You are here

Introduction to Business
Share
Share

Introduction to Business

First Edition
Available with:


March 2023 | 496 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Simulation-based learning now available with this text—learn more below. 

Simulation-based learning available - learn more

Recipient of the 2024 Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA) Most Promising New Textbook Award
This award recognizes excellence in 1st edition textbooks and learning materials.

Introduction to Business
 
ignites student engagement and prepares students for their professional journeys, regardless of their career aspirations. Best-selling authors Heidi M. Neck, Christopher P. Neck, and Emma L. Murray inspire students to see themselves in the world of business and to develop the mindset and skillset they need to succeed. A diverse set of impactful examples and cases, from inspiring startups and small businesses to powerful corporations, illustrate how businesses can prosper and create positive impact.

This title is accompanied by a complete teaching and learning package. Contact your Sage representative to request more information on: 
  • Learning Platform / Courseware
    Sage Vantage
    is an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support. It’s a learning platform you, and your students, will actually love. Learn more.
    • Assignable Video with Assessment
      Assignable video (available in Sage Vantage) is tied to learning objectives and curated exclusively for this text to bring concepts to life. Watch a sample video now.
  • Simulation-based Learning
    With simulation based-learning by Hubro, students practice data-driven decision-making and receive immediate feedback to guide them to adapt their strategies and decisions. It’s a fun and powerful experience that gives students a clearer, more applicable understanding of business fundamentals. Request information and learn more.
  • LMS Cartridge
    Import this title’s instructor resources into your school’s learning management system (LMS) and save time. Don’t use an LMS? You can still access all of the same online resources for this title via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site. Learn more.

 
BUSINESS IN AN ENTREPRENEURIAL WORLD
 
Chapter 1 The Business of Business
What Is Business?

 
The Building Blocks of a Business

 
The Role of Business in the World Today

 
The Future of Work

 
Social Responsibility and Ethical Decision Making

 
 
Chapter 2 Business Without Borders
Global Business Today

 
Trading Across Borders

 
From Multinational Corporations to Startups in a Flat World

 
Working Across Cultures

 
Models to Help Improve Your Cultural Awareness

 
 
Chapter 3 The Entrepreneurial Mindset
The Entrepreneurial Mindset

 
Growth Mindset Versus Fixed Mindset

 
The Entrepreneurial Mindset in Depth

 
How Entrepreneurs Really Think

 
Business in a VUCA World

 
 
BLOCK 1 THE OFFERING
 
Chapter 4 Business Creation
Business Creation Through Entrepreneurship Is the Economic Engine of Society

 
The Truth About Entrepreneurship

 
Types of Entrepreneurship

 
Opportunities—Not Ideas—Create Businesses

 
The IDEATE Method of Opportunity Recognition

 
 
Chapter 5 Business Models
What Is a Business Model?

 
The Most Common Components of a Business Model

 
Types of Business Models

 
The Business Model Canvas Tool

 
Business Model Disruption

 
 
Chapter 6 Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage
The Importance of Business Strategy

 
The Four Generic Strategies and Competitive Advantage

 
External Strategic Analysis

 
Internal Strategic Analysis

 
Hypercompetition

 
 
BLOCK 2 MARKETS AND CUSTOMERS
 
Chapter 7 Marketing & Sales
The Role of Marketing and Sales in Business

 
The Marketing Mix

 
B2B and B2C Sales

 
The Sales Cycle

 
Modern Selling Techniques

 
 
Chapter 8 Customers and Market Segments
How Customers Create Markets

 
Types of Customers

 
Consumer Behavior and Buying Decisions

 
The Buying Process

 
Market Segmentation

 
 
BLOCK 3 STRUCTURE AND PURPOSE
 
Chapter 9 Organizational Structure and Design
Organizational Structure

 
Elements of Organizational Structure

 
Traditional Organizational Structures

 
Contemporary Organizational Structures

 
Primary Factors in Determining Structural Type

 
 
Chapter 10 Organizational Mission and Culture
Organizational Mission, Vision, and Values

 
Organizational Culture

 
Dimensions of Organizational Culture

 
Employee Fit With Organizational Culture

 
Clues to Help Decipher Organizational Culture

 
 
BLOCK 4 PEOPLE INSIDE THE BUSINESS
 
Chapter 11 Management and Leadership
What Is Management?

