← Business Studies syllabus

Northern IrelandBusiness Studies

Introduction to Business

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

Why do businesses exist and what does enterprise add?

The nature and purpose of business activity, the transformation of inputs into outputs, adding value, the factors of production, and the role of the entrepreneur in bearing risk and seizing opportunity.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on business activity and enterprise, covering needs and wants, the transformation of inputs into outputs, adding value, the four factors of production and the role of the entrepreneur in bearing risk and uncertainty.
11 min answer →

What is a business trying to achieve and how does it set goals?

The aims, mission and objectives of a business, the use of SMART objectives, how objectives differ between the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and how objectives change over the life of a business.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on business aims and objectives, covering mission statements, the hierarchy from aims to SMART objectives, common objectives such as survival, profit and growth, how objectives differ across sectors and how they change as a business develops.
11 min answer →

How does a business understand and reach its market?

The role of marketing, market research using primary and secondary methods, sampling, market segmentation and targeting, and the difference between market-led and product-led approaches.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on marketing and market research, covering the purpose of marketing, primary and secondary research, sampling methods, market segmentation and targeting, niche and mass markets, and market-led versus product-led approaches.
12 min answer →

How does a business produce goods efficiently and to a high quality?

Methods of production, the meaning and measurement of productivity, stock control including just-in-time, and approaches to quality including quality control, quality assurance and total quality management.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on operations and quality management, covering job, batch and flow production, productivity and efficiency, stock control and just-in-time, and approaches to quality including quality control, quality assurance and total quality management.
12 min answer →

Who has an interest in a business and how do their interests conflict?

The internal and external stakeholders of a business, their differing objectives and the conflicts that arise between them, and how a business manages competing stakeholder interests.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on stakeholders, covering internal and external stakeholder groups, their differing objectives, the conflicts that arise between them, stakeholder mapping by power and interest, and how a business balances competing claims.
11 min answer →

How does a business combine the elements of marketing to sell a product?

The marketing mix of product, price, place and promotion, the product life cycle and extension strategies, the Boston Matrix, pricing and promotional methods, and the use of e-commerce and digital channels.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on the marketing mix, covering the four Ps of product, price, place and promotion, the product life cycle and extension strategies, the Boston Matrix, pricing and promotion methods, and the growth of e-commerce and digital marketing channels.
13 min answer →

How is a business legally structured and who owns it?

The main forms of business organisation in the private and public sectors, including sole traders, partnerships, private and public limited companies, franchises, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, and the meaning of limited and unlimited liability.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on the forms of business organisation, covering sole traders, partnerships, private and public limited companies, franchises, social enterprises and the public sector, with the meaning of limited and unlimited liability and the factors influencing choice of structure.
12 min answer →