Analyse one advantage and one disadvantage to KTJ of delegation.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Definition of delegation: passing authority down the organisational hierarchy. (Note: Do not reward 'manager giving a task to a subordinate'. Definition needs to include some reference to authority or responsibility.)
2. [1] Knowledge of advantage to KTJ of delegation: Motivational impact on employees.
3. [1] Knowledge of advantage to KTJ of delegation: Enables senior management to focus on strategic issues.
4. [1] Knowledge of advantage to KTJ of delegation: Preparation for promotion.
5. [1] Knowledge of advantage to KTJ of delegation: Improves quality and speed of decision making.
6. [1] Knowledge of disadvantage to KTJ of delegation: Poor decision making possible.
7. [1] Knowledge of disadvantage to KTJ of delegation: Cost of ensuring employees are capable of accepting authority.
8. [1] Knowledge of disadvantage to KTJ of delegation: Negative impact on consistency of decision making.
9. [1] Knowledge of disadvantage to KTJ of delegation: May demotivate employees who do not want any further responsibility.
10. [1] Application: KTJ has won awards for investment in employee training.
11. [1] Application: KTJ's training investment supports effective delegation.
12. [1] Application: KTJ has a flat hierarchical structure which supports use of delegation.
13. [1] Application: Using examples from the case of delegation in action: Research into use of plastic bottles.
14. [1] Application: Using examples from the case of delegation in action: Junior market analyst given task of recommending an important strategic change.
15. [1] Application: Using examples from the case of delegation in action: US marketing manager given responsibility for devising and implementing new marketing plan.
16. [1] Analysis: Delegation will give employees experience of taking responsibility.
17. [2] Analysis: Delegation will give employees experience of taking responsibility and therefore prepare them for promotion resulting in more effective senior managers in the future.
18. [1] Analysis: Employees need to be equipped with the skills necessary for taking authority and therefore KTJ must invest in training.
19. [2] Analysis: Employees need to be equipped with the skills necessary for taking authority and therefore KTJ must invest in training thus increasing costs and potentially reducing profit.
20. [1] Analysis: Delegation frees up senior management time for strategic growth decisions.
21. [2] Analysis: Delegation frees up senior management time for strategic growth decisions resulting in more effective management of the long term growth of the business.
22. [1] Analysis: There is a risk of inconsistent decision-making across markets affecting the brand image of KTJ.
23. [2] Analysis: There is a risk of inconsistent decision-making across markets affecting the brand image of KTJ and thus resulting in a loss of revenue.