4IM510 Project: Examining Business Functions in the Value Chain

This project, completed as part of the 4IM510 module, delves into the significance of business functions within the value chain, specifically focusing on marketing and human resource management (HRM). The assignment requires an in-depth analysis of these functions, outlining their purpose and value to an organization, and how they interrelate with other functions in the value chain. The project utilizes Porter's value chain model to dissect both primary and support activities, providing a comprehensive overview of how these functions contribute to an organization's overall success. The project also incorporates a case study approach, using Apple Inc. as an example to illustrate the practical application of these concepts. The work is supported by a range of academic sources to underpin the analysis, ensuring a robust and well-researched examination of the subject matter. The project is divided into two sections, each focusing on a specific business function, and is designed to test the student's understanding of key business functions and their role in the global business environment.

Understanding the Global Business
Environment - Project
(4IM510)
Please follow the instructions below and use the
templates to present your work.

MODULE ASSESSMENT PART 1 (CW1 – 70%)
A. The Value Chain and Business Functions (70 marks total)
In this part of the assessment you are to complete two short written
activities designed to test your appreciation and understanding of some
key business functions. Using the templates set out on the following
pages, use a range of appropriate academic underpinning to explore and
examine the purpose and value of some key business functions. You will
be able to choose which business functions you want to examine (for
example, you might choose Operations Management, Marketing,
or Human Resources Management). You can choose any element of
the Value Chain (Porter 1985), whether Primary or Support function /
activity.

Name of Business Function 1: Total Available Marks - 35 marks
Instruction 1: In 800 – 900 words outline the purpose and value of the
business function (e.g. Marketing, HRM) to an Organization and how the
function links to other functions of the value chain.
Instruction 2: You must use five (5) ( no more than 5) appropriate
academic sources to underpin your work - to be listed at the end of this
section and referenced appropriately within the text (Harvard style).
Answer:
(A) Purpose and values of Business functions and value chain
An Organization works with different functions and operation
departments. This functions helps the Organization to met the targets
and goals (Voegtlin, Patzer and Scherer, 2012.). The below are the purpose and
importance of functions are discussed for an Organization.
To frame Design of product : Production department of an
Organization know as ground and important department of the
Organization (Wang, Wang and Yang, 2010.). Production department of the
company operates different factors of production department such as
Fulfilling Labour requirement : Labour is the physical and
mental strength of the Organization who make their efforts to produce
the product or services whit their skills and knowledge. Apple Inc. recruit
high skilled and professional labour to make their product perfect and
luxurious.
Material Requirement: Any manufacturing and goods company
needs raw material requirement to convert it from raw material to
finished product. As Apple Inc. needs steel, lather and woods as raw
martial. Raw material go through different process of production to
complete the product.
For Capital Needs : Organization needs financial and background
support to organise the production functions. Capital is the source which
fulfil the Organizational requirement such as cash requirement, purchase
and sales.
Energy : Without energy source an Organization is unable to
operate the production function. For an Organization electricity, fuel, gas
and solar systems are the main sources to generate energy.
To get Information : Product development is one of the key
factor for an Organization. Professional and expert team applies their
skills to gather the important and valuable information to innovate the
product. There is huge knowledgeable experts team works in to gather
the informations regarding design, style and functions of the product.
(A) Functions of marketing: -
The marketing department of the firm is accessible for

promoting products and services in target market. It develops
certain strategies and policies in order to attain and retain for
customers for long term period. Marketing managers focuses on
producing qualitative and value added products and services for
increasing sales and productivity.
How value chain system is interrelated with marketing functions are
related as under :
(Functions Of Supply Chain Management, 2016)
Primary function : This function defines primary functions in five
different way
Inbound Logistics : this is the first stage of identifying raw data to
prepare an marketing strategies.
Operations : it helps to demonstrate the raw data in finished form
to make approachable to management (Oliveira and Martins, 2010).
Marketing managers uses different tactics and methods to mould raw
data and information so that a specific meaning could come through out
the process.
Outbound logistics : this step indicates towards how final reports
and strategies are managed and stored in information system of an
organisation.
Marketing and sales : Sales and marketing activities helps to
promote the product type in the market and also helps to increase the
sale of the product.
Services : Services contains the activities which helps to deliver
the products to the end customers such as transportation, installation
services etc.
1. Secondary or supporting functions :
Procurement : It is an activity which provides administrative and
Organizational needs to make effective marketing plans and policies.

