plumiMaking operational decisions to improve performance: increasing efficiency and productivity: AQA A‑Level Business questions
Every AQA A-Level Business exam question on 3.4.3 Making operational decisions to improve performance: increasing efficiency and productivity, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Q03.3
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 2, question 03.3: Using non-current assets as fully as possible is the best way to gain low-cost advantage. To what extent is this true for all low-cost businesses? [16 marks] 0](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71322-jun25-03-3-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 1, question 24: Will the introduction of lean production always lead to lower unit costs? Justify your view. [25 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71321-jun24-24-qp.webp)
Q01.3
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 2, question 01.3: Analyse how the changes in Biggs Ltd’s labour productivity, shown in Appendix B, may cause its market share to fall. [9 marks] 0 1 Read the information below an](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71322-jun24-01-3-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 3, question 01: Analyse how Speed-e-Puds Ltd benefits from operating with a high level of capacity utilisation. [12 marks] Sanjay opened the first branch of Speed-e-Puds Ltd af](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71323-jun24-01-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 02: Which one of these factors is not a feature of lean production? [1 mark] A Frequent deliveries from suppliers B Long lead times C Low inventory levels D Right f](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71311-jun24-02-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 15: Analyse how the use of technology might improve operational efficiency in a manufacturing business. [6 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71311-jun24-15-qp.webp)
Q01.3
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 2, question 01.3: Analyse why AJS plc has decided to become more capital intensive. [9 marks] 0 1 Read the information below and then answer the questions that follow. AJS plc AJ](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71322-jun23-01-3-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 3, question 03: To what extent does the data in Appendix A suggest that building the new production facility will improve Logger Boards Ltd’s operational efficiency? [16 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71323-jun23-03-qp.webp)
![June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 04: A business manufactures one product on a large scale. If the business introduces mass customisation, which of the following is least likely to occur? [1 mark] A](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71311-jun23-04-qp.webp)
![June 2022 Paper 1, question 21: Analyse why a business might choose to use labour intensive processes rather than capital intensive processes. [9 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71321-jun22-21-qp.webp)
Q17.1
The whole paper ↗![June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 17.1: To increase capacity, Eamon is considering increasing the opening hours of its gyms. Analyse how Fit Gym might be affected if it made this decision. [9 marks] 1](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71311-jun22-17-1-qp.webp)
![November 2021 Paper 1, question 07: Assuming no other changes, capacity utilisation is likely to be: [1 mark] A decreased by dynamic pricing and decreased by penetration pricing. B decreased by dy](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71321-nov21-07-qp.webp)
Q01.4
The whole paper ↗
All 18 questions on Making operational decisions to improve performance: increasing efficiency and productivity, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q03.3 (16 marks): Using non-current assets as fully as possible is the best way to gain low-cost advantage. To what extent is this true for all low-cost businesses? [16 marks] 0
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q06 (24 marks): Effective capacity management involves ensuring a business has the right level of capacity in the right place to match demand. To what extent is effective capac
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q24 (25 marks): Will the introduction of lean production always lead to lower unit costs? Justify your view. [25 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.3 (9 marks): Analyse how the changes in Biggs Ltd’s labour productivity, shown in Appendix B, may cause its market share to fall. [9 marks] 0 1 Read the information below an
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q01 (12 marks): Analyse how Speed-e-Puds Ltd benefits from operating with a high level of capacity utilisation. [12 marks] Sanjay opened the first branch of Speed-e-Puds Ltd af
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q02 (1 mark): Which one of these factors is not a feature of lean production? [1 mark] A Frequent deliveries from suppliers B Long lead times C Low inventory levels D Right f
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q15 (6 marks): Analyse how the use of technology might improve operational efficiency in a manufacturing business. [6 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q01.3 (9 marks): Analyse why AJS plc has decided to become more capital intensive. [9 marks] 0 1 Read the information below and then answer the questions that follow. AJS plc AJ
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q03 (16 marks): To what extent does the data in Appendix A suggest that building the new production facility will improve Logger Boards Ltd’s operational efficiency? [16 marks]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q04 (1 mark): A business manufactures one product on a large scale. If the business introduces mass customisation, which of the following is least likely to occur? [1 mark] A
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q06 (1 mark): The table below shows four different scenarios. Scenario Change in interest rates Change in wages A Increase Increase B Increase Decrease C Decrease Increase D
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q08 (1 mark): Statement 1: ‘Introducing lean production can improve cash flow by reducing levels of inventory.’ Statement 2: ‘Introducing lean production can improve profitab
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q21 (9 marks): Analyse why a business might choose to use labour intensive processes rather than capital intensive processes. [9 marks]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q17.1 (9 marks): To increase capacity, Eamon is considering increasing the opening hours of its gyms. Analyse how Fit Gym might be affected if it made this decision. [9 marks] 1
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q07 (1 mark): Assuming no other changes, capacity utilisation is likely to be: [1 mark] A decreased by dynamic pricing and decreased by penetration pricing. B decreased by dy
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.4 (9 marks): The closure of branches is seen as a way for the ‘Big 5’ banks to better match supply with demand. Analyse how this action might affect the profits of these ban
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q03 (1 mark): Statement 1: ‘An increase in its level of capacity utilisation can help a business because it allows it more time for maintenance and repair of equipment.’ Stat
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q05 (1 mark): Statement 1: ‘Lean production should reduce unit costs because it involves a business buying raw materials in greater bulk.’ Statement 2: ‘Lean production shoul
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