A LevelBusinessEdexcelRevision Notes4. Global Business4.2 Global Markets & Business ExpansionGlobal Competitiveness

Global Competitiveness (Edexcel A Level Business): Revision Note

Exam code: 9BS0

Jennifer Aryiku

Written by: Jennifer Aryiku

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

Updated on

Exchange rate fluctuations

  • Global competitiveness is the ability of a business to perform better than its rivals across markets in different countries

  • Fluctuations in exchange rates can influence the competitiveness of a business

    • An exchange rate is the value of one currency in terms of another currency

  • Currency appreciation and depreciation have different impacts on a business

Currency appreciation

  • An appreciation of the exchange rate means the value of a currency increases against another currency 

    • E.g. if £1 = $1.60 but then the £ increases to £1 = $1.80, the value of the £ has appreciated against the US$ 

The impact of currency appreciation on global competitiveness

Advantages of an appreciation

Disadvantages of an appreciation

  • If a business imports raw materials and components from abroad, they will now be cheaper

    • This will help the business to reduce its costs and possibly increase its profit margin

  • If a business exports goods/services to foreign consumers, the goods will be more expensive for international customers

    • This may lead to a fall in sales as consumers now shift demand to domestic businesses

Currency depreciation

  • A depreciation of the exchange rate means that the value of the currency decreases against another currency

    • E.g. if £1 = $1.60 but then the £ falls to £1 = $1.20, the value of the £ has depreciated against the US$ 

The impact of a currency depreciation on global competitiveness

Advantages of a depreciation

Disadvantages of a depreciation

  • If businesses export goods/services abroad, they become more competitive because their products are cheaper to purchase

  • In the domestic market, there may be less competition from foreign firms, as imports are now more expensive for domestic consumers to purchase

  • If a business imports raw materials or components from abroad, they are now more expensive

    • This leads to an increase in the costs for a business, which could then be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Paper 1 and Paper 3 frequently question you on the impact of exchange rate changes on a business. The information may be presented as a) a written extract or b) a table or graph showing the fluctuations in the exchange rate. It is important to be able to explain whether an appreciation or depreciation has occurred. 

Acronyms to help explain the impact of exchange rate changes include:

  • S.P.I.C.E.D — Strong Pound Imports Cheaper Exports Dearer (dearer means more expensive)

  • W.P.I.D.E.C — Weak Pound Imports Dearer Exports Cheaper

You can use the pound interchangeably with any other currency used in the exam. 

Competitive advantage

  • Global competitiveness increases when a firm has a competitive advantage

    • Two factors that provide a competitive advantage include cost competitiveness and differentiation

Cost competitiveness and differentiation

Cost competitiveness

Differentiation

  • Cost competitiveness is when a business becomes one of the lowest-cost producers in its industry

  • Cost competitiveness can be achieved using strategies such as:

    • Increasing the productivity of its workforce

    • Using machinery and technology efficiently

    • Outsourcing 

    • Offshoring 

  • Businesses can utilise their position as a cost leader to reduce their prices or keep their prices the same, which results in an increase in profit margins

  • Differentiation occurs when a business makes the characteristics of its products/services different from those of its competitors

  • Methods of differentiation include developing a strong brand and having a better design, better quality and better customer service

The impact of skills shortages

  • If a business is unable to find labour with the required skills, it will affect its ability to gain a competitive advantage

  • Cost leadership could be difficult to achieve if the workers lack skills, as they may not be as productive

    • This could increase unit costs due to factors such as waste 

  • Product differentiation is less likely to occur if workers lack the skills and expertise to produce highly differentiated products 

  • In order to overcome these issues, a business can use outsourcing and offshoring to access the skills needed for its business 

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    Jennifer Aryiku

    Author: Jennifer Aryiku

    Expertise: Economics Content Creator

    Jennifer has completed a degree in Economics at City University London and a PGCE in Business and Economics Education from the Institute of Education, UCL. She is passionate about young people and helping in their education. She has over 10 years experience which includes working as an Academic Mentor and Head of Economics & Financial Education. Jennifer has also co-written an Economics workbook and is an examiner for UK exam boards.

    Steve Vorster

    Reviewer: Steve Vorster

    Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

    Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.