Year 12 Business Studies Study Guide 2025

Flashcards for Year 12 Business Studies Study Guide 2025

Role of the Manager

The manager is responsible for planning, organising, leading, and controlling resources to achieve business objectives.

Communication

Clearly convey ideas, listen actively, and manage conflict.

Decision-Making

Assess situations, evaluate options, and make timely, informed choices.

Problem-Solving

Identify issues, think critically, and apply strategies to resolve challenges.

Delegation

Assign tasks effectively and trust others with responsibility.

Time Management

Prioritise tasks and manage time to meet deadlines efficiently.

Emotional Intelligence

Manage one’s emotions and understand others’ to create positive workplace relationships.

Interpersonal Skills

Skills that allow managers to interact effectively with others; includes empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, and negotiation.

Classical Approach

Focus on structure, hierarchy, and task efficiency (e.g. Scientific Management).

Behavioural Approach

Emphasises employee motivation and teamwork.

Contingency Approach

Managers adapt strategies based on the situation/environment.

Autocratic Leadership

Leader makes all decisions; quick but may demotivate staff.

Democratic Leadership

Involves team in decision-making; boosts morale and creativity.

Laissez-faire Leadership

Minimal interference; works well with experienced teams but may lack direction.

Transformational Leadership

Inspires and motivates teams to exceed expectations.

Transactional Leadership

Focuses on rewards and punishments to achieve results.

Servant Leadership

Prioritises the growth and well-being of the team.

Charismatic Leadership

Relies on personal charm to influence and energise staff.

Functional Organisational Structure

Organised by departments (e.g. marketing, HR).

Divisional Organisational Structure

Structured by product, geography, or customer.

Matrix Organisational Structure

Combines functional and project teams; flexible but complex.

Flat Organisational Structure

Fewer management levels; faster communication but potential role confusion.

Hierarchical Organisational Structure

Clear authority levels; suitable for large businesses.

SMART Goals

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Training

Improves current job performance (e.g. software skills).

Development

Prepares employees for future roles (e.g. leadership).

Operations

Producing goods/services efficiently.

Marketing

Promoting and selling products.

Finance

Managing money, budgets, and investment.

Human Resources

Managing people and workplace culture.

HR Management

Recruitment & Selection, Training & Development, Performance Management, Rewards & Remuneration, Legal compliance.

Outsourcing

Hiring external organisations to perform tasks/services.

Change Management

Involves planning and implementing organisational change (e.g. technology, restructure).

Lewin’s 3-Step Model

Unfreeze → Change → Refreeze

Digital Transformation

The integration of digital technology into all areas of a business.

Benchmarking

Comparing business performance against industry leaders or best practices.

Human Resource Management (Revisited)

Focuses on the strategic management of people to meet business goals.