NSC EXAMINATION
PREPARATION
BUSINESS STUDIES
GRADE 12
PAPER 2
BUSINESS ROLES
1. ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM
2. HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUSIVITY & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
3. CREATIVE THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING
4. TEAM PERFORMANCE & CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
5. CSR AND CSI
Section C – HOW TO ANSWER
FOLLOW THE 6 POINT PLAN
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Question 6
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ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM
NB!! These bullets in the questions below could be part of Sections B and C.
Section C
Question 6
1. November 2021 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on ethics and professionalism in which you include the following aspects:
• Outline the meaning of professional behaviour.
• Explain the types of unethical business practices that pose challenges to businesses.
• Discuss ways in which businesses could deal with these types of unethical
business practices in the workplace.
• Ways in which professional, responsible, ethical, and effective
business practice should be conducted.
2. June 2025 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on ethics and professionalism in which you include the following aspects:
• Outline the differences between ethical behaviour and professional behaviour.
• Explain how businesses can apply the following King Code principles
of good corporate governance to improve ethical business conduct:
o Transparency
o Accountability
• Discuss the types of unethical business practices that pose challenges to
businesses.
• Recommend Ways in which professional, responsible, ethical, and
effective business practices should be conducted.
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3. September 2025 – Paper 2 (Free State)
Write an essay on ethics and professionalism in which you include the
following aspects:
• Outline the difference between ethical behaviour and professional behaviour.
• Explain how businesses can apply the following King Code principles:
o Transparency
o Accountability
• Discuss how the following unprofessional business practices pose a challenge to
businesses:
o Unauthorised use of workplace funds and resources
o Abuse of work time
• Suggest ways in which professional, responsible, ethical, and effective business
practice should be conducted.
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Section B
1. Practical examples
Ethical behaviour Unethical behaviour
- Using fair advertising techniques - Unfair advertising techniques
- Do not use child labour - Deliberately falsifying information on
tax returns
2. Practical examples
Professional behaviour Unprofessional behaviour
- Good use of work time - Abuse of work time
- Treating all colleagues and clients the - Using rude language with colleagues
same and clients
3. King code principles – T A R
- Transparency ✓
- Accountability ✓
- Responsibility ✓
4. Unethical business practices – business – P U T
- Pricing goods in rural areas ✓
- Unfair advertising ✓
- Taxation/tax evasion ✓
5. Unprofessional business practices – employees – U S A
- Unauthorised use of workplace funds and resources ✓
- Sexual harassment ✓
- Abuse of work time ✓
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HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUSIVITY & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
NB!! These bullets in the questions below could be part of Sections B and C .
Section C
Question 6
1. November 2020 – Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on Human Rights, Diversity, and Environmental Issues in which you
include the following aspects:
• Outline the economic rights of employees in the workplace.
• Explain the roles of the health and safety representatives in protecting the workplace
environment.
• Discuss the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
• Recommend ways in which businesses could deal with the following diversity issues in
the workplace:
o Gender
o Disability
2. June 2023 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on Human Rights, Diversity, and Environmental Issues in which you include
the following aspects:
• Outline the responsibilities of workers in promoting human health and
safety in the workplace.
• Explain ways in which businesses could deal with any THREE diversity
issues in the workplace, excluding culture and religion.
• Discuss the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
• Recommend ways in which businesses could promote cultural rights in the
workplace.
3. September 2025 –Paper 2 (Gauteng)
Write an essay on Human Rights, Diversity, and Environmental Issues in which you
include the following aspects:
• Outline the responsibilities of workers in promoting human health and safety in the
workplace.
• Explain how businesses could deal with the following human rights in
the workplace:
o Privacy
o Safety, security, and the protection of life
o Information
• Discuss the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
• Suggest strategies that businesses may use to protect the environment and human
health.
