Model Assignment

Issued September 2009

OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business
Unit 1: Investigating business

Please note:

This OCR model assignment may be used to provide evidence for the unit above.
Alternatively, centres may wish to adapt this assignment or devise their own assignment for
the purposes of assessment. It is the centre’s responsibility to ensure that any adaptations
made to this assignment allow candidates to meet all the assessment objectives and
provide sufficient opportunity for candidates to demonstrate achievement across the full
range of grades.

The scheme codes for these qualifications are:

OCR Level 2 National Award in Business 06329
OCR Level 2 National Certificate in Business 03634

The QCA Accreditation Number for this unit is:

Unit 1: Investigating business K/102/0088

This OCR model assignment remains live for the life of these qualifications.

ALL THESE MATERIALS MAY BE PHOTOCOPIED. Any photocopying will be done under the
terms of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 solely for the purposes of assessment.

G307 09-09

© OCR 2009
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Contents
Page number(s)
TUTOR INFORMATION 3-8
Guidance for centres 4-5
This section provides general guidance to centre staff on the preparation
and completion of the assignment.

Notes for tutors 6-8

This section provides additional guidance and support to centre staff for
each task. It is not intended for use by candidates.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION 9 - 19
(This section must be photocopied for each candidate)
General information for candidates 10
This section provides candidates with general information on completion of
the assignment in a question and answer format.

Scenario 11
This section contains the scenario which candidates will need to be familiar
with in order to complete the tasks.

Tasks 12 - 16
This section contains all the tasks candidates must complete before
submission for assessment.

Candidate checklist 17 - 19
This checklist is provided to assist candidates in ensuring that they have
completed and submitted evidence for all tasks.

2 Model Assignment – Issued September 2009

Unit 1 – Investigating business
 Model Assignment: Tutor Information
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business
Unit 1: Investigating business

Model Assignment – Issued September 2009 3

Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Guidance For Centres

1 General

1.1 OCR model assignments are issued free to centres on approval and are available to
download from our website: www.ocr.org.uk.

1.2 Centres may choose to:

• use OCR model assignments for formal summative assessment of candidates

• tailor OCR model assignments for formal summative assessment of candidates
• use OCR model assignments as a benchmark for devising their own assignment.

1.3 This assignment has been designed to meet the full assessment requirements of the
unit. Candidates will need to take part in a planned learning programme that covers
the underpinning knowledge and skills of the unit.

2 Before carrying out the assignment

2.1 Candidates should be provided with a copy of the Candidate Information section of this
booklet.

2.2 Candidates may carry out preparations prior to undertaking the tasks; there is no time
limit for this.

3 When completing the assignment

3.1 Candidates should be allowed sufficient time to complete all of the tasks. The amount of
time may vary depending on the nature of the tasks and the ability of individual
candidates. It is suggested that evidence is produced in several sessions.

3.2 Each candidate must produce individual and authentic evidence for each task within the
assignment.

3.3 Centre staff may give support and guidance to candidates. This support and guidance
should focus on checking that candidates understand what is expected of them. It is not
acceptable for tutors to provide model answers or to work through answers in detail.

3.4 Candidates may use information from any relevant source to help them with producing
evidence for the tasks.

3.5 It is acknowledged that candidates in their responses may refer to situations in the
scenario but as the scenario is fictitious this does not break any rules of confidentiality.
However, candidates must be guided on the use of information from other sources to
ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

4 After completing the assignment

4.1 Candidates’ evidence is assessed by the centre’s assessor against the qualification
specification contained in the Centre Handbook. When grading candidates' work centres
must use the grading descriptors in the unit. For further information about assessment
please refer to the section on Assessment and Moderation in the Centre Handbook.

4.2 Assessors’ decisions should be quality assured across the centre through internal
moderation. For further information about internal moderation please refer to the section
on Assessment and Moderation in the Centre Handbook.

5 Presentation of work

5.1 Candidates may use the Candidate Checklist provided to ensure that they submit
evidence for ALL tasks. They can do this by using the Candidate Checklist as a
contents page inserting references/page numbers in the boxes provided.

5.2 Centres may wish to discourage candidates from excessive use of plastic wallets for
presentation of their evidence as this may hinder the assessment process. Instead
centres may wish to encourage candidates to present their work so that it is easily
accessible, eg spiral bound, stapled booklet, treasury tag.

6 Acceptable evidence

6.1 For guidance on generation and collection of evidence please refer to the section on
Assessment and Moderation in the Centre Handbook.

7 Reworking the assignment

7.1 If candidates do not meet the minimum PASS requirements for the assessment
objectives, further work will be required.

