Course Overview

The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (iAL) in Business equips students with a comprehensive understanding of modern business practices in a globalised world. Designed for learners aged 16–19, the course blends theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, fostering critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and quantitative analysis. Students explore core business functions—marketing, finance, operations, and human resources—while examining how organisations adapt to dynamic environments, ethical challenges, and technological advancements.

Study Module:

​​What You Will Learn:

Unit 1: ​​Marketing and People​

1. Meeting Customer Needs​​: Market dynamics, niche vs. mass markets, risk vs. uncertainty.
2. ​​Market Research​​: Primary/secondary methods, sampling techniques.
3. ​​Marketing Basics​​: Product life cycle, branding, pricing strategies
4. ​​Managing People​​: Recruitment, motivation theories (Maslow, Herzberg), leadership styles.
5. ​​Entrepreneurship​​: Barriers to entry, objectives (profit vs. social goals).

​​Unit 2: Macroeconomic Performance and Policy​​

1. Finance​​: Cash flow forecasting, break-even analysis, budgets.
2. ​​Resource Management​​: Capacity utilisation, lean production, quality control (TQM).
3. ​​External Influences​​: Economic factors (inflation, exchange rates), legislation (consumer rights).

​​Unit 3: Business Behaviour​​

1. Strategic Planning​​: Ansoff’s Matrix, Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT analysis.
2. ​​Decision-Making Tools​​: Investment appraisal (NPV, payback), critical path analysis.
3. ​​Managing Change​​: Corporate culture, stakeholder vs. shareholder models.

​​Unit 4: Developments in the Global Economy​​

1. Globalisation​​: Trade blocs (EU, ASEAN), FDI, protectionism (tariffs, quotas).
2. ​​Multinational Corporations (MNCs)​​: Ethics, environmental impact, supply chain issues.
3. ​​Global Marketing​​: Glocalisation, cultural considerations, niche markets.

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