Business Studies (4BSO)

The course is presented in five (5) units, that follow the main themes of the Edexcel International GCSE specifications. In doing so, the student will study the following content:-

Unit 1 - Business Activity and the Changing Environment

This unit will consider the objectives of businesses, the changing environment and the criteria for judging success. The focus is on the importance of having clear business objectives and how the
business environment, provides opportunities for, and imposes constraints on, the pursuit of those objectives.

Subjects covered: business objectives; different types of organisations; factors of production; primary, secondary and tertiary activities; location; government influences; external influences and judging success.

Unit 2 - Human Resources (Personnel)

This unit will consider people within organisations focusing on their roles, relationships and management in business.

Subjects covered: internal organisation; communication; recruitment & selection; training and motivation & rewards.

Unit 3 - Accounting and Finance

This unit will explore the use of accounting and financial information as an aid to decision making.

Subjects covered: external & internal sources of finance; Budgets & cash flow forecasts; Cost & break-even analysis; Financial statements Ratios & performance (students will not be required to construct accounts for this unit – although some formulae in the examination will be required, which will be provided for that examination section)

Unit 4 – Marketing

This unit focuses on identifying and satisfying customer needs in a changing and competitive international environment.

Subjects covered: the market; the marketing mix and market research.

Unit 5 - Production

This unit examines the way organisations use and manage resources to produce goods and services.

Subjects covered: Economies & diseconomies of scale; methods of production; productivity and quality assurance.

Each unit will have appropriate ‘case studies’ ‘summaries’, ‘keywords features’ and also some ‘examination tips’.