7.2 Tutors may give feedback to candidates to support and guide them in producing
evidence to the required standard.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Notes For Tutors

Introduction to the Tasks

The tasks have been designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding of why businesses adopt certain forms of ownership, and create particular internal
structures. Candidates will also explore the wider issues of sectoral change, stakeholder
involvement and competition.

The tasks have been designed so that all of the assessment objectives in Unit 1 are addressed.

These guidance notes should be used in conjunction with the unit specification and Centre
Handbook.

The Tasks

Task 1: Different types of business ownership

Assessment Objective 2 is assessed in this task.

Candidates are required to describe all the different types of business ownership as outlined in
knowledge, understanding and skills. They also need to describe why businesses may wish to
change their form of ownership. A table has been supplied within the task and this could be used
as a starting point for the candidates to collect their evidence. However, in order to achieve the
higher grades, candidates will be required to develop this evidence and produce detailed
descriptions of the different types of business ownership and to demonstrate a thorough
understanding of why business ownership may change over time. Candidates should be
encouraged to make contact with local businesses. Alternatively, an audit of a typical high street
might help candidates to identify different types of business ownership.

Task 2: Business aims

Assessment Objective 1 is assessed in this task.

This assessment objective is theory based, with candidates using examples of real business aims
in order to illustrate their points. Candidates need to cover all the bullet points outlined in
knowledge, understanding, and skills. Candidates could present this information in the form of a
leaflet. If this option is chosen, candidates must be encouraged to describe comprehensively each
aim, linking their examples to real businesses in order to achieve the higher grades. Again by
making contact with local businesses, the aims could be discussed first hand.

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Task 3: Organisational structures

Assessment Objective 3 is assessed in this task.

This assessment objective is directly related to the candidates’ selected business. Candidates are
required to illustrate the organisational structure of the selected business and show other ways in
which the business could be organised. In order to help the candidates achieve this assessment
objective and cover all of the applicable knowledge, understanding and skills, a range of questions
have been asked. The questions have been designed to enable candidates to structure their work
and demonstrate a detailed understanding of the organisational structure of their chosen business.
The questions will also help candidates to make comprehensive and realistic suggestions of other
ways the business could be organised.

Task 4: Stakeholders
Assessment Objective 4 is assessed in this task.

Candidates are required to describe the different stakeholders that are involved with their selected
business. They are also required to clearly describe each stakeholder’s interest in the business,
and why some stakeholders’ interests might differ. An example table has been provided in order to
help candidates structure their evidence. A well completed table will enable candidates to pass.
However, in order to achieve the higher grades candidates will need to develop the depth of their
evidence by writing up each section of the table.

Task 5: Industrial sectors

Assessment Objective 5 is assessed in this task.

Within this task candidates need to clearly state which industrial sector their selected business
operates in. They then need to describe the trends within this sector, finally comparing the sector
with the other two industrial sectors (i.e. primary, secondary, tertiary). The statistics used should
be the most up-to-date available. Four questions have been asked in order to help candidates
structure their evidence. By fully answering these four questions, candidates will be able to
achieve the assessment objective. Candidates should be encouraged to state the sources of their
evidence.

Task 6: Competitors
Assessment Objective 6 is assessed in this task.

Candidates are required to complete a competitor audit as part of their evidence for this
assessment objective. A sample table has been supplied which could be used by candidates for
this purpose.

Having collected their evidence, candidates will then be able to identify the main competitors of the
selected business, describe how they compete and how the selected business remains
competitive.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Task 7: Location of business

Assessment Objective 7 is assessed in this task.

In order to achieve this assessment objective candidates are required to describe the current
location of their selected business and explain why this location is used. To help candidates
structure their evidence and cover all the relevant bullet points in knowledge, understanding and
skills, three questions have been included within the task. By fully completing the questions
candidates should produce sufficient evidence to achieve the assessment objective.

Task 8: Change of location

Assessment Objective 8 is assessed in this task.

This is the final task of the assignment. Candidates have to consider the reasons why their
business might wish to relocate in the future. Candidates could choose a new suitable location for
the business or think of ways the business could redevelop its current site. Candidates must make
realistic suggestions that have been fully justified in order to achieve the assessment objective. A
list of bullet points that the candidates could follow has been provided in order to generate suitable
evidence for this assessment objective.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
Model Assignment: Candidate Information
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business
Unit 1: Investigating business

CANDIDATE NAME:

Model Assignment – Issued September 2009 9

Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

General Information for Candidates

Q Do I have to pass this assignment?

A Yes. You must pass this assignment to achieve the full qualification.

Q What help will I get?

A Your tutor will help you when completing the OCR model assignment and will make sure
that you know what resources/facilities you need and are allowed to use.

Q What if I don’t understand something?

