Caribbean Examination Council (CXC)

Principles of Business Project

School Based Assignment (SBA)
2021

Name of Candidate:

Name of Centre:

Centre Number:

Candidate Number

Teacher

Territory:

Title: An investigation into the levels of unemployment in Stewart

Town, St. Mary - Causes and Consequences.

 Table of Contents

Title Pages

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………2

Topic…………………………………………………………………………….3

Objectives……………………………………………………………………….4

Overview………………………………………………………………………...5

Methodology…………………………………………………………….……....6

Presentation of Data…………………………………………………………....7-9

Interpretation of Data……………………………………………………….…..10

Findings………………………………………………………………………….11

Conclusions………………………………………………………………….…...12

Recommendations………………………………………………...……...….…...13

References……………………………………………………………….……….14

Appendix………………………………………………………...…………...….15-17

1
 Acknowledgement

Firstly, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my teacher for assigning me with this

project as it has not only increased my knowledge on the causes and consequences of

unemployment but has taught me many new concepts that have given me a better perspective

on different issues relating to this topic.

Secondly, I thank all the persons who have lent a helping hand in this project directly and

indirectly. I especially thank my mother for guiding me throughout the process.

Finally, I could not have done all this without God’s guidance and blessing in my life.

Topic
2
An investigation into the cause and consequences of unemployment in Stewart Town,

St. Mary.

Objectives

3
The objectives of the research are:

● To uncover the causes of unemployment in Stewart Town.

● To discover how unemployment affects Stewart Town.

● To find ways to alleviate unemployment in Stewart Town.

Overview

4
Unemployment also referred to as joblessness that occurs when people are without work and

are actively seeking employment. During periods of recession, an economy usually

experiences high unemployment rates. Stewart Town is a small community in St. Mary,

located between two towns: Rio Nuevo and Boscobel. The researcher has been residing in

Stewart Town for the past fifteen years. This investigation is important to the researcher

because it is the most prominent issue and is the foundation for a variety of problems in the

community. The research is therefore being conducted to acquire the adequate information

needed to find out why this issue exists.

Methodology

5
To further investigate the problem, the researcher used both primary and secondary sources

of research to obtain information on the topic. Questionnaires were used as a primary source

of information because they are not time consuming. The questionnaires consisted of twelve

questions that assisted in obtaining all the relevant information. It was estimated that at least

50% of the residents’ opinion were needed and that the households be audited by going to

every other house to get an accurate conclusion on the unemployed persons in the entire

community. Sixty questionnaires were printed and handed out on December 21,2020 and

individuals were asked to have them returned by December 28,2020. Observations were used

as a secondary source of information because they help frame hypothesis. This was carried

out by visiting different areas throughout the community and paying close attention to

activities occurring.

This investigation was limited due to not receiving six questionnaires and a difficulty in

checking validity of observations.

Presentation of Data

6
 Pie chart showing the causes of unemployment in the community of Stewart Town

20% Job Outsourcing

31% Poor Socio-economic
Backgroud
Unqualified
Global recession
24%

25%

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows the different causes of unemployment in the community of Stewart Town, ac

Shown above is:

 Twenty- five percent (25%) chose poor socio-economic background.

 Thirty-one percent (31%) chose job outsourcing.

 Twenty percent (20%) chose global recession.

 Twenty- four percent (24%) chose unqualified.

7
 Line graph showing how unemployment affects the resident of Stewart
Town
40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%
Increase in number of Juvenile No income causing Poverty Increased crime and violence Other
Delinquents

Percentage of Residents

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows the different ways in which unemployment has affected Stewart Town.

Shown above is:

 Thirty-eight percent (38%) of the respondents chose increases the rate of crime and

violence.

 Twenty-four percent (24%) chose no income causing poverty.

 Thirty percent (30%) chose increases juvenile delinquents.

 Nine percent (9%) chose other.

8
 Bar Chart showing most effective ways to reduce unemployment in
Stewart Town.

Passing strict laws to alleviate unemployment

Create more seminars and workshops

Provide more job oppurtunities by making more industries

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Percentage of Residents

Figure 3

Figure 3 shows ways government can help to lessen the levels of unemployment in Stewart

Town.

Shown above is:

 Sixty percent (60%) chose providing more job opportunities by making more

industries.

 Twenty-five percent (27%) chose keeping frequent seminars and workshops.

 Thirteen percent (13%) chose passing strict laws that would alleviate unemployment.

