Here you will find a document which goes over all the content for the IGCSE Edexcel Business Studies (9-1) Specification and the Pearson (9-1) Business Studies Textbook. Contains condensed notes which are great for exam revision and will aid you in your studying.
Units 2 - 5 covered.
Unit 2 - Page 2
Unit 3 - Page 12
Unit 4 - Page 22
Unit 5 - Page 33
(Based on the Edexcel IGCSE Business 9-1 Specification & the Pearson IGCSE Business Textbook)
, Communication:
Effects of poor communication in a business:
● Misinterpretation: causes mistakes due to unclear messages.
● Motivation & Trust Decreases: employees may get frustrated and increase absenteeism.
● Decision Making Slows Down: delayed messages can cause a business to miss an important opportunity if
the information is not transferred.
● Increased Costs: delaying business projects may sometimes lead to financial penalties leading to increased
fixed costs.
Methods Of Communication:
Face to Face Written Electronic
● Interviews ● Letters ● Email
● Meetings ● Reports ● Internet/websites
● Presentations ● Memorandums ● Mobile Phones
● Training sessions ● Forms ● Social Media
● Notice Boards ● Intranets
● Videoconferencing
● PA Systems
Advantages: Advantages: Advantages:
- Allows immediate feedback. -Private physical copies. -Cheap and fast
- Saves time -Relatively cheap -Easy to carry out
- Encourages cooperation -Easy to understand -Can be edited
-Up to date
Disadvantages: Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
-Non-relevant info may arise -Easily misinterpreted -Hacker and malware risk
-No record of messages -Inflexible and out of date -Risk of malfunction
-Limit to number of people -Time-consuming -May need maintenance
Barriers To Communication:
● Lack Of Clarity: unclear messages or misinterpretation leads to poor results.
● Technological Breakdown: if methods of electronic communication break down it takes time to fix which
can waste a lot of time.
● Poor communication skills and/or jargon: People receiving messages may not be able to understand what
the meaning of the message is as a sender may not be an effective communicator
● Long Chains of Command: As a message travels vertically in the chain of command it can get distorted
especially in large businesses.
● Language Barriers: Communication between branches of an MNC globally may result in misinterpretation
due to different languages being spoken or used.
2
, Recruitment & Employment
Types Of Employment:
Full-time employment: When a business takes on an employee that is expected to work the full working week.
Part-time employment: Employees who work fewer hours than full-time employees and work only during certain
times. Gives the business flexibility and may allow it to stay open longer during busy periods.
Job Share: When a job/role is taken up by 2 part-time employees, they have to interact effectively. Motivation is
usually higher as there is less work on individuals.
Casual Employment: Employees of which their hours are uncertain and variable and are ‘on-call’ by the employer.
Provides a great deal of flexibility for the business.
Seasonal Employment: Employees that are employed during certain periods of the year, they are full-time jobs but
are for short periods of time/seasons.
The Recruitment Process:
1. Identify the number and type of staff needed.
2. Prepare a job description and a person specification
3. Advertise using appropriate media.
4. Evaluate applicants and shortlist for interviews.
5. Carry out interviews.
6. Evaluate interviews and appoint best candidate.
7. Provide feedback for unsuccessful candidates.
Recruitment Documents:
Job Description: States the title of the job and outlines the tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with that job.
Person Specification: Provides the details of the qualifications, experience, skills, attitude and any other
characteristics that would be expected of a person appointed for a particular job.
Application form: Forms filled out by applicants which provide the business with comparable information such as
details of education and work experience.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Contains similar information to the application form, but it is produced by the applicant to
give them a chance to show individuality.
3
, Internal Recruitment: Appointing someone for a External Recruitment: Appointing new staff from
position who already works in the business. outside the business.
Advantages: Advantages:
- Saves money on advertising. -Larger pool of applicants
- Familiarity with company policy - New people may bring new ideas.
- Motivation for promotion
Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
- Business may not acquire new fresh ideas from - May be time-consuming and can cost more.
new recruits. - May lower current employees morale due to
less chance of promotion.
Legal controls over employment (Discrimination)
Gender:
● Job advertisements cannot be targeted towards men or women and both genders must have equal
opportunities in employment.
● References to job title must be genderless, E.G Salesperson
● Promotions should not be made based on gender.
● Wages for male and female employees must be the same if they hold the same position.
Race and Religion:
● Businesses cannot prevent employees from wearing religious or ethnic dress.
● Businesses have to take into account religious holidays when appointing working hours and days.
● Businesses cannot refuse to employ someone from a particular ethnic group.
● Workers must receive awareness training to deal with harassment.
Disability:
● Businesses must improve access to the workplace such as ramps and wider doorways.
● Allow disabled workers to make time for medical appointments.
● Alter equipment to make sure disabled workers can easily use them.
Laws:
● Sex Discrimination Act 1975: States that a person must not be discriminated against based on gender
including job adverts and employment selection
● Equal Pay Act 1970: An employee doing the same or ‘broadly similar’ work as an employee of the opposite
sex is entitled to equal pay and working conditions.
● Equality Act 2010: Makes it unlawful for businesses to discriminate on the grounds of disability.
4
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