BUSINESS MANAGEMENT &

ADMINISTRATION
March 2020

Time allowed
Three hours

Instructions
• Write the question number next to each answer in your answer booklet.
• You are not required to rewrite the question in your answer booklet.
• Ensure that you pay particular attention to words in bold.

Information
• Different questions may carry a different number of marks.
• Marks for each question are shown in [ ].

Advice
• Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
• Use the full time permitted and check all your answers.

Materials
• Notes or books are not permitted.
• Non-programmable calculators are permitted.

© INSTITUTE OF COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT

 ANSWER FIVE QUESTIONS FROM EIGHT

1. Explain the role and functions of the following departments in an organisation:

(a) Marketing department [10 marks]
(b) Accounts department [10 marks]

2. The most common form of business organisation is the sole trader (sole
proprietor). Using business examples explain the main advantages and
disadvantages of this form of business organisation. [20 marks]

3. Production administration involves both production planning and production

control.
Explain the activities involved with both of these aspects of the
production administration process. [20 marks]

4. (a) Explain the methods an organisation might use to generate ideas in the
research and development department. [10 marks]
(b) Discuss the differences between basic research and applied research. [10 marks]

5. The marketing function of an international company will often include exporting.

Discuss four problems experienced by an export department. [20 marks]

6. Recruitment is a key function of the personnel department.

Explain the process the personnel department goes through, from identifying
a vacancy to appointing an employee. [20 marks]

7. Discuss the use of the following in the business context:

(a) E-commerce [10 marks]
(b) Email [10 marks]

8. (a) Explain what is meant by risk management in business. [5 marks]

(b) Discuss, with examples, the following business risks:
(i) Physical [5 marks]
(ii) Personal [5 marks]
(iii) Technical [5 marks]

END OF QUESTIONS