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Section B
1. Human rights (6)
- Privacy ✓
- Dignity ✓
- Equity ✓
- Information ✓
- Safety, security and protection of life ✓
- Freedom of speech and expression ✓
2. Economic rights (6)
- Free from forced labour. ✓
- Free to choose work. ✓
- Equal pay for work of equal value. ✓
- Join/Form trade unions. ✓
- Right to participate in a legal strike. ✓
3. Social rights (6)
- Clean water ✓
- Health care ✓
- Education ✓
- Protection ✓
4. Diversity issues (6)
- Poverty ✓
- Race ✓
- Gender ✓
- Language ✓
- Age ✓
- Culture/religion ✓
- Disability ✓
5. Explain the responsibilities of employers in promoting human health and safety in
the workplace
6. Outline/explain/discuss the roles of the health and safety representatives in
protecting the workplace environment
7. Explain the responsibilities of workers/employees in promoting human health and
safety in the workplace
8. Recommend/suggest strategies businesses may use to protect the environment and
human health
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CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
NB!! These bullets in the questions below could be part of Sections B and C.
1. Nov 2022 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on creative thinking and problem solving in which you include the
following aspects:
• Outline the differences between problem-solving and decision-making.
• Explain ways in which businesses can create an environment that promotes
creative thinking in the workplace.
• Discuss the advantages of creative thinking in the workplace.
• Advise businesses on how they can apply problem-solving techniques to solve
complex business problems:
o Delphi technique
o Force-field analysis
2. June 2024 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on creative thinking and problem-solving in which you include the
following aspects
• Outline the advantages of creative thinking in the workplace.
• Explain ways in which businesses can create an environment that promotes
creative thinking in the workplace.
• Discuss the impact of problem-solving techniques:
o Delphi technique
o Nominal group technique
• Advise the businesses on how they can apply brainstorming to solve complex
business problems.
Section B
1.
PROBLEM SOLVING DECISION MAKING
- Problems can be solved by a group ✓ - It is often done by one person ✓ of
which makes the process senior management who makes the
consultative. ✓ process authoritarian. ✓
- Alternative solutions are generated ✓ - Various alternatives are considered ✓
and critically evaluated. ✓ before deciding on the best one. ✓
2. Problem-solving steps
a. Identify the problem ✓
b. Define the problem ✓
c. Identify possible solutions to the problem ✓
d. Implement the suggested solution ✓
3. Problem-solving techniques
a. Delphi technique✓
b. Force field analysis✓
c. Brainstorming✓
d. Nominal group technique✓
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TEAM PERFORMANCE & CONFLICT RESOLUTION
NB!! These bullets in the questions below could be part of Sections B and C.
1. June 2021 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on team performance and conflict resolution in which you include the
following aspects:
• Outline the differences between conflict and grievance.
• Explain the causes of conflict in the workplace.
• Discuss the Criteria for successful team performance.
• Advise the business on the importance of team dynamic theories in improving team
performance.
2. Nov 2023 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on team performance and conflict resolution in which you include the
following aspects:
• Outline the differences between grievance and conflict.
• Explain the correct procedure to deal with grievances in the workplace.
• Discuss the stages of team development:
o Storming
o Norming
• Advise the business on the importance of team dynamic theories in improving team
performance.
Section B
1.
GRIEVANCE CONFLICT
- When an employee is unhappy ✓ in the - Clash of opinions ✓ in the workplace. ✓
workplace. ✓
- It is when an individual ✓ has a work- - Disagreement between two or more
related issue. ✓ parties ✓ in the workplace. ✓
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2. Correct procedures to deal with grievances in the workplace
- An aggrieved employee must verbally report the grievance ✓ to the
supervisor. ✓
- Supervisor needs to resolve the issue ✓ within 3 to 5 working days. ✓
- A grievance hearing/meeting must be held ✓ with all relevant parties present. ✓
-The employee must receive a written reply ✓ in response to the written
grievance✓
3. Ways to deal with difficult people/personalities
Quiet
- Do not fill their silence ✓ with words. ✓
- Wait ✓for their response. ✓
Expert
- Be firm✓ and assertive. ✓
- Know ✓ your facts. ✓
4. Ways to deal with difficult employees in the workplace
- Ask someone in authority ✓ for their input into the situation. ✓
- Identify the type of personality ✓ that is creating the problem. ✓
- A deadline should be set for improving ✓ bad behaviour. ✓
- Treat people with respect,✓ irrespective of whether they are capable or not. ✓
5. Criteria for successful team performance
- Interpersonal attitudes and behaviour ✓
- Shared values ✓
- Communication ✓
- Collaboration ✓
6 Stages of team development 6. Difficult people
- Forming ✓ - Complainer ✓
- Storming ✓ - Indecisive ✓
- Norming ✓ - Over-agree ✓
- Performing ✓ - Negativity ✓
- Adjourning ✓ - Expert ✓
- Quiet ✓
- Aggressive ✓
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7. Importance of team dynamic theories in improving team performance
- Businesses can allocate tasks ✓ according to the roles of team
members. ✓
- Team dynamic theories explain ✓ how effective teams work/operate. ✓
- Team members can optimize performance ✓ as tasks are allocated
according to their abilities ✓
- Conflict may be minimised ✓ when team members perform different roles. ✓
8. Handling conflict in the workplace (Conflict resolution steps)
- Identify the cause of the conflict ✓ to get clarity on its nature. ✓
- Arrange a meeting ✓ between conflicting employers and employees. ✓
- Direct conflicting parties ✓ towards focusing on solutions. ✓
- Brainstorm possible ways ✓ of resolving the conflict. ✓
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CSR AND CSI
NB!! These bullets in the questions below could be part of Sections B and C.
