strategic management course: scheme of work and lesson plan

Support Material

                                          GCE Business Studies

                                                                        OCR Advanced GCE in Business Studies: H430

                                                                                                                                Unit: F297

This Support Material booklet is designed to accompany the OCR Advanced GCE specification in Business Studies for teaching from September 2008.

Contents

Contents                                                                                                                                             2

Introduction                                                                                                                                       3

SCHEME OF WORK                                                                                                                         5

LESSON PLAN                                                                                                                                34

Other forms of Support                                                                                                                 36

Introduction

Background

A new structure of assessment for A Level has been introduced, for first teaching from September 2008. Some of the changes include:

·         The introduction of stretch and challenge (including the new A* grade at A2) – to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential

·         The reduction or removal of coursework components for many qualifications – to lessen the volume of marking for teachers

·         A reduction in the number of units for many qualifications – to lessen the amount of assessment for learners

·         Amendments to the content of specifications – to ensure that content is up-to-date and relevant.

OCR has produced an overview document, which summarises the changes to Business Studies. This can be found at www.ocr.org.uk, along with the new specification.

In order to help you plan effectively for the implementation of the new specification we have produced this Scheme of Work and Sample Lesson Plans for Business Studies. These Support Materials are designed for guidance only and play a secondary role to the Specification. 

Our Ethos

All our Support Materials were produced ‘by teachers for teachers’ in order to capture real life current teaching practices and they are based around OCR’s revised specifications. The aim is for the support materials to inspire teachers and facilitate different ideas and teaching practices.

Each Scheme of Work and set of sample Lesson Plans is provided in:

·         PDF format – for immediate use

·         Word format – so that you can use it as a foundation to build upon and amend the content to suit your teaching style and students’ needs.

The Scheme of Work and sample Lesson plans provide examples of how to teach this unit and the teaching hours are suggestions only. Some or all of it may be applicable to your teaching.

The Specification is the document on which assessment is based and specifies what content and skills need to be covered in delivering the course. At all times, therefore, this Support Material booklet should be read in conjunction with the Specification. If clarification on a particular point is sought then that clarification should be found in the Specification itself.

A Guided Tour through the Scheme of Work

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	4 hours	Topic area	Business objectives & strategy: Objectives (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291, An Introduction to Business. However, in this unit the teaching emphasis should be upon the appropriateness of objectives in a dynamic business context)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The formation of objectives at tactical and strategic levels		·       Corporate objectives arise from a consideration of - stakeholder objectives - environmental pressures - internal resources ·       Understand that corporate objectives drive departmental/ behavioural objectives ·       Understand that departmental/ behavioural objectives drive departmental/ behavioural tactics ·       Evaluate the extent to which corporate objectives are appropriate in a given context ·       Recommend, and justify, a strategy whereby a given business might meet its corporate objectives		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 82 & 84 ·       Business Studies Hall et al Unit 3rd Ed 4, 5, 6, 7, 93 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 1, 2, 7 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Candidates should recognise the reasons why objectives may change through time
Short-term tactics and long-term strategy		·       Explain the difference between strategy and tactics - time scale; LR v SR - detail; Specific v aspirational ·       Differentiate between targets and strategic goals ·       Understand that tactics arise from strategy
The significance to business of communicating objectives through corporate plans and mission statements		·       Explain the purpose of mission statements ·       Analyse the benefits of a mission statement in seeking to achieve business objectives ·       Evaluate the appropriateness of a mission statement within a given business context		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 81, 34 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 70 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapters Chapter 4
The impact that differing stakeholder objectives may have on the behaviour and decisions of a business		·       Evaluate the extent to which different stakeholders might be able to exert influence on the behaviour of a given business ·       Evaluate the extent to which a particular decision was appropriate for a given business in a specified context		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 69, 72 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 102, 111 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 13
The possible conflict between risk and reward		·       Explain the relationship between risk and reward ·       Understand possible methods of reducing business risk without reducing reward, e.g. market research, situational analysis ·       Assess how different stakeholders’ attitude to risk and reward might influence the decision-making of a business ·       Evaluate, and justify, strategies whereby possible conflict between risk and reward might be minimised		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 3 & 4 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 19, 20 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 15

