C
G
Business Studies
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GCSE - Topic 2 &
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Glossary
pt
(Influences on
rO
Businesses)
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as
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, Changing use of ICT ● •Information and communications technology
(ICT) is the computing and communications
systems that a business might use to exchange
information with stakeholders, e.g. Amazon
website to its customers.
● Intranets are communication networks which can
only be accessed by an organisation’s employees,
e.g. internal email at school.
● Extranets are similar to intranets but are also
accessible to other organisations such as
suppliers
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Pros: Cons
● Has allowed ● There are costs
businesses to in purchasing
reduce costs new technology
and improve and training /
quality, efficiency teaching staff
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and how to use it
competitiveness ● Employees may
● Data more lose their jobs
organised ● Longer to set up
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● Quicker and ● Have to pay for
efficient; saves upgrades and
time maintenance
● Better for ● Could get
environment; hacked
ns less paper
usage
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Current uses of ICT ● Storing of data e.g. products, customers,
suppliers. This can be using databases to allow
searches and personal mailings to customers
● Producing business documents including letters,
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advertising literature,
● Designing e.g. packaging, buildings
● Internal and external communications using
electronic links such as e-mail and messaging via
the world wide web
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● Computerised stock control and distribution
systems from customer ordering to receiving the
goods or service
● Linkages to production technology to allow
computerised production methods
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E-commerce
Pros: Cons
● Has allowed ● Costs increase
as
businesses to as the business
access wider buys equipment
markets and and trains staff.
reduce costs ● Distribution
through costs increase
automatic and personal
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ordering using contact with
online some customers
applications. may be lost.
● Sales increase
as the business
is competitive.
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, M-commerce
Pros: Cons
● Fast and efficient ● Unsafe
● Keeps you in ● Hacking
budget ● Reliant on
● Can be done having connect;
anywhere WIFI, Data
● Portable ● Desktop
● Organised browsing still
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● Variety or generates more
payment options sales than apps
● Growth potential ● Variety of
● Omnichannel payment
● Customer methods not
experience always available
● Easier for
customers to
compare prices
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● Customer
security; more
expensive
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Digital communications ● Allows much greater interaction between the
ns ●
●
business and customers
This might be creating a dialogue with customer
on social media, to answer questions, place
orders or make complaints
Media can help create a positive reputation as
long as businesses respond quickly and positively
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to any criticism
Digital communications with: ● Suppliers and employees
- Suppliers and employees ○ Businesses often use systems that
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- Stakeholders automatically reorder supplies when
stocks are low
○ This reduces the costs of storage but
requires good relationships with
suppliers in order to work effectively
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● Stakeholders
○ Customers = orders, invoices, bills,
customer service, advertising, social
media (Facebook, Twitter ect.)
○ Suppliers = ordering, payments,
products information
○ Employees = payslips, job information,
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booking holidays, hours worker, emails,
conferences
○ Shareholders = annual reports, dividend
information and payments
○ All stakeholders = e-mails can be used
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for communication to all stakeholders to
share and receive information
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Digital Technology Advantages
● Decreases costs
● Quality improves
● Increased communication options
● Helps marketing and increases markets
● Allows remote working
● Easier to recruit and retain employees
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