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3.2 Influences on business

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

Should a business do the right thing even when it costs money?

The meaning of business ethics and environmental responsibility, examples of ethical and unethical behaviour, the effect of environmental and ethical considerations on costs, sales and reputation, and the trade-off with profit.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Business 3.2.2, covering business ethics, environmental responsibility, examples of ethical and unethical behaviour, and the trade-off between doing the right thing and profit.
6 min answer →

How does the growth of world trade open up and threaten businesses?

The meaning of globalisation, the reasons it has grown, the opportunities it offers (new markets, cheaper resources, multinationals) and the threats it brings (more competition), and the role of tariffs and trade barriers.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Business 3.2.4, covering the meaning of globalisation, why it has grown, the opportunities and threats it brings to UK businesses, and the role of tariffs and trade barriers.
7 min answer →

What laws must a business obey, and how do they affect it?

The purpose of legislation affecting business, the main areas of consumer law and employment law, the impact of complying with legislation on costs and decisions, and the consequences of breaking the law.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Business 3.2.5, covering the purpose of business legislation, the main areas of consumer and employment law, the cost of compliance, and the consequences of breaking the law.
6 min answer →

How does technology change the way a business operates?

The main types of technology used in business (e-commerce, digital communication, social media and automation), and the benefits and drawbacks of technology for sales, costs, marketing and the way a business is run.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Business 3.2.1, covering e-commerce, digital communication, social media and automation, and the benefits and drawbacks of technology for sales, costs and marketing.
6 min answer →

How do interest rates, prices and jobs in the wider economy affect a business?

The effect of the economic climate on business, including unemployment, changing levels of consumer income, inflation, changes in interest rates, government taxation, changes in exchange rates and the impact on costs, sales and profit.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Business 3.2.3, covering how unemployment, consumer income, inflation, interest rates, taxation and exchange rates affect a business's costs, sales and profit.
8 min answer →