Human resource management : Providing effective and proficient
manpower in the form of sales man, sales and marketing managers and
employees (Harrison, 2011).
Technological development : Finding out best and optimum
sources which may help in making marketing plan and strategies (Milne
and Gray, 2013. ). As information system, secured online marketing
functions, Website designing, digital techniques of promotions and
selling.
Infrastructure : Apple Inc. needs a better place and sources for
performing the operations in effective manner. Infrastructure defines the
structure of the Organization in respect of political, cultural and
qualitative subject.
There are different marketing functions which are used by Apple Inc. as
under:
Software updates Apple use IOS operating system which is considered
as best operating system. It requires lots of changes and modification.
These software need to update on regular basis to avoid hacking and
tracing challenges. Its firewall and security system is one of the credible
operating software till now.
New models of phones: it is also famous for its latest technology and
advancements. Its gadgets and mobile phones are comes with unique
concepts which creates curiosity and consumer interest.
Accessories : there are some supportive and additional components
are also launched by organisation as earphones, battery backups etc.
Stores management : these department helps in managing
commodities and stock of finished products.
Survey for new products : Analysation of customer interest and
modify the plan is the work which is done by this department.
Board meetings : preparing minutes of meetings, conferences are
managed in this function.
Pricing : deciding the price and cost of products as per their type is the
functional area of this function.
Advertisement : Apple Inc. introduced its new products in creative and
innovative way. Its advertisement tactics remain very unique and
advanced and focused upon products.

Name of Business Function 2: : Total Available Marks - 35 marks
Instruction 1: In 800 – 900 words outline the purpose and value of the
business function (e.g. Marketing, HRM) to an organization and how the
function links to other functions of the value chain.
Instruction 2: You must use a minimum of three (3) and not more than
five (5) appropriate academic sources to underpin your work - to be
listed at the end of this section and referenced appropriately within the
text (Harvard style).
(B)Relation of Value chain with HR functionJob experience : Apple Inc. is a multinational and a brand organisation
which has large market share and it provides a of smooth functioning and
better work experience in organisation. Employees get chance to
introduce with global business environment. Employees acquire a specific
position in organisation. They are authorised with powers and
responsibilities which helps in attaining the goals and objectives of Apple
Inc.
Performance management : Apple Inc. is one of the ethical and
professional organisation. Its management approaches provides flexibility

and approachability to higher management. Analysing the results and
actions of manpower is one of the key criteria of human resource function.
There is individual track record of every employees is maintained to
analyse their performance. Actual results and outcomes are measured
with expected targets and aims. It helps in find out required fields of
improvement.
Career plaining : being a part of Apple Inc. an employee gets lots of career
opportunity. It is one of the multinational company who has large market
share and brand image across territory. Its has large technical and
management department. Organisation keep seeking for future leaders,
entrepreneurs for better operations and growth. its own making job and
career specified is main criteria of HR department. Organisation has its
various segments which gives lots of opportunity to grow and exceed the
level of competency.
Secondary or supporting functions
Training and development :
Managers of Apple Inc. evaluate performance of employees find out
required areas of improvement. Training and development programs are
made as per improvement areas (Haufler, 2010). Employees are taught
latest tactics and approaches of management. There are some
professional skills must have to represent a multinational organisation at
international level. Presentation skills, leadership skills are the skills.
Employee relations :
HR management works as a communicator between employees and
managers. It creates an effective communication system so that
employee become approachable to management. Policies and terms of
Apple Inc. are very transparent. HR managers connect with its employees
in the end of the month and analyse the mind set of employees at
workplace. They analyse work environment and preparean report for
further plans and extensions.
Motivation :
Managers appreciate the people and employees whose performance
remains good during the year. This motivates the employees to work
regularly. There is a star performer selected in the end of every month
and get appreciations and applauds from management. Its gives
motivation for work more effective in near future. It also helps in making
competitive environment in organisation. rewards and recognition :
celebrating the success of organisation with employees by distributing
awards and momentum. It helps in building healthy and effective
employee relations. There are many annual events and award ceremony
are organised by Apple Inc. organisation celebrate its annual success with
its employees and also present their vision and mission statement for
upcoming year.
B. Personal Learning (30 marks total)
As per the template below, you are to reflect on your overall personal
and / or professional learning during the module.

