The value chain is a major focus in today's business world, and many companies and managers allocate considerable resources to understanding and analyzing their value chain. The main reason for doing this is either to eliminate activities that do not add value, or to improve on activities that do not add sufficient value. In order to ensure optimum customer satisfaction, businesses must integrate the activities of various departments and functions. This demands a sound understanding of the chain of activities and their interrelationship with other business activities.

Part A: Introduction to business management, the value chain, the business environment, the entrepreneurial process and the establishment of the business
Chapter 1 Introduction to business management: a value chain perspective
Chapter 2 Environmental analysis
Chapter 3 The entrepreneurial process
Chapter 4 Establishing a business

Part B: General management and leadership and the primary and secondary activities of the value chain
Chapter 5 General management and leadership
Chapter 6 Purchasing and inbound logistics
Chapter 7 Production/Operations management and outbound logistics
Chapter 8 Marketing management
Chapter 9 Introduction to financial management
Chapter 10 Financial decision-making
Chapter 11 Human resources management
Chapter 12 Communication management
Chapter 13 Information management and e-business

Part C: Contemporary issues in management
Chapter 14 Managing diversity
Chapter 15 Business ethics
Chapter 16 International management and globalization
Chapter 17 Managing creativity and innovation: an intrapreneurial approach
Chapter 18 Environmental management
Chapter 19 Corporate governance
Chapter 20 Black economic empowerment