CAIE IGCSE Business Studies 2.3.2 communication barriers
Practise communication-barrier questions by naming the barrier, applying it to the case and explaining how it disrupts the message.
- Syllabus
- 2027–2029
- Course
- Business 0264
Exam points
- Identify barriers such as language, wrong medium, poor attention or technical problems.
- Explain how the barrier prevents the receiver from understanding the message correctly.
- Apply the barrier to the named business before suggesting how it could be reduced.
2.3.2—Communication barriers question 1
[Maximum number: 6]
PCY provides insurance services for businesses such as farms and factories. Being ethical is important to PCY. The business has 4 offices and 500 employees. Managers use different leadership styles. The Managing Director is planning to change how PCY is organised and managed. He said: 'I want to reduce communication barriers within the business. Delegation will be encouraged. The span of control could change.'
Do you think lack of feedback is the main barrier to effective communication in a business? 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 the lack of feedback is the main barrier to effective communication in a business.
Points might include:
Lack of feedback:
- Do not know whether message has been understood [k] which could lead to errors / wrong actions taken [an]
- Do not know whether recipient has received [k] which can lead to delays [an]
Other barriers could include:
- Technical problems e.g. no signal/equipment breakdown [k] so message cannot be sent / received [an]
- Too much information sent in message [k] which can lead to mistakes / slow down decision-making [an]
- Jargon used / language [k] so receiver cannot understand [an]
- Noise / distractions [k] so not able to hear the message [an]
- (Wrong) communication method used [k] so people are unable to access / read message [an]
- Message has to pass through too many levels / employees [k] so message gets distorted / lost [an]
- Send wrong message / send message to the wrong person [k] so the actual message is never sent / received [an]
- Problems with receiver or examples e.g. receiver may not listen [k]
This is a general question so there are no marks for application.
For evaluation to be awarded justification will usually follow on from relevant analysis of points.
Knowledge can be awarded for: Problems caused by lack of feedback e.g. mistakes, lower efficiency Identify other communication barriers.
Analysis is for: Development / impact of barrier on the business.
Points can be written as either advantages / disadvantages of different barrier but only award once e.g. not understood.
Some points can be [k] or [an] but only award once e.g. Understood, mistakes Lower quality is [an] only.
Do not award:
Reasons why communicate. General issues of poor communication e.g. not know what to do / what doing.
Focus on why feedback is important or problems of giving feedback e.g. demotivated.
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
Justification might include:
Without feedback it is difficult to know whether the message has been understood [k] which could lead to the wrong actions being taken [an]. There may be no internet signal [k] so the message cannot be sent [an]. Overall, the lack of feedback is the most important barrier because they are more likely to know whether a technical problem has happened, whereas with a lack of feedback they may not know until an error is made [eval] damaging the business's reputation. [eval]
All question bank results loaded