In the 2024 final exam, many learners chose Question 6 under Section C, which focused on the Business Operations Human Resources Function. This was one of the most popular essay questions and had an average score of 66% nationally, showing that learners were familiar with the topic. However, even with a strong national average, some common patterns of mistakes still affected learners’ performance.
This article by StudyPapers.co.za will help you avoid those mistakes and structure your essay answers properly so that you get good marks.
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Grade 12 Business Studies – Business Operations Human Resources Function Essay Questions Guide
Weak Introductions and Conclusions
Many Grade 12 Business Studies learners either copied the question itself as their introduction or gave facts that actually belonged in the body of the essay. Others confused the Human Resources Function with Recruitment alone, which narrowed the focus too much.
What to do:
- Your introduction must briefly state that the Human Resources Function involves activities like selection procedures, salary determination methods, employee benefits, and induction programmes.
- The conclusion should summarise the role of effective human resource practices in creating a productive workforce and improving business success.
Confusion Between Recruitment and Selection
Q6.2 required Grade 12 Business Studies learners to discuss the selection procedure, but some learners responded with recruitment steps, while others gave facts from both options 1 and 2 of the selection process, causing unnecessary repetition.
What to do:
- Make sure you are clear about the difference.
- Recruitment is about attracting applicants.
- Selection is about choosing the best one.
- Choose only one option of the selection procedure when asked to describe it. Do not mix the two.
Salary Determination Methods: Weak Explanations
Learners could often list the methods, such as piecemeal and time-related, but their explanations were too short or incomplete.
What to do:
- For piecemeal, explain that employees are paid per unit produced, encouraging quantity.
- For time-related, explain that workers are paid per hour or per day, encouraging consistency.
- Give clear examples. For example: “A factory worker paid R15 per unit under the piecemeal system is motivated to produce more units.”
Fringe Benefits: Confusion and Incomplete Answers
Many Grade 12 Business Studies learners confused examples of fringe benefits with explanations of their business impact. Some repeated the same facts or gave vague answers.
What to do:
- List fringe benefits like medical aid, housing allowance, and company car.
- Then explain why these benefits help the business: improved employee retention, better morale, and positive company image.
- Avoid repeating the same point in different words.
Induction: Purpose Versus Benefits
One of the biggest areas of confusion was in Q6.5, where learners were asked to explain the benefits of induction, but most instead explained the purpose or content of the programme.
What to do:
- The purpose of induction is to familiarise new employees with the environment.
- The benefits include faster adjustment, better productivity, fewer mistakes, and reduced staff turnover.
- Use full sentences. For example: “A good induction helps employees understand their duties clearly, which reduces time wasted on corrections.”
Poor Use of Examples
Most learners did not give recent or original examples. They reused common fringe benefit examples or examples that were outdated, costing them marks for relevance and creativity.
What to do:
- Use examples that reflect current trends.
- Example: “Many tech companies now offer hybrid working as a fringe benefit to increase employee satisfaction.”
- Make sure your examples are directly connected to the Human Resources Function, not general business operations.
How to Structure Human Resources Function Essay Answers
To maximise your Grade 12 Business Studies marks in this essay, follow this structure:
- Introduction: Briefly state what the Human Resources Function covers and what your essay will include.
- Subheading 1 – Selection Procedure: Describe the selection steps clearly, choosing only one option.
- Subheading 2 – Salary Determination Methods: Name and explain both piecemeal and time-related methods.
- Subheading 3 – Fringe Benefits and Their Impact: Give examples and explain how they affect the business.
- Subheading 4 – Benefits of Induction: Explain how induction helps the business, not just the employee.
- Conclusion: Summarise the importance of effective HR practices in growing and sustaining a successful business.
StudyPapers.co.za encourages learners to take full advantage of questions like the Business Operations Human Resources Function Essay because they are often repeated in final exams and have clear content requirements. Do not lose marks on technicalities. Write in full sentences, use relevant examples, and understand each subquestion deeply.