BUSINESS H031 For first assessment in 2016 ocr.org.uk/alevelbusiness

Transcription

1 AS LEVEL Specificatin BUSINESS H031 Fr first assessment in 016 cr.rg.uk/alevelbusiness

2 We will infrm centres abut any changes t the specificatin. We will als publish changes n ur website. The latest versin f ur specificatin will always be the ne n ur website (cr.rg.uk) and this may differ frm printed versins. Cpyright 014 OCR. All rights reserved. Cpyright OCR retains the cpyright n all its publicatins, including the specificatins. Hwever, registered centres fr OCR are permitted t cpy material frm this specificatin bklet fr their wn internal use. Oxfrd Cambridge and RSA Examinatins is a Cmpany Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registered cmpany number Registered ffice: 1 Hills Rad Cambridge CB1 EU. OCR is an exempt charity.

3 Cntents Intrducing AS Level in Business (frm September 015) Teaching and learning resurces Prfessinal Develpment ii iii iv 1 Why chse an OCR AS Level in Business? 1 1a. Why chse an OCR qualificatin? 1 1b. Why chse an OCR AS Level in Business? 1c. What are the key features f this specificatin? 3 1d. Hw d I find ut mre infrmatin? 3 The specificatin verview 4 a. Overview f AS Level in Business (H031) 4 b. Intrductin t cntent f AS Level in Business (H031) 5 c. Cntent f AS Level in Business 5 d. Prir learning, knwledge and prgressin 4 3 Assessment f OCR AS Level in Business 5 3a. Frms f assessment 5 3b. Assessment bjectives (AO) 5 3c. Assessment availability 6 3d. Retaking the qualificatin 6 3e. Assessment f extended respnse 6 3f. Synptic assessment 7 3g. Calculating qualificatin results 7 4 Admin: what yu need t knw 8 4a. Pre-assessment 8 4b. Accessibility and special cnsideratin 9 4c. External assessment arrangements 9 4d. Results and certificates 30 4e. Pst-results services 30 4f. Malpractice 30 5 Appendices 31 5a. Overlap with ther qualificatins 31 5b. Avidance f bias 31 5c. Quantitative skills annex 31 AS Level in Business i

4 Intrducing AS Level in Business (frm September 015) This specificatin has been develped in cnjunctin with centres, higher educatin and industry, thus ensuring that we have a balanced view f the requirements f the specificatin. It enables teachers t be able t tailr the qualificatin t meet the needs f their learners, allwing any relevant industry examples that meet the needs f the curse t be used. It prvides the pprtunity t study a wide range f cncepts that can be applied in a variety f cntexts. The aims f this specificatin are t enable learners t: Gain a hlistic understanding f business in a range f cntexts Develp a critical understanding f rganisatins and their ability t meet sciety s needs and wants Understand that business behaviur can be studied frm a range f perspectives Generate enterprising and creative appraches t business pprtunities, prblems and issues. Meet the team We have a dedicated team f peple wrking n ur AS Level in Business qualificatins. Find ut mre abut ur Business team at cr.rg.uk/businessteam If yu need specialist advice, guidance r supprt, get in tuch as fllws: ii AS Level in Business

5 Teaching and learning resurces We recgnise that the intrductin f a new specificatin can bring challenges fr implementatin and teaching. Our aim is t help yu at every stage and we re wrking hard t prvide a practical package f supprt in clse cnsultatin with teachers and ther experts, s we can help yu t make the change. Designed t supprt prgressin fr all Our resurces are designed t prvide yu with a range f teaching activities and suggestins s yu can select the best apprach fr yur particular students. Yu are the experts n hw yur students learn and ur aim is t supprt yu in the best way we can. We want t Supprt yu with a bdy f knwledge that grws thrughut the lifetime f the specificatin Prvide yu with a range f suggestins s yu can select the best activity, apprach r cntext fr yur particular students. Make it easier fr yu t explre and interact with ur resurce materials, in particular t develp yur wn schemes f wrk Create an nging cnversatin s we can develp materials that wrk fr yu. Plenty f useful resurces Yu ll have fur main types f subject-specific teaching and learning resurces at yur fingertips: Delivery Guides Transitin Guides Tpic Explratin Packs Lessn Elements. Alng with subject-specific resurces, yu ll als have access t a selectin f generic resurces that fcus n skills develpment and prfessinal guidance fr teachers. Skills Guides we ve prduced a set f Skills Guides that are nt specific t Business, but each cvers a tpic that culd be relevant t a range f qualificatins fr example, cmmunicatin, legislatin and research. Dwnlad the guides at cr.rg.uk/ skillsguides Active Results a free nline results analysis service t help yu review the perfrmance f individual students r yur whle schl. It prvides access t detailed results data, enabling mre cmprehensive analysis f results in rder t give yu a mre accurate measurement f the achievements f yur centre and individual students. Fr mre details refer t cr.rg. uk/activeresults. AS Level in Business iii

6 Prfessinal Develpment Take advantage f ur imprved Prfessinal Develpment Prgramme, designed with yu in mind. Whether yu want t lk at ur new digital training r search fr training materials, yu can find what yu re lking fr all in ne place at the CPD Hub. An intrductin t the new specificatins: We ll be running events t help yu get t grips with ur AS Level in Business qualificatin. These events are designed t help prepare yu fr first teaching and t supprt yur delivery at every stage. Watch ut fr details at cpdhub.cr.rg.uk. T receive the latest infrmatin abut the training we ll be ffering, please register fr AS Level updates at cr.rg.uk/updates. iv AS Level in Business

