The Business Environment: Themes and Issues

Designed specifically for students new to the study of business, this book gives context to the subject in the range of environments in which business operates. Part One introduces the environments through the well-used "PESTLE" framework; this structure ensures that the core political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and environmental influences on business are fully covered.

A range of themes is clearly presented in each chapter to ensure this approach does not over-simplify the presentation of the business environment. These themes are designed to demonstrate to the reader that business is diverse and complex and there are many inter-relationships between the environments. The themes also outline the factors which influence business, for example the diversity of business, the complexity of the external environment, and the interaction between business and its environment.

Part Two departs from the PESTLE framework and focuses on a range of contemporary issues relevant to each environment; this enables the reader to access the theory through lively current debates. These include the changing public sector, corporate social responsibility and ethics, globalization, and work-life balance.

There are interesting short cases and examples throughout, as well as a longer case study at the end of each chapter; cases include the Nintendo Wii, BlackBerry, Nike, eBay, Nokia, EasyJet, Toyota, and the 2012 Olympics.

The analytical approach the text takes, showing different opinions and perspectives and challenging key issues, will stimulate lively discussion and debate.

Online Resource Centre

A comprehensive Online Resource Centre provides all the teaching and learning materials needed to support each chapter, removing the need for lecturers to look for additional seminar and test materials, and giving students the resources they need to check and build upon their understanding.

Lecturers can track students' progress and understanding using an online test bank of 300 questions offering immediate answers that can be customised and loaded on to the university's VLE. Seminar activities can be based around the additional online case studies, whilst lecturer's notes with outline answers and discussion points to accompany the review questions in the text provide a framework for class debate.

Students can test themselves using online multiple choice questions with feedback or the online flashcard glossary. Weblinks to useful sites provide a quick resource for further research, and web exercises guide the student to specific articles on the web, accompanied by questions to stimulate critical thinking.

Dr. Paul Wetherly is Principal Lecturer in Politics at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is module leader for Business Environment, which he has taught for several years. Paul's research interests include New Labour/Third Way and state theory, and he has many publications in these fields.

Dorron Otter is Principal Lecturer in the School of Applied Global Ethics, Leeds Metropolitan University. His principal teaching and research interests are in the field of political economy, particularly in relation to development and global justice.