3.2 Managers, leadership and decision making

Understanding management, leadership and decision making

Updated

We've made some changes to the subject content in the table below. These changes affect first AS exams in 2024 and A-level exams in 2025. To find out what's changed, read our summary of changes. You can also visit our updated specification.

Content

Additional information

What managers do

The role of managers should include:

  • setting objectives
  • analysing
  • leading
  • making decisions
  • reviewing.

Types of management and leadership styles and influences on these

Theories of management and leadership styles should include
  • the Tannenbaum Schmidt continuum
  • the Blake Mouton grid.

The effectiveness of different styles of management and leadership

 

Understanding management decision making

Updated

We've made some changes to the subject content in the table below. These changes affect first AS exams in 2024 and A-level exams in 2025. To find out what's changed, read our summary of changes. You can also visit our updated specification.

Content

Additional information

The value of decision making based on data (scientific decision making) and on intuition

Scientific decision making should include understanding and interpreting decision trees and calculating expected value and net gains.

Decision making to include an understanding of:

  • risks
  • rewards
  • uncertainty
  • opportunity cost.

The use and value of decision trees in decision making

 

Influences on decision making

Influences on decision making to include:
  • mission
  • objectives
  • ethics
  • the external environment including competition
  • resource constraints.

Understanding the role and importance of stakeholders

Updated

We've made a change to the subject content in the table below. This change affects first AS exams in 2024 and A-level exams in 2025. To find out what's changed, read our summary of changes. You can also visit our updated specification.

Content

Additional information

The need to consider stakeholder needs when making decisions

Stakeholder mapping: stakeholder power and interest

Stakeholder needs and the possible overlap and conflict of these needs

 

Influences on the relationship with stakeholders

 

How to manage the relationship with different stakeholders

Managing the relationship with different stakeholders includes communication and consultation.