Business StudiesOverview
Business Studies is a new GCSE that was introduced to students in September 2008.
Through the study of Business Studies at GCSE level, students at the British School in Tokyo (BST) learn about various aspects of business and how learned theoretical principles are put into action in a variety of ways. The following subject areas are taught in line with the AQA GCSE Syllabus:
- the relationship between business activity and the environment in which it takes place
- the main structure and forms of business
- business management in a competitive environment
- marketing objectives and related strategies
- production objectives and related strategies
- the aims and objectives of a business
- the management of business
- the uses and sources of finance available to a business
Business Studies concerns the business aspects of organisations within their economic, political and social contexts. Business Studies involves the investigation of how enterprise adds value by organising the production of goods and services. The performance of business is studied from a range of perspectives. Using case studies, Business Studies ensures that students have knowledge, understanding and experience of the real world of business organisations. The use of case study materials also requires that students use a variety of methods to analyse and evaluate this evidence and thus make reasoned judgements in the context of real business scenarios.
The students will study the following areas of each topic.
Business in the community and its environment
-
the external benefits and external costs of business actions on the community and environment
- the creation of jobs and income
- improvements in standards of living
- improvements in facilities and amenities
- economic and social regeneration
- effects on other businesses
- forms of pollution
- the adverse effects of business, change and development on employment, income and expenditure
- loss of amenities and heritage
- pressures on infrastructure
External factors affecting business
The main factors outside the business which may affect it need to be explored including:
- changes in rates of unemployment and inflation
- changes in exchange rates and the move towards globalisation
- changes in taxation
- changes in interest rates
- competition
- population trends
