Business and Management Paper 1 Case Study Pack

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT – PAPER 1 CASE STUDY PACK

STANDARD LEVEL MOCK EXAM

PAPER 1

CASE STUDY: ROYAL DANISH BEARINGS (RDB)

For use in May and November 2013

1 hour 15 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

· You will need a clean copy of the Royal Danish Bearings case study

· Answer any two questions from Section A

· Answer the compulsory question from Section B

· The total marks for this examination paper is 50.

SECTION A

Answer two questions from this section.

1. / (a) Define the following terms:
(i) workforce planning (line 99). / [2 marks]
(ii) retrenchment (line 133). / [2 marks]
(b) With reference to RDB, distinguish between operational objectives (line 152) and strategic objectives. / [4 marks]
(c) Using at least one content theory of motivation, examine the factors that affect the level of motivation at RDB. / [7 marks]
2. / (a) Define the following terms:
(i) economies of scale (line 16). / [2 marks]
(ii) strategic alliances (line 155). / [2 marks]
(b) Prepare a SWOT analysis showing only the strengths and weaknesses of RDB. / [4 marks]
(c) Examine the reasons for Anna Holstein’s desire to downsize the workforce at the Danish megafactory (lines 96-97). / [7 marks]
3. / (a) Identify two characteristics of an autocratic leader (line 46). / [2 marks]
(b) (i) Define the term just-in-time (line 26). / [2 marks]
(ii) Explain how a move to just-in-time production could help manufacturers to remain competitive (line 26). / [4 marks]
(c) Examine the advantages of operating smaller factories as opposed to RDB’s current operational model of megafactories. / [7 marks]

SECTION B

Answer the compulsory question from this section.

4. / (a) Define the following terms:
(i) working capital cycle (line 83). / [2 marks]
(ii) gross profit margin (lines 38-39). / [2marks]
(b) Explain why a shortened working capital cycle would be an important benefit to RDB (line 83). / [4 marks]
(c) Explain the importance of quality assurance at multinational companies such as RDB. / [4 marks]
(d) Evaluate the opportunities and threats to RDB posed by entry into international markets such as Brazil, India and China. / [8 marks]

There is no additional information in this mock exam paper for Sections A and B.