Communication (DP IB Business Management: HL)

Exam Questions

44 mins14 questions
12 marks

Case Study

Grosvenor Hotels International operates luxury hotels across Asia and Europe. The company recently implemented a new digital communication platform that allows for more informal communication, alongside the existing reporting structure that requires written documentation of all guest complaints and incident reports.

Define the term 'informal communication'.

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22 marks

Case Study

Pacific Logistics Corporation, a global shipping company, uses various formal channels to communicate with its 15,000 employees across 45 countries in 2024.

State two types of formal communication channels.

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32 marks

Case Study

Global Express Shipping, a maritime logistics company based in Rotterdam, relies heavily on video conferencing to coordinate operations across its network of 50 ports worldwide in 2024. Daily management meetings connect teams across multiple time zones.

Define the term 'video conferencing'.

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42 marks

Case Study

Bangalore Tech Solutions, a software development company in India, uses written communication methods to coordinate projects with its global client base in 2024.

State two advantages of written communication.

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52 marks

Case Study

Nordic Healthcare Systems, a medical technology company based in Copenhagen, manages telephone communication across 75 hospitals in Northern Europe.

State two disadvantages of using phone calls to communicate.

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62 marks

Case Study

Singapore Tech Solutions, a telecommunications company, conducted an internal audit in 2024 revealing several technological barriers affecting communication efficiency.

State two technological barriers to communication.

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72 marks

Case Study

Dubai International Trading, a multinational import-export firm, struggles with a language barrier as its diverse workforce speaks 15 different languages.

Define the term 'language barrier'.

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82 marks

Case Study

HSBC's corporate banking division has implemented a new formal communication protocol for its global offices. All decisions must now follow a structured path through regional managers before reaching local branch managers.

Describe one feature of formal communication

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14 marks

Case Study

City Care Hospitals is a chain of healthcare facilities providing a wide range of medical services. Communication is critical to ensuring patient safety and operational efficiency. The organisation relies heavily on formal communication, such as written reports and scheduled meetings, to record and track patient care. However, informal communication among staff has led to faster problem-solving during emergencies.

Recently, there have been instances where informal messages caused misunderstandings about patient instructions, leading to minor errors. Management is now evaluating the balance between formal and informal communication methods to improve accuracy without losing the benefits of quick decision-making.

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using formal communication methods at City Care Hospitals.

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24 marks

Case Study

City Care Hospitals is a chain of healthcare facilities providing a wide range of medical services. Communication is critical to ensuring patient safety and operational efficiency. The organisation relies heavily on formal communication, such as written reports and scheduled meetings, to record and track patient care. However, informal communication among staff has led to faster problem-solving during emergencies.

Recently, there have been instances where informal messages caused misunderstandings about patient instructions, leading to minor errors. Management is now evaluating the balance between formal and informal communication methods to improve accuracy without losing the benefits of quick decision-making.

Describe two barriers to effective communication that City Care Hospitals might face.

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36 marks

Case Study

Fresh Grocer Supermarkets operates a chain of large grocery stores, employing hundreds of staff across various roles. The company relies on written communication, such as emails and notices, to inform employees about policy changes and operational updates. Recently, management has started using instant messaging apps for quick communication with store managers.

While instant messaging has improved response times during busy periods, employees have expressed concerns about message overload and unclear instructions. Management is now considering whether to expand the use of instant messaging or return to more traditional methods of communication.

Analyse two advantages and one disadvantage of expanding the use of instant messaging for communication at Fresh Grocer Supermarkets.

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44 marks

Case Study

Fresh Grocer Supermarkets operates a chain of large grocery stores, employing hundreds of staff across various roles. The company relies on written communication, such as emails and notices, to inform employees about policy changes and operational updates. Recently, management has started using instant messaging apps for quick communication with store managers.

While instant messaging has improved response times during busy periods, employees have expressed concerns about message overload and unclear instructions. Management is now considering whether to expand the use of instant messaging or return to more traditional methods of communication.

Describe two ways Fresh Grocer Supermarkets could improve the effectiveness of its communication.

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54 marks

Case Study

Swift Deliver Logistics provides courier and delivery services across urban and rural regions. The company primarily uses face-to-face meetings and phone calls to coordinate deliveries and resolve issues. Recently, as operations expanded, the management introduced video conferencing to connect regional offices and headquarters more efficiently.

While video conferencing has helped improve communication across locations, unreliable internet connections and technical difficulties have led to delays in decision-making. Employees have also expressed frustration with lengthy virtual meetings, which they find less effective than shorter, face-to-face discussions. Management is now considering how to optimise communication to support the company’s growth.

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using video conferencing for communication at Swift Deliver Logistics.

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66 marks

Case Study

Swift Deliver Logistics provides courier and delivery services across urban and rural regions. The company primarily uses face-to-face meetings and phone calls to coordinate deliveries and resolve issues. Recently, as operations expanded, the management introduced video conferencing to connect regional offices and headquarters more efficiently.

While video conferencing has helped improve communication across locations, unreliable internet connections and technical difficulties have led to delays in decision-making. Employees have also expressed frustration with lengthy virtual meetings, which they find less effective than shorter, face-to-face discussions. Management is now considering how to optimise communication to support the company’s growth.

Analyse two advantages and one disadvantage of using face-to-face communication at Swift Deliver Logistics.

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