Importance of Different Business Functions: A Case Study of Shell Plc

This report discusses the importance of different business functions such as marketing, human resources, operations, and accounting and finance, using Shell Plc as a case study.

Business Report

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
The term business function refers to those activities which are performed in organisation
in order to achieve its goals and objectives (Cagle, Yılmaz and Doğru, 2020). These functions
ensure the proper functioning of business towards its customers, leaders, employees and
shareholders. A company can have one or more business functions and each function plays an
important role for others. The essay report focus on different functions of business and their
importance.
MAIN BODY
Business functions is the concept about what type of work is being conducted in an
organisation or their role in business community. The structure of business depends on functions
of organisation. Business functions are being categorised in to two main parts such as support
functions and core functions.
Marketing function is related with carrying out all the promotional activities in order to
aware customers about products and services offered by organisation. The marketing department
of Shell plc evaluate customers needs and carry out an appropriate marketing mix in order to
satisfy them. The marketing team collects information through thorough market research and
accordingly prepares strategy. For example market research, products development, price setting,
distribution, customers relationship management, packaging, customers services, advertising etc.
activities are being carried out by marketing department of Shell Plc.
Human resource involves recruiting potential individuals and managing employees in an
organisation (Heikkilä, Kaipia and Ojala, 2018). The human resource department carry out all
those activities which are related to employees of organisation. Identification of workforce
needs, recruitment and selection of individuals, providing training and development, designing
compensations system etc. are activities carried out by human resource department of Shell Plc.
The department is responsible for handling termination of employees, managing all industrial
relations, handling human resource outsourcing strategy.
Operation function is also known as production function in implied with all the activities
related to production of goods or services (Massa, Tucci and Afuah, 2017). This department is
related with producing output with the use of inputs such as raw materials and other components.
The department ensures adequate availability of resources for production. The activities such as
1

maintenance of production level, output quality, high level efficiency achievement, providing
consistent services etc. activities are being performed by operation department of Shell Plc.
Account and finance is related to financial terms and is responsible for managing the
money in the organisation (Wu, Buyya and Ramamohanarao, 2020). The finance department
handles monitoring of money going out and in of business. The accounting and finance
department of Shell Plc manage all records of financial transaction such as making payment of
salaries, suppliers etc. The department is also responsible for disclosure of information to the
interested parties such as creditors and investors through publishing financial statements. Fund
raising and their management is also handles by accounting and finance department.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay it is ascertained that Business functions are different types of
activities which are being performed in and organisation. Business function is the key aspect
which helps in smooth flow of activities within an organisation. The objectives of each
organisation differ form each other depending on its nature. Business functions are categorised in
to two different categories such as support function and core function.
2

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Cagle, M. N., Yılmaz, K. and Doğru, H., 2020. Digitalization of business functions under
industry 4.0. In Digital Business Strategies in Blockchain Ecosystems (pp. 105-132).
Springer, Cham.
Heikkilä, J., Kaipia, R. and Ojala, M., 2018. Purchasing category management: providing
integration between purchasing and other business functions. International Journal of
Procurement Management. 11(5). pp.533-550.\
Massa, L., Tucci, C. L. and Afuah, A., 2017. A critical assessment of business model
research. Academy of Management Annals. 11(1). pp.73-104.
Wu, C., Buyya, R. and Ramamohanarao, K., 2020. Modeling cloud business customers’ utility
functions. Future Generation Computer Systems. 105. pp.737-753.
3