University Business Lecture Notes
Compiled for Academic Use
1. Introduction to Business and Management
Business refers to organized efforts to produce and sell goods and services for profit.
Management involves planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources to achieve
objectives.
Types of business organizations: Sole proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability
Company (LLC).
2. Business Environment
Internal Environment: Employees, culture, management, shareholders.
External Environment: Customers, competitors, suppliers, government, technology, global trends.
PESTEL Analysis: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal factors.
3. Organizational Structures
Functional Structure: Divides work based on functions (marketing, HR, finance).
Divisional Structure: Organized by products, services, or geographic regions.
Matrix Structure: Combination of functional and divisional; complex but flexible.
Flat vs. Hierarchical structures: Levels of authority and decision-making speed.
4. Business Strategy and Planning
Strategic Management: Long-term direction setting for business growth.
Porter’s Five Forces: Competition, new entrants, substitutes, supplier power, buyer power.
SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
Business plans: Executive summary, market analysis, financial planning.
5. Marketing Principles
Marketing is about identifying, anticipating, and satisfying customer needs.
4Ps of Marketing: Product, Price, Place, Promotion.
Market segmentation: Demographic, psychographic, geographic, behavioral.
Digital marketing: Social media, SEO, content marketing, email campaigns.
6. Finance and Accounting Basics
Finance: Managing money, investments, and capital structures.
Accounting: Recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions.
Key Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement.
Break-even analysis, ROI (Return on Investment), Working capital management.
7. Operations and Supply Chain Management
Operations Management: Overseeing production and delivery of goods/services.
Lean Manufacturing: Reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Supply Chain: Network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers.
Logistics and inventory control are key to business profitability.
8. Human Resource Management (HRM)
HRM focuses on recruitment, training, employee development, and performance appraisal.
Motivation theories: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory.
Labor relations, employee benefits, workplace diversity, and inclusion.
HR challenges: Talent retention, remote work, employee engagement.
9. Business Ethics and Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR)
Ethics: Standards of right and wrong guiding business behavior.
CSR: Companies’ responsibility to society and environment beyond profit-making.
Examples: Sustainable practices, philanthropy, ethical sourcing.
Corporate governance: Accountability, transparency, fairness.
10. Global Business and E-commerce
Globalization: Expanding operations across borders, multinational corporations (MNCs).
Trade theories: Comparative advantage, absolute advantage.
E-commerce: Buying and selling goods/services online.
Trends: AI in business, fintech, blockchain, cross-border e-commerce.
References
Kotler, P. – Principles of Marketing.
Drucker, P. – The Practice of Management.
Porter, M. – Competitive Strategy.
Harvard Business Review – Business and Management Articles.
Robbins, S. – Organizational Behavior.
