Business

Business is a subject that is centred in the world around you: in the news, in the choices you face when shopping and when searching for, or working in, a job.

The provision of this course should enable you to develop a critical understanding of the internal workings of a business, and of its role in the economy and broader external environment. You will become aware of the effects of business behaviour from a range of perspectives and a variety of organisations. The skills you require During the A Level course you will be introduced to a number of business theories and models and you will be expected to apply them to real world examples and case studies. You will require a range of skills including decision making and problem solving and, where appropriate, the quantification and management of information. You will be expected to read around the subject matter, and to build up a portfolio of examples of current business behaviour.

The ability to construct logical arguments and to write essays will necessitate sound analytical and evaluative skills. The mathematical and data handling aspects of the course require no more than a competent performance at GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics. Assessment Paper 1 2 hours - multiple-choice questions, short answer questions and 2 essays from a choice of 4 titles. Paper 2 2 hours - data response questions. Paper 3 2 hours - questions based on a business case study. All three papers can cover all aspects of the course content. Course structure and content The course being followed is the AQA Business Specification (7132). The course covers the following topics: • What is business? • Managers, leadership and decision making • Decision making to improve marketing performance • Decision making to improve operational performance • Decision making to improve financial performance • Decision making to improve human resource performance • Analysing the strategic position of a business • Choosing strategic direction • Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies

• Managing strategic change The material studied in the Business course will be suitable preparation for a range of degree courses and careers, especially those related to the worlds of finance and business.

Business draws material from a range of academic disciplines and with its emphasis on applying knowledge to the real world it adopts a more practical approach than many subjects. The subject has a relevance to our lives that makes its study both accessible and useful.