Unit 944: Business Administration Fundamentals

1. Overview of Business Administration

• Definition and scope of business administration
• Importance of business administration in organizational success
• Key functions: planning, organizing, leading, controlling
• Roles and responsibilities of business administrators

2. Evolution of Business Administration

• Origins and historical development of business administration
• Classical management theories (Scientific Management, Administrative Theory)
• Human relations movement
• Modern approaches and contemporary trends
• Impact of technological advances and globalization

3. Principles of Management

• Planning: setting objectives, forecasting, decision making
• Organizing: resource allocation, organizational structure
• Leading: motivation, leadership styles, communication
• Controlling: performance measurement, corrective actions
• Integration of management functions

4. Organizational Behavior

• Individual behavior and perception in organizations
• Motivation theories (Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor)
• Communication processes and barriers
• Leadership theories and styles
• Organizational culture and climate
• Group dynamics and teamwork

5. Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

• Definition and importance of business ethics
• Ethical decision-making frameworks
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) concepts
• Sustainability and environmental considerations
• Ethical challenges in global business

6. Strategic Management

• Introduction to strategic management and planning
• Environmental scanning and competitive analysis (SWOT, PESTEL)
• Setting strategic goals and objectives
• Strategy formulation and implementation
• Monitoring and evaluating strategic performance

7. Human Resource Management

• HR planning and recruitment processes
• Training and development programs
• Performance appraisal techniques
• Compensation and benefits management
• Employee relations and labor laws

8. Financial Management

• Fundamentals of financial planning and budgeting
• Understanding financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow)
• Financial ratio analysis
• Cost management and capital budgeting
• Role of financial management in business decisions

9. Marketing Management

• Basic marketing concepts and market research
• Product development and lifecycle management
• Pricing strategies and tactics
• Distribution channels and logistics
• Promotional activities and advertising

10. Operations Management

• Principles of operations management
• Process design and workflow optimization
• Quality management and continuous improvement (TQM, Six Sigma)
• Productivity measurement
• Supply chain management and inventory control