AQA · GCSE · Business

    Course version: 8132 · Version from Sept 2017

    Globalisation: better designs

    Globalisation exposes UK businesses to products from many countries, so design quality becomes a competitive weapon.

    Checked against the AQA 8132 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 3 of 5
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Globalisation exposes UK businesses to products from many countries, so design quality becomes a competitive weapon. A better design means a product or service that meets customer needs more effectively than rivals: easier to use, more reliable, more attractive or cheaper to produce. For example, a UK phone case maker might redesign a case with a slimmer profile and recycled material, making it more appealing than an imported alternative. Better design can raise demand, allow a higher price, cut waste and strengthen brand image. It also helps a business differentiate itself when many similar goods are available worldwide. However, design improvements cost money and time, and rivals may copy them quickly.

    What earns the marks

    • Defines better design as improving how well a product or service meets customer needs compared with competitors.
    • Explains that globalisation increases the number of rival products available, so design becomes a way to stand out.
    • Gives a concrete example, such as a slimmer, more durable or more sustainable product design.
    • Links better design to a business benefit, such as higher demand, premium pricing, lower waste or stronger brand image.
    • Recognises a limitation, such as design costs, time to develop or the risk of imitation by competitors.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Treating better design as only about appearance.

      Put it right: Design also covers function, reliability, ease of use and production efficiency.

    • Assuming better design always raises profit.

      Put it right: Higher costs or lower sales may reduce profit, so the net effect must be considered.

    • Ignoring the global context.

      Put it right: Link the design improvement to competition from imported or international rivals.

    Exam tips

    • Use a named product or business to make the design improvement concrete.
    • Develop each point with a chain of reasoning: design change, customer response, business effect.
    • If asked to evaluate, weigh the benefit of better design against its cost and the risk of copying.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Globalisation: better designs lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    A UK furniture retailer starts importing products from an international supplier because they feature better, more modern designs than locally sourced items. What is the most likely benefit to the UK retailer?

    Listen

    Globalisation exposes UK businesses to products from many countries, so design quality becomes a competitive weapon. A better design means a product or service that meets customer needs more effectively than rivals: easier to use, more reliable, more attractive or cheaper to produce. For example, a UK phone case maker might redesign a case with a slimmer profile and recycled material, making it more appealing than an imported alternative. Better design can raise demand, allow a higher price, cut waste and strengthen brand image. It also helps a business differentiate itself when many similar goods are available worldwide. However, design improvements cost money and time, and rivals may copy them quickly. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Defines better design as improving how well a product or service meets customer needs compared with competitors. Explains that globalisation increases the number of rival products available, so design becomes a way to stand out. Gives a concrete example, such as a slimmer, more durable or more sustainable product design. Links better design to a business benefit, such as higher demand, premium pricing, lower waste or stronger brand image. A common slip: Treating better design as only about appearance. Instead, design also covers function, reliability, ease of use and production efficiency. Exam tip: Use a named product or business to make the design improvement concrete.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The first node states that globalisation means more rival products are available, and it leads to a second node defining better design as meeting customer needs more effectively than rivals. That node leads to a third node listing the ways design can improve: easier to use, more reliable, more attractive or cheaper to produce. The third node branches into four benefits: higher demand, higher price, less waste and stronger brand image. All four benefits feed into a node on differentiation from similar goods worldwide. The better design node also leads separately to a final node listing limitations: design costs, time to develop and the risk of imitation.
    Shows how globalisation makes better design a competitive weapon, the benefits it can bring, and its limitations.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Competitiveness

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Customer needs

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Differentiation

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Cost and benefit

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Competitiveness
    How well a business stands out against the many rival products available worldwide when globalisation exposes it to products from many countries.
    Customer needs
    What a product or service must meet more effectively than rivals, such as being easier to use, more reliable or more attractive.
    Differentiation
    Helping a business stand out when many similar goods are available worldwide.
    Cost and benefit
    Weighing the money and time that design improvements cost against benefits such as higher demand, a higher price, less waste or a stronger brand image.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The first node states that globalisation means more rival products are available, and it leads to a second node defining better design as meeting customer needs more effectively than rivals. That node leads to a third node listing the ways design can improve: easier to use, more reliable, more attractive or cheaper to produce. The third node branches into four benefits: higher demand, higher price, less waste and stronger brand image. All four benefits feed into a node on differentiation from similar goods worldwide. The better design node also leads separately to a final node listing limitations: design costs, time to develop and the risk of imitation.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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