Business Studies · May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Question 3

0450

As printed in the paper

The question as text

DZD is a large parcel delivery business. Many of its employees work part-time. DZD’s directors are planning to expand the business and have to decide on a suitable source of finance for 20 new 3 vehicles. DZD will also recruit 60 new employees. The Human Resources Director is preparing a job description for the new employees. She is considering using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to increase the motivation of DZD’s employees.

Read automatically from the paper; the printed page above is exact.

Show the answer and mark scheme

3(a)[2]
Define ‘job description’. Award 2 marks for a full definition. Award 1 marks for a partial definition. Outlines the responsibilities and duties to be carried out by someone employed to do a specific job [2]
OR A list of the key points about a job, job title, key duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities [2]
OR A description of the tasks, role, and responsibilities of a particular position [2]
OR What the job entails/explains the job with a list of suitable content [2]
Partial definition, e.g. What they must do in a job/list of content [1]
2 Notes
3(b)[2]
Identify two levels from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Award 1 mark per level (max 2). Two from:
Physiological/physical
Safety/security
Social/(love and) belonging
Esteem
Self-actualisation 2 Only award the first two responses given. Do not award examples such as job security. Do not award answers such as ‘psychological’ or ‘basic needs’ as too vague.
3(c)[4]
Outline two factors DZD should consider when deciding which applicants to recruit. Award 1 mark for identification of each relevant factor (max 2). Award 1 mark for each relevant reference to this business (max 2). Points might include:
Experience [k] of delivering parcels [app]
Qualifications or relevant examples such as do they have a driving licence [k] to drive the (20) vehicles [app]
Skills or examples such as good at communication [k] as will work in a large business [app]
Whether they match the requirements of business/job or examples such as physical ability/know the area [k] willing to work part-time [app]
Whether they match the culture of the business [k]
Performance during interview/testing [k]
Age [K]
References [K] Other appropriate responses should also be credited. 4 To use words from the stem as application, the reference must be appropriate, (i.e. make sense) in relation to the point being made. The following words are likely to be appropriate for all responses on this question:
Delivery business or examples such as parcels
60 employees
Large business
(20) vehicles
Part-time
Planning to expand
Maslow
Human resource director Other appropriate examples in context can be credited. Notes
3(d)[6]
Explain two sources of finance DZD might use for the new vehicles. Award 1 mark for each relevant source of finance (max 2). Award 1 mark for each relevant reference to this business (max 2). Award 1 mark for each relevant explanation (max 2). Points might include:
Bank loan [k] as able to purchase immediately [an] so there is no delay to the planned expansion [app]
Retained profit [k] as it's a large business [app] as no need to repay [an]
Leasing [k] of the 20 [app] vehicles as do not need to make a large initial payment [an]
Hire purchase [k]
Grant [k]
Selling of assets [k]
Owner’s capital/share issue [k]
Debenture [k]
Crowdfunding [k] Other appropriate responses should also be credited. 6 To use words from the stem as application, the reference must be appropriate, (i.e. make sense) in relation to the point being made. The following words are likely to be appropriate for this question:
Delivery business or examples such as parcels
Planning to expand/expansion
Large business
20 (vehicles) Do not award ‘vehicles’ as application as stated in question. Other appropriate examples can be credited. Do not award short-term options such as overdraft as not appropriate in this context. Notes
3(e)[6]
Do you think a service business should only employ part-time workers? Justify your answer. Award up to 2 marks for identification of relevant points. Award up to 2 marks for relevant development of points. Award up to 2 marks for justified decision as to whether a service business should only employ part-time workers. Points might include: Part-time:
When not working no need to pay wages [k] helping to reduce labour costs [an]
Need to recruit/train more employees [k] taking more time/money [an]
Could allow the business to recruit wider range of skills [k]
More flexible hours/less likely to take time off for appointments [k]
Easier to extend worker hours at busy times [k] or [an]
Some employees may not be willing/want part-time jobs [k] so may miss out on possible candidates if not offered full-time option [an] Full-time:
Able to offer consistency of service [k] so could improve reputation/increase customers [an]
Workers may be committed to business [k] which could increase the productivity of the business [an]
Easier to communicate/update [k]
Less workers needed [k] 6 This is a general question so there are no marks for application. The focus should be on the benefit/cost to the business not the worker. Do not award points such as part-time workers are likely to be less tired, more motivated, lack skills, do not have a contract. Do not award answers which confuse part-time with temporary/seasonal workers. Notes Other appropriate responses should also be credited. Justification might include: Part-time employees are only paid when they are working [k] reducing labour costs [an]. However, consistency of service may fall [k] which could damage the business reputation [an]. A service sector business especially should not have only part-time employees as service quality is vital for customer loyalty [eval] and therefore sales. [eval]. Notes

Practise this paper →

Make a free account to save your answers and see your weak topics and ask the AI why a wrong answer is wrong.