AQA · GCSE · Business
Course version: 8132 · Version from Sept 2017
Students should understand the impact of the changing use of ICT and how…
Full specification wording
Technology: Students should understand the impact of the changing use of ICT and how it influences business activity.
ICT covers the hardware, software and networks a business uses to store, process and share information.
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
ICT covers the hardware, software and networks a business uses to store, process and share information. Its changing use means faster broadband, cloud storage, mobile devices, e-commerce, social media and data analytics become cheaper and more widespread. This influences business activity in several ways: online selling widens the market beyond a local area; cloud systems let staff work remotely and cut premises costs; automation and data analysis speed up stock control and decision making; social media supports low-cost marketing and customer service. There are also impacts on cost, staffing, skills and security. A small shop moving to an online store may reach national customers but must invest in websites, training and data protection. The skill is explaining how a specific ICT change alters a named business activity.
What earns the marks
- Identifies a specific change in ICT use, such as faster internet, cloud computing, mobile devices, e-commerce, social media or data analytics.
- Explains how that change affects a named business activity, for example marketing, sales, stock control, recruitment, finance or customer service.
- Explains an effect on costs, such as lower premises or travel costs, or on revenue through a wider market reach.
- Explains an effect on staffing or skills, such as remote working, new training needs or changed job roles.
- Applies the impact to the context given, for example a small retailer selling online or a manufacturer using automated stock systems.
- Reaches a supported judgement on whether the overall impact on the business is positive or negative.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Describing ICT devices without linking them to a business activity.
Put it right by naming the activity affected, such as sales or stock control, and explaining the change.
Assuming all businesses gain equally from ICT.
Put it right by considering size, budget, skills and the market the business operates in.
Confusing ICT with digital communication only.
Put it right by covering the wider range of hardware, software, networks and data use.
Exam tips
- Anchor each point to a named business activity so the impact is specific rather than general.
- Use connectives such as therefore and which means that to turn a description into an explained impact.
- When evaluating, compare the benefit against a cost or risk and state a clear overall effect for the business.
Try the lesson
The start of the Technology: Students should understand the impact of the changing use of ICT and how it influences business activity. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following describes a likely impact of the changing use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on business activity?
Listen
ICT covers the hardware, software and networks a business uses to store, process and share information. Its changing use means faster broadband, cloud storage, mobile devices, e-commerce, social media and data analytics become cheaper and more widespread. This influences business activity in several ways: online selling widens the market beyond a local area; cloud systems let staff work remotely and cut premises costs; automation and data analysis speed up stock control and decision making; social media supports low-cost marketing and customer service. There are also impacts on cost, staffing, skills and security. A small shop moving to an online store may reach national customers but must invest in websites, training and data protection. The skill is explaining how a specific ICT change alters a named business activity. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies a specific change in ICT use, such as faster internet, cloud computing, mobile devices, e-commerce, social media or data analytics. Explains how that change affects a named business activity, for example marketing, sales, stock control, recruitment, finance or customer service. Explains an effect on costs, such as lower premises or travel costs, or on revenue through a wider market reach. Explains an effect on staffing or skills, such as remote working, new training needs or changed job roles. A common slip: Describing ICT devices without linking them to a business activity. Instead, naming the activity affected, such as sales or stock control, and explaining the change. Exam tip: Anchor each point to a named business activity so the impact is specific rather than general.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Changing technology and business operations
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Market reach and e-commerce
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cost, efficiency and automation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Skills, staffing and data security
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Changing technology and business operations
- Faster broadband, cloud storage, mobile devices, e-commerce, social media and data analytics become cheaper and more widespread, and automation and data analysis speed up stock control and decision making.
- Market reach and e-commerce
- Online selling widens the market beyond a local area, so a small shop moving to an online store may reach national customers.
- Cost, efficiency and automation
- Cloud systems let staff work remotely and cut premises costs, while automation and data analysis speed up stock control and decision making.
- Skills, staffing and data security
- There are impacts on staffing and skills, such as remote working and new training needs, and a business moving online must invest in websites, training and data protection.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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