7 1 Why chse an OCR AS Level in Business? 1a. Why chse an OCR qualificatin? Chse OCR and yu ve gt the reassurance that yu re wrking with ne f the UK s leading exam bards. Our new AS Level in Business curse has been develped in cnsultatin with teachers, emplyers and Higher Educatin t prvide learners with a qualificatin that s relevant t them and meets their needs. We re part f the Cambridge Assessment Grup, Eurpe s largest assessment agency and a department f the University f Cambridge. Cambridge Assessment plays a leading rle in develping and delivering assessments thrughut the wrld, perating in ver 150 cuntries. We wrk with a range f educatin prviders, including schls, clleges, wrkplaces and ther institutins in bth the public and private sectrs. Over 13,000 centres chse ur A levels, GCSEs and vcatinal qualificatins including Cambridge Natinals and Cambridge Technicals. Our Specificatins We believe in develping specificatins that help yu bring the subject t life and inspire yur students t achieve mre. We ve created teacher-friendly specificatins based n extensive research and engagement with the teaching cmmunity. They re designed t be straightfrward and accessible s that yu can tailr the delivery f the curse t suit yur needs. We aim t encurage learners t becme respnsible fr their wn learning, cnfident in discussing ideas, innvative and engaged. We prvide a range f supprt services designed t help yu at every stage, frm preparatin thrugh t the delivery f ur specificatins. This includes: A wide range f high-quality creative resurces including: Delivery Guides Transitin Guides Tpic Explratin Packs Lessn Elements and much mre. Access t Subject Advisrs t supprt yu thrugh the transitin and thrughut the lifetimes f the specificatins. CPD/Training fr teachers t intrduce the qualificatins and prepare yu fr first teaching. Active Results ur free results analysis service t help yu review the perfrmance f individual students r whle schls. All AS level qualificatins ffered by OCR are accredited by Ofqual, the Regulatr fr qualificatins ffered in England. The accreditatin number fr OCR s AS Level in Business is QN: 601/4674/6. 1 AS Level in Business 1

8 1b. Why chse an OCR AS Level in Business? 1 The OCR AS Level in Business will encurage learners t be inspired, mtivated and challenged by fllwing a brad, cherent, practical, satisfying and wrthwhile curse f study. It prvides insight int, and experience f, hw businesses wrk, stimulating learners curisity and encuraging them t engage with cmmerce in their everyday lives and t make infrmed chices abut further study and career chices. The OCR AS Level in Business is designed t allw centres t manage a diversity f different tpics in an efficient simple way. The AS Level in Business will prvide learners with an understanding f the subject and it will develp skills such as data analysis, prblem slving and essay writing. These transferable skills can be used within any subsequent curse f study. They can als be applied by any learner prgressing int a managerial rle within any rganisatin. This specificatin has been develped in cnjunctin with the team that created the previus OCR Business Studies specificatin, and als with input frm centres, Higher Educatin (HE) and industry, thus ensuring that we have a balanced view f the requirements f the specificatin. The specificatin cntent has been updated t capture and inspire the learner s interest in the way in which businesses perate in the mdern wrld. The experience f the past three years f assessment has clearly demnstrated that OCR has the knwledge and skills t develp reliable and valid qualificatins. The OCR AS Level in Business will abve all else be relevant t the mdern and changing wrld f business. It enables teachers t be able t tailr the qualificatin t meet the needs f their learners, allwing any relevant industry examples which meet the needs f the curse t be used. It prvides the pprtunity t study a wide range f cncepts which can be applied in a variety f cntexts. If learners wish t g n t Higher Educatin (HE), many universities nw recgnise the value f a business qualificatin. Learners culd then g n t a career in law, business r finance fr example. It may als be used fr entry int emplyment r an apprenticeship. Each cmpnent cmprises f synptic assessment, s learners will have an hlistic learning experience and be able t apply cncepts t different situatins. Aims and learning utcmes The aims f this specificatin are t enable learners t: develp an enthusiasm fr studying business gain an hlistic understanding f business in a range f cntexts develp a critical understanding f rganisatins and their ability t meet sciety s needs and wants understand that business behaviur can be studied frm a range f perspectives generate enterprising and creative appraches t business pprtunities, prblems and issues be aware f the ethical dilemmas and respnsibilities faced by rganisatins and individuals take a mre strategic view f business pprtunities, prblems and issues acquire a range f relevant business and generic skills, including decisin making, prblem slving, the challenging f assumptins and critical analysis apply numerical skills in a range f business cntexts. AS Level in Business