 
The Four Functions of Management

 
Essential Management Skills

 
Leading Versus Managing Others

 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

 
 
Chapter 12 Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management and Talent Management

 
Recruitment and Selection for Diversity and Inclusion

 
Onboarding and Training Employees

 
Employee Performance

 
Retaining Employees Through Compensation

 
 
Chapter 13 Motivation and Empowerment
Motivation and Empowerment in Business

 
Intrinsic Motivation

 
Extrinsic Motivation

 
Combining Both Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivators

 
Motivation Through Empowerment and Self-Leadership

 
 
Chapter 14 Communication in Business
The Role of Communication

 
Forms of Communication

 
Barriers to Effective Communication

 
Communicating in Organizations

 
Cross-Cultural Communication

 
 
BLOCK 5 PERFORMANCE
 
Chapter 15 Operations and Quality Management
The Operations Behind Running a Business

 
Product Operations

 
Types of Production Methods

 
Quality Control

 
Service Operations

 
Digital Operations

 
Supply Chain Management

 
 
Chapter 16 Data Management and Analytics
Data and Information

 
Information Systems

 
Data Communication Networks

 
Data Security Issues

 
Business Analytics

 
 
Chapter 17 Accounting and Financial Statements
Accounting Is the Language of Business

 
Types of Accounting

 
The Three Major Financial Statements

 
Connecting the Three Statements

 
Analyzing Performance: Ratio Analysis

 
 
Chapter 18 Financial Management
Financial Management Overview

 
Financial Planning

 
Equity and Debt Financing

 
The Cash Conversion Cycle

 
Internal Financial Controls

 
 
Appendix A: Legal Issues (Online Only Chapter)
 
Appendix B: Putting It All Together: The Business Impact Deck

“A cutting-edge approach to business instruction through the lens of entrepreneurship. I like the information discussed on nature of work and new trends such as 'gig' economies.”

Amy Conley, CPA
Professor of Accounting & Business at Genesee Community College

"Simplified layout, current, contemporary examples. It presents information in a different format and should generate more classroom conversation.”

Robert G. Gillan, DBA
Palm Beach State College, Boca Raton, FL

"This text is built for in-class discussions and activities. It helps students develop an important entrepreneurial mindset that is 

important for their careers. It has a lot more actionable and assignable exercises for in class and outside of class. It's a flip-the classroom/hyflex model textbook." 

Ryan Kauth
University of Wisconsin Green Bay

"The book provides a good summary of important topics, business cases for students to analyze and also engage in, good discussion questions, and mindset activities that will help learners apply the knowledge gained."

Dr. Jody-Lynn Rebek
Algoma University

"The author's approach to writing allows the average student to approach the topic in a way others do not. The integration of a global approach is sometimes not effective in other texts. It is here. This is definitely a text I would recommend to my faculty as Department Chair."  

Dwight Heaster, Ph. D
Glenville State College

 "The content is up-to-date and relevant. This book has more chapters that are realistic in nature to the current business environment."

Dr. Veronica Ramsundar
Miami Dade College

"A practical straight-forward introduction to business concepts. Gives students case examples to explain various concepts. I really appreciate the business ethics cases at the end of each chapter instead of one single chapter on ethics. I think it helps reinforce to students that ethics is a part of every aspect of business and helps them think more comprehensively about it." 

Rachel Gifford, PhD
Harrisburg Area Community College

“A textbook with features that help your students learn and understand business better and help them to retain the information longer. I love the simplicity and forwardness of it.”

Lawrence W Hahn
Palomar College, San Marcos, CA

"I think the authors have done a good job of using a variety of businesses of different sizes and different types of industries to enhance the concepts."

Lorrie Mowry
Mid-Plains Community College/McCook Community College

“Timely, relevant, and relatable." 

David M. Brown
Ohio University
Key features
  • This text is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support. Learn more.
  • Simulation-based learning by Hubro offers a fun and powerful way for students to practice data-driven decision-making. Immediate feedback guides them to adapt their strategies and decisions. Contact your Sage representative to learn more.
  • Chapter-opening and chapter-ending case studies highlight how companies are working towards UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset activities ask students to develop the mindset and skillset they need to be successful in their professional careers.
  • Ethics in Business activities challenge students to address ethical dilemmas, critically evaluate options, and consider the consequences of different decisions.
  • The Business Impact Project helps students apply what they've learned and gain a holistic understanding of how all the building blocks of business work together.
  • Unique chapters on business models and data management and data analytics ensure students have the knowledge they need to succeed in today's business environment.
  • Demonstrates AACSB guiding principles and standards for business accreditation with integrated coverage of globalization, diversity, technology, ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability.
Vantage Reference: 
Introduction to Business Vantage Learning Platform

Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

Bundles