Mokoro
Digital Growth Engine

Business · Topic

Operations, quality and location

Every operational answer needs a consequence: cost, quality, capacity or time.

2 original questions in the bank, worth 9 marks · above the two-per-topic floor

Drill this topic All operations, quality and location questions

The questions, with the examiner reasoning

Suggest5 marksBoth boards

A bakery in Serowe wants to open a second branch in a town where it already sells through two supermarkets. Suggest and justify two factors the owner should consider when choosing where to open, and recommend one location.

Show the mark scheme and the examiner note

Answer: Creditable factors include proximity to existing customers and delivery costs, rent and rates, competition, foot traffic, staff availability, and whether the site supports both retail and wholesale.

  1. Factor one, named and justified for this business (1 mark)
  2. Factor two, named and justified for this business (1 mark)
  3. Uses the context given: supermarkets, second branch, Serowe (1 mark)
  4. A recommendation that follows from the two factors (1 mark)
  5. A reason for the recommendation that a sceptical owner would accept (1 mark)

Examiner technique: Use the context in the question by name. The word "Serowe" in your answer is often the difference between application marks and none.

Explain4 marksBGCSE

A fruit juice producer is deciding whether to build its factory next to a farm in the Tuli Block or on the edge of Gaborone. Explain one advantage of each location.

Show the mark scheme and the examiner note

Answer: By the farm: fresher fruit and lower transport and spoilage costs, because the raw material loses weight and quality during long journeys. In Gaborone: closer to customers and the main labour market, which lowers distribution cost and makes it easier to recruit and supervise staff.

  1. Advantage one with a reason: near the farm → reduced transport and spoilage of perishable raw material
  2. Advantage two with a reason: near the city → lower distribution costs to customers and better access to labour
  3. A consequence for the business in each case (cost, quality or time)

Examiner technique: Location answers are marked on the link, not the place. "Near the farm" earns nothing; "near the farm, because fruit spoils on a long journey" is a mark.