BUSINESS AS
Topic outline
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AS Students!! Please do not use this page until after the 'remote learning' phase has finished. Please use the Business Y1 page instead.
Welcome to AS Business!
This AS course will introduce you to the dynamic business environment and the importance of entrepreneurial activity in creating business opportunities and sustaining business growth. You will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of essential skills required for A level, higher education and employment.
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Written examination: 1 hour
40% of the qualification
This component focuses on new business start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The content in this section is based around the concept of starting a new business and the issues that surround the process of planning a new business. In addition to covering the main concepts of setting up a new business, you should be aware of other types of business organisations and the markets they operate in and their various stakeholders.
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Written examination 2 hours
60% of the qualification
This component broadens the context and will include all types of business organisations, ranging from recently formed small businesses to well-established multinational companies. You will need to understand that, in order to succeed in a competitive market, all businesses have to consider the core functions of business.
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A2 introduction work: resources to introduce you to ethical, legal and environment factors affecting businesses. This content forms part of the specification for Component 3.
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After these lessons you will be able to:
a) Explain the meaning of business ethics
b) Understand the types of ethical issues a business will face including environmental, animal rights, treatment of workers, suppliers and customers.
c) Explain the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
d) Understand the possible conflict between ethics and profitability
e) Evaluate the impact on the profitability of a business of having ethical objectives
f) Evaluate the ethical stance of businesses from the point of view of different stakeholders.
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After these lessons you will be able to:
a) Explain the main laws that concern businesses, including company law, employment and anti-discrimination law, consumer protection, competition policy, health and safety legislation, data protection, intellectual property and minimum wage.
b) Evaluate the impact of legislation on businesses and their stakeholders.
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After these lessons you will be able to:
a) Explain the potential environmental costs of business activity including air, water and noise pollution, climate change, congestion, destruction of the environment and waste disposal.
b) Explain how potential environmental costs can be controlled by government intervention, the influence of pressure groups and education.
c) Explain how businesses can respond to environmental issues.
d) Evaluate the impact of business activity on the environment.
e) Evaluate the impact of a business of implementing environmentally friendly policies.
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