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	4 hours	Topic area	Business objectives and strategy: Planning (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291, An Introduction to Business. However, in this unit the teaching emphasis should be upon the appropriateness of objectives in a dynamic business context)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
				·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section
Methods of business analysis including SWOT and its use in diagnosis		·       Identify the constituent parts of a SWOT analysis ·       Create a SWOT analysis for a given context ·       Analyse how a business analysis might assist in the formulation of strategy ·       Evaluate the extent to which business analysis is appropriate in a given context		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 84 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 16, 17 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter  2	·       SWOT is an analytical framework for business diagnosis and as such is an aid to decision making ·       SWOT should be seen as an analytical tool useful in decision-making rather than an end in itself
The extent to which objectives influence corporate behaviour		·       Explain the fundamental role of objectives in formulating strategic behaviour ·       Explain that objectives, environment and resources determine the appropriateness of corporate behaviour ·       Evaluate the behaviour of a business in the context of its objectives, environment and resources ·       Identify, and justify, a strategy for the achievement of corporate objectives in a given context		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 85 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 93, 94 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter  7	·       What a business wants to achieve will determine what it does ·       Objectives, resources and environment are not static and hence the appropriateness of any given behaviour is subject to change

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	8 hours	Topic area	Business objectives and strategy: Stakeholder objectives (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291, An Introduction to Business. However, in this unit the teaching emphasis should be upon the appropriateness of objectives in a dynamic business context)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The extent to which stakeholder objectives (including government macro-economic objectives) may affect the behaviour and decisions of a business		·       Understand that different stakeholders have differing objectives ·       Understand how different stakeholders can exert influence in the formulation of objectives ·       Analyse the impact that different stakeholder objectives will have on the behaviours of a business ·       Evaluate the extent to which different stakeholder objectives will exert influence over the behaviour and decisions of a business in a given context ·       Evaluate, and justify, the extent to which the business may need to respond to a change in stakeholder objectives in a given context		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 69 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 3 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 13 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Stakeholder objectives are unlikely to be a discreet element of teaching; rather a consideration of how different stakeholders influence the behaviour of a business should underpin the delivery of the entire course ·       Stakeholder influence is contextual and varies ·       The formulation of objectives will reflect the aggregate influence of stakeholders

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time		Topic area	Business analysis: Market analysis (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291, An Introduction to business. However, in this unit the teaching emphasis should be upon how the business responds and behaves in a given market structure)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The need for, and the significance of, a constant review of market and environmental circumstances, including international aspects		·       Explain how different market structures - perfect competition - monopolistic competition - oligopoly - monopoly ·       impact upon business strategy and competitive behaviour ·       Explain Porter’s Five Forces model ·       Analyse how an understanding of markets structures can aid the formulation of strategy ·       Evaluate the appropriateness of a strategy in the light of a given market structure		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 60, 61, 85 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 94 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 48 ·       This section lends itself particularly well to the use of contemporary business examples	·       Candidates should recognise that the type of market the firm operates in reflects the uniqueness of its product and the presence, or otherwise, of barriers to entry ·       As such, candidates should recognise businesses work hard to establish and maintain scarcity; a USP, if they are to achieve market position

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	3 hours	Topic area	Business analysis: Forecasting
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
Completing/conducting a time series analysis (TSA); the use of time series analysis in producing forecasts		·       Explain - why TSA is used in a variety of different business situations - the limitations of TSA as a forecasting technique ·       Visually consider historical data (e.g. sales, scrap rates, absenteeism etc) to identify the underlying trend ·       Plot historical data and, by inspection, produce a line of best fit and identify the cyclical pattern in the data ·       Conduct TSA from historical data to extract - the trend using the appropriate moving average - the regular cyclical variation, cv ·       Use TSA to produce a forecast (trend and cv) ·       Evaluate how TSA might assist in managerial decision-making		·       Spreadsheets e.g. Excel ·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 12 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 36 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 16	·       Forecasting can be used to reduce business risk, but not eliminate it ·       TSA is best used - in situations of little external change/ variability - as a tactical forecasting model (the longer into the future the forecast is made the less confident the outcome can be considered) ·       TSA assumes that past data can be decomposed into three elements; trend, cyclical variation and a random component

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	2 hours	Topic area	Business analysis: Data analysis
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The significance of data analysis; with reference to gathering information and summarising data		·       Explain - why data is required for decision making - the characteristics of different averages; mean, median and mode - the characteristics of different measures of spread; range, standard deviation		·       Spreadsheets e.g. Excel ·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 12 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 10 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 5	·       Managerial decisions require data, examples including market research data, production data, and personnel effectiveness indicators ·       Data can be more readily assimilated if it is summarised into an average and a measure of spread ·       Rather than teach “data analysis” as a discrete element it is best addressed whenever numerate data is encountered ·       This approach serves to both contextualise and re-enforce it

