§-Business Studies syllabus

NSW · NESA← Business Studies

Business Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point

Every dot point in the NSW Business Studies syllabus, in syllabus order, with a focused answer for each. Open any dot point for the answer, exam-style questions and links to related points.

Topic 1: Operations

Module overview →

What influences operations decisions in contemporary Australian businesses?

Influences on operations - globalisation, technology, quality expectations, cost-based competition, government policies, legal regulation, environmental sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (the difference between legal compliance and ethical responsibility)

14 min read →

What are the components of operations and how do they interact?

Operations processes - inputs (transformed and transforming resources), transformation processes (the influence of volume, variety, variation in demand, and visibility), and outputs (customer service, warranties)

15 min read →

How are operations strategies used to achieve business objectives?

Operations strategies, including performance objectives (quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, customisation, cost), new product or service design and development, supply chain management, outsourcing, technology, inventory management, quality management and overcoming resistance to change

16 min read →

What is the role of operations management in a business?

Role of operations management: strategic role of operations management (cost leadership, good/service differentiation), goods and/or services in different industries, interdependence with other key business functions

14 min read →

How do global factors influence operations strategies?

Operations strategies - global factors - global sourcing, economies of scale, scanning and learning, research and development; supply chain management - logistics, e-commerce, global sourcing

14 min read →

How do businesses manage and improve quality across their operations?

Operations strategies - quality management - control, assurance and improvement (including TQM, ISO standards, Six Sigma, benchmarking, continuous improvement)

15 min read →

Topic 2: Marketing

Module overview →

How are ethical and legal expectations managed in marketing?

Ethical and legal aspects - consumer laws (deceptive and misleading advertising, price discrimination, implied conditions, warranties); ethical aspects of marketing - truth, accuracy, good taste in advertising; sex, religion, gender; products that may damage health

16 min read →

How are product and price elements of the marketing mix used strategically?

Marketing strategies - market segmentation, product/service differentiation and positioning, products (branding and packaging), price (pricing methods - cost, market, competition-based; pricing strategies - skimming, penetration, loss leader, price points)

15 min read →

How are promotion and place elements of the marketing mix used strategically?

Marketing strategies - promotion (elements of the promotional mix - advertising, personal selling and relationship marketing, sales promotions, publicity and public relations); place/distribution (channel choice including intermediaries, intensity, physical distribution); people, processes and physical evidence; e-marketing; global marketing

16 min read →

What is the role of marketing in business and how is the marketing process structured?

The strategic role of marketing, production, selling and marketing approaches; the marketing process - situational analysis (SWOT, product life cycle), market research, establishing market objectives, identifying target markets, developing marketing strategies, implementation, monitoring and controlling

15 min read →

How do businesses adapt marketing strategies for global markets?

Marketing strategies - global marketing - global branding, standardisation, customisation, global pricing, competitive positioning

15 min read →

What influences marketing decisions and how do customers make choices?

Factors influencing customer choice (psychological, sociocultural, economic, government); consumer laws (deceptive and misleading advertising, price discrimination, implied conditions, warranties); ethical aspects of marketing

14 min read →

Topic 3: Finance

Module overview →

How are ethical and legal expectations managed in financial management?

Ethical and legal aspects of financial management - audited accounts, record keeping, reporting standards, GST, taxation; the role of ASIC, APRA and the ATO; ethical responsibilities of financial managers

15 min read →

What are the sources and influences on financial management for a business?

Sources of finance - internal (retained profits); external (debt - short-term: bank overdraft, commercial bills; long-term: mortgage, debentures, unsecured notes, leasing; equity - ordinary shares - new issues, rights issues, placements, private equity); financial institutions; influence of government and global market

15 min read →

What is the role of financial management in a business?

Strategic role of financial management; objectives of financial management - profitability, growth, efficiency, liquidity, solvency, short-term and long-term; interdependence with other key business functions

14 min read →

How are financial reports analysed using ratios?

Monitoring and controlling - financial ratios - liquidity (current ratio); gearing (debt to equity); profitability (gross profit ratio, net profit ratio, return on equity); efficiency (expense ratio, accounts receivable turnover); limitations of financial reports

18 min read →

How is cash flow and working capital managed strategically?

Financial management strategies - cash flow management (cash flow statements, distribution of payments, discounts for early payment, factoring); working capital management (control of current assets - cash, receivables, inventories; control of current liabilities - payables, loans, overdrafts; strategies - leasing, sale and leaseback)

16 min read →

How do businesses manage profitability and global financial exposures?

Financial management strategies - profitability management (cost controls - fixed and variable, cost centres, expense minimisation; revenue controls - marketing objectives); global financial management - exchange rates, interest rates, methods of international payment, hedging, derivatives

16 min read →

Topic 4: Human Resource Management

Module overview →

How is the effectiveness of human resource management measured and evaluated?

Effectiveness of human resource management - indicators: corporate culture, benchmarking key variables, changes in staff turnover, absenteeism, accidents, levels of disputation, worker satisfaction

17 min read →

What are the processes of human resource management?

Processes of human resource management - acquisition (recruitment and selection); development (induction, training, mentoring, performance appraisal); maintenance (employee participation, organisational culture, change management); separation (voluntary - resignation, retirement; involuntary - retrenchment, redundancy, dismissal)

16 min read →

How are rewards and workplace disputes managed?

Strategies - leadership style, job design, recruitment, training and development, performance management, rewards - monetary and non-monetary, individual or group, performance-based; global - the costs, skills and supply of labour; workplace disputes - resolution of disputes through negotiation, mediation, grievance procedures, involvement of courts and tribunals

17 min read →

What is the role of HRM in a business?

Strategic role of human resources; interdependence with other key business functions; outsourcing - HR functions, using contractors

15 min read →

What are the key influences on human resource management?

Stakeholders - employers, employees, employer associations, unions, government organisations, society; legal - the current legal framework (employment contracts, awards, minimum employment standards, enterprise agreements, work health and safety, anti-discrimination, EEO); economic; technological; social - changing work patterns, living standards; ethics and corporate social responsibility

17 min read →