If you are serious about improving your marks in the Business Roles section of your Grade 12 exam, this is where you need to pay attention. In 2023, the national average was 54%. In 2024, it dropped to 47%. This drop happened despite most of the content being repeated from previous exams. That tells you something: most learners are not reading questions carefully or do not fully understand the structure of paragraph-style questions in this topic.
This guide from StudyPapers.co.za breaks down what went wrong in each subquestion and what you should do to fix it.
Grade 12 Business Studies – Business Roles Paragraph Questions Guide List
As a Grade 12 Business Studies students, you must strictly consider these 7 guidelines, which are related to Business Roles section of the paper 2 final exam:
1. Learn the Difference Between CSI Focus Areas and CSR Programmes
In Q3.1, many learners confused CSI focus areas with CSR programmes. For example, they wrote “rural areas” instead of “rural development,” or “employment” instead of “employees.” These may sound similar, but they are not accepted answers.
Here is how to think about it:
- CSI focus areas are specific development goals like rural development, employee well-being, and community development.
- CSR programmes are the broader strategies or projects a company chooses to support those focus areas.
If you mix them up, you will lose marks. The focus areas are listed clearly in the 2021 Examination Guidelines, so make sure you know them exactly.
2. When a Question is About Workers, Do Not Talk About Employers
Q3.2 tested the responsibilities of workers in ensuring health and safety. Still, many learners focused on what employers must do. That immediately takes away your marks.
The correct approach is:
- Talk about what workers must do, like wearing protective gear, reporting accidents at the end of a shift, or following safety protocols.
- Avoid responses like “the employer must train the worker” or “employers should install safety equipment.” Those do not answer the question.
3. Be Specific When Explaining How to Deal With Unprofessional Behaviour
In Q3.3, the question was about how businesses can deal with abuse of work time, which is a type of unprofessional practice. Most learners could only do the first part where they quoted from the scenario. But in Q3.3.2, when asked to give other ways to deal with this issue, the responses were vague or too general.
What you should include:
- Use detailed strategies like installing biometric systems, having clear time-tracking policies, or holding disciplinary hearings for time-wasters.
- Saying “monitor workers” or “be strict” is too weak. It will not earn you full marks.
4. Creative Thinking: Focus on Actions, Not Advantages
Q3.4 required you to list ways to promote creative thinking, but many learners wrote about the benefits of creativity instead. That is a different question.
Here are correct ways to promote creative thinking:
- Run brainstorming sessions regularly
- Allow workers to suggest new processes or tools
- Create an open-door policy for sharing new ideas
- Offer incentives for problem-solving suggestions
Avoid statements like “creative thinking improves productivity.” That is an advantage, not a method.
5. Team Development Is Not the Same as Team Dynamics
In Q3.5, the question dealt with team development stages and team dynamic theories, but learners either picked the wrong development stage from the scenario or could not explain why dynamics matter.
Quick fix:
- Team development stages are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
- Team dynamics explain how personalities, behaviour, and leadership influence teamwork.
For paragraph-style answers, say something like: “Team dynamic theories help managers assign roles based on personality strengths, improving collaboration and reaching goals faster.”
6. Know the Actual Conflict Resolution Steps
In Q3.6, instead of giving the conflict resolution procedure, learners wrote about grievance procedures or just general problem-solving steps.
These are the correct steps to resolve conflict:
- Identify the cause of the conflict
- Discuss the issue in a neutral space
- Let all parties give their side
- Agree on a solution
- Implement and monitor the resolution
You must give full sentences and not just keywords. For example, say “The manager must allow each party to explain their side without interruption,” instead of just “listen to both.”
7. Diversity Issues Are Not the Same as Discrimination or Legislation
Q3.7 focused on gender as a diversity issue, but learners confused this with managing discrimination or the Employment Equity Act. Others gave answers that left out critical words like “employment” or “managerial” roles, which cost them marks.
How to answer it:
- “Businesses must ensure that women have equal employment opportunities and are considered for managerial positions.”
- “Companies should offer training and mentorship programmes that prepare women for leadership roles.”
Avoid statements like “stop discriminating” or “treat everyone equally.” They are too broad and do not respond directly to the diversity issue.
Final Tips for Business Roles Paragraph Questions
- Read each question twice and highlight keywords.
- Be specific. Do not repeat parts of the question as your answer.
- Always write in full sentences.
- Do not confuse related topics like CSR and CSI, or team development and team dynamics.
- If the question asks “ways,” give methods. If it asks “benefits,” give results.