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	6 hours	Topic area	Business analysis: Decision-making (Decision-making tools are an aid to decision-making, whereas the actual decision is taken by managers. Any decision-making tool is only as robust as the underlying data)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
				Spreadsheets, e.g. Excel
Ansoff’s matrix as an analytical tool for decision-making.		·       Explain that Ansoff’s matrix is an analytical tool based on two dimensions; markets and products ·       Identify and explain the vocabulary of Ansoff’s matrix ·       Evaluate how Ansoff’s matrix might assist in managerial decision-making		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 7 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 32 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 48	·       To be useful as a decision-making tool Ansoff’s matrix requires a clear definition of “market” ·       By classifying movements from the existing position the degree of risk can be identified ·       Increased risk should be accompanied by increased reward
The usefulness of, decision trees to a business		·       Identify possible situations in which decision trees might be used in decision-making ·       Explain the component parts of a decision tree - branch - decision node - event node ·       Explain that the branch probabilities leading into a single event node must sum to 1 ·       Explain the difference between - actual costs - expected monetary values, EMVs ·       Construct a decision tree ·       Evaluate a decision tree by calculating and selecting branch EMVs ·       Evaluate how a decision tree might assist in managerial decision-making		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 83 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 12	·       Decision trees are best used - for tactical decision-making - in familiar situations - where the data is reliable ·       Decision trees only consider quantifiable criteria ·       Any change in any data can alter the decision indicated ·       Where branch EMVs leading to a decision node are close the usefulness of a decision tree is diminished
The critical path and the use of a critical path analysis as a means of allocating resources		·       Explain the component parts of a network; - nodes - activities, and dummy activities ·       Explain the vocabulary of CPA, i.e. EST, EFT, LST, LFT ·       Calculate EST, EFT, LST, LFT ·       Distinguish between Free and Total Float. Calculate FF and TF ·       Identify critical activities ·       Construct a network ·       Evaluate a network by determining the critical path ·       Evaluate how CPA might assist in managerial decision-making		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 53 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 91 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 40	·       CPA is a resource allocation model ·       CPA can be used for scheduling purposes ·       Critical activities can be shortened by allocating additional resources ·       Resources can be switched between activities providing they have common characteristics, e.g. labour skill ·       Activities which do not have parallel activities are critical ·       Dummy activities can be critical ·       Activities have to have direction ·       Networks can only have a single starting node and a single finishing node

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	6 hours	Topic area	Business analysis: Decision-making (Decision-making tools are an aid to decision-making, whereas the actual decision is taken by managers. Any decision-making tool is only as robust as the underlying data)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The application of ICT as an aid to decision-making; management information systems, MIS		·       Explain that MIS is a generic concept, and its complexity or simplicity will reflect the needs of the business and the abilities of managers ·       Explain the purpose and benefits of MIS in decision-making ·       Understand that in seeking to achieve corporate objectives MIS can highlight progress toward that objective ·       Identify and explain different types of MIS, e.g. sales by product, behaviour of costs across a range of output ·       Interpret a given set of data and evaluate how MIS might assist in managerial decision-making			·       Methods of ICT/ MIS can be - generic, commercially acquired systems - bespoke ·       The focus of ICT/ MIS should be its uses as a tool for data handling, analysis and interpretation - NOT a consideration of its operation ·       This aspect could be taught alongside “data analysis” ·       Because of its ability to provide decision makers with the data required MIS are an essential feature of decision-making
The possible international implications to the business of decisions which have been/might be made		·       Understand that business decision are holistic and can impact on the business at local, national and international level ·       Analyse and evaluate possible consequences of managerial decision-making

