CAIE A-Level Business AS 4.1 The Nature of Operations Questions

Practise applying the transformation process, productivity, production methods, flexibility and sustainability to analyse operational performance and evaluate business choices.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Business 9609
Level
AS

Exam points

  • identify inputs, the transformation process and outputs and apply each stage to the case
  • calculate or analyse labour productivity and connect a change to unit cost, output or quality
  • evaluate production or sustainability choices using scale, flexibility, investment and stakeholder effects

Question 1

[Maximum number: 8]

Analyse two ways in which operations contributes to added value in a business.

Question 2

[Maximum number: 3]

Post Scent (PS)

PS is a private limited company operating in country H . It sells perfume for men and women using its own website. PS purchases the perfume in large quantities from various manufacturers and then sells it in smaller quantities to its customers. Most of the perfumes are sold in glass bottles.

PS has two main ways in which it sells perfume:
- A website where customers can purchase a range of perfumes. The perfumes are priced to be lower than high street competitors.
- A subscription service where customers pay a monthly fee for a mystery perfume to be delivered each month.

All of PS's products are delivered to customers' homes using the postal service. The packages can be left in a mailbox or in a safe place outside of the home. PS has an aim to improve the sustainability of its operations.

PS uses incremental budgeting. Table 1.1 shows the budgeted and actual cost and revenue data for 2023.

Table 1.1 Budgeted and actual cost and revenue data for 2023 (\$000)

Table 1.1 Budgeted and actual cost and revenue data for 2023 (\$000)

The directors of PS have decided that the business needs a Marketing Manager. The role

The directors have shortlisted five suitable applicants and plan to invite them all to an assessment centre as part of the recruitment process.

Explain the term sustainability.

Question 3

[Maximum number: 5]

Question (a)

(a)

Define the term job production.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Explain one benefit to a business of capital intensive operations.

[ 3 ]
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