9 1c. What are the key features f this specificatin? This specificatin: has increased emphasis n decisin making, with learners required t cnsider why the size and scpe f a business makes a difference t the actin taken has true synptic assessment meaning that learners will be taught skills and be able t apply them t different cncepts e.g. the relatinship between break-even cncept in bth prductin and sales uses real businesses in the assessment t enable learners t identify mre with prblem slving in real-life situatins requires learners t apply mathematical skills, which will enable them t develp their skills, knwledge and understanding f business is c-teachable with the A Level in Business curse. The OCR AS Level in Business prvides the ideal fundatin fr thse learners wh wish t pursue further study f business r related wrk, at the same time as ffering a cmplete curse fr thse wh are interested in achieving greater understanding f what they see in the news and the wrld arund them. There is a simple, straight-frward assessment structure with n cursewrk, just three tw-hur examinatins at the end f the curse. 1 1d. Hw d I find ut mre infrmatin? If already using OCR specificatins yu can cntact us at: If nt already registered yu can find ut mre infrmatin at: If yu are nt yet an apprved centre and wuld like t becme ne g t: Find ut mre? Ask a Subject Advisr: OCR.Business@cr.rg.uk Teacher supprt: AS Level in Business 3

10 The specificatin verview a. Overview f AS Level in Business (H031) Learners must cmplete bth cmpnents (01 and 0) t be awarded the OCR AS Level in Business. Cntent Overview Assessment Overview Business bjectives and strategic decisins External influences facing businesses Marketing and marketing strategies Operatinal strategy Human resurces Accunting and financial cnsideratins The lcal business envirnment (01)* 60 marks 1 hur 30 minutes written paper The wider business envirnment (0)* 60 marks 1 hur 30 minutes written paper 50% f ttal AS level 50% f ttal AS level * Indicates synptic assessment. 4 AS Level in Business

11 b. Intrductin t cntent f AS Level in Business (H031) The main areas f study in the OCR AS Level in Business are accunting and finance, external influences, marketing, peratins and peple in rganisatins. The required depth f study has been amplified within tpics such as marketing (the marketing mix, cnsumer/custmer needs), human resurces (recruitment, selectin and training), peratins management (methds f prductin, capacity management, stck cntrl and lgistics/ supply chain slutins) and accunting and finance (final accunts, including the calculatin f prfit). The OCR AS Level in Business will prvide learners with the ability t apply basic business cncepts t a wider range f cntexts, understand and apply mre sphisticated cncepts and techniques, analyse, interpret and evaluate mre cmplex business infrmatin and take a mre strategic view f business pprtunities, prblems and issues. It will develp skills such as data analysis, prblem slving and essay writing. These transferable skills can be used within any subsequent curse f study. They can als be applied by any learner prgressing int a managerial rle within any rganisatin. c. Cntent f AS Level in Business It is imprtant that the cntent f this specificatin is seen as a whle and nt as a series f discrete elements, as the cntent listed in ne sectin may be assessed in any cntext. The fllwing detailed cntent is presented in three clumns which detail the areas f study as required by the Subject Criteria, the breaking dwn f thse areas f study int specific tpics and finally, what the learners shuld be able t d as a result f fllwing the OCR AS Level in Business. The entire specificatin can and will be assessed within each f the tw cmpnents (with the exceptin that the internatinal/glbal cntext is unlikely t be assessed in cmpnent 01 as this fcuses n the lcal business envirnment). Althugh sme techniques and mdels are listed within a particular element f the specificatin, such techniques and mdels can and will be assessed within any apprpriate cntext. Fr example, althugh SWOT analysis is listed under the heading Marketing resurces, learners culd be asked t undertake a SWOT analysis in any cntext. Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Intrductin t business Enterprise explain what is meant by an entrepreneur and by enterprise explain what is meant by the factrs f prductin: land, labur, capital and enterprise evaluate the impact and imprtance f the availability f factrs f prductin fr the stakehlders f a business explain the rle f the entrepreneur in making business decisins evaluate the impact and imprtance f entrepreneurial activity fr the stakehlders f a business. AS Level in Business 5

12 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Intrductin t business Business sectrs distinguish between primary, secndary and tertiary rganisatins distinguish between private, public and third sectr rganisatins distinguish between lcal, natinal and internatinal glbal markets distinguish between a natinal and multinatinal business Types f business explain the legal structure f business: including sle trader, partnership, limited liability partnership, private limited cmpany and public limited cmpany explain what is meant by limited liability and unlimited liability evaluate the factrs affecting the chice f legal structure f a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f legal structure fr the stakehlders f a business explain the functins f business: including marketing, prductin, peratins management, accunting and finance, as well as custmer service, sales and supprt services evaluate the impact and imprtance f the functins f business t the stakehlders f a business distinguish between small, medium and large enterprises explain hw and why the size f a business is measured evaluate the factrs affecting the size f a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f the size f business t the stakehlders f a business. 6 AS Level in Business

13 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Business bjectives and strategy Different stakehlder and business bjectives distinguish between rganisatinal aims, crprate/ business bjectives, strategic bjectives, tactical bjectives and peratinal bjectives explain the imprtance f setting SMART bjectives t a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by the hierarchy f bjectives evaluate the impact and imprtance f setting aims and bjectives explain hw the sectr in which a business perates affects its aims and bjectives explain hw bjectives can be cmmunicated evaluate the cnsequences f mis-cmmunicating bjectives t a business and its stakehlders evaluate ways in which the bjectives f a business culd be better cmmunicated explain why the bjectives f a business may need t change recmmend and justify the aims and bjectives fr a business and hw any changes may be implemented. Stakehlders explain what is meant by the term stakehlder identify the internal and external stakehlders f a business analyse the bjectives f the stakehlders f a business explain the reasns fr cnflicts between different stakehlder grups explain why a business needs t manage the cnflicting bjectives f its stakehlders evaluate the impact n a business f different stakehlders having cnflicting bjectives recmmend and justify hw a business shuld deal with the cnflicting bjectives f stakehlders evaluate the influence different stakehlders have n a business including its aims and bjectives, decisin making, behaviur and perfrmance evaluate the impact f business decisins n different stakehlders grups. Business plans explain the purpse f a business plan describe the main cntents f a business plan and explain why these are included in the plan evaluate the advantages and disadvantages t a business f having a business plan evaluate the impact and imprtance f a business plan t the stakehlders f a business. AS Level in Business 7

