About Strategy in A Level Business
Strategy is one of the 6 main topics in our A Level Business (Cambridge (CAIE) 9609) question bank, and about 14% of its real questions come from it. Tayyari Karo has 24 real questions on this topic from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3, Paper 4. By difficulty: 19 hard, 4 easy, 1 medium.
Work through the questions below, then open the explanation for each one. Redo the ones you missed a few days later.
Try 8 real questions
These are real past-paper questions. Think of your answer first, then open the explanation.
May/June 2026 · Paper 1 · Strategy
(a) Define the term 'corporate social responsibility (CSR)'. [2]
(b) Explain one benefit to a business of setting objectives. [3]
Show model answer
(a) Consideration of social, ethical and environmental concerns as a business objective / taking responsibility for the impact of the business's decisions and activities on stakeholders (2). Partial: businesses interested in the environment/ethics/society/fair treatment of employees (1).
(b) Knowledge (1 mark): one benefit, e.g. provide focus/direction/coordination; increase revenue; motivate staff; prioritise resources; increase efficiency; accountability; enable measurement of progress and success; drives innovation; helps adaptation to market changes. …
The full model answer is in the app.
October/November 2025 · Paper 1 · Strategy
Analyse two benefits to a business of using a vertical merger for growth.
'Risk-taking is the most important quality needed by an entrepreneur to be successful in the clothing design industry.' Evaluate this view.
Show model answer
Benefits include: rapid external growth within the same supply chain; control over the market/secures outlets/customers/suppliers; improved quality control of materials; exclude competitors from using same supplier; reduces costs; R and D potential. Application: expansion is either with a customer or supplier business; gain economies of scale; can encourage sales of own products if merging with a customer or select best quality materials if merging with supplier; restrict sales of competitors or limit availability of different supply factors to competitors; expertise of both businesses combines to improve supply chain. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · Strategy
Analyse two reasons why a business should set SMART objectives.
'Ethics should always influence the human resource management (HRM) activities of a mining business.' Evaluate this view.
Show model answer
Knowledge (2 marks): Specific — to give focus on the target; Measurable — to show when achieved; Agreed — so employees are aware; Realistic — so expectations are achievable; Time specific — to establish when achieved by. Application (2 marks): Marketing department may have to increase sales by 40% over an agreed period; operations department may need to reduce costs by 20% over three years; HR may have a target to increase labour productivity by 8% over the next year. Analysis (4 marks): Specific objectives must define exactly what the firm is measuring — vague objectives lack clarity. Measurable objectives must include a quantifiable target allowing progress to be monitored. …
The full model answer is in the app.
October/November 2023 · Paper 3 · Strategy
Evaluate which method CP should use to enter the market in country D.
Show model answer
Knowledge: understanding of methods of entry — exporting directly to retailers, joint venture; direct exporting advantages — quick to set up, little investment needed, low initial cost, retailer bears risk, retailer uses local knowledge; direct exporting disadvantages — may face trade barriers, transport costs, relies on retailer to implement desired marketing strategy, retailers may prioritise other products; joint venture advantages — shared risk, shared cost of investment, access to local market knowledge, more control over marketing; joint venture disadvantages — higher costs, possible conflicts over contractual arrangements, loss of control, reliance on another business. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2022 · Paper 3 · Strategy
Evaluate the role of corporate planning in the successful implementation of either option 1 or option 2.
Show model answer
Knowledge (3 marks): Business Plan: A written document that describes a business, its objectives and strategies, the market it is in and its financial forecasts. Corporate Plan: methodical plan containing details of the organisation's central objectives and strategies. A business/corporate plan: gives direction to the business; helps motivate staff; enables planning at different levels; acts as a means for control and review; helps ensure resources are used effectively; contingency planning. The planning process encourages directors to consider the current situation. Corporate plans will include strategic analysis techniques. …
The full model answer is in the app.
October/November 2022 · Paper 3 · Strategy
Recommend which international market AP should expand into, country P or country T. Justify your recommendation.
Show model answer
Knowledge: Understanding of international market. Importance of international market for AP. Understanding of joint venture with agents, direct investment. Understanding of tariffs, exchange rate, economic growth, subsidy, grants, role of trade unions, indirect taxes. Possible aims and content of market research. Application: AP's objective of growth and profit. AP is leading supplier in country Z. Use of relevant data from Table 2 — comparisons such as: 20% of Country P's population of 20m are under 15, compared to 15% of Country T's population of 30m. Marketing cost is $0.5m higher in Country P. Economic growth is 2% higher in Country T. …
The full model answer is in the app.
October/November 2022 · Paper 3 · Strategy
Evaluate the importance to AP of effective strategic management in an increasingly competitive world.
Show model answer
Knowledge: Understanding of business strategy. Understanding of strategic management — analysis, choice and implementation. Understanding of business planning for functional areas — workforce, marketing, financial, operational. Understanding of role of corporate plan. Meaning of competitive advantage — the ability of a business to attract customers over similar businesses. Understanding and use of core competencies. Application: Position of AP in its market: leading supplier in country Z. Possible (strategic) decisions facing AP — international expansion, options 1 and 2, merger, reaction to new legislation, new machines. AP's objective is low risk with controlled growth. …
The full model answer is in the app.
May/June 2021 · Paper 3 · Strategy
Evaluate the usefulness of strategic choice techniques to the directors as they consider Peter's proposal for PGC to open cafés.
Show model answer
Knowledge (3 marks): Explanation of methods of strategic choice — Ansoff, Force Field Analysis, Decision trees. Role of investment appraisal techniques. Quantitative vs qualitative factors. Place of strategic choice in strategic management — understanding of SWOT, PEST, Porter's Five Forces and Boston Matrix as strategic analysis techniques prior to SC. Role of objectives in strategic management. Application (3 marks): First objective is survival. New roasters and/or ERP. Competitive market conditions. Reference to the Force Field Analysis, diversification or identified core competencies. Driving forces 13: Restraining forces 12. Other possible choices — e.g. sell tea. …
The full model answer is in the app.
