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Northern IrelandBusiness Studies

Growing the Business

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How much must a business sell to cover its costs?

Fixed, variable and total costs, contribution, the calculation and interpretation of the break-even point, the margin of safety, break-even charts and the strengths and limitations of break-even analysis.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on break-even analysis, covering fixed, variable and total costs, contribution per unit, the break-even formula, the margin of safety, the break-even chart, and the strengths and limitations of break-even analysis as a decision tool.
12 min answer →

How does a business plan, control and report its finances?

The purpose and use of budgets and variance analysis, the structure of the income statement and the statement of financial position, and the difference between gross and net profit.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on budgets and final accounts, covering the purpose of budgeting and variance analysis, favourable and adverse variances, the structure of the income statement and the statement of financial position, and the difference between gross and net profit.
12 min answer →

How and why do businesses grow, and what are the limits to growth?

The methods of business growth through internal (organic) and external (integration) means, the types of integration, economies and diseconomies of scale, and the reasons some firms choose to remain small.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on business growth and economies of scale, covering organic and external growth, horizontal, vertical and conglomerate integration, mergers and takeovers, economies and diseconomies of scale, and why some firms remain small.
12 min answer →

How does a business manage the cash flowing in and out?

The meaning and importance of cash flow, the construction and interpretation of a cash flow forecast, the causes of cash flow problems, working capital, and methods of improving cash flow.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on cash flow and working capital, covering why cash flow matters, how to construct and read a cash flow forecast, the difference between cash flow and profit, the causes of cash flow problems, and practical methods of improving cash flow.
12 min answer →

How does a business recruit, organise and develop its workforce?

Workforce planning, recruitment and selection, internal and external recruitment, training and development, and how organisational structure is shaped by hierarchy, span of control and delegation.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on human resource management, covering workforce planning, the recruitment and selection process, internal versus external recruitment, induction and on and off-the-job training, and organisational structure including hierarchy, span of control and delegation.
12 min answer →

What motivates employees and how do leaders influence them?

Theories of motivation including Taylor, Maslow, Herzberg and McGregor, financial and non-financial methods of motivation, and styles of leadership and their effect on the workforce.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on motivation and leadership, covering the theories of Taylor, Maslow, Herzberg and McGregor, financial and non-financial methods of motivation, and autocratic, democratic, paternalistic and laissez-faire leadership styles.
12 min answer →

Where does a business get the money it needs to operate and grow?

Internal and external sources of finance, short-term and long-term finance, and the factors a business considers when choosing the most appropriate source.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on sources of finance, covering internal sources such as retained profit, external sources such as loans, share capital and overdrafts, the distinction between short-term and long-term finance, and the factors that determine the most suitable source.
12 min answer →