14 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Business bjectives and strategy Risk and uncertainty explain what is meant by risk and reward explain the relatinship between risk and reward evaluate the relatinship between risk and reward in a business distinguish between quantifiable and unquantifiable risk evaluate quantifiable and unquantifiable risks t a business evaluate ways in which a business can reduce its level f risk evaluate the cnsequences t a business and its stakehlders f pr risk management evaluate the specific risks faced by an entrepreneur explain what is meant by uncertainty distinguish between internal and external causes f uncertainty in a business evaluate the impact f internal and external causes f uncertainty n a business and its stakehlders explain hw uncertainty can affect a business including effects n aims and bjectives, planning, decisin making, business analysis and frecasting. Measures f perfrmance: financial and nnfinancial distinguish between financial and nn-financial measures f business perfrmance explain the imprtance t a business f using financial and nn-financial measures f business perfrmance explain the difference between cash flw and prfit. Decisin making evaluate which curse f actin a business shuld take. External influences The market, market structure, market size, share and grwth explain what is meant by a market explain what is meant by market size explain the imprtance f market size t a business explain what is meant by market share explain the imprtance f market share t a business evaluate hw a business culd increase its market share explain what is meant by market grwth recmmend and justify hw a business shuld respnd t psitive r negative market grwth recmmend and justify hw a business shuld respnd t increasing r decreasing market share 8 AS Level in Business

15 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: External influences The market, market structure, market size, share and grwth explain what is meant by cmpetitin describe the key features f mnply, ligply and mnplistic cmpetitin analyse the relatinship between market structure and a business decisin making pwer evaluate the impact f cmpetitin at the lcal, natinal and glbal cntexts n a business. Demand and supply explain what is meant by demand, supply and equilibrium explain hw demand and supply interact t establish equilibrium explain the determinants f demand and supply explain hw changes in the determinants f demand and supply affect price and utput decisins cnstruct and interpret demand and supply diagram(s) t shw hw changes in the determinants f demand and supply affect equilibrium evaluate factrs which affect demand and supply in a market cnstruct and interpret demand and supply diagram(s) t shw excesses and shrtages in a market evaluate the effect f excesses and shrtages. Physical and nnphysical markets distinguish between physical and nn-physical markets, including nline and digital explain why firms may chse t perate in physical and/r nn-physical markets. Cmpetitin evaluate hw the strength f cmpetitin affects a business explain why firms may chse t enter r exit a market analyse barriers t entry r exit in a market. AS Level in Business 9

16 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: External influences Market dminance explain what is meant by market dminance, mergers, acquisitins and rganic grwth explain hw mergers, acquisitins and rganic grwth culd lead t the creatin f dminant firms evaluate the impact n a business f a dminant firm perating in its market explain hw market dminance is restricted and regulated in the UK evaluate the impact and imprtance f the regulatin f the market n a business and its stakehlders. Glbal cntext explain what is meant by glbalisatin explain factrs which facilitate glbalisatin including the Internet, cmmunicatin technlgies, e-cmmerce, trade liberalisatin, transprt infrastructure and multinatinals explain why sme businesses are mre affected than thers by glbalisatin explain the rle f multinatinals in glbalisatin evaluate the pprtunities and threats glbalisatin presents t a business explain what is meant by glbal branding evaluate the pprtunities and threats t a business f a rise in the number f glbal brands explain what is meant by internatinal trade explain the reasns fr internatinal trade explain the nature and purpse f barriers t internatinal trade explain what is meant by an exchange rate. Plitical factrs identify plitical factrs which influence a business evaluate hw the plicies f lcal, natinal, EU and internatinal gvernments can affect a business. Ecnmic factrs explain the key ecnmic indicatrs which influence a business identify the nature and purpse f the main types f taxatin in the UK distinguish between direct and indirect taxatin explain what is meant by Grss Dmestic Prduct evaluate the impact and imprtance in changes in ecnmic factrs fr a business and its stakehlders. Scial factrs describe scial factrs which influence a business evaluate the impact and imprtance in changes in scial factrs fr a business and its stakehlders. 10 AS Level in Business

17 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: External influences Technlgical factrs identify technlgical factrs which influence a business explain hw technlgy can be used in a business explain hw changes in technlgy may impact n a business evaluate the pprtunities and threats t a business and its stakehlders f changes in technlgical factrs. Ethical factrs distinguish between the law and ethics explain ethical issues which influence a business recmmend and justify ways in which a business culd imprve its ethical prfile evaluate the advantages and disadvantages t a business and its stakehlders f behaving ethically. Legal factrs explain the nature and purpse f legislatin including emplyment, equality, cmpany and partnership health and safety, data prtectin, intellectual prperty, planning, envirnmental, cnsumer prtectin, cntract and financial cnduct evaluate ways in which a business can cmply with legislatin. Envirnmental factrs describe envirnmental issues which influence a business explain why a business needs t cnsider envirnmental issues recmmend and justify ways in which a business can address envirnmental issues explain what is meant by sustainability explain hw a business may act in a sustainable manner evaluate the impact and imprtance f sustainability t a business and its stakehlders evaluate hw a business may becme mre sustainable. AS Level in Business 11

