9609 Business November 2025 Question Paper 22

1 The Research Agency (TRA)

TRA is a quaternary sector business. It is the market leader in providing social media data to food manufacturers in country F. TRA’s market has grown by 40% over the last year.

DF is a multinational business that specialises in non-alcoholic drinks. DF has asked TRA for data about a new bottle of water with pod attachments. The pods give a fruity flavour which is combined with sparkling water. TRA has sampled 8000 potential consumers on social media to identify their favourite fruity flavour (see Fig. 1.1). None, 6% Watermelon, 14% Lemon, 34% Strawberry, 28% Banana, 18% Fig. 1.1 Data about consumer flavour preferences for DF

TRA employs 65 researchers. Since 2020, all of these employees work from home. They are provided with all the necessary IT equipment and a high-speed internet connection. However, motivation is poor, and this has led to high labour turnover. The Human Resource Director has received some feedback from employees. Fig. 1.2 shows some of this feedback. • I hate being so isolated – I never get to speak to any other employees. • I have to use my own electricity, and the cost has doubled in the last two years. • I know some employees are not working very hard, but they get paid the same as me. It’s not fair! Fig. 1.2 summary of feedback from employees at TRA

(a) (i) Identify one stage of the transformational process. [1]

(ii) Explain the term multinational business. [3]

(b) (i) Refer to Fig 1.1 and other information. Calculate the combined total number of potential consumers who would prefer lemon or strawberry flavoured water. [3]

(ii) Explain one reason why TRA uses sampling. [3]

(c) Refer to Fig 1.1 and other information. Analyse two reasons why the data collected for DF may not be reliable. [8]

(d) Evaluate the most effective way for TRA to improve the motivation of the home working employees. [12] 5 10 15

2 Law Advice Forum (LAF)

Drake has a law degree and works for a partnership of lawyers during the day. Drake owns a website that gives free legal advice. He works on the website in the evenings and at the weekend.

He started the website as a hobby, but the website has grown to over 20 000 users and he now sells advertising on his videos and on the website.

Drake uses outsourcing for some areas of his website. He has recently been sent a report showing variances in the budget from the previous month (see Table 2.1). Table 2.1 Budget report for Drake’s website in the previous month Budget Actual Total revenue $4500$4000 Total costs $600$750 Profit $3900$3250

Drake has now left his job and is focusing full time on the website. He rebranded the website as Law Advice Forum (LAF). Drake’s business plan for LAF included: • Operating as a sole trader. • Continuing to develop and expand the website to provide legal advice and paid legal services. • Renting an office in city G where all employees would work. • Hiring five fully qualified lawyers. • Hiring three administrators. • Leasing IT equipment.

However, Drake is concerned about the limitations LAF will face as a labour intensive operation.

(a) (i) Identify one external stakeholder of a business partnership. [1]

(ii) Explain the term outsourcing. [3]

(b) (i) Refer to Table 2.1. Calculate the profit variance for Drake’s website in the previous month. State whether the variance is favourable or adverse. [3]

(ii) Explain one way Drake could use the budget data in Table 2.1. [3]

(c) Analyse two possible limitations for LAF as a labour intensive operation. [8]

(d) Evaluate the most important responsibility that Drake has as the owner of LAF. [12] 5 10 15 20