A It is your responsibility to read the assignment carefully and make sure you understand
what you need to do and what you should hand in. If you are not sure, check with your
tutor.

Q Can I copy other people’s work?

A No. The work that you produce must be your own work and you may be asked to sign a
declaration to say that the work is your own. You should never copy the work of other
candidates or allow others to copy your work. Any information that you use from other
sources, eg books, newspapers, professional journals, the internet, must be clearly
identified and not presented as your own work.

Q Can I work in a group?

A Yes. However, if you work in a group at any stage you must still produce work that shows
your individual contribution.

Q How should I present my work?

A You can present your work in a variety of ways, eg hand-written, word-processed, on video.
However, what you choose should be appropriate to the task(s). For some work, eg
presentations, coaching sessions, role-play, work experience, you will need to provide proof
that you completed the task(s). A witness statement or observation sheet could be used for
this. If you are unsure, check with your tutor.

Q When I have finished, what do I need to hand in?

A You need to hand in the work that you have completed for each task. Do not include any
draft work or handouts unless these are asked for. When you hand in your work make sure
that it is labelled, titled and in the correct order for assessing.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Scenario
As part of the Enterprise activity you will complete in Unit 2, you and your friends need to know
about the different types of business ownership, structures, stakeholders and ideal locations so
that this will help you when you come to set up and run your enterprise business.

In this assignment you will find out about different types of business ownership, business aims and
organisational structures. You will identify the role of stakeholders in a business and review the
different sectors within which a business can operate. You will analyse how businesses compete
and why businesses are located where they are. Finally, you will recommend changes to location.
Once you have completed this unit you will have the opportunity to use this information when
running the enterprise activity in Unit 2.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Tasks

Task 1: Different types of business ownership

Assessment Objective 2

In this task you will research different types of business ownership. You need to describe, using
examples, different types of business ownership, and show why business ownership may change
over time.

Carry out a survey in the local area to identify different types of business ownership.

Create a report which covers each of the following types of business ownership:

• sole trader
• partnership
• private limited company
• public limited company
• franchise
• co-operative.

Your report needs to show why each type of business might change its ownership over time.
Your report should be based on real examples of different business ownership. The reasons for
change should cover:

• liability concerns
• factors linking types of ownership to business growth and size
• generation of funding.

Task 2: Business aims

Assessment Objective 1

All businesses must have aims to assist them with their planning for the future. To achieve this
assessment objective you are required to describe, using examples, different business aims.

Carry out research into a number of different businesses and produce a leaflet which describes
different business aims. Include the following examples of aims in your report. Remember to
include real relevant examples:

Examples of aims:

• to make a profit
• to increase market share
• to provide services
• to improve quality.

The following six tasks must be related to a single business selected by yourself, or your
teacher.

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 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Task 3: Organisational structures

Assessment Objective 3

Within this assessment objective you need to investigate the organisational structure of your
selected business and produce a diagram showing the organisational structure. You will then
consider how the business can be restructured. You should then re-draw the structure including a
suitable explanation as to the changes you have suggested.

(a) Write a short introduction setting the scene about the business.
(b) Draw the organisational structure of your selected business.
(c) Describe the type of organisational structure that your business has.
Is it a flat, hierarchical or matrix structure?
(d) Describe the chains of command found within the organisational structure.
(e) Describe the different spans of control.
(f) Describe how authority and responsibility work within the structure.
(g) Think of a different way in which businesses could be structured.
(h) Draw this new structure. Produce a written explanation about this new structure. Is this
new structure flat, hierarchical or matrix? What would be the benefits and drawbacks of
this new structure to your business?

Task 4: Stakeholders

Assessment Objective 4

This task involves you looking at all the different stakeholders that may have an interest in
your chosen business. Using your selected business identify all the different internal and external
stakeholders and describe their interests. These must be linked to the selected business.

You may choose to present this evidence as a table with a description.

An idea for the format of a table is illustrated below:

Stakeholder Description of interest in selected How are their interests

business different from other
stakeholders?
Internal
Eg employees
including managers
External
Eg customers

You need to ensure that within the table you cover ALL the internal and external stakeholders. In
order to achieve the higher grades you will need to develop the depth of your evidence by writing
up each section of your table.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Task 5: Industrial sectors

Assessment Objective 5

In this section you are required to research and describe the industrial sector (primary, secondary,
tertiary) in which your selected business operates and compare the trends for this sector with the
other two industrial sectors.

You will need to include graphs and tables in order to enhance the quality of your evidence.

If you follow the points below you will be able to achieve this assessment objective.

(a) What industrial sector is your selected business in? Is it tertiary, secondary or primary?
Describe this sector.

(b) Use up-to-date graphs and tables to illustrate the statistical trends within this industrial
sector. Try and use output and employment figures.