1. June 2022 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on CSR AND CSI in which you include the following aspects:
• Outline the purpose of corporate social investment (CSI).
• Explain the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on businesses.
• Discuss ways in which businesses can contribute time and effort to improving
the well-being of employees.
• Recommend Ways in which businesses can deal with HIV/Aids as a socio-economic
issue.
2. Nov 2024 — Paper 2 (NSC)
Write an essay on CSR AND CSI in which you include the following aspects:
• Outline the purpose of corporate social investment (CSI).
• Explain the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on communities.
• Discuss the relationship between social responsibility and the triple bottom line.
• Suggest ways in which businesses can deal with unemployment as a socio-
economic issue
Section B
1. Relationship between social responsibility and triple bottom line
Profit/Economic ✓✓
- Businesses should not make a profit ✓ at the expense of its community. ✓
People/Social ✓✓
- Improve the quality of life ✓ of their employees. ✓
Planet/Environment ✓✓
- Recycle waste, ✓ such as packaging from recycled material. ✓
2. Ways in which businesses can deal with socio-economic
issues: Unemployment
- Provide skills development programmes through learnerships. ✓✓
- Offer bursaries to the community to improve the level of education. ✓✓
- Create jobs for members of the community. ✓✓
- Use members of the community to implement CSI projects in the
community. ✓✓
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HIV/Aids
- Develop counselling programmes ✓ for infected employees and their
relatives. ✓
- Conduct workshops on HIV/AIDS programmes ✓ and support HIV/AIDS
campaigns. ✓
3. Ways in which businesses can contribute time and effort in improving the
well-being of employees and communities
Employees
- Pay fair wages to the workers ✓ based on the nature of their work. ✓
- Allow flexible working hours ✓ to enhance productivity. ✓
- Give time to staff ✓ to get involved in projects they choose✓
- Conduct team-building sessions ✓ to improve employees' morale. ✓
4.
CSR CSI
- The intention is to change business - Actively committing money and
practices. resources to uplift the community.
- The focus is on increasing image and - The focus is on the improvement
profits. of the community without a return
on investment
5. Impact of CSR/CSI on businesses and communities
Businesses
- More sales due to loyalty
- Good publicity – competitive advantage
- Difficult for small businesses to implement
- CSI is funded from the company's profit.
Communities
- The standard of living of the community ✓ is uplifted. ✓
- Community skills can be improved ✓ through the provision of bursaries. ✓
- Businesses are not always equipped ✓ to address social problems. ✓
- Communities tend to be dependent on CSR programmes ✓ and struggle to
take their own initiatives. ✓
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6. Elements of the triple bottom line
- Planet / Environment✓
- People / Social✓
- Profit / Economic✓
7. Socio-economic issues
- HIV/Aids ✓
- Unemployment ✓
- Poverty ✓
8. Components of CSR
- environment ✓
- ethical corporate social investment ✓
- health ✓
- safety ✓
9. CSI focus areas
- community ✓
- rural development ✓
- employees ✓
- environment ✓