18 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Accunting and finance within a business envirnment Management accunting Surces f finance explain surces f finance Csts, revenue and prfit distinguish between internal and external surces f finance fr a business distinguish between shrt-term and lng-term surces f finance fr a business explain hw factrs such as the fllwing affect the chice f finance fr a business: time legal structure quantitative factrs qualitative factrs external influences evaluate surces f finance fr a business and its stakehlders. explain what is meant by csts, revenue, prfit, ttal cst, average cst, fixed cst, variable cst, ttal revenue, price, average revenue, direct, indirect and verhead csts calculate and interpret csts, revenue, prfit, ttal cst, average cst, fixed cst, variable cst, ttal revenue, price, average revenue, direct, indirect and verhead csts explain the imprtance f direct, indirect and verhead csts t a business evaluate the impact f csts and revenue n business decisins evaluate the impact f csts changing t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the prfit level f a business. 1 AS Level in Business

19 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Management accunting Break-even analysis explain what is meant by break-even, cntributin, margin f safety and target level f prfit cnstruct and interpret a break-even graph calculate and interpret cntributin, break-even, margin f safety and target level f prfit calculate and interpret the impact n break-even, margin f safety cntributin and target level f prfit f changes in csts and revenue evaluate the impact n the break-even pint, margin f safety, cntributin and target level f prfit f changes in csts and revenue evaluate the impact f break-even analysis n a business and its stakehlders evaluate the usefulness f break-even analysis t a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify hw a business culd lwer its break-even pint. Investment appraisal explain the nature and purpse f investment appraisal calculate and interpret quantitative methds f investment appraisal, the payback perid, average rate f return (ARR) and net present value (NPV) explain hw quantitative and qualitative aspects f investment appraisal affect a business evaluate the usefulness f different methds f investment appraisal t a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify business investments based n quantitative and qualitative investment appraisal. Budgets and variances explain what is meant by a budget explain what is meant by a variance calculate and interpret budgets and variances analyse budgets and variances (favurable/adverse) evaluate the impact f budgets and variances n a business evaluate the usefulness f the budgeting prcess and variance analysis t a business and its stakehlders. AS Level in Business 13

20 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Management accunting Cash-flw explain what is meant by cash-flw distinguish between cash-flw and prfit explain the purpse f a cash-flw frecast calculate, interpret and analyse cash-flw frecasts calculate, interpret and analyse the impact n a cashflw frecast f changes in csts and revenue evaluate the impact f a cash-flw frecast n a business and its stakehlders evaluate the usefulness f cash-flw frecasting t a business and its stakehlders evaluate strategies t vercme frecast cash-flw prblems evaluate the usefulness f cash-flw frecasts fr a business and its stakehlders. Wrking capital explain what is meant by wrking capital explain what is meant by the wrking capital cycle. Financial accunting Incme statements explain what is meant by an incme statement explain what is cntained within an incme statement calculate, interpret and analyse measures f prfit: grss prfit, perating prfit, net prfit cmplete, interpret and analyse an incme statement evaluate the usefulness f incme statements fr a business and its stakehlders. Statement f financial psitin explain what is meant by a statement f financial psitin explain what is cntained within a statement f financial psitin cmplete, interpret and analyse a statement f financial psitin (nn-current assets, inventry, receivables, payables, wrking capital, nn-current liabilities, net assets, retained earnings and ttal sharehlders equity) evaluate hw assets may be valued: nn-current assets, investments, patents, gdwill, receivables, bad debts, inventries evaluate the usefulness f a statement f financial psitin fr a business and its stakehlders f a business. 14 AS Level in Business

21 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Financial accunting Rati analysis calculate and interpret liquidity ratis: current rati and acid test calculate and interpret prfitability ratis: grss prfit margin, net prfit margin, return n capital emplyed (ROCE) and return n equity evaluate the financial psitin f a business evaluate the usefulness f rati analysis t a business and its stakehlders. Human resurce management within a business envirnment Organisatin explain rganisatin structure: line relatinships, staff relatinships, chain f cmmand, span f cntrl, authrity, respnsibility, centralisatin, decentralisatin, delegatin and delayering explain mdels f rganisatin structure: hierarchy, by functin, by prduct, system, matrix and divisin distinguish between tall and flat rganisatinal structures evaluate the usefulness f rganisatinal structures used by a business evaluate the significance f rganisatinal structures t a business and its stakehlders. The wrkfrce Recruitment explain what is meant by recruitment explain the reasns fr recruitment explain the cntent and purpse f a jb descriptin, a persn specificatin and a jb advertisement distinguish between external and internal recruitment evaluate the impact and imprtance f recruitment t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the usefulness f dcumentatin and methds f recruitment t a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify methds f recruitment fr a business. Selectin explain what is meant by selectin explain the cntent and purpse f different selectin methds, including applicatin frms, curriculum vitae (CV), testing, interviews, wrk trial, references and letter f applicatin evaluate the usefulness f methds f selectin t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact f selectin n a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify methds f selectin fr a business. AS Level in Business 15

