PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS
SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT
CANDIDATES CANDIDATES’ NUMBER
Group 3
Brandon Chase 1006370053
Latavia Elis 1006370096
Ackayla Gilbert 1006370126
SCHOOL: Greater Life Academy TERRITORY: Jamaica
TITLE: To Conduct An Investigation Into The Various Factors That Affect Production At
Trade Winds Ltd And Its Effects on Sales.
YEAR: 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENT PAGE NUMBER
Topic/Issue/Problem 3
Objectives 4
Background/Overview 5
Methodology 6
Presentation & Analysis of Data 7-9
Conclusion 10
Recommendation 11
Bibliography 12
Appendix 13-17
Mark Scheme 18-20
2
TOPIC/ISSUE/PROBLEM
To conduct an investigation into the various factors that affects production at Trade Winds
Ltd and how it affects sales.
3
OBJECTIVES
What are the various factors that affect productivity at Trade Winds Ltd?
What are some of ways in which management can improve the production process?
4
BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW
The objective of this project is to investigate the factors that affect production at Trade
Winds Ltd and how they affect sales. Trade Winds Ltd is a maufaacturer of various juices
that was established in the Bog Walk community in the year of 1987. They supply various
supermarkets and corner shops with a variety fruit juices. Trade Winds Ltd provides jobs
to over 200 persons, so their failure will have a negative impact on the families in the
community.
The major item sold by Trade Winds Ltd is fruit juice, however, recently the supplies of
their products have been gradually decreasing to the point where they are almost off the
shelves in various shops and supermarkets.
This area is important to be studied as Trade Winds Ltd’s survival is important to a large
number of people in the community who are currently employed in the factory and no
other business is offering products of its kind.
At the end of our research, Nauralis Juices & More may use the information we obtained
to correct the problems causing the reduction in production and sales in the business.
5
METHODOLOGY
The instruments used to collect data are questionnaires and interviews.
Questionnaire:
Ten questionnaires were issued randomly to ten employees of Trade Winds Ltd on September
14, 2024 and were collected on September 16, 2024. All ten questions were close ended. This
method was chosen because it is more efficient in that respondents can complete it in their
own time. The data will be analysed using percentages and the information will be presented
on graphs and charts.
Interview:
An interview was scheduled with the sales manager; Mr Rochester on September 28, 2024.
The instrument consisted of five open ended questions and lasted for approximately 30
minutes. This method was chosen because it provides immediate feedback and more data is
collected.
Limitations of the Study:
During the process of gathering the necessary data we encountered very little limitations. It
was very difficult to schedule a time for the interview as the interviewee had a very busy
schedule that could hardly accommodate us. So it was very time consuming to schedule and
successfully conduct the interview.
6
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
FIGURE 1
CHART SHOWING THE FACTORS AFFECTING PRODUCTIVITY
AT TRADE WINDS LTD
9.5
8.5
7.5
6.5
5.5
4.5
PERCENTAGES
3.5
2.5
1.5
0.5
Training Skills Workers' Health Working Environment Worker Motivation
East 1 1 4 4
Series2 NaN NaN NaN NaN
Series3 NaN NaN NaN NaN
ANALYSIS
The question was asked: ‘Which of the following factors affect productivity the most at Trade
Winds Ltd’ Figure 1 shows that 10% of the respondents believe that productivity is affected
by training skills, 10% thinks it is affected by workers health; however 40% affirm that it is
affected by the working environment and the remaining 40% thinks worker motivation
affects productivity at Trade Winds Ltd.
FINDINGS STATEMENT
Based on the information, it can be seen that majority of the sample size indicated that the
environment and the motivation of the workers decrease productivity. According to Hamile
7
(2007), by improving the working environment and motivating workers more frequently,
productivity will be increased.
FIGURE 2
CHART SHOWING THE WAYS IN WHICH MANAGEMENT
CAN IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY RATE
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Provide more fringe Provide more up-to-date Provide more training for Employ and motivate
benefits related to equipment workers more workers
health for the workers
ANALYSIS
The question was asked: ‘What are some of the ways in which management can improve the
production process?’ Figure 3 above shows that 10% of the respondents think that
management can improve the productivity rate by providing more fringe benefits related to
health for the workers, 40% of the respondents thinks that it can be done by providing more
up-to-date equipment, 10% of the respondents believe that it can be done by providing more
8
training for workers and 40% of the respondents think that it can be done by employing and
motivating more workers.
FINDINGS STATEMENT
Based on the information, it can be seen that majority of the respondents believe that
management can improve the productivity rate by providing more up-to-date equipment and
motivating workers. According to Hamile (2007), it is believed that if management make
those improvements productivity will increase.
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CONCLUSION
OBJECTIVE 1: What are the various factors that affect productivity at Trade Winds Ltd?
The findings from the investigation suggest that 10% of the respondents believe that
productivity is affected by training skills, 10% thinks it is affected by workers health;
however 40% affirm that it is affected by the working environment and the remaining 40%
thinks worker motivation affects productivity at Trade Winds Ltd.
OBJECTIVE 2: What are some of the ways in which management can improve the
production process?
It can be concluded that 10% of the respondents think that management can improve the
productivity rate by providing more fringe benefits related to health for the workers, 40% of
the respondents stated that the production process can be improve providing more up-to-date
equipment, 10% of the respondents believe that it can be done by providing more training for
workers and 40% of the respondents think that it can be done by employing and motivating
more workers.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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OBJECTIVE 1: What are the various factors that affect productivity at Trade Winds Ltd?