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	6 hours	Topic area	Business analysis: Measures of business performance (It is unlikely that the whole of “measures of business performance” will be covered in a discrete block of teaching. Rather, each measure is best approached where relevant. For example, assessing employee effectiveness may be logically considered alongside work force planning, or employer employee relations, or elsewhere)
Topic outline		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The significance of the determination of employee contribution to objectives e.g. productivity, absenteeism		·       Define, calculate and interpret - productivity - absenteeism - labour turnover - quality (waste) - accidents ·       Evaluate how measures of employee contribution to objectives might assist in managerial decision-making		·       Spreadsheets, e.g. Excel ·       Business Studies Marcouse  et al 2nd Ed Unit  42 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 63 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 44	·       People are employed because of what they offer to the organisation ·       Businesses analyse  the contribution made by employees toward corporate objectives ·       In low added value, competitive markets, employee contribution can act as a source of competitive advantage
Business performance through ratios including: returns on capital and profitability; shareholders’ rewards; return on investment; liquidity; solvency; activity		·       Define, calculate and interpret - ROCE or RONA, Profit margins - ROE, EPS, DPS, Dividend yield, P/E ratio - ROI - acid Test and Current ratio - turnover ratios; stock, debtors and creditors ·       Demonstrate an understanding of the uses and limitations of ratio analysis ·       Synthesise the outcome of individual ratios to gain an overall diagnosis of a business’ financial position ·       Assess how the outcome of financial ratio analysis might impact on the future direction of the business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit  23 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 56 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 27	·       By definition, financial ratios ignore non financial data, e.g. market structure, which may be a key determinant of business success ·       Financial ratios are based on historic data ·       Different accounting policies can alter financial ratios ·       Financial ratios are an analytical tool that can help to diagnose business performance ·       To be useful as an analytical tool ratios require a comparison; e.g. industry standard, competitor, target
Capital structure; gearing		·       Explain that there are several definitions of gearing ·       Calculate and interpret gearing and interest cover ratio ·       Asses how a given level of gearing might impact on decision-making, e.g. raising additional finance, reaction to changes in monetary policy		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit  23, 20 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 56, 44 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 27, 29	·       Gearing describes the business’ reliance on long term debt in its capital structure - Debt increases risk and cost - Long term capital structure can reflect owners’ objectives
Budgets; the significance of budgets in respect of communication, control and motivation		·       Define budgets ·       Explain the advantages of using budgets in the meeting of objectives ·       Demonstrate an awareness of different budgetary regimes, e.g. zero based budgeting ·       Explain that some elements of budgets might be beyond the control of the budget holder (e.g. an increase in raw material prices) and how this can impact on their usefulness in seeking to communicate, control and motivate		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit  27, 28 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 47, 48 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 32	·       Budgets are an aspect of Management Accounting ·       Budgets can be created for - product - person - process ·       Flexible budgets can accommodate changes in assumptions during the budgetary period
Adverse and positive variances; the likely causes of variances		·       Explain - adverse variances lead to a reduction in profit - favourable variances lead to an increase in profit ·       Calculate and interpret variances ·       Analyse why variances might arise and suggest corrective action ·       Assess how the outcome of analysis of budgets could impact on the future direction of the business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit  27, 28 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 47, 48 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 32	·       Quantitative decomposition of variances into value and volume is NOT required

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	9 hours	Topic area	External influences: Macro factors (Part of this element of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291; An Introduction to Business and in particular its consideration of “markets”. However, the emphasis should be upon strategic response to, rather than impacts of)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The causes of market failure and government and other stakeholder responses to it		·       Explain and exemplify the term “market failure” in both product and labour markets ·       Identify and analyse causes of market failure ·       Explain government responses to market failure - monetary policy - fiscal policy - supply side policy ·       Analyse the impact of market failure upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to market failure for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 60, 61 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 105, 93, 96, 97 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 10, 11 ·       Use of contemporary macro economic examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       The emphasis should go beyond how macro factors impact upon the business to consider how the business responds in a strategic manner rather than the mechanism by which the factors occur
Labour markets: the impact of skills shortages and surpluses, net migration		·       Define and explain labour market. ·       Understand that businesses require labour of suitable skill to produce its output. ·       Understand that government policies directed at the labour market, e.g. immigration, will create opportunities and threats for business. ·       Analyse the impact changes in the labour market, for example skills shortages or surpluses, might have upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to changes in the labour market for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit  38 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 104, 73, 74, 75 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 46 ·       Use of contemporary examples of labour markets could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       That some business might choose to outsource, or move/ relocate activities in response to labour market pressures is something that should be considered. In this consideration, cost as well as ethical issues could be raised. This becomes particularly pertinent if “off shoring” is involved
Unemployment: distinguish between different types and their impact(s) on a business		·       Identify and explain different causes of unemployment - Demand deficient - Structural - Regional - Frictional - Seasonal ·       Understand that government policies (monetary, fiscal, supply side) to address unemployment will create opportunities and threats for business ·       Analyse the impact of unemployment upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to unemployment for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 64, 38, 67 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 99 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 10, 11	·       Candidates should understand that unemployment could impact on both the business’ market as well as its costs ·       Similarly, some types of unemployment may not be relevant to all firms, particularly regional, or where the firm needs particular skills ·       Further, the type of unemployment will influence government response and this in turn will affect a business’ decision making
Interest rates, exchange rates and taxation rates: the strategic implication of changes upon local, national and international competitiveness		·       Define and explain - interest rates - exchange rates - taxation; direct and indirect - Understand that monetary and fiscal policies, and exchange rate movements, create opportunities and threats for business ·       Analyse the impact of macro economic variables upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to macro economic variables for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 65, 63, 62 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 97, 100, 108 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 10, 11 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Candidates may benefit if the teaching of this section was not carried out as a block, rather different parts are considered as and when relevant
Effects of changes in international competitiveness		·       Define and explain the terms international competitiveness and globalisation ·       Understand the factors which contribute to international competitiveness globalisation ·       Analyse the impact of international competitiveness globalisation upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to international competitiveness globalisation for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 63 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 109 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 12 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       The nature of this section lends itself to the blending with ethics as well as the quest for competitive advantage
Inflation and deflation: possible causes and cures; the impact on a business		·       Define and explain inflation/ deflation ·       demand pull ·       cost push ·       Understand that inflation and government polices to address it, create opportunities and threats for business ·       Analyse the impact of inflation upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to inflation for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 60, 61 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 98 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 10, 11 ·       Use of business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       The mechanism(s) by which inflation occurs is NOT required, e.g. AS/ AD analysis ·       The emphasis should go beyond how inflation might impact upon the business to consider how the business responds in a strategic manner
The business cycle and changes in the level of economic activity at local, national and international level in terms of unemployment and inflation		·       Define and explain the phases of the business cycle ·       boom ·       recession ·       slump ·       recovery ·       Understand that changes in the business cycle and government polices to address it, create opportunities and threats for business ·       Analyse the impact of changes in the business cycle have upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to changes in the business cycle for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 60, 61 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 96 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter ·       Use of business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Candidates are NOT required to consider  possible linkages between unemployment and inflation, e.g. The Philips curve ·       Candidates should recognise that there are exceptions to the general rule, i.e. not all businesses are affected in the same way by the business cycle, e.g. grocers and jewellers ·       As before, the emphasis should be upon how the business best responds to the external pressure
Economic growth: the effects on business, government behaviour, business activity and strategic decision-making		·       Define and explain economic growth ·       Understand that economic growth, and government polices to address it, create opportunities and threats for business ·       Analyse the impact of economic growth upon business behaviour ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to economic growth for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 60, 61 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 101 ·       Use of business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Candidates should recognise that there are exceptions to the general rule linking economic growth and business activity i.e. not all businesses are affected in the same way by the business cycle, e.g. grocers and jewellers

