B. IRC Chats over Freenode on Channel: #openEd (Dates to be announced at the forum and also at the timetable!)

C. Live sessions at UStream (Dates to be announced at the forum!)

1.2. Assignment

The assignment for this module is the Case Study A: Who comes first? (page 41, English version / pages 16-17, Greek version).

Your assignment should have 1000 – 1200 words and should be written in English. The answers to the case should be in the light of the topics discussed in the text and the personal experience of the participant. The answers should be inclusive and comprehensive and address the purpose of the module. Personal examples are well appreciated. You are encouraged to use more sources and to discuss the topic widely and even to suggest different approaches.

Once you have completed your assignment you are asked to upload the Assignment to the Module 5P1 Assignment Directory.

Assignments will be "peer-assessed", so make sure that you present your results in a clear and logic way that is understandable for others! Criteria for assessing assignments is given in the Assignment Submission & Peer Assessment section below.

Please note: This module will show as completed in your "Self-Print Certificate" only when you have submitted your Assignment.

2 Module Activities

This module is divided into 2 activities, taking in total 25 hours to complete. You may also want to allow additional time for IRC chats or other live interactions, depending on how many there are, perhaps around an hour a week.

2.1 Week 1

Activity 1: Introduction to the contemporary enterprise (10 hours)

Understand the role of the enterprise and the interests associated with it.

1. Read the learning resources (English version / Greek version) and make a comparison with your company.
2. Analyze the stakeholders of ten companies (local or international).
3. Answer in details the questions of the two case studies.
4. Upload the outcomes of your work to a public space, this might be slideshare, scribd, or any other place you know about.

Congratulations! You have now finished Week 1. Please complete the learning reflection form for this week.

2.2 Week 2 and 3

Activity 2: Managerial functions (15 hours)

Learn how to plan, organize, direct and control your team/department/company (it depends on your current position).

1. Read the learning resources (English version / Greek version) and evaluate your ability to implement the four managerial functions.
2. Write your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT Analysis).
3. Complete and present your own CV.
4. Answer in details the questions of the two case studies.
5. Upload the outcomes of your work to a public space, this might be slideshare, scribd, or any other place you know about.

Congratulations! You have now finished Week 2 and 3. Please complete the learning reflection form for this week.

3 Assignment Submission & Peer Assessment

1. Write your Assignment as explained in the Assignment section above.

Assignments will be "peer assessed", so make sure you present your results in a clear and logic way that is understandable for others!

2. Upload your Assignment to the Module 5P1 Assignment Directory.

Please note: This module will show as completed in your "Self-Print Certificate" only when you have submitted your Assignment.

3. Assess others' assignments by giving marks for each of the parts of the task.

1. We kindly ask you to take the time and to provide at least one peer assessment. We can not force you to do this - but the idea of this course is to work together as peers and to help one the other!
2. Please use the Rating and Review function below each assignment for your peer review. You should rate as follows: 100% of marks = 5 Stars | 92% of marks = 4 Stars | 85% of marks = 3 Stars | 70% of marks = 2 Stars | 60% of marks = 1 Star | Less then 60% of marks = no Star. Your written review should include information on the marks you have been accredited for an assignment ***AND*** information how you have calculated such marks.
3. For each part of the task, high marks should be awarded to answers that are accurate, comprehensive, convincing, insightful and scholarly.
4. Being "scholarly" means using logical arguments; avoiding non sequiturs; substantial claims; and using accurate spelling, grammar and referencing.
5. Furthermore, each part of the task also has a specific criterion for achieving the highest marks:

4 References

1. Alexakis G. (2010) The Art of Management: For the Development of Human Resources. Athens: Smili Publications
2. http://www.managementhelp.org
3. http://www.managementheaven.com
4. http://www.mindtools.com
5. http://en.wikipedia.org

5 Acknowledgements

The first draft of this module was created in May 2010 by George Alexakis.