AQA AS Business Studies Case Study Jan 2008 G&N

Subcontracting work is the process of paying an outside company to provide a service or good for you to help you in your work. A problem with subcontracting work is that the work may not be undertaken to such a high quality as it would have if it was done inside the business, this is because the firm/people doing the work outside the business will not know the business' policies on such things as quality control/ assurance etc. As in the theatre companies demanded high quality product this is an aspect that G&N can’t compromise. Another problem is that it will undoubtedly cost more per unit if they subcontract the work out which will decrease G&Ns profit margins.///if i were you i would cut this part out or say it would have negative effect on g&n profits..because if they are making a lot of money then they can afford to subcontract and it wouldn't affect their profits or you can say subcontracting may affect quality and this in turn can dissatisfy customers resulting in lower profits made./// In the incredibly competitive market that G&N are in they need to give themselves any competitive advantage that they can, for this reason I believe it would be a bad idea to subcontract production and/or distribution.

hmm not sure how well i did there

thanks for the qustion fizzydizzy =]

lol no its not your fault.. good luck anyway!

this threads turning into a really useful one, i no that il be cramming on here tuesday night for sure =]

Outline the main advantages of Sara suggested idea of using matrix management. (6)

Matrix management structure involves when a firm combines both function and product departmentalization. Sara was keen to introduce this structure for the Props and Scenery Division. One advantage of this is that it would have enabled projects to be viewed from different angles. As one off items is produced within this division, workers would have been able to spot any problems or requirements whilst producing products. This keeps the product efficient. Another advantage is that lateral and vertical communication would have occurred. This allows the free flow of ideas between workers within G&N. This could have led to increased commitment as workers feel valued to have inputted their ideas.

Ive answered another question. Please some1 mark it for me thanks!

Outline the main advantages of Sara suggested idea of using matrix management. (6)

Matrix management structure involves
///you mean 'is' not invovles///

when a firm combines both function and product departmentalization.
Sara was keen to introduce this structure for the Props and Scenery Division. One advantage of this is that it would have enabled projects to be viewed from different angles. As one off items is produced within this division, workers would have been able to spot any problems or requirements whilst producing products.

This keeps the product efficient. ///you what?!!!! you mean this increases product efficiency///


Another advantage is that lateral and vertical communication would have occurred. This allows the free flow of ideas between workers within G&N. This could have led to increased commitment as workers feel valued to have inputted their ideas.

I like this answer...

Ive answered another question. Please some1 mark it for me thanks!

Outline the main advantages of Sara suggested idea of using matrix management. (6)

Matrix management is where a selection ofworkers from different areas of the business gather together in a team to work on a project. G&N were looking to have a matrix management team working in the props and scenery division. There are many advantages of matrix management systems, most importantly the fact that because there are people from all over the business working on the projects, any faults with the project are going to be brought to light as the project will be viewed from multiple angles. Another advantage is that it allows for greater communication as the communication lines will be horizontal and vertical. For example in G&N the warehouse staff will communicate directly with the admin staff, this would not ordinarily happen in the normal heirachy.

Outline the main advantages of Sara suggested idea of using matrix management. (6)

Matrix management is where a selection ofworkers from different areas of the business gather together in a team to work on a project. G&N were looking to have a matrix management team working in the props and scenery division. There are many advantages of matrix management systems, most importantly the fact that because there are people from all over the business working on the projects

any faults with the project are going to be brought to light as the project will be viewed from multiple angles.
///Like what?!! that sentence right there is soo genric ..see how you directly related your other advantage with g&n not jus by putting their name but by talking about one of their warehouse thats what you should do with this point you have said////

Another advantage is that it allows for greater communication as the communication lines will be horizontal and vertical. For example in G&N the warehouse staff will communicate directly with the admin staff, this would not ordinarily happen in the normal heirachy.

very good answer...

what about any key themes?
anything that questions could be related around... the future of the business? should they move?
anything to do with the economic forecasts? the loan? changing to a plc?