22 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: The wrkfrce Training explain what is meant by training distinguish between methds f training; including nthe-jb, ff-the-jb, inductin, academic, vcatinal and apprenticeship evaluate the usefulness f methds f training fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f training fr a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify training methds fr a business. Wrkfrce perfrmance explain measures f wrkfrce perfrmance calculate and interpret measures f wrkfrce perfrmance, including lateness, absenteeism, labur turnver, prductivity evaluate the usefulness f measurements f wrkfrce perfrmance t a business evaluate the imprtance f measurements f wrkfrce perfrmance t a business and its stakehlders. Appraisal explain what is meant by, and the purpse f appraisal distinguish between appraisal methds: including managerial assessment, peer assessment, selfassessment, 360 assessment, target setting. Redundancy and dismissal explain what is meant by redundancy and dismissal explain reasns fr fair dismissal: including capacity, cnduct, redundancy and ther substantial reasn explain what is meant by unfair dismissal explain reasns fr unfair dismissal: including pregnancy, trade unin membership, discriminatin and whistle blwing explain the prcedure fr dismissal evaluate the impact and imprtance f redundancy and dismissal fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the effectiveness f dismissal and grievance prcedures t a business and its stakehlders. 16 AS Level in Business

23 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Management Functins f management explain what is meant by management explain functins f management evaluate cnstraints n management evaluate the success f the management f a business. Leadership explain what is meant by leadership explain leadership thery, including trait thery (Carlyle and Galtn, McGregr s Thery X and Y), behaviural thery (Blake and Multn s managerial grid), cntingency thery (Lewin, Tannenbaum and Schmidt s behaviural cntinuum) and functinal (Adair s Three Circles) distinguish between leadership styles, including autcratic, demcratic, laissez-faire and paternalistic evaluate the usefulness f theries and styles f leadership t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f leadership fr a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify methds f leadership fr a business. Mtivatin explain what is meant by mtivatin explain mtivatin thery, including cntent thery (McClelland, Herzberg, Maslw) and expectancy thery (Vrm) evaluate the usefulness f theries f mtivatin t a business distinguish between mnetary and nn-mnetary methds f mtivatin evaluate the usefulness f mtivatin practices t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f mtivatin t a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify methds f mtivatin fr a business. AS Level in Business 17

24 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Emplyer/emplyee relatins explain what is meant by emplyer/emplyee relatins evaluate the benefits f gd emplyer/emplyee relatins fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the csts f pr emplyee relatins t a business and its stakehlders explain legislatin which affects the emplyer/ emplyee relatinship; including cntracts f emplyment, minimum wage, health and safety, equality, data prtectin, dismissal, grievance and relevant Eurpean directives evaluate the impact and imprtance f legislatin which affects the emplyer/emplyee relatinship fr a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by emplyee participatin explain types f emplyee participatin; including industrial demcracy, participative decisin making and wrks cuncils evaluate the impact and imprtance f emplyee participatin t a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by a trade unin explain the rle f a trade unin evaluate the advantages and disadvantages f trade unin membership fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact f the changing nature f trade unin activity and membership n a business and its stakehlders. Marketing within a business envirnment Marketing resurces identify and explain the resurces required by a business t market a prduct r service evaluate the impact f resurces n the ability f a business t develp a marketing strategy explain the cntent and purpse f a SWOT analysis analyse the marketing psitin f a business using a SWOT framewrk evaluate the usefulness f SWOT analysis fr a business and its stakehlders. 18 AS Level in Business

25 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Custmer needs Identifying custmer needs explain what is meant by market research distinguish between primary and secndary market research techniques explain primary market research techniques explain secndary market research techniques analyse market research data evaluate the usefulness f primary market research techniques fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the usefulness f secndary market research techniques t a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by trial marketing evaluate the usefulness f trial marketing t a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by sampling explain sampling methds used by a business, including randm, stratified, cluster, systematic, quta and cnvenience evaluate the usefulness f methds f sampling fr a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by market share and market grwth explain the nature and purpse f market analysis distinguish between quantitative and qualitative market analysis explain why a business needs t cnsider bth quantitative and qualitative aspects f market analysis calculate, interpret and analyse market share and market grwth evaluate the impact and imprtance f market share and market grwth t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f changes in market share and market grwth t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f market research data t a business and its stakehlders evaluate a business decisins based n market data evaluate the impact f ignring market data fr a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify hw a business shuld respnd t psitive r negative market grwth recmmend and justify hw a business shuld respnd t increasing r decreasing market share. AS Level in Business 19

26 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Custmer needs Anticipating cnsumer needs distinguish between custmers and cnsumers distinguish between thse marketing methds and appraches which are apprpriate fr business t business marketing and business t cnsumer marketing distinguish between custmer and prduct rientatin evaluate the impact and imprtance f custmer and prduct rientatin t a business and its stakehlders f a business distinguish between niche marketing and mass marketing evaluate the usefulness f niche marketing and mass marketing t a business and its stakehlders explain what is meant by market segmentatin explain ways in which a business may segment its market evaluate the impact and imprtance f market segmentatin t a business and its stakehlders evaluate marketing methds, appraches and strategies which are apprpriate fr business t cnsumer marketing evaluate marketing methds, appraches and strategies which are apprpriate fr business t business marketing. The marketing strategy The marketing mix explain what is meant by the marketing mix distinguish between lcal, natinal and glbal marketing cntexts evaluate an apprpriate marketing mix fr lcal, natinal and glbal cntexts. 0 AS Level in Business

