UGBS 101 Introduction to Business Administration Session 1 – Overview of sessions Lecturer: Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS Contact Information: danquaye@ug.edu.gh Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Course Overview This course provides the various definitions of business and concepts underlining the management of business. It would include discussion on some of the characteristics of businesses, the types of business, type of business ownerships just to mention a few. The course would also consider the role of government in regulating and promoting business in Ghana to be specific. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Course Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Definitions and concepts of business. The business environment: doing business right Different forms of business ownership. Identifying and assessing the business opportunity. The nature, significance and sources of innovation. Managing the small business. Bringing innovation to the business setting etc Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Reading List Reading materials: Introduction of Business Administration Distance Education Manual- Dr Daniel Quaye. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Definition and concepts of business Topic One Definition and concepts of business Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This section introduces you to definitions of the concept of business. It provides you with various definitions of business and identifies the characteristics of businesses. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic two Business Environment: doing business right Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS

Topic overview This session explains what it means to conduct business in an ethically and socially responsible manner and discusses the importance of doing so. It explores the factors that influence ethical behaviour and learn ways to make ethical decisions to ensure business treat society, the natural environment, their customers, their investors, their employees, and each other fairly. Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS

Topic three Different forms of business ownerships Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session discusses the important decision of selecting the type of business organization a firm will be. The three main choices in Ghana are Sole Proprietorships, Partnership, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic four Identifying and assessing the business opportunity Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session focuses on Identifying, seeking and acting on opportunities, which is what every successful entrepreneur does. These activities are the basis for starting and recognizing opportunities; screening and evaluating them to determine the most viable, attractive propositions to be pursued. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic five The nature, significance and sources of innovation Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview The defining challenge for competitiveness has shifted, especially in advanced countries. Today, continued operational improvement is given, and companies in many countries are able to acquire and deploy the best current technology. This session examines the nature, significance and sources of innovation. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic six Bringing innovation into a business setting Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session seeks to discuss the characteristics of a creative business environment as well as reveal how a firm or management can build the innovative capabilities of their employees. In addition, the session will also emphasize the barriers of innovation within the business environment. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic seven Managing the small business. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session discusses the concept of management and the various functions of a manager. Students would be opened to the fundamental management functions of a business manager as well as basic required skills for effective management. Some of the subjects to be discussed under this session include planning, controlling, leadership and organizing. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic eight Managing financial resources Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session enlightens the student on the several types of financing option available to a start up. The session offers a general comparison between these two broad categories of financing a business. In addition, it considers other forms of financing available to a business manager such as leasing, venture capitals and governmental funding projects. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic nine Managing human resources Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session educates the student on the importance of the right and qualified human resource in business setting as well as how to manage them. Furthermore, the session discusses such concepts as employee recruitment, training and motivation. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic ten Role of government in business Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session discusses the role a government must play in order to create a favorable environment for business to strive and succeed. In the incunabula, the session discusses the history and development of the government’s involvement in business in Ghana. In addition, the session reveals some of the governmental agencies that aid the creation of a favorable business environment for firms. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic eleven Enterpreneurial talk: Guest speaker Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Topic overview This session would include an interactive section with an entrepreneurial guest speaker. To share some useful practical thoughts on some of the issues discussed within the semester. In addition, the guest speaker would help us understand some of the basic characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Sakai learning platform Assignment and forum discussion would be held on this platform. Student would also be assessed based on their participation on the platform. Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS

Reading list Reading materials: Introduction of Business Administration Distance Education Manual- Dr Daniel Quaye. Madura, Jeff (2007), Introduction to Business Administration, South-Western College Dr. Daniel Quaye, UGBS