Environmental Factors and Organizations OpenCourseWare: A Free Undergraduate Organizational Management Class by The Open University

Published Feb 11, 2009

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'Environmental Factors and Organizations,' an OpenCourseWare project by Open University, explores how organizations are both shaped by and, in turn, shape their environments. This course would be particularly useful for anyone interested in or currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration.

Environmental Factors and Organizations: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Environmental Factors and Organizations: Course Description

The term 'environment' has two different but interconnected meanings. The physical environment refers to the Earth's ecosystem and encompasses factors like global warming and deforestation. In the business world, environment refers to outside aspects that affect and are themselves affected by an organization. Examples from the course include globalization and offshoring.

This Open University course explores the commercial environment and its interconnectedness with the physical environment, ultimately seeking an ethical coexistence between the two. For example, business administration students explore how businesses respond to the green initiative and study regulatory programs being set in place to encourage involvement from the business community.

They also examine how companies invoke ethical codes, through a case study of the Nike Corporation. Additionally, students examine how the concept of FairTrade helps to encourage ethical business practices. This is estimated to be a 6-hour course.

'Environmental Factors and Organizations' consists of outline notes and a student discussion forum. To access this free online course, visit the environmental factors course page.