AQA Business Studies for A2 (Marcouse)

Summary:

AQA Business Studies for A2 by Ian Marcousé is a new publication which will be the natural next step for those who have followed the bestselling AQA Business Studies for AS. Designed to deal specifically with the new AQA specification, this full-colour book will be a vital part of the route to success at A2 level. It is written in the accessible, student-friendly style that has made the previous text so popular.

Key features include:

-Complete coverage of the AQA A2 specification.

-Highly illustrated, full-colour design

-Case studies to illustrate every topic aiding understanding and putting the subjects in context.

-Exam style questions throughout giving vital practice for exams.

Table of Contents:
1 Introduction to A2
Section 1 Corporate objectives and strategies
Corporate objectives and strategies
Corporate aims, mission and culture
Functional objectives and strategy
Responsibilities to stakeholders and society
Section 2 Advanced accounting and finance
Key AS finance issues
Financial objectives and constraints
Income statements
Balance sheets
Accounting ratios
Limitations of accounts
Financial strategies and accounts
Investment appraisal
Integrated finance
Section 3 Advanced marketing
Key AS marketing issues
Understanding marketing objectives
Analysing markets
Measuring and forecasting trends
Selecting marketing strategies
Developing and implementing marketing plans
Integrated marketing
Section 4 Advanced people in organisations
Key AS people issues
Understanding HR objectives and strategies
Developing and implementing workforce plans
Flexibility and insecurity
Employee participation and team working
Employee relations
Integrated people in organisations
Section 5 Advanced operations management
Key AS issues in operations
Understanding operational objectives
Operational strategies: economies and diseconomies; optimum resource mix
Research and development and innovation
Industrial and international location
Planning operations (including CPA)
Continuous improvement
Integrated operations management
Section 6 Advanced external influences
Introduction to external influences
Impact on firms of economic variables
Developments in the world economy: globalisation and development
Impact of government economic policy
Government policies affecting business
How firms respond to potential and actual changes
Business ethics
Business and the environment
Business and the technological environment
Impact of competitive and market structure
Internal and external growth: takeovers and mergers
Integrated external issues (including PEST)
Section 7 Managing change
Causes of and planning for change
Organisational culture
Making strategic decisions
Implementing and managing change
Integrated approach to change and the business environment
Section 8 Exam technique for A2 exams
Assessment objectives
How to revise for business exams
Writing essays
Tackling Unit 3
Tackling Unit 4

About the Author(s):

Ian Marcouse is Chair of Examiners for Business Studies for a major awarding body and an experienced teacher. He is Founding Editor of Business Review magazine and his previous books include The Complete A-Z Business Studies Handbook.

The author team for this new edition is: Ian Marcousé, Malcolm Surridge, Andrew Gillespie, Naomi Birchall, Marie Brewer, Andrew Hammond, Nigel Watson