Unit 3 Business decisions and strategy (9BS0)

A very useful summary with how each aspect links to each other in order for you to see correlations and develop an A* answer. Specifically focused on 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6

These are the knowledge checks for the whole of Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy. This document goes from 44 Corporate objectives to 65 Scenario planning. Part of the A Level specification it condenses the information from each chapter and is a really great revision resource.

Explains the three types of investment appraisal - payback, average rate of return (ARR) and net present value (NPV) - including how to calculate them and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Also includes qualitative factors to consider when making investment decisions.

Explains the four segments of the Ansoff Matrix and Porter's Generic Strategy, the three Distinctive Capabilities, the Boston Matrix, and the effect of strategic and tactical decisions on human, physical and financial resources

Describes the different causes of change (e.g. organisational size, new ownership), the effects of change, key factors in change, managing resistance to change, and scenario planning

Describes corporate influences (corporate objectives, stakeholder perspectives, business ethics), corporate timescale, evidence based and subjective decision making, strong and weak corporate cultures, and Handy's corporate cultures (power, role, task, person)

Explains labour productivity, labour turnover, labour retention, absenteeism, and human resource strategies (financial rewards, employee share ownership, consultation strategies, empowerment strategies)

Describes the benefits of business growth (e.g. economies of scale, increased market power, increased profitability), the problems arising from business growth (e.g. diseconomies of scale, overtrading, poor communication), and organic growth.