27 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: The marketing strategy Prduct explain what is meant by prduct explain what is meant by the prduct life cycle explain the stages in the prduct life cycle explain the purpse f the prduct life cycle cmplete, understand and interpret a prduct life cycle diagram evaluate the usefulness f the prduct cycle t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the prduct strategy f a business using: prduct life cycle Bstn matrix prduct prtfli analysis explain what is meant by a unique selling pint (USP) identify the USP f a business explain hw and why a USP is used by a business explain what is meant by brand and branding evaluate the imprtance f prduct as an element f the marketing mix t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f prduct differentiatin t a business and its stakehlders. Price explain what is meant by price evaluate the pssible pricing strategies f a business, including: skimming penetratin cmpetitin-based psychlgical cst-plus (full-cst based) marginal cntributin explain what is meant by price, incme and crss elasticities f demand calculate and interpret price, incme and crss elasticities f demand evaluate the usefulness f price elasticity f demand t a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f price fr a business and its stakehlders. AS Level in Business 1

28 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: The marketing strategy The prductin prcess Place explain what is meant by place evaluate pssible distributin strategies f a business, including: channels f distributin nline, digital and physical distributin (lgistics) patterns f distributin evaluate the impact and imprtance f place fr a business and its stakehlders. Prmtin explain what is meant by prmtin Methds f prductin evaluate pssible prmtin strategies fr a business, including: abve the line belw the line branding persnal selling Internet scial media evaluate the impact and imprtance f prmtin t a business and its stakehlders. distinguish between methds f prductin: jb, batch, flw and cell evaluate the impact and imprtance f the chice f prductin methd fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the reasns fr the chice f prductin methd explain what is meant by specialisatin and the divisin f labur explain the reasns fr the intrductin f specialisatin and divisin f labur int a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f specialisatin and divisin f labur t a business and its stakehlders. Services explain the prductin prcess fr the prvisin f services explain what is meant by custmer service in the cntext f the prvisin f services evaluate the imprtance t a business and its stakehlders f high quality custmer service. AS Level in Business

29 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Prductive efficiency Prductivity explain what is meant by prductivity Capacity utilisatin and management calculate measures f prductivity evaluate the impact and imprtance f prductivity t a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify methds t imprve prductivity in a business. explain what is meant by capacity utilisatin explain what is meant by capacity management evaluate the impact and imprtance f capacity utilisatin t a business and its stakehlders evaluate the impact and imprtance f capacity management t a business and its stakehlders. Added value explain what is meant by added value explain hw added value can be calculated calculate added value evaluate the usefulness f added value t a business and its stakehlders. Ecnmies and disecnmies f scale explain what is meant by ecnmies f scale and disecnmies f scale; internal and external explain types f internal ecnmies f scale, internal disecnmies f scale, external ecnmies f scale and external disecnmies f scale evaluate the csts and benefits t a business frm internal and external ecnmies and disecnmies f scale. Stck cntrl explain what is meant by stck cntrl explain methds f stck cntrl including stck cntrl charts, just in time (JIT), kanban, fixed rerder stck level, fixed time rerdering, ecnmic rder quantity and electrnic methds f stck cntrl cnstruct, calculate and interpret stck cntrl charts, buffer stck, rerder level and quantities and lead time evaluate the impact and imprtance f hlding and cntrlling stck fr a business and its stakehlders evaluate the relatinship between stck cntrl and methds f prductin in a business. AS Level in Business 3

30 Area f Study Cntent Learners shuld be able t: Prductive efficiency Lean prductin explain what is meant by lean prductin explain hw and why lean prductin is used by a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f lean prductin t a business and its stakehlders recmmend and justify methds f lean prductin fr a business. Prductive quality (fit fr purpse) Internal quality standards External quality standards distinguish between quality cntrl and quality assurance explain the reasns fr quality cntrl and quality assurance in a business calculate and interpret measures f wastage explain what is meant by ttal quality management (TQM) explain hw and why TQM is used in a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f training in imprving quality fr a business and its stakehlders. explain external quality standards including British Standards (BS), Eurpean Standards (EN) and Internatinal Standards (ISO) specific knwledge f individual standards is nt required evaluate the impact and imprtance f external quality standards fr a business and its stakehlders explain hw and why benchmarking is used by a business evaluate the impact and imprtance f benchmarking fr a business and its stakehlders. d. Prir learning, knwledge and prgressin Learners in England wh are beginning an AS level curse are likely t have fllwed a Key Stage 4 prgramme f study. This curse will enable learners t prgress t A level curses r cmbine it with vcatinal qualificatins r prgress directly t emplyment. There is n frmal requirement fr prir knwledge fr entry nt this AS Level in Business curse as all f the required subject cntent and skills are taught within the specificatin. There are a number f Business and Enterprise specificatins at OCR. Find ut mre at: 4 AS Level in Business

