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Northern IrelandBusiness Studies

The Competitive Business Environment

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does globalisation create opportunities and threats for business?

The meaning and causes of globalisation, the role of multinational corporations, the opportunities and threats of international trade, and the reasons for and against operating in international markets.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on globalisation and international business, covering the meaning and causes of globalisation, the role of multinational corporations, international trade, trading blocs, and the opportunities and threats of operating in international markets.
12 min answer →

How do law and regulation shape what a business can do?

The effect of legislation and regulation on business, including consumer protection, employment, health and safety and competition law, and the impact of complying with the legal and regulatory environment.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on government and the regulatory environment, covering consumer protection, employment, health and safety and competition law, the role of regulators, and the costs and benefits to a business of complying with legislation and regulation.
12 min answer →

What responsibilities does a business have beyond making a profit?

Corporate social responsibility and business ethics, the meaning of sustainability and the environmental impact of business, and the tension between profit and wider social and environmental responsibilities.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on social responsibility and sustainability, covering corporate social responsibility, business ethics, sustainability and the environmental impact of business, and the tension between profit and a firm's wider social and environmental responsibilities.
12 min answer →

How does competition shape the way a business behaves?

The nature of competition and market structures, the sources and benefits of competitive advantage, the effect of the degree of competition on price, output and behaviour, and how a business responds to competitors.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on the competitive environment, covering market structures from perfect competition to monopoly, sources of competitive advantage through cost leadership and differentiation, the effect of competition on price and output, and how a business responds to its rivals.
12 min answer →

How do economic conditions and policy affect a business?

The effect of the business cycle, economic growth, inflation, unemployment, interest rates and exchange rates on business, and how government fiscal and monetary policy influences business activity.
A CCEA A-Level Business Studies answer on the economic environment, covering the business cycle, economic growth, inflation, unemployment, interest rates and exchange rates, and how government fiscal and monetary policy affects business activity and decisions.
13 min answer →