9
 Interpretation of Data

Unemployment is a major issue faced by residents in Stewart Town, St. Mary. Figure 1

shows the causes of this unemployment. Job outsourcing is the main cause of unemployment

in Stewart Town as indicated by the respondents. Of those who filled out the questionnaire,

thirty-one percent chose this. Individuals have a hard time finding jobs because there is not a

lot in the community.

Figure 2 shows the effects of unemployment on the community. The research indicates that

unemployment affects the community by making it an undesirable place to live and or work.

The main deterrence is due to the increase rate in crime and violence; businesses and

individuals are being robbed and gangs being formed by juvenile delinquents and loitering at

various sites have portrayed the community in a bad light leaving the community to feel

unsafe. In addition, there is a divide in the community, as the residents who lead progressive

lifestyles tend to avoid these groups, so they have no direct role models or mentors to

encourage change in behaviour to operate at their fullest potential. Jamaica's economic

growth is stifled by the idle behaviour unemployment influences.

Figure 3 shows ways government can help to lessen the levels of unemployment in the

community. Sixty percent of the respondents believe that providing more job opportunities by

making more industries can decrease the level of unemployment in the community. If there

were more job opportunities especially for residents without a formal education, they would

be able to become productive members of society.

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 Conclusion

From carrying out this research, the investigator came to the following conclusions:

 The main cause of unemployment in Stewart Town is job outsourcing.

 The main effect of unemployment on Stewart Town is an increase of crime rates.

 The most effective way to reduce unemployment is by providing more job

opportunities by making more industries.

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 Recommendations
The researcher recommends that the government should:

 Host seminars that will inform members of the community on why education is

important. In these seminars, the government must highlight the disadvantages of not

being educated.

 Lower the tuition costs for tertiary education so that lower income earning parents can

afford tertiary education for their children.

 Create more skills-based training centers for the persons who do not have a higher

education, so that they can be able to gain the necessary requirements to get a job to

fend for themselves and their family.

The researcher recommends that the unemployed residents should:

 Take personal responsibility for their self-development.

 Take advantage of entry-level jobs and work to improve their education while on the

job to support promotions or attract better paying jobs.

 Discover their own personal talents and maximize it so they can be self-employed.

For example, if your talent is hair braiding, you can advertise by word of mouth,

social media or posters and creating a consistent customer base.

12
 Bibliography

Hayes, A. (2021, February 23) Investopedia: Unemployment. What is unemployment.

Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/unemployment.asp.

Whitcomb, A.(n.d.). Essential Principles of Business for CSEC (Fourth Edition). Hodder

Education: Avon Banfeild.

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 Appendix
Questionnaires
Dear Resident,

This letter serves to inform you that I am conducting a survey in Stewart Town, St. Mary

to determine the causes and consequences of unemployment. This study is on an assignment

for a Principles of Business course I am pursuing at present. I am using a questionnaire

consisting of twelve questions of which none requires personal information that can identify

you. I am kindly asking that you answer the questions honestly, as I just want your opinion.

You may answer the questions by placing a tick in a box like this or give a brief response

on the lines provided.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

……………………………………

(Researcher)

14
 Copy of Questionnaire.

1. Gender:

❏ Male

❏ Female

2. Age group

❏ 18-25

❏ 26-35

❏ 36-45

❏ Over 45 years

3. How long have you been living in Stewart Town?

❏ 1-6

❏ 1-5 years

❏ 5-10 years

❏ Over 10 years

4. Do you think unemployment is a major problem in your community?

❏ Yes

❏ No

5. What is your level of qualification?

❏ Unskilled

❏ Skilled

❏ High school

❏ Diploma

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 6. How long have you been unemployed?

❏ Under 1 year

❏ 1-3 years

❏ 4-5 years

7. Do you think unemployment affects one gender more than the other?

❏ Yes

❏ No

Explain:

8. What age groups do you think unemployment affects the most?

❏ 18-21 years

❏ 22-26 years

❏ 27-31 years

❏ 32 and over

9. How does unemployment affect a society?

❏ Increase juvenile delinquents.

❏ Increases the rate of crime and violence.

❏ No income, which leads to poverty.

Other, state:

10. What do you think is the cause of unemployment?

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 ❏ Poor Socio-economic background

❏ Unqualified

❏ Job outsourcing

❏ Global recession

Other, state:

11. How has unemployment affected you?

❏ Lifestyle changes

❏ Financial hardships

❏ Unable to satisfy basic.

Other, state:

12. How do you think the government can reduce unemployment in your area?

❏ Passing strict laws that will alleviate unemployment.

❏ Provide more job opportunities by making more industries.

❏ Create more workshops and seminars.

Other, state:

17