Syllabus: 3.2 Influences on Business
Module: 3.2.2 Ethical and Environmental Considerations
Lesson: 3.2.4 Globalisation

Introduction

The topic of globalisation, outlined in section 3.2.4 of the AQA GCSE Business syllabus, introduces students to one of the most impactful forces shaping modern enterprise. It sits within the broader theme of “Influences on Business”, and explores how interconnected economies affect decisions around production, trade, employment, and ethics.

This part of the course gives students the tools to critically examine real-world developments like outsourcing, international marketing, and the ethical responsibilities of multinational corporations. For schools following AQA, it’s not just an academic requirement — it’s a vital way to help students understand how the businesses they buy from, work in, or start themselves are shaped by global forces.

Key Concepts

Students are expected to learn:

• What globalisation means: Increased interconnectedness of economies through trade, investment, and technology.

• How globalisation affects businesses: With reference to imports, exports, competition, costs, and market access.

• Benefits of globalisation: Access to larger markets, economies of scale, cheaper labour or raw materials.

• Drawbacks of globalisation: Competition from overseas, loss of domestic jobs, ethical concerns, reliance on global supply chains.

• Ethical and environmental considerations: How businesses respond to pressure from consumers, governments, and NGOs.

• The role of multinationals: How large global companies operate and impact local economies.

These concepts are directly mapped to the AQA specification and are foundational for later topics, particularly those around business growth and ethics.

Real-World Relevance

Students often ask: “Why does this matter?” Here’s how globalisation plays out in their everyday lives and in the headlines:

• Fast fashion brands like SHEIN or Zara outsource production to low-cost countries. Students can explore the trade-offs between affordability and ethical sourcing.

• McDonald’s sources ingredients from across the globe — its supply chain decisions reflect the power of global logistics.

• The microchip shortage during COVID-19 exposed how reliant even small businesses are on global production networks.

• Local businesses selling on Etsy or TikTok Shop are now part of international markets, not just local high streets.

Bringing these examples into class helps students understand that globalisation isn’t abstract — it’s embedded in their purchases, values, and career paths.

How It’s Assessed

AQA assesses this topic through a mix of multiple-choice, short answer, and extended response questions. Common command words include:

• Explain (e.g. “Explain one benefit to a UK business of buying raw materials from abroad”)

• Analyse (e.g. “Analyse how a fall in import tariffs might affect a UK manufacturer”)

• Evaluate (e.g. “Do you think globalisation is more beneficial than harmful to small UK businesses?”)

Mark schemes reward application and context. A strong answer will:

• Apply theory to a real or fictional business.

• Show cause and effect (chains of reasoning).

• Consider more than one side (especially for 9-mark questions).

Encouraging students to practise structured responses using case study examples is key.

Enterprise Skills Integration

This topic is a rich source for developing problem-solving and decision-making skills. Using Enterprise Skills tools like Business Simulations, teachers can embed globalisation into practical scenarios where students:

• Decide whether to outsource or manufacture in-house.

• Respond to rising import costs due to trade barriers.

• Consider the ethical implications of working with overseas suppliers.

• Allocate budgets across international operations.

These plug-and-play experiences not only deepen understanding but allow students to think like entrepreneurs, weighing up real trade-offs and consequences.

Careers Links

Globalisation links directly to Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, and 6:

• Benchmark 4 (Curriculum Learning Linked to Careers): Students learn about roles in logistics, international marketing, supply chain management, and sustainability.

• Benchmark 5 (Encounters with Employers): Invite a guest speaker from a multinational or export-focused local business to discuss real decisions they’ve faced.

• Benchmark 6 (Experiences of Workplaces): Use case studies or virtual simulations to simulate workplace dilemmas tied to global operations.

Relevant roles include:

• International trade advisor

• Procurement manager

• Global brand strategist

• Compliance officer (focused on ethical sourcing)

This topic shows students that business decisions aren’t just about profit — they involve legal, ethical, and logistical careers too.

Teaching Notes

What works in real classrooms:

• Use topical news stories: Trade wars, Brexit, supply chain crises — all make great discussion starters.

• Role-play ethical dilemmas: Should your business use a cheaper overseas factory or pay more to protect workers’ rights?

• Debate format: Divide students into stakeholders (business owners, employees, consumers) to explore globalisation’s impact from different perspectives.

• Apply to known brands: Ask students to research how brands like Apple, Amazon, or Nike operate globally.

Common pitfalls:

• Over-simplifying globalisation as “good” or “bad” — push students to think in shades of grey.

• Failing to link ethical/environmental issues to business objectives — remind students that brand image affects profits.

• Relying on outdated examples — keep it fresh with recent case studies.

Extension activities:

• Compare how a small UK retailer vs. a multinational responds to a global supply disruption.

• Explore how global trends (like sustainability or automation) are changing business strategies.