It can be seen from the findings that the major factors that affects productivity at Naturalis
Juices and More are worker motivation and the working environment. Hence it is
recommended that management should improve certain aspects of the working environment
that are crucial to the production process such as the lighting and ventilation. When the
workers are comfortable in the workplace they will be better able to perform their duties.
Management should also strive to keep worker motivation high by rewarding them with
promotions, employee of the month and other incentives. When worker motivation is high;
the workers will be driven to do their best which will lead to an increase in productivity.
OBJECTIVE 2: What are some of the ways in which management can improve the
production process?
Based on the findings it can be seen that motivating the workers and applying new and
improve equipment are ways in which the production process can be improved. Therefore
the researchers recommend that management should replace the equipment in the workplace
with new, more up-to-date equipment that will improve and enhance the production process.
11
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Robinson,K. and Hamil,S.(2011). Principles of Business for CSEC. Kingston 13, Jamaica:
Carlong Publishers.
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APPENDIX
PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS
Instruction: Please insert a tick () in the box next to the answer of your choice. We assure
you that the information gathered will be held strictly confidential and used for SBA purposes
only.
1) Which of the following factors affects productivity the most at Trade Winds Ltd?
Training skills Working Environment
Workers’ Health Worker Motivation
2) How do these factors affect productivity?
Increases productivity
Decreases Productivity
3) What can management do to further improve the production process?
Employ and motivate more workers
Provide more training for workers
Provide more up-to-date equipment
Provide more fringe benefits related to health for the workers
4) How does your superior motivate you to contribute more to the productivity of the
business?
Employee of the month Incentives
Promotion Other
13
5) Do you think that the methods of motivation used by your employer increases your
productivity?
Yes No
A little bit
6) How would you describe the lighting in your workspace?
It is too bright It is too dull
It is good
7) How would you describe the ventilation in your workspace?
Too much air is being circulated Too little air is being circulated
8) Does the level of training provided by the organization benefit your day to day work
ethic?
It does Sometimes
It does not
9) How would you describe the performance of the business based on the level of training
provided by management?
Excellent Needs improvement
Good Bad
Average
10) How frequently are you fully equipped with the necessary protective gear while carrying
out your duties?
14
Everyday Limited units of safety gear are available
Sometimes
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INTERVIEW
1) Are there any strategies implemented to help increase the productivity of the business?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2) Does motivating employees contribute to the productivity of the business?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3) Is the working environment provided for workers beneficial in terms of improving the
productivity and the overall growth of the business?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4) Based on your observation, do you think that the level of training provided by the
business is reflecting the best possible results as it relates to productivity?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5) Do you think that the layout of the factory enables the workers to perform their duties
efficiently and caters to their safety?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Mark Scheme - Group 3
PROJECT AREAS PROFILE DISTRIBUTION TOTAL
Knowledge and Application Interpretation
Comprehension and Analysis
Table of Contents
Table of contents accurately links pages 1(1) 1(1)
to content – 1 mark (KC)
Topic/Issue/Problem 2(2) 2(2)
Topic/issue/problem is clearly stated
– 1 mark (KC)
Topic/issue/problem accurately
describes the project – 1 mark
(KC)
Objectives 2(2) 2(2)
Objectives are clearly stated and linked
to the topic/issue/problem – 1 mark
(A)
Objectives are realistic – 1 mark (A)
Background/Overview 2(2) 2(2) 4(4)
Includes a description of the
topic/issue/problem
- Description includes the history
– 1 mark (KC)
- Description includes the
development – 1 mark
(KC)
Establishes the need for research
- Why/how is the
topic/issue/problem important to
student – 1 mark (A)
- Impact of topic/issue/problem
on society – 1 mark (A)
Methodology 2(2) 6(6) 2(2) 10(10)
Data collection instrument
clearly described – 1–2 marks
(KC)
Data collection instrument
appropriate for type of data – 1 mark
(A)
Included at least two instruments
of data collection – 1 mark (A)
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Method of data collection
clearly described – 1–2 marks
(A)
Method of data collection
adequately justified – 1–2 marks (IA)
Limitations of data collection
method clearly stated – 1–2 marks
(A)
Presentation and Analysis of Data 2(1) 4(3) 4(3) 10(7)
Data is presented an appropriate
form using tables, charts, graphs
– 1–2 marks (KC)
Data presented are relevant to the
objectives of the project – 1–2 marks
(A)
Data is adequately analyzed
– 1–2 marks (A)
Data is analyzed using
appropriate statistics – mean,
median, mode
– 1–2 marks (IA)
Findings are consistent with analyses
– 1–2 marks (IA)
Conclusion 4(3) 4(3)
Conclusion succinctly summarizes
the project – 1–2 marks(A)
Conclusion is logical and based
on findings – 1–2 marks (A)
Recommendation 4(3) 4(3)
Recommendations are realistic and
informed by findings – 1–2 marks
(IA)
Recommendations contribute to a better
understanding of the
topic/issue/problem –1–2 marks (IA)
Bibliography 1(1) 1(1)
Bibliography contains names of authors,
name of publisher(s), names and dates of
publication, and are written in alphabetical
order – 1 mark (KC)
Overall presentation 2(2) 2(1)
Consistently uses correct spelling
and grammar – 1 mark (A)
Expression of ideas logical
and unambiguous – 1 mark
(A)
TOTAL 10(9) 20(18) 10(8) 40(32)
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