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	3 hours	Topic area	External influences: Legal issues (A detailed, technical, understanding of law is NOT required. Rather, candidates should appreciate that businesses operate in an environment that includes law, and that legal issues both enable and constrain strategic decisions)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
Legal behaviour and decision: contract law; as a basis for employment; occupational safety and marketing law; the purpose and impact of legislation on a business regarding its employment policies, productive organisation and marketing		·       Offer a working definition of contract; “an agreement that the law will recognise” ·       Explain that contact underpins the exchange relationship, both in product and factor markets ·       Explain that law seeks to protect the vulnerable ·       Exemplify, and explain the major provisions of laws relating to business activity, for example - Employment; SDA - Occupational safety; HASWA - Marketing; Sale of Goods Act - Employment; Trade Union Act ·       Analyse the impact law may have on the competitive position of a given business ·       Evaluate how different legal regimes may impact on strategic business decisions - strategic location - employment practices ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to a legal issue for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 68 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 69, 102, 103 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 8	·       The role of law is to facilitate transactions and to offer a means of redress should a dispute arise ·       The very presence of a legal framework in business can lead to both parties abiding by their agreements ·       A change in the law may not impact on a business directly if it is already compliant ·       Law is only as effective as its enforcement and stakeholders’ - awareness of it - willingness to engage with it ·       Compliance with legislation can provide opportunities for businesses

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	3 hours	Topic area	External influences: Political and social issues
Topic outline		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
Political issues the extent to which political changes (local, national, EU and international) create opportunities and threats to corporate success; recognise different styles and degrees of government intervention; the significance of nationalisation, privatisation and laissez-faire		·       Analyse the impact the political environment may have on the competitive position of a given business ·       Evaluate how different political styles may impact on strategic business decisions, e.g. where, what and how to operate ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to a given political style for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 66 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 107 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 12 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Candidates are NOT expected to have a detailed understanding of how political influence is divided between local, national, EU and international level ·       Candidates should understand that political styles significantly influence the environment in which businesses operate and, as a consequence, businesses may in turn wish to influence politics at a variety of levels
The significance of the state as consumer, provider, supporter and source of constraints		·       Understand why the state is a significant party, either as provider of services to business or as a customer, in some markets, e.g. defence ·       Evaluate how the presence of the state in a market may impact on strategic business decisions ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to changes in the market which might arise from the market presence the state for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 68 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 69, 102 & 103 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 8	·       Candidates should recognise that the significance of the state in markets is allied to different political styles. Further, the presence and size of the state in a market, either as supplier or customer, can serve to distort markets ·       Candidates should understand that significant reliance on the state as a customer carries with it potential risk
Social issues: the role and limits of corporate responsibility in decision-making; the impact of changing pattern(s) of employment		·       Analyse the impact the social environment may have on the competitive position of a given business ·       Evaluate how changes in society’s values may impact on strategic business decisions, e.g. where, what and how to operate ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to a given social change for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 68 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 69, 102, 103 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell  4th Ed Chapter 8 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       Social change impacts upon the firm not just in terms of the product but also in factor markets, e.g. changing emphasis to work life balance
Moral and ethical issues: the extent to which business behaviour is modified in light of moral, ethical and spiritual issues		·       Analyse the impact the moral and ethical issues may have on the competitive position of a given business ·       Evaluate how changes in morals and ethics may impact on strategic business decisions, e.g. where, what and how to operate ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to a given moral/ ethical/ spiritual changes for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 70 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 110 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 13 ·       Use of contemporary examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       As with objectives, it is possible to consider ethics as an underlying feature of business behaviour and decision making. As such, it may not require significant discrete teaching if such a holistic approach is adopted

