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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the external environment of business 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258840  Demonstrate an understanding of the external environment of business 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Computer Sciences and Information Systems 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable learners to demonstrate an understanding of the business environment through engagement in various activities related to a specific context.

A learner credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe the fundamental characteristics of a selected industry within the South African business environment.
  • Analyse the relationship between a selected business and its industry.
  • Analyse the impact of the business environment on a selected business or organisational unit. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the fundamental characteristics of a selected industry within the South African business environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Fundamental characteristics include but are not limited to market place, products and services, general legislation, industry bodies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Business activities common to all organisations within the industry are identified and analysed from readily available information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examples of organisations in each business sub-sector are identified and categoriesedfrom information available in the public domain. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The main forces influencing activities in the specific sector are identified in order to determine their impact on the internal operations of the organisation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Forces include but are not limited to legislation, competition, statutory bodies, industry associations, lobby groups, social and political groups.
  • Operations include but are not limited to structure, business models, processes, infrastructure, resources and core functions.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The types of products or services available in the specific industry are listed and categorised according to each purpose. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse the relationship between a selected business and its industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The structure and roles of different types of organisations is explained within own industry in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various types of organisation are named and explained using the terminology accepted within their own industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The operations of the different types of organisation are discussed in the context of the business environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operations include but are not limited to structure, business models, processes, infrastructure, resources and core functions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The way business is conducted is assessed to optimise the organisation's operational performance in order to achieve their organisation goals. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse the impact of the business environment on a selected business or organisational unit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The impact of the business environment on an organisation is described to reflect the constraints or promotion on operational activity of a specific business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of industry bodies, associations or regulatory authorities is identified and explored to reflect how they affect a selected business operational activity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Legislation, legal documents and rules relevant to a unit is examined to determine their impact on business operational activities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legislation, legal documents and rules could include labour, occupational health and safety, the environment, trade constraints, financial framework, legal framework, internal documents and rules and all external, statutory documents.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implications of compliance and non-compliance are explored in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Possible areas of non-compliance of a unit are identified in order to determine possible corrective action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The influence of industry best practices is appraised to reflect their impact on internal operations of a selected business activity. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Learners can explain the structure and roles of the different types of organisation in this sector in South Africa, including their main business activities, using the terminology accepted within this sector. They are able to name organisations operating within this environment.
  • Design processes, procedures, activities and systems that conform to or reflect the forces operating in the business environment in which a selected business operates.
  • Explain the impact and role of industry bodies, associations or regulatory authorities in the context of the operations of a selected business.
  • Learners understand how to identify organisational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and are able to relate these facts to business processes and operations to achieve compliance or conformance with legislation or best practices. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Identify areas of operational non-compliance or inefficiency. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Interacting with internal and external/industry stakeholders. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively through:
  • Gathering information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and articulation of:
  • Gathering information in the public domain. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Making recommendations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science, technology and indigenous knowledge effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others through:
  • Conducting research. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Understanding the organisation to its business environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  63769   National Certificate: Business Analysis Support Practice  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Afrika Tikkun NCC 
    2. ASMO INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AN 
    3. Clean Heat Academy 
    4. Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd 
    5. FACULTY TRAINING INSTITUTE PTY LTD 
    6. Finweb Business Consultancy 
    7. Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd 
    8. HAVOHEJ CONSULTANCY 
    9. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    10. Jeppe College of Commerce and 
    11. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    12. Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD 
    13. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    14. Sisekelo Sustainability Institute 
    15. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 
    16. Terry Computer Services cc 
    17. TSP COLLEGE 
    18. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    19. YITRO INNOVATIONS 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.