Spec coverage
Every spec point, and what actually teaches it
The real numbered content list from the official Pearson specification, each point matched to the lesson that covers it. Click through to a lesson from its spec point below, or rate how confident you feel — saved in this browser so it’s there next time you come back. Any point with no matching lesson is flagged, not hidden.
16 spec points · 16 covered
0/16 self-rated
4.3.1 — Globalisation
- 4.3.1.1
Growing economies
- a) Characteristics of developed, developing and emerging economies.
- b) Growing economic power of countries within Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.
- c) Implications of economic growth for individuals and businesses: trade opportunities for businesses; employment patterns.
- d) Indicators of growth: gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita; human development index (HDI).
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.1.2
International trade and business growth
- a) Exports and imports.
- b) Implications of increasing specialisation by countries and businesses.
- c) Foreign direct investment (FDI) and link to business growth.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.1.3
Factors contributing to increased globalisation
- a) Trade liberalisation, the reduction of trade barriers and the role of the WTO.
- b) Political change.
- c) Reduced cost of transport and communication.
- d) Increased significance of global (multinational) corporations (MNCs).
- e) Increased investment flows (FDI).
- f) Migration within and between economies.
- g) Growth of the global labour force.
- h) Structural change.
- i) Impact on businesses of increased globalisation.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.1.4
Protectionism
- a) Reasons for protectionism.
- b) Tariffs.
- c) Import quotas.
- d) Other trade barriers: government legislation; domestic subsidies.
- e) Impact on businesses of protectionism.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.1.5
Trading blocs
- a) Expansion of trading blocs: EU and the single market; ASEAN; NAFTA.
- b) The impact on businesses of trading blocs.
How confident are you on this?
4.3.2 — Global markets and business expansion
- 4.3.2.1
Conditions that prompt trade
- a) Push factors: saturated markets; competition.
- b) Pull factors: increased sales and profitability; risk spreading and economies of scale.
- c) Cost competitiveness by off-shoring and outsourcing.
- d) Extending the product life cycle.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.2.2
Assessment of a country as a market
- a) Factors to consider: levels and growth of disposable income; ease of doing business; infrastructure; political stability; exchange rates.
- b) Application of Porter's five forces in assessing potential markets.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.2.3
Assessment of a country as a production location
- a) Factors to consider: costs of production; skills and availability of labour force; infrastructure; location in trade bloc; government incentives; ease of doing business; political stability; natural resources; likely return on investment.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.2.4
Reasons for global mergers, takeovers or joint ventures
- a) Spreading risk and economies of scale.
- b) Entering new markets/trade blocs.
- c) Acquiring national/international brand names/patents.
- d) Securing resources/supplies.
- e) Maintaining/increasing global competitiveness.
- f) Reducing competition.
- g) Making use of local knowledge.
- h) Government or legal requirement.
- i) Accessing supply chains/distribution networks.
- j) Sharing costs/risks.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.2.5
Global expansion and uncertainty
- a) The impact on businesses of movements in exchange rates.
- b) Skill shortages and their impact on international competitiveness.
How confident are you on this?
4.3.3 — Global marketing
- 4.3.3.1
Marketing
- a) Global marketing strategy and global localisation (glocalisation).
- b) Different marketing approaches: domestic/ethnocentric; mixed/geocentric; international/polycentric.
- c) Application and adaptation of the marketing mix (4Ps) to global markets.
- d) Application of Ansoff's matrix and Porter's matrix to global marketing decisions.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.3.2
Niche markets
- a) Cultural diversity: recognition that groups of people across the globe have different interests and values.
- b) Features of global niche markets.
- c) Application and adaptation of the marketing mix (4Ps) to suit global niches.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.3.3
Cultural/social factors
- a) Considerations for businesses: cultural differences; different tastes and preferences; language and unintended meanings; inappropriate branding and promotion.
How confident are you on this?
4.3.4 — Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)
- 4.3.4.1
The impact of MNCs
- a) Impact of MNCs on the local economy: local labour, wages, working conditions and job creation; local businesses; the local community and environment.
- b) Impact of MNCs on the national economy: economic growth; FDI flows; balance of payments; technology and skills transfer; consumers; business culture; tax revenues.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.4.2
International business ethics
- a) Stakeholder conflicts.
- b) Environmental considerations: emissions and waste disposal; sustainability.
- c) Supply chain considerations: pay and working conditions; exploitation of labour and child labour.
- d) Marketing considerations: misleading product labelling; inappropriate marketing activities.
How confident are you on this?
- 4.3.4.3
Controlling MNCs
- a) Factors to consider: power of MNC; political influence; legal control; consumer pressure; pressure groups; social media; self-regulation.
How confident are you on this?