Business · 6th Year · Enterprise and the Business Environment · 1.º Período

People in Business

This topic investigates the various stakeholders involved in a business, including investors, employers, employees, and consumers. Students analyze the dynamic relationships and potential conflicts among these groups.

TL;DR:People in Business focuses on the human element of the commercial world, examining the relationships between various stakeholders. Students analyze the roles of investors, employers, employees, consumers, and the government. This topic is critical for understanding how a business functions as a community of interests rather than just a profit-making machine.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA Leaving Certificate Business Syllabus - Section 1.1
• NCCA Leaving Certificate Business Syllabus - Section 1.2

About This Topic

People in Business focuses on the human element of the commercial world, examining the relationships between various stakeholders. Students analyze the roles of investors, employers, employees, consumers, and the government. This topic is critical for understanding how a business functions as a community of interests rather than just a profit-making machine.

A significant portion of this unit is dedicated to industrial relations and consumer protection in Ireland. Students learn about the legal frameworks, such as the Industrial Relations Act 1990 and the Consumer Protection Act 2007, which govern these interactions. Understanding these laws is essential for students as they prepare to enter the workforce or start their own ventures.

Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation where they must defend the conflicting interests of different stakeholders.

Key Questions

1. Who are the key stakeholders in a business?
2. How can conflicts between employers and employees be resolved?
3. What legal protections exist for consumers in Ireland?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The interests of employers and employees are always in direct opposition.

What to Teach Instead

While interests can conflict, both parties ultimately rely on the success of the business. Teaching the 'co-operative' relationship model alongside the 'competitive' model through role play helps students see the value of industrial harmony.

Common Misconception

Consumers have no rights if they lose their receipt.

What to Teach Instead

While a receipt is the best proof of purchase, other forms like bank statements are legally valid. Using a mock-trial format for a consumer complaint helps students understand the nuances of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play

The Workplace Dispute

Students take on roles as a disgruntled employee, a manager, and a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) mediator. They must attempt to resolve a dispute over unpaid overtime using the correct legal procedures discussed in class.

45 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk

Consumer Rights Scenarios

Stations are set up around the room with different consumer complaints (e.g., a faulty laptop, a misleading sale price). Students move in pairs to identify which Irish law applies and what the specific remedy (refund, repair, replacement) should be.

30 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle

Stakeholder Mapping

Groups are given a well-known Irish company, such as Ryanair or Kerry Group. They must map out all stakeholders and identify a potential point of conflict between two groups, proposing a win-win solution.

40 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main stakeholders in an Irish business?

The primary stakeholders include entrepreneurs, investors, employers, employees, consumers, suppliers, and the local community. Each group has specific interests in the business, such as profit for investors or fair wages for employees, which can sometimes lead to conflict.

How do active learning strategies improve understanding of industrial relations?

Industrial relations can feel dry when studied only as legal statutes. By using simulations of WRC hearings or trade union negotiations, students see the human emotions and tactical decisions involved. This active engagement helps them remember the steps of dispute resolution and the specific roles of bodies like the Labour Court much more effectively than rote memorization.

What is the role of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)?

The WRC is the central body in Ireland for managing industrial relations. It provides information, mediation, and adjudication services to help resolve disputes between employers and employees, often preventing the need for costly legal action in the courts.

What does the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 cover?

This act ensures that goods must be of merchantable quality, fit for their purpose, and as described. It also mandates that services must be provided by skilled individuals with due care and attention. It is a cornerstone of Irish consumer law.