Syllabus: Cambridge - International AS & A Level Business
Module: 2.2 Motivation
Lesson: 2.3.1 Management and Managers
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Introduction
This topic appears in Pearson Edexcel and other GCSE/A Level Business syllabuses as part of the “Management” unit, focusing on what management is, what managers do, and how they contribute to business success. It builds directly on students’ understanding of organisational structures and the role of stakeholders. For teachers, this is an opportunity to ground abstract theory in everyday business decision-making, helping students see managers not just as authority figures but as planners, organisers, leaders, and controllers.
Key Concepts
Definition of Management – Coordinating people, resources, and processes to achieve organisational goals.
Functions of Management – Often framed as planning, organising, leading, and controlling.
Roles of Managers – From setting objectives and allocating resources to motivating teams and managing change.
Levels of Management – Senior, middle, and first-line managers, each with distinct responsibilities.
Skills Required – Communication, decision-making, problem-solving, delegation, and time management.
Theoretical Frameworks – Mintzberg’s managerial roles, Fayol’s principles of management.
Impact on Performance – How effective management drives productivity, employee satisfaction, and business growth.
Real-World Relevance
Strong management makes a tangible difference in business outcomes. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s had to adapt staffing, stock control, and customer safety protocols quickly. Managers coordinated rapid policy changes, sourced new suppliers, and motivated frontline staff under pressure. Similarly, in start-ups such as Gymshark, managers have navigated rapid growth by balancing creative freedom with operational efficiency. These examples highlight the role of managers in translating strategy into action, particularly in volatile environments.
How It’s Assessed
In Pearson Edexcel GCSE Business and A Level Business exams, this topic is assessed through:
Short-answer questions – e.g. “Define the term ‘management’.”
Application questions – applying the functions of management to a case study.
Analysis tasks – e.g. “Explain two reasons why effective management is important to business success.”
Evaluation questions – weighing up management approaches or leadership styles in a given scenario.
Command words such as “analyse”, “evaluate”, and “assess” require students to develop logical chains of reasoning and provide supported judgements.
Enterprise Skills Integration
Enterprise Skills simulations are a plug-and-play way to embed this topic in active learning. In our business simulations, students step into the role of managers, making decisions on staffing, budgeting, and strategy under time constraints. They experience:
Problem-solving – responding to unexpected challenges such as supply delays.
Decision-making under pressure – balancing cost and quality in procurement.
Collaboration – leading and working within teams to achieve targets.
This approach supports both subject knowledge and transferable skills, with no extra planning required for teachers.
Careers Links
Management skills are foundational for careers across industries. Relevant pathways include:
Team Leader or Supervisor (Level 3 apprenticeships in team leading/management)
Operations Manager (retail, manufacturing, public services)
Project Manager (construction, IT, events)
Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner
This connects directly to Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, and 6, as students explore the realities of workplace leadership and decision-making.
Teaching Notes
Common Pitfalls – Students often confuse ‘management’ with ‘leadership’. Clarify that while the two overlap, leadership focuses more on vision and inspiration, management is about implementing plans and systems.
Practical Activities – Role-play scenarios where students act as managers facing realistic challenges, such as budget cuts or staffing issues.
Differentiation – Use simpler examples (e.g. sports team management) for lower-ability learners, and introduce management theory models for higher-ability students.
Assessment Prep – Provide case study extracts for timed practice in identifying and explaining management functions.
Extension – Analyse high-profile business turnarounds (e.g. Apple under Steve Jobs’ return) to illustrate strategic management in action.