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	2 hours	Topic area	External influences: Technological factors (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291, An Introduction to business)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
The significance of technological change: the impact of technological change on a business		·       Define technology ·       Explain that technology impacts upon - what a firm makes - how it is made - employees’ experience of work - how it is distributed ·       Explain that the introduction of new technologies is a holistic rather than behavioural issue ·       Analyse how technology can reduce unit costs. ·       Analyse how changes in technology might impact upon the - operations of a firm - its competitive position ·       Evaluate how new technologies might offer a source of competitive advantage to a business ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to technological change for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 73 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 85	·       Technology is NOT just CAD/CAM/Robotics/ the Internet ·       Technology is concerned with products, processes, employees and customers. ·       Technology provide both opportunities and threats ·       The introduction of new technologies can cause considerable stress and anxiety amongst employees and as a result the management of any such change is challenging

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	2 hours	Topic area	External influences: Environmental issues (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F291, An Introduction to business in that many environmental issues are closely associated with moral and ethical considerations)
Topic outline		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
Environmental issues: environmental audits as a means of reducing process waste		·       Explain the term environmental audit ·       Explain the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking environmental audits ·       Analyse the benefits of environment audits in reducing costs and waste ·       Explain the role and purpose of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to environmental issues for a given business		·       Business Studies Marcouse et al 2nd Ed Unit 71 ·       Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 112 ·       An Integrated Approach to Business Studies Jewell 4th Ed Chapter 13 ·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       A business’ environmental image can be a source of competitive (dis)advantage ·       Environmental issues play an increasing role in developed market economies
The significance of external costs and benefits		·       Explain, and differentiate, between types of cost and benefits; - internal - external ·       Analyse how the inclusion of external costs might impact upon a business’ decision-making. ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to the internalisation of external costs and benefits for a given business		·       Use of contemporary business examples could readily be used to illustrate the main principles within this section	·       An economic analysis of externalities is NOT required. However, an awareness that internalising externalities impacts upon a business’ cost is expected

