ExpertMedium6 marksExtended Response
AQA GCSE · Question 03.3 · Human resources
Eve makes all the major decisions in the business.\n\nAnalyse one effect of Eve's style of management on staff motivation.
Eve makes all the major decisions in the business.\n\nAnalyse one effect of Eve's style of management on staff motivation.
How to approach this question
1. **Identify the management style:** Based on the fact "Eve makes all the major decisions", identify her style (it's autocratic).
2. **State an effect:** Explain how this style typically affects staff motivation (e.g., it can lower it).
3. **Explain why:** Give reasons why this style demotivates staff (e.g., they feel undervalued, lack of autonomy).
4. **Use the case study:** Link your analysis to the evidence in Item C that "staff turnover in the buying team has increased". Explain what this shows.
5. **Analyse the impact on STC:** What are the consequences of this demotivation and high staff turnover for the business?
Full Answer
Eve's management style is autocratic, as she "makes all the major decisions in the business" herself without consulting her employees. One effect of this is that it can lead to low staff motivation.\n\nThis is because employees, such as those in the buying team, may feel that their opinions and expertise are not valued. They are simply told what to do rather than being involved in the decision-making process. This lack of autonomy and empowerment can lead to job dissatisfaction. As a result, employees may become demotivated and only do the minimum required of them, reducing their productivity and creativity.\n\nThe case study provides evidence of this negative effect, stating that "Recently staff turnover in the buying team has increased." This suggests that the demotivated employees are choosing to leave the business to find jobs where they feel more valued and have more input. High staff turnover is costly for STC as it will have to spend time and money on recruiting and training new staff.
Eve's management style is **autocratic**. This is a style where the leader makes decisions individually without input from team members.\n\n**Effects on Staff Motivation:**\n* **Negative:** It can be highly demotivating. Employees may feel untrusted, undervalued, and that their skills are not being used. This can lead to low job satisfaction.\n* **Consequences:** Low motivation can result in lower productivity, more mistakes, and a lack of creativity. A key consequence, mentioned in Item C, is **high staff turnover** ("staff turnover in the buying team has increased"). This means employees are leaving the company, which is expensive and disruptive.\n* **Positive (in some situations):** In situations requiring quick, decisive action, it can be effective. However, in a creative field like fashion buying, it is generally less effective as it stifles ideas from the team.
Common mistakes
✗ Not identifying the management style as autocratic.\n✗ Not using the key piece of evidence from Item C: "Recently staff turnover in the buying team has increased." This is a clear consequence of the situation.\n✗ Discussing management styles in general without focusing on the effect on *motivation*.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Business Paper 1
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