BUSINESS | 9609/11 |
Paper 1 Short Answer/Essay | May/June 2016 |
MARK SCHEME | |
Maximum Mark: 40 | |
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
Cambridge will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2016 series for most Cambridge IGCSE®, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.
Page 2 | Mark Scheme | Syllabus | Paper | |
Cambridge International AS/A Level– May/June 2016 | 9609 | 11 | ||
1 (a) | Distinguish between ‘strategy’ and ‘tactics’. | [2] |
‘Strategy’ can be defined as ‘a way of planning/achieving an objective’ (the action/actions required to achieve an objective).
OR
‘Strategy’ can also be defined as actions/activities that focus on the long-term direction of an organisation.
‘Tactics’ defined as short-term policy decisions/methods that form part of the implementation of an overall strategy.
One mark for each accurate definition given (maximum 2 marks).
(b) Briefly explain two stages of business decision-making. | [3] | ||
The different stages of business decision-making are said to include:
Two stages soundly explained. (3 marks)
One stage soundly explained or two partially explained (2 marks)
One stage partially explained or a list of two (1 mark)
Please accept and reward other relevant points.
2 (a) Define ‘marginal costs’. | [2] |
Marginal costs are the additional costs of producing one more unit of output – the extra variable costs required to make this extra unit.
Sound definition given (2 marks)
Partial definition given (limited understanding) (1 mark)
Page 3 | Mark Scheme | Syllabus | Paper | |||
Cambridge International AS/A Level– May/June 2016 | 9609 | 11 | ||||
(b) | Briefly explain two other types of business costs. | [3] | ||||
The following costs are relevant:
Examples will contribute to the quality of the explanation.
Two types of cost soundly explained (3 marks)
One type of cost soundly explained or two partially explained (2 marks)
One type of cost partially explained or a list of two (1 mark)
Please accept and reward other relevant points.
Page 4 | Mark Scheme | Syllabus | Paper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cambridge International AS/A Level– May/June 2016 | 9609 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 Explain the possible consequences for a business of high labour turnover.
Answers could include:
• Defined as the rate at which employees leave an organisation over a given period of time.
• Possible indication of significant problems; low morale, poor motivation , poor working environment, uncompetitive pay, poor management and leadership, or induced by management dismissing lots of employees.
• Possible consequences could include: – business/production disrupted – insufficient staff – poor customer service – existing staff put under more pressure – skills gaps develop – business objectives threatened/not achieved – business reputation/brand damaged – extra expenses on training, recruitment and selection of new staff – staff may be difficult to replace – discourages potential investors
Perceptive students may recognise that a high rate of labour turnover is common in certain sectors – businesses that rely on part-time workers, such as food restaurants, traditionally have high rates of labour turnover. It is not necessarily a negative issue.
Effective explanation of possible consequences of high labour turnover (4–5marks)
Limited explanation of possible consequences of high labour turnover (2–3 marks)
Understanding of labour turnover (1–2 marks)
Please accept and reward other relevant points.
Ensuring an appropriate level of inventory (stock) is held (1 mark) within the business. To ensure that inventory is held in appropriate conditions i.e. storage. (1 mark) Inventories are controlled/organised efficiently (1 mark) to ensure uninterrupted production/sales/customer service levels. (1 mark)
Sound definition given (any 2 out of the 4 above) (2 marks)
Partial definition given (limited understanding) (1 mark)
|
[5] |
Answers could relate to a specific business such as a retailer and/or to particular product/service items within a business.
Answers could include:
Sound explanation of two reasons for high levels of inventory (3 marks)
Sound explanation of one reason or partial explanation of two reasons (2 marks)
Partial explanation of one reason or a list of two (1 mark)
Please accept and reward other relevant points.
Page 6
Mark Scheme
Syllabus
Paper
Cambridge International AS/A Level– May/June 2016
9609
11
5 (a) Analyse why it is important for a business to have policies on diversity and equality. [8]
Level 4 | Good analysis of the importance of diversity and equality policies | [7–8] |
Level 3 | Some analysis of the importance of diversity/equality policies | [5–6] |
Level 2 | Some explanation/application of policies on diversity/equality for a business | |
[3–4] | ||
Level 1 | Understanding of diversity and/or equality | [1–2] |
Level 0 | No creditable content | [0] |