31 3 Assessment f OCR AS Level in Business 3a. Frms f assessment The OCR AS Level in Business cnsists f tw cmpnents that are externally assessed. Each cmpnent will have a specific fcus n a type f business ranging frm a small/medium enterprise t natinal firms. Each examinatin will be tw hurs in duratin. A Resurce Bklet will be prvided fr each examinatin. The Resurce Bklet will fcus n a real-life business r businesses and prvide stimulus material which the learners will need t answer the questins in the examinatin. The structure f each assessment is as fllws: The lcal business envirnment (cmpnent 01) Sectin A cntains multiple-chice questins wrth a ttal f 15 marks. The questins can be drawn frm any aspect f the specificatin. Sectin B cntains data respnse questins which relate t the Resurce Bklet. This sectin is wrth a ttal f 45 marks. 3 The wider business envirnment (cmpnent 0) Sectin A cntains a number f shrt answer questins wrth a ttal f 0 marks. The cntent f these shrt answer questins will be drawn frm any element f the specificatin. Sectin B cntains extended respnse questins which relate t the Resurce Bklet. This sectin is wrth a ttal f 40 marks. 3b. Assessment bjectives (AO) There are fur assessment bjectives in the OCR AS Level in Business. These are detailed in the table belw. Learners are expected t demnstrate their ability t: Assessment Objective AO1 AO AO3 AO4 Demnstrate knwledge f terms, cncepts, theries, methds and mdels t shw an understanding f hw individuals and rganisatins are affected by, and respnd t business issues. Apply knwledge and understanding t varius business cntexts t shw hw individuals and rganisatins are affected by and respnd t issues. Analyse issues within business shwing an understanding f the impact n individuals and rganisatins f external and internal influences. Evaluate quantitative and qualitative infrmatin t make infrmed judgements and prpse evidence-based slutins t business issues. AS Level in Business 5

32 The assessment f quantitative skills represents a minimum f 10% f the verall AS Level marks. These quantitative skills may be assessed acrss the assessment bjectives. AO weightings in AS Level in Business The relatinship between the assessment bjectives and the cmpnents are shwn in the fllwing table: 3 Cmpnent The lcal business envirnment (H031/01) The wider business envirnment (H031/0) % f AS Level in Business (H031) AO1 AO AO3 AO4 Ttal % % 30% 30% 0% 0% 100% In additin the learners will be required t demnstrate cmpetence in the quantitative skills which are relevant t the subject cntent and which are applied in the cntext f the AS Level in 3c. Assessment availability There will be ne examinatin series available each year in May/June t all learners. Assessments by examinatins must all be taken in a single year at the 3d. Retaking the qualificatin Learners can retake the qualificatin as many times as they wish. They retake bth cmpnents f the qualificatin. Business as detailed in Annex 1. The assessment f these quantitative skills will include at least Level mathematical skills as a minimum f 10% f the verall AS Level marks. end f the curse. This specificatin will be certificated frm the June 016 examinatin series nwards. 3e. Assessment f extended respnse The assessment materials fr this qualificatin prvide learners with the pprtunity t demnstrate their ability t cnstruct and develp a sustained line f reasning and marks fr extended respnses which are integrated int the marking criteria. 6 AS Level in Business

33 3f. Synptic assessment Synptic assessment allws learners t demnstrate their understanding between different aspects f the subject. Synptic assessment invlves the explicit drawing tgether f knwledge, skills and understanding f different aspects f the AS level curse. The emphasis f synptic assessment is t encurage the understanding f 3g. Calculating qualificatin results A learner s verall qualificatin grade fr AS Level in Business will be calculated by adding tgether their marks frm the tw cmpnents taken t give their ttal weighted mark. This mark will then be hw businesses perate in the real wrld rather than being a purely theretical apprach. Fr example, break-even analysis can be taught in relatin t prductin but the cncept can be applied t sales, similarly SWOT analysis needs nly be taught nce but can be applied in a number f areas. cmpared t the qualificatin level grade bundaries fr the entry ptin taken by the learner and fr the relevant exam series t determine the learner s verall qualificatin grade. 3 AS Level in Business 7

34 4 Admin: what yu need t knw The infrmatin in this sectin is designed t give an verview f the prcesses invlved in administering this qualificatin s that yu can speak t yur exams fficer. All f the fllwing prcesses require yu t submit smething t OCR by a specific deadline. Mre infrmatin abut these prcesses and deadlines invlved at each stage f the assessment cycle can be fund in the Administratin area f the OCR website. OCR s Admin verview is available n the OCR website at 4a. Pre-assessment Estimated entries Estimated entries are yur best prjectin f the number f learners wh will be entered fr a qualificatin in a particular series. Estimated entries shuld be submitted t OCR by the specified deadline. They are free and d nt cmmit yur centre in any way. 4 Final entries Final entries prvide OCR with detailed data fr each learner, shwing each assessment t be taken. It is essential that yu use the crrect entry cde, cnsidering the relevant entry rules. Final entries must be submitted t OCR by the published deadlines r late entry fees will apply. All learners taking AS Level in Business must be entered fr H031. Entry cde Title Cmpnent cde Cmpnent title Assessment type H031 Business 01 0 The lcal business envirnment The wider business envirnment External Assessment External Assessment 8 AS Level in Business