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297
Suggested teaching time	20 hours	Topic Area	Change (This aspect of the specification builds upon the foundation laid in F292, Business Functions in that, inherently, change impacts upon people in organisations)
Topic		Suggested teaching and homework activities		Suggested resources	Points to note
Communication methodologies and effective consultation, shared values; barriers to effective communication: overload, remoteness from audience, attitudes		·       Identify and explain the features of methods of business communication. ·       Identify and explain the concepts of - culture - norms - shared values - formal and informal communication - goal congruence ·       Identify and explain barriers to effective communication, e.g. noise ·       Analyse how effective communication can assist the achievement of business objectives ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to communication issues for a given business ·		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 34 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 70 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 4	The emphasis should be upon how effective communication methods can contribute to recognising the need for change, and then how the required change us communicated back through the organisation so as to achieve the strategic objective
Causes of change		·       Identify and explain the reasons for change - achievement of objectives - refocus of stakeholders’ objectives - internal resources availability - external pressures/ opportunities ·       Analyse how the causes for change might impact upon the behaviour of the business.  ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to the causes of change for a given business.			Businesses operate in a dynamic environment and as such they have to accept a degree of external turbulence The emphasis should be upon how businesses might seek to anticipate such change and how the business responds to it effectively
Approaches to the management of change		·       Identify, explain and assess models for the management of change, e.g. - unfreezing - implementation/moving - refreezing - review ·       Analyse how the management of change might impact upon business.  ·       Identify, and justify, how strategic change might be managed for a given business		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 43 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 77 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 47	Management of change integrates HR activities. Candidates should, therefore, have a robust grasp of the HR from F292 Effecting change may well impact upon what employees are required to do at work, how they are led and motivated, how they are rewarded and, ultimately, how many are required.
Incremental as against catastrophic change; crisis and contingency management		·       Identify and explain different types of change - anticipated v unanticipated - controllable v uncontrollable - incremental v catastrophic ·       Identify and explain different responses to change - contingency management - crisis management ·       Analyse how different types of change might impact upon business  ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to different types of change for a given business		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 86 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 47	The type of change will influence the nature of the business’ response to it. Further, the potential risk to the business arising from a  change will determine what anticipatory steps should be taken to minimise negative consequences
The role of team work, motivation and leadership in achieving change; the significance of organisational culture and employee participation to/in the change process		·       Identify and explain how different approaches to personnel management contribute to the creation of organisational culture ·       Identify and explain how different organisational cultures impact upon a business’ ability to change ·       Analyse how different cultures affect a business’ ability to change  ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to different types of culture for a given business.		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 40, 45 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 15, 76 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 47	Change happens to people so the ability of a business to successful cope with change will reflect HR practices employed which in turn in large part create the business’ culture
The significance of employer and employee relations at individual and collective level		·       Identify and explain the difference between - individual and - collective ·       Employer/ employer relations ·       Analyse how different employer/ employee relations might impact upon the behaviour of a business ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to employer/ employee relations for a given business		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 38 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 73 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 46	Employer and employee relations at individual and collective level are effected by legislation. Candidates are NOT required to have a detailed knowledge of the provisions of such legislation
Trade unions and the likely impact of their role in achieving corporate objectives; changes to employment practices and levels The significance of flexible working, zero-hour contracts and sub-contracting to a business		·       Identify and explain the role and purpose of trade unions ·       Identify and explain the factors that contribute to trade union influence ·       Identify and explain different employment practices ·       Identify and explain the advantages and disadvantages of trade union participation in strategic decision making ·       Analyse how trade union participation can impact upon the achievement of corporate objectives ·       Analyse how different employment practices can impact upon the achievement of corporate objectives ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to trade union pressures for a given business		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 38 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 73 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 46	A historic knowledge of Trade Unions and, similarly, the classification of Trade Unions into different types, is NOT required Candidates should recognise that Trade Unions can assist business in effecting change and can be beneficial in the achievement of corporate objectives
Strategies for avoiding conflict; no-strike deals, pendulum arbitration and the role of intermediaries should these fail; ACAS		·       Identify and explain different forms of industrial action ·       Identify and explain different mechanisms for avoiding the use of industrial action - no-strike deals - pendulum arbitration - intermediaries - ACAS ·       Analyse how industrial action might impact upon the behaviour of a business ·       Identify, and justify, strategic responses to industrial action, or the threat of industrial action, for a given business		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 38 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 73 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 46	Candidates should recognise that the effectiveness of any industrial action is situational
Reasons for changing location and the strategic importance of facility location		·       Identify and explain the major factors that effect location decisions; cost and non-cost, both locally, nationally internationally ·       Analyse how location factors can provide strategic advantage to a business  ·       Identify, and justify, a strategic response to a location decision for a given business		Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 57 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 88	Candidates should understand that businesses do not always locate in the optimal cost location (locational inertia) and that non cost factors will be more influential in owner/ managed businesses and those that add considerable value. Further; location decisions do not affect all businesses, e.g. primary sector Multinationals can influence location factors to their advantage
Strategies for responding to changes in market demand; research and development and new-product development				Business Studies 2nd Ed. Marcouse et al Unit 47, 48 Business Studies 3rd Ed. Hall et al Unit 81 An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed. Jewell  Chapter 38

Sample GCE Lesson Plan

Business Studies H430: Strategic Management F297

Business Analysis: Decision making; Ansoff’s Matrix

OCR recognises that the teaching of this qualification will vary greatly from school to school and from teacher to teacher. With that in mind, this lesson plan is offered as a possible approach but will be subject to modifications by the individual teacher.