Please note that this MUST NOT BE a copy of the information provided in
other sections. This self-reflection is looking at your overall learning and
how you have developed beyond the individual events or activities. This
is about the bigger picture and your learning and understanding as a
business professional.
Instruction 1: In 600 – 700 words outline the key learning and personal
development that you have gained during the UGBE module. This needs
to include key learning from undertaking the Business Simulation,
together with other areas of your choice. For example, working with
personal tutors, your peer group or the subject teaching. From this
reflection outline future personal development you will need to further
enhance your business acumen and business etiquette.
Instruction 2: You must use at least two (2) and not more than three
(3) appropriate academic references to underpin your work - to be listed
at the end of this section and referenced appropriately within the text
(Harvard style).
Total Available Marks - 30 marks
Answer: (B) Self-reflection of value chain and relation with
Organization under UGBE module
Global business environment effect the nature and functions of the
Organization at international level (Ciccarelli and Mojon, 2010).). The above
functions describe the global business environment dynamics. How
values chain and functions relate with an organization at global level is
defined as under :
Apple Inc. is the brand name in luxurious car and auto mobiles
industries. Being a high profile and professional segments of products
and deliverable the organization is able to keep a large size of market
share in global market. How the value chains and functions relates with
its sales and marketing
Supply chain plays a crucial role in sales and marketing
department. Basically supply chain helps the Organization to provide the
raw materials, labour etc. Supply chain management system helps to co-
ordinate the production process and sub departments too. This process
contains the approvals from authorities of making orders and material
requirement.
Chain management helps the sales and marketing managers to

analyse the sales records and deciding the purchase quantity of the raw
material. For making an purchase order the sales department prepare
the report on the basis of sales records monthly and annually basic. It
also helps to make estimated sales and purchase budget for upcoming
years.
Chain management helps the management to make strategies and
plans for fulfilling the finance requirement for the organization. Finance
department evaluate the different sources of the finance to operate the
different functions effectively. For example there are two different option
are available in market one is debentures and second is loan. Both
options looks similar in fulfilling the requirement of finance but
managers have to analysis the long term and short term impact of the
source in upcoming years.
Political and economical environment of the country effects the
global business environment (Gereffi and Fernandez-Stark, 2016). Different
countries have their different political, economical and cultural
environment. Diversity in nature of business environment of different
countries create challenges in decision making policies and strategies.
Performance analysis is the important work for the management of
the Organization. The overall performance of employees from top level
to bottom level is evaluated in a manner so that the idle factors could
identify. It also helps to find out the required areas of improvements to
improve the performance and actions for better accomplishment of goals
and objectives.
Research and development is one the department of the
Organization which works to improve the productivity and proficiency of
the employees to reduce the cost of the product and processing time.
Effect of chain management
chain management provide step by step format to operating the
functions (Voegtlin, Patzer and Scherer, 2012.). It helps to maintain the order of
work and responsibility between multiple department of the
Organization. Building an effective and strong communication is also one
of the major characteristic of chain system. It defines the work criteria
for every group and individual so that interest of the employees would
not effect.
CONCLUSION
This assignment is about understanding global business
environment. Global business environment is an environment which
contains more than one organizational cultures, political environment
and economies. International and multinational companies have to run

their business activities in this global environment. For understanding
UBGE module Apple Inc. auto mobile and car industries' organizational
environment is discussed above. This assignment also defines the value
chain system and its effectiveness in the organization. It is also
explained in this context that how value chain relates with HR and
marketing function of an organization.
References
du Rausas and et. al., 2011. Internet matters: The Net’s sweeping impact on growth, jobs,
and prosperity. McKinsey Global Institute. 21.
Harrison, R., 2011. Learning and development. Development and Learning in
Organizations: An International Journal. 26(1).
Androniceanu, A. and Dragulanescu, I.V., 2012. Sustainability of the organizational
changes in the context of global economic crisis. Amfiteatru economic. 14(32). p.365.
Gereffi, G. and Fernandez-Stark, K., 2016. Global value chain analysis: a primer.
Haufler, V., 2010. Disclosure as governance: the extractive industries transparency
initiative and resource management in the developing world. Global Environmental
Politics. 10(3). pp.53-73.