← Business Studies syllabus

SingaporeBusiness Studies

Operations Management

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why does it usually cost less per unit to produce on a large scale, and at what point does getting bigger start to cost more?

Explain fixed, variable and total costs, calculate average (unit) cost, and explain economies and diseconomies of scale
A focused answer to the O-Level Business Studies outcome on costs and scale. Fixed, variable, total and average cost, how to calculate unit cost, and the main internal economies and diseconomies of scale.
9 min answer →

How much stock should a business hold, and how do the choices of suppliers and stock systems affect its costs and reliability?

Explain how a business manages inventory, including stock control, reorder and buffer levels, just-in-time, and the importance of choosing reliable suppliers
A focused answer to the O-Level Business Studies outcome on inventory and supply. Stock control with reorder and buffer levels, just-in-time versus just-in-case, and the importance of choosing reliable suppliers.
8 min answer →

Should a business make products one at a time, in batches, or on a continuous line, and what does that choice depend on?

Explain the methods of production - job, batch and flow - and the factors a business considers when choosing between them
A focused answer to the O-Level Business Studies outcome on production methods. Job, batch and flow production, their advantages and disadvantages, and the factors that decide which method a business should use.
8 min answer →

How does a business get more output from the same resources, and why does productivity matter so much for costs and competitiveness?

Explain productivity and efficiency, how labour productivity is measured, the ways a business can raise productivity, and why higher productivity lowers unit costs
A focused answer to the O-Level Business Studies outcome on productivity. How labour productivity is measured, ways to raise it through training, technology and motivation, and why higher productivity cuts unit costs.
8 min answer →

Why does quality matter so much to a business, and is it better to inspect products at the end or to build quality in at every stage?

Explain why quality is important and compare quality control with quality assurance and total quality management as ways of managing quality
A focused answer to the O-Level Business Studies outcome on quality. Why quality matters, the difference between quality control, quality assurance and total quality management, and the costs and benefits of each.
8 min answer →