Lesson length is assumed to be one hour,

Learning Objectives for the lesson

Objective 1	Consolidate knowledge and understanding from AS
Objective 2	Enjoy a wider subject vocabulary
Objective 3	Recognise how Ansoff can be used to categorise growth opportunities
Objective 4	Understand that Ansoff is a tool for corporate planning
Objective 5	Apply Ansoff to a given situation

Recap of previous experience and prior knowledge

Growth as a common business objective

Measures of size

Advantages of growth

Relationship between risk and reward

Relationship between risk and reward Content

Time	Content
10 minutes	Warm up activity designed to draw out relevant AS concepts
5 minutes	Introduce the idea that a firm’s growth within a market is limited to the growth of that market
5 minutes	Introduce the idea that to grow faster than the market a firm needs to seek other opportunities e.g. Tesco non-foods or gain sales from competitors
10 minutes	Introduce ‘Ansoff’ as a means of categorising growth opportunities: ·         Market Penetration ·         Product development ·         Market development ·         Diversification
10 minutes	Generate a class discussion around examples of business growth taken from the media; classify using Ansoff, e.g. Tesco non Foods = Product Development
10 minutes	Introduce the notion of ‘risk’ and relate to Ansoff. The further the move is from the current position the greater the risk. Measures of reducing risk, e.g. market research, joint ventures ·         reward, e.g. ROE
	Extension activity - Ansoff is an analytical tool. Can be used at a variety of levels, e.g. single firm, products and market or conglomeration, takeovers and divestments

Consolidation

Time	Content
5 minutes	Recap of terminology etc.
	Written exercise Business Studies Marcouse 2nd Ed page 50 B2 Case Study Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed page 242, Coca Cola Case study Bespoke task based on a recent example 2880 case study, e.g. June 2007 BBY, Q3

Resources

Business Studies Marcouse 2nd Ed Unit 7

Business Studies Hall et al 3rd Ed Unit 32

An Integrated Approach to Business Studies 4th Ed Jewell Chapter 48

Quality press; current news articles showing business growth

Other forms of Support

In order to help you implement the new Business Studies specification effectively, OCR offers a comprehensive package of support. This includes:

OCR Training

Get Ready…introducing the new specifications

A series of FREE half-day training events are being run during Autumn 2007, to give you an overview of the new specifications.

Get Started…towards successful delivery of the new specifications

These full-day events will run from Spring 2008 and will look at the new specifications in more depth, with emphasis on first delivery.

Visit www.ocr.org.uk for more details.

Mill Wharf Training

Additional events are also available through our partner, Mill Wharf Training. It offers a range of courses on innovative teaching practice and whole-school issues - www.mill-wharf-training.co.uk.

e-Communities

Over 70 e-Communities offer you a fast, dynamic communication channel to make contact with other subject specialists. Our online mailing list covers a wide range of subjects and enables you to share knowledge and views via email.

Visit https://community.ocr.org.uk, choose your community and join the discussion!

Interchange

OCR Interchange has been developed to help you to carry out day to day administration functions online, quickly and easily. The site allows you to register and enter candidates online. In addition, you can gain immediate a free access to candidate information at you convenience. Sign up at https://interchange.ocr.org.uk

Published Resources

OCR offers centres a wealth of quality published support with a fantastic choice of ‘Official Publisher Partner’ and ‘Approved Publication’ resources, all endorsed by OCR for use with OCR specifications.

Publisher partners

OCR works in close collaboration with three Publisher Partners; Hodder, Heinemann and Oxford University Press (OUP) to ensure centres have access to:

·                Better published support, available when you need it, tailored to OCR specifications

·                Quality resources produced in consultation with OCR subject teams, which are linked to OCR’s teacher support materials

·                More resources for specifications with lower candidate entries

·                Materials that are subject to a thorough quality assurance process to achieve endorsement

Hodder Education is the publisher partner for OCR GCE Business Studies.

Hodder Education .is producing the following resources for OCR GCE Business Studies for first teaching in September 2008, which will be available in Spring 2008

Marcouse, I, Williams, R, Surridge, M, Gillespie, A, Martin, B, Watson, N, Hammond, A, Harrison, S. OCR Business Studies for A Level (2008) ISBN: 9780340958636

Marcouse, I, Williams, R, Surridge, M, Gillespie, A, Martin, B, Watson, N, Hammond, A, Harrison, S. OCR Business Studies Dynamic Learning Network Edition (2008) ISBN: 9780340968109

Approved publications

OCR still endorses other publisher materials, which undergo a thorough quality assurance process to achieve endorsement.  By offering a choice of endorsed materials, centres can be assured of quality support for all OCR qualifications.

Endorsement

OCR endorses a range of publisher materials to provide quality support for centres delivering its qualifications. You can be confident that materials branded with OCR’s “Official Publishing Partner” or “Approved publication” logos have undergone a thorough quality assurance process to achieve endorsement. All responsibility for the content of the publisher’s materials rests with the publisher.

These endorsements do not mean that the materials are the only suitable resources available or necessary to achieve an OCR qualification. Any resource lists which are produced by OCR shall include a range of appropriate texts.

For more theory and case studies on: http://expertresearchers.blogspot.com/

For Premium Academic and Professional Research:  jumachris85@gmail.com