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COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
BUS 103 B 1 2 1 0 2.5 5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) Dr. Elda Dollija edollija@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Dr. Elda Dollija edollija@epoka.edu.al , E203, Monday, 9:30-12:00
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) Bachelor in International Marketing and Logistics Management (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time: E212, Tuesdays 10:40-13:40
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement: 60% for Theory and 75% for Practice - Absences are not justifiable. No medical reports will be accepted. Students who are not punctual, cause disturbance in the class by communicating with other students, or engage in activities not related to the lecture, will be considered as absent even if physically present.
Course Description: Introduction to Business is a course that offers essential information related to the business landscape and business functions (Operations & Production, Marketing, Finance & Accounting, Human Resourced Management, IT). The course has been designed in such a way that it provides to the students the updated information on the business reality which changes very rapidly. At the same time, it provides the necessary information for more advanced courses related to the aforementioned business functions. Through real life examples and case studies, both national and international; the content of this course has been aligned with the contemporary developments in the field of business, and aims to provide the basics for the understanding of business organizations and people who operate them.
Course Objectives: Gain an understanding of the global business environment and the context in which a business operates. Learn about the different types of business, such as entrepreneurship, new ventures, and other types of ownership. Identify the four basic functions of the management process and describe the basic roles and skills managers require. Provide basic knowledge about the main business functions such as management, operations, human resources, marketing, accounting, IT, and finance.
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
1 Business Enivronment
2 Business Ethics
3 Corporate Social Responsibility
4 Leadership
5 Management
6 Human Resources
7 Finance
8 Marketing
9 Business structure
10 Organizing
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction and Orientation (7 October 2025)
2 Chpt. 1 The Global Business Environment pg. 28-59. Business, profit, and the external environment, economic systems, the economics of market systems, and economic indicators + READING CHAPTER Chpt. 4. Understanding the Global Context of Business pg. 128-161. Contemporary global economy. International trade. International business management. Understanding the cultural environment. Barriers to international trade (14 October 2025)
3 Chpt. 2 Understanding Business Ethics and Social Responsibility pg.60-95. How individuals develop their personal codes of ethics and why ethics are important in the workplace. Show how the concept of social responsibility applies both to environmental issues and to a firm's relationship with customers, employees, and investors (21 October 2025)
4 Chpt. 3 Entrepreneurship, New Ventures, and Business Ownership pg. 96-127. Starting and operating a new business. Start-up's and corporations (28 October 2025)
5 QUIZ #1 (4 November 2025)
6 Chpt. 5 Managing the Business pg. 162-193. Basic management functions. Types of manager and managerial roles and skills. Strategic management. Contingency planning and crisis management. Management and the corporate culture (11 November 2025)
7 Fall Semester MIDTERM EXAMS WEEK (18 November 2025)
8 Chpt. 6 Organizing the Business pg. 198-227. What Is Organizational Structure? The Building blocks of organizational structure, Establishing the Decision-Making Hierarchy, Basic Forms of Organizational Structure, Informal Organization (25 November 2025)
9 Chpt. 7 Operations Management and Quality pg. 222-263. Creating value through operations. Business strategy as the driver of operations. Operations planning, scheduling, and control. Quality improvement and total quality management. Adding value through supply chains (1-5 December 2025)
10 Chpt. 9 Leadership and Decision Making pg. 305-331 The nature of Leadership; Early theories of Leadership; Situational Theories of Leadership; The changing nature of Leadership; Leadership, Management, and decision making (9 December 2025)
11 QUIZ #2 (16 December 2024)
12 Chpt. 10 Human Resource Management and Labor Relations pg. 326-363 The strategic importance of HR, staffing, compensation and benefits, developing the workforce + READING CHAPTER Chpt. 8 Employee Behavior and Motivation 264-297 (6 January 2026)
13 Chpt. 14 Information Technology (IT) for Business 469-501 (13 January 2026)
14 Revision (20 January 2026)
Prerequisite(s): NA
Textbook(s): Business Essentials, Global Edition, 13th edition, Published by Pearson (July 29, 2024) © 2024, Ronald J. Ebert University of Missouri-Columbia, Ricky W. Griffin Texas A&M University https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/subject-catalog/p/business-essentials-global-edition/P200000007141/9781292742083
Additional Literature: NA
Laboratory Work: NA
Computer Usage: Yes
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Discuss business ideas and findings clearly, both in writing and orally, to diverse audiences.
2 Demonstrate the ability to assess both internal and external business environments, identifying key factors that impact organizational decision-making.
3 Describe and compare various types of business organizations, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and franchises.
4 Identify entrepreneurial opportunities, recognize the challenges of starting a business, and evaluate the resources required for launching a new venture.
5 Develop the ability to define and explain core business concepts, including management, operations, human resources, marketing, accounting, and finance.
6 Gain knowledge of management functions—planning, organizing, leading, and controlling—and apply them to real-life business scenarios.
7 Outline fundamental marketing concepts and develop basic marketing strategies for products or services.
8 Understand financial statements, including balance sheets and income statements, and apply basic financial analysis to assess business performance.
9 Understand business ethics and social responsibility and analyze how companies address these areas in their strategies and operations.
10 Explore the global aspects of business, understanding how international trade, cultural differences, and global markets influence business operations.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Bachelor in International Marketing and Logistics Management (3 years) Program
1 Identify activities, tasks, and skills in management, marketing, accounting, finance, and economics. 5
2 Apply key theories to practical problems within the global business context. 2
3 Demonstrate ethical, social, and legal responsibilities in organizations. 5
4 Develop an open minded-attitude through continuous learning and team-work. 3
5 Use technology to enable business growth and sustainability. 2
6 Synthesize creativity needed for marketing notion with scientific method and numerical skills, for achieving business sustainability. 4
7 Apply the concepts and structures of modern marketing in global context at private and public sectors. 5
8 Integrate the management of logistics, supply chain and in total operations with corporate goals and strategies. 5
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Homework
0
0
Midterm Exam(s)
1
40
Project
0
0
Quiz
2
7.5
Final Exam
1
45
Attendance
0
Other
0
0
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 4 64
Mid-terms 1 2 2
Assignments 0 0 0
Final examination 1 3 3
Other 2 4 8
Total Work Load:
125
Total Work Load/25(h):
5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
5
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

This semester’s Introduction to Business course provides foundational knowledge in management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, equipping students to analyze business environments and make informed decisions. The problem-based VCL Group Project further enhance these skills by fostering digital readiness, 21st-century competencies, and collaborative abilities in virtual settings, preparing students to address real-world challenges with strategic insight and practical skills.
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