(c) Explain the trends of growth or decline illustrated in the graphs and tables you created in
point (b).

(d) Research the trends of the other two sectors. Compare the trends in the other two sectors
with the industrial sector of your selected business.

Task 6: Competitors

Assessment Objective 6

All businesses face competition of one kind or another. It is good for us, as consumers, because it
allows us to have access to a wider choice of goods and services. However, for businesses it is not
always so good. Businesses have to think of ways in which they can compete, to keep their
existing customers and gain new ones.

You are required to identify the main competitors of your selected business, describing how they
compete on price, product, marketing, promotion and customer service and how the business
remains competitive. This will become your competitor audit.

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 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

The table below may be a good starting point for your evidence.

Name of How does the How does the How does the How does the
Competitor competitor competitor competitor competitor
compete on compete on market and compete on
product? price? promote their customer
i.e. What i.e. Are their products? service?
products do they products i.e. Are their i.e. What
sell? Are they of cheaper, dearer, methods more services do they
a better/poorer better value for effective? Do offer their
quality? money? they cost more? customers? How
different are
these services
from those
offered by your
selected
business?

After you have completed your table you will then need to describe how your selected business
remains competitive. Look at your table. In what ways is your selected business competing more
aggressively and effectively than its rivals?

You could present this evidence as a table and a short written report within your assignment.

Task 7: Location of business

Assessment Objective 7

In order to achieve this assessment objective you are required to describe the current location of
your selected business and explain why this location is used.

(a) Describe the current location of the selected business and describe why your selected
business uses this location. Base your description on:
• economies of scale
• local labour force
• employment levels and their relevance to business location
• wage and salary levels and their relevance to business location
• relevance of location to customers and suppliers
• historical reasons for location and continual location.

(b) Find a map which clearly illustrates where your chosen business is located. Make sure the
map is big enough to show major roads, railway stations etc.
Annotate your map to show:

• where the selected business is located

• all major roads
• railways
• airports
• ferry ports
• major competitors.

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

Task 8: Change of location

Assessment Objective 8

The final section of your assignment must focus on the reasons why your selected business
might wish to relocate in the future.

You could produce a leaflet which suggests and justifies changes that your selected business
could make to its location in the future. Your selected business might wish to relocate due to
business growth or decline, or it may wish to redevelop its current location to meet business needs.
The relocation or redevelopment must be realistic and suitably justified.

Use the following bullet points for guidance:

• think of a new realistic change of business location – get a map of the new location or
• re-design your selected business’s premises, clearly illustrating your ideas for
redevelopment
• describe, using maps, images, photographs etc where this new location is in relation to the
current location of the business or
• clearly describe your ideas for redevelopment of the business’ existing site
• justify why you think this location would be suitable for your selected business or
• justify why you think your ideas for redevelopment would be suitable for your selected
business.

16 Model Assignment – Issued September 2009

Unit 1 – Investigating business
 Model Assignment: Candidate Checklist
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business
Unit 1: Investigating business

CANDIDATE NAME:

For task 1 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

described the different types of business ownership?

used examples in your descriptions?

described why business ownership may change over time?

For task 2 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

described all the business aims in the bullet points on page 12?

used real business examples to illustrate each aim?

For task 3 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

drawn the organisational structure of your selected business?

described the type of organisational structure your business has?

described the chains of command within the structure?

described the span of control within the structure?

described how authority and responsibility work within the

structure?

drawn and described an alternative structure for your selected

business?

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

For task 4 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

described all the stakeholders the selected business has?

described stakeholders’ interests in the business?

described why some stakeholders’ interests might differ?

For task 5 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

identified the industrial sector your business operates in?

described the industrial sector your business operates in?

used up-to-date graphs and tables to illustrate the trends within this
sector?

explained the trends in the graphs and tables created above?

researched the trends of the other two sectors?

compared the trends in the other two sectors with the industrial
sector of your selected business?

For task 6 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

completed your competitor audit?

described how the competitors compete on price, product,

marketing, promotion and customer service?

described how your selected business remains competitive?

For task 7 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

described your selected business location making reference to your

annotated map?

Annotated a map with the information outlined in the bullet points in

(b) on page 15?

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Unit 1 – Investigating business
 OCR Level 2 Nationals in Business

For task 8 have you: Completed (9) Ref/Page

number(s)

thought of a new location or how your selected business’s current

location could be developed?

illustrated your ideas through the use of a map or drawings?

described where this new location is in relation to the current

location or described how the development would affect the current
premises?

justified why you think the new location is suitable or justified why
you think your ideas for redevelopment would be suitable for your
selected business?

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Unit 1 – Investigating business