GCF is a public limited company. It provides a range of computer services to businesses including designing websites and creating apps. The Human Resources Director use ideas based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to help keep GCF's 250 employees well-motivated. An extract of methods used is shown in Table 4.1. GCF plans to expand by taking over one of its competitors. This will cost $50m. To finance the takeover, GCF is considering issuing new shares. Table 4.1 Extract of methods used at GCF to motivate employees 'Employee of the month' award Organises team building courses

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Limited liability
2. [1] Can sell shares to the general public / shares quoted on stock exchange
3. [1] Must publish its accounts / more regulations
4. [1] Separate legal identity / business survives death of owners
5. [1] Minimum of two owners
6. [1] Must hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM)
7. [1] 'Employee of the month award': Level 4 OR esteem
8. [1] Organises team building courses: Level 3 OR social/belonging
9. [1] High / higher productivity / efficiency / output / work quick or quicker [k]
10. [1] when working for its business customers [app]
11. [1] Less likely to leave / low labour turnover [k]
12. [1] of its 250 employees [app]
13. [1] Less absenteeism [k]
14. [1] so easier to offer computer services [app]
15. [1] Willing to accept change / new methods of working [k]
16. [1] which could be important when its looking to take over a competitor [app]
17. [1] Good / better (quality) service / fewer mistakes / less errors [k]
18. [1] Access to large amounts of capital [k]
19. [1] so able to fund expansion [an]
20. [1] as need to raise $50m [app]
21. [1] No interest / finance costs to pay [k]
22. [1] so fixed costs do not increase [an]
23. [1] so can invest in its computer services / designing websites [app]
24. [1] Permanent source of capital [k]
25. [1] so no need to repay [an]
26. [1] Avoid increasing debt [k]
27. [1] Cost/time to arrange [k]
28. [1] so not able to focus on other issues [an]
29. [1] such keeping its employees well-motivated [app]
30. [1] Increased risk of takeover / original owners may lose control [k]
31. [1] which could change the direction / objectives of the business [an]
32. [1] Shares might not be bought / no guarantee can raise planned amount [k]
33. [1] Some businesses make use of a lot of technology/equipment [k]
34. [1] so it does not need as many workers [an]
35. [1] Some businesses may have a lot of part-time workers [k]
36. [1] which can be difficult to compare businesses [an]
37. [1] Simple/easy to calculate [k]
38. [1] Value of sales / revenue / output [k]
39. [1] as high value can suggest many customers [an]
40. [1] resulting in higher revenue [an]
41. [1] Capital employed [k]
42. [1] but some types of business may have a high level of non-current assets / technology / shops whereas others do not [an]
43. [1] Number of outlets/branches [k]
44. [1] but could be (in area of) low demand [an]
45. [1] Market share [k]
46. [1] Number of customers/services [k]
47. [2] Using employees may not be a good measure as some businesses make use of a lot of technology [k] so it does not need as many workers. [an] A better way is value of sales [k] which can suggest a business has many customers [an]. I think value of sales is the better measure, as all businesses will have sales revenue [eval] whereas the number of employees can depend on the type of tertiary sector business. [eval]