Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management

Purpose

This qualification is designed to equip learners to think logically and critically and to use advanced problem-solving skills to make informed business decisions; apply specific skills in acquiring, organising, analysing, evaluating and presenting information, in particular recognising the increasing importance of electronic-based activity for the 4th Industrial Revolution; and commitment to the fundamental importance of the acquisition and development of knowledge and understanding in at least two inter-related major subject areas. Qualifying learners will be able to:

• Start and manage their businesses, i.e. be entrepreneurs.
• Manage/Direct relevant Departments (e.g. Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Management & Administration, etc) either in private or public sector environments.
• Hold competent management positions at both functional and strategic level.
• Undertake research for effective decision-management in their respective management fields.
• Pursue a relevant post-graduate qualification, e.g. Honours.
• Teach Business related subjects (Business Studies, Economics, and Accounting) in secondary schools.

If the learner only completes part of the qualification, he/she will be able to

• Undertake line management or supervisory functions (e.g. Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain Management, etc (either in Public or Private enterprises).
• Manage small enterprises.
• Start spaza shops or informal trading businesses (e.g. street trading).
• Manage specific functional areas in skills already obtained in modules completed (e.g. supply chain management, management, marketing, finance, etc).
• Work as junior employees in related business fields (e.g. bookkeepers, sales managers, account clerks, line managers, administration, data capturers, cashiers, stock clerks, etc)
• Undertake small research projects for effective decision management at functional or technical levels.

Rationale

South Africa, as an emerging economy, is faced with a shortage of skilled personnel in the areas of entrepreneurship, business management and transformational development. Business management is increasingly becoming important to government and private organisations. This qualification will empower learners with the skills and competencies necessary to function in both the private and public sector environments. Business management will also cater to the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment and prepare learners for further Postgraduate study. Overall, it aims to provide the learner with skills necessary to become competent workers and managers, both functional and strategic levels.

The qualification will benefit the sector in creating employment opportunities. Learners will be job creators, not only job seekers. It will also empower some job seekers to fit into specific positions with their acquired skills, such as marketing managers, financial managers, supply chain managers, general managers, etc, either in the public or private sector.

Range of typical learners includes National Senior Certificate learners with, inter-alia, Mathematics, Accounting, Business Studies & Economics background. Learners with some practical experience in Accounting, Business Studies, Economics and Law. Learners from other professional qualifications who have learning difficulties. Employees or managers from public and private enterprises who desire for a formal qualification (via RPL). Learners from SETA Institutions, TVET Institutions and Technikons.

The qualification offers the following occupations, jobs or areas of activity

• Business Management.
• Supply Chain Management.
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship.
• Purchasing and Materials Management.
• Finance.
• General Management.
• Marketing.
• Public Management.
• Information Management.
• Logistics Management.
• Researcher.

Qualifying learners would be able to proceed to a relevant Honours qualification or a post-graduate diploma. Unsuccessful learners would be able to proceed to a national certificate or a national diploma qualification or move over to a general business qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Commerce). Some of these learners can do specific qualifications, eg. Entrepreneurship, small business management, project management, computer skills (offered by Vocational Institutions).

Benefits to the learner, society and the economy include Self-employment, Creation of job opportunities for others, contribution to business skills required in the economy, upward mobility (promotion, higher qualifications), Contribution to the GDP, Decrease in unemployment, independence and contributes to the preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access: If a learner does not meet the formal entry requirements for admission into a qualification, RPL can be applied. Prospective learners who would like to gain entry into the qualification would have to complete a written portfolio of evidence (PoE). The evaluation would consist of granting credits based on the assessment of the PoE, which will consist of the prior knowledge and skills gained through informal, non-formal or experiential learning. Based on the number of credits awarded, a learner will be placed either in the first or second year.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• Diploma Business Management, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 378 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,124 Credits

• Commercial Law 1 Module I, 16 Credits.
• Commercial Law 1 Module II, 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1, 32 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Macroeconomics 1, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Microeconomics 2, 15 Credits.
• Management of the Enterprise, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 5, 16 Credits

• Entrepreneurship, 8 Credits.
• Financial Management, 8 Credits.
• Commercial Law II Module 1, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6,102 Credits

• Applied Statistics I, 16 Credits.
• Applied Statistics 2, 16 Credits.
• Computer Literacy I, 8 Credits.
• Computer Literacy 2, 8 Credits.
• Labour Relations, 8 Credits.
• Logistics Management 8 Credits.
• Management Principles, 15 Credits.
• Operations Management, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management 1, 8 Credits.

Elective Module, Level 6: 16 Credits (Choose 1)

• Commercial Law II Module 2, 16 Credits.
• Principles of Marketing, 8 Credits.
• Risk Management, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 105 Credits

• Financial Management, 15 Credits.
• Marketing Management, 15 Credits.
• Project Management 1, 15 Credits.
• Project Management 2, 15 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management 2, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management 3, 15 Credits.

Elective Module, 15 Credits Level 7: (Choose 1)

• Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
• Business Law, 15 Credits.

1. Start and manage a small business.
2. Manage various functional areas of a business either in the public or private sector.
3. Oversee internal financial data related to organisational performance and external data about the industry markets and competition in order to direct the company's resources and identify future needs for growth and improvement.
4. Understand the nature of marketing and its influence on managing the business.
5. Analyse marketing environmental variables to make informed marketing decisions.
6. Understand the factors influencing consumer behaviour.
7. Undertake independent business research for informed decision making.
8. Manage the purchase of the required resources for the undertaking.
9. Manage the stock and logistics of a retail business following current industry practices for ethics and corporate governance.
10. Create business goals/objectives and design strategies and organise business resources to advance those goals/objectives.
11. Review financial reports, monitoring accounts, and preparing activity reports and financial forecasts.
12. Explore ways to improve profitability, and analyse markets for business opportunities, such as expansion, mergers or acquisitions.
13. Understand effective administrative principles for their organisations.
14. Understand the principles of ethical behaviour.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Compile an appropriate business plan which will demonstrate knowledge of the development and management of a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop an effective plan to manage the functional areas of business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse internal and external financial data to manage the company's resources and promote growth optimally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop an effective marketing strategy to enhance the business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Acquire an effective knowledge of micro-, market and macro-, environmental variables to exploit opportunities and overcome threats.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Analyse behaviour factors influencing consumer behaviour.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Display the necessary knowledge and skills to process data for effective decision making.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Display knowledge and perform effective supply chain management principles for the benefit of the organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Effectively plan stock and logistics of retail business including effective stock and logistic objectives, policies, strategies, action plans and a logistics budget for a year.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Display the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to create business goals/objectives and organise resources to advance same.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Display the necessary skills and competence to prepare, analyse and monitor financial activities and forecasts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• Develop an analytical tool to improve profitability and analyse markets for business opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

• Display the necessary knowledge and skills, attitudes and applied competence to enable them to demonstrate administrative proficiency.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

• Display ethical behaviour in a corporate management context.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment across the qualification forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process. In achieving the learning outcomes, learners are required to comply with the minimum assessments set for the level of the qualification, as per the Institution's Assessment Policy. Assessments vary depending on the module and the outcomes of the module; however, all modules are formatively and summatively assessed. The assessment of theoretical modules is usually in the form of assignments, practical's and written tests or examinations.