This module explores the pivotal role of businesses in society and delves into how organisations utilise resources to meet the diverse needs of customers. It also sheds light on the world’s economic systems, highlighting the functioning of small businesses within a market economy. Additionally, the module explores the significance of management in the business environment, delving into the core management functions and the skills and competencies required at different levels within a business.

The third module of the Higher Certificate in Business Management provides students with an overview of the core tasks involved in human resource management. It begins by exploring the scope and responsibilities of human resource management. We then delve into the formulation of policies, advisory roles, service provision, and employee affairs management, all within the context of the HR function and its impact on other management areas. The module also covers human resource provision, retention, and governance, which are all key factors influencing effective human resource management.

This module focuses on the operations functions within an organisation in relation to other key business functions. It introduces students to various concepts in operations management, such as supply chain, logistics, supply and demand, and different demand forecasting techniques. Lastly, students will delve into inventory management and the calculation of inventory costs, wrapping up the fourth module of the Higher Certificate in Business Management.

This module provides students with an introduction to financial management, focusing on a secondary or supporting perspective. In other words, this module focuses on financial management from the point of view of departments other than the financial department, such as technology, human resource management, and legal services. By the end of the module, students should be able to comprehend the scope of financial management, apply fundamental principles and practices, and articulate budget planning and control issues. Additionally, students will learn how to analyse financial statements as a valuable source of information for financial management and measure and interpret an organisation’s financial performance.

Effective communication is crucial in any business environment. This module covers fundamental aspects of communication, such as different communication mediums and channels used within organisations, communication in the digital era, managing multicultural communication, and overcoming barriers to effective communication. The sixth module of the Higher Certificate in Business Management also covers the practical aspects of conducting productive meetings.

As with communication, information technology plays a crucial role in modern organisations. The evaluation, implementation, and management of Information Systems (IS) have become vital for effective business management. This module introduces students to the significance of reliable and accurate information in a business context, as well as an organisation’s information requirements and the interplay between the information function and other business functions. Students will also gain the ability to distinguish between different components of information systems and comprehend relevant IS terminology. The concept of “systems” is explored in terms of objectives and characteristics. Furthermore, contemporary issues such as information in the online world and information as a valuable management resource are also examined and discussed.

The final module of the Higher Certificate in Business Management introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of effective project management in a business environment. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the project management life cycle, including the planning, management, and control phases. They will also learn how to effectively apply the appropriate methods and tools to manage projects, drawing from real-life business scenarios. As part of the summative assessment, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding by successfully completing a basic project based on a given scenario and applying project management principles and practices.