Edexcel B · Theme 2: The wider economic environment · 2.1 Business growth and competitive advantage

Edexcel B Economics past paper questions: Business growth and competitive advantage

Every Edexcel B question on Business growth and competitive advantage from 2016 to 2025: 3 essays, 9 data response questions and 7 short answer questions. It covers The economic cycle, Globalisation, Productive efficiency, Competition and market power and Life in a global economy. Each question links to its paper, mark scheme and examiner report.

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SubtopicsThe economic cycle 3Globalisation 2Productive efficiency 1Competition and market power 1Life in a global economy 1Impact of globalisation on global companies 1Introducing the market 1

Essay questions on business growth and competitive advantage

A-level Paper 3, June 2023, Q1(d)Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Whitsuntide hirings* – 16th April, 1879

Evaluate the impact of the digital economy on markets and firms.

Question paper p.10 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.17 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2021, Q3Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Meatless takeover

Evaluate the likely conflicts between stakeholder objectives as a result of the growth in this market.

Question paper p.21 Mark scheme p.18 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2017, Q3Evaluate20 marks

Case study: Delight over £80m Muller and Dairy Crest merger

Evaluate the possible benefits of inorganic growth for a firm such as Muller Milk & Ingredients.

Question paper p.17 Mark scheme p.16 Examiner report p.22 Open in the tool

Data response questions on business growth and competitive advantage

A-level Paper 3, June 2025, Q1(a)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Diseconomies of Scale

Discuss whether the growth of a firm will always lead to diseconomies of scale.

Question paper p.2 Mark scheme p.4 Insert Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool Practise the cost curves diagram

A-level Paper 2, June 2023, Q1(g)12 marks

Case study: UK restaurant sector in March 2022

With reference to Extract A, assess problems arising from the inorganic growth used by UK restaurant chains such as The Restaurant Group and Casual Dining Group.

Question paper p.11 Mark scheme p.12 Examiner report p.20 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2023, Q1(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: Whitsuntide hirings* – 16th April, 1879

Assess how barriers to entry affect market structure.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.6 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 3, June 2023, Q2(b)Assess10 marks

Case study: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) enters niche segment with Bikers Cafe

Assess the likely impact of the proposed takeover of OMV Slovenija by MOL on the market for fuel in Slovenia.

Question paper p.16 Mark scheme p.15 Examiner report p.26 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2020, Q1(f)Assess10 marks

Case study: Sainsbury’s Asda merger: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocks merger

Using the extracts, assess the likely impact on consumers and suppliers of the increased market power of supermarkets.

Question paper p.11 Mark scheme p.9 Examiner report p.5 Open in the tool Practise the monopoly diagram

A-level Paper 2, November 2020, Q1(h)Assess12 marks

Case study: Sainsbury’s Asda merger: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocks merger

With reference to Extract A, assess the likely problems for Sainsbury’s and Asda of their proposed merger.

Question paper p.15 Mark scheme p.13 Examiner report p.6 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(e)Assess12 marks

Case study: UK premium chocolate market and inflation data

Assess the benefits of organic growth for a firm such as Hotel Chocolat.

Question paper p.8 Mark scheme p.7 Examiner report p.6 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2018, Q1(d)Discuss8 marks

Case study: Crisp maker hit by price rises

Discuss whether using lean production will help Nim’s Fruit Crisps achieve a competitive advantage.

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.6 Examiner report p.8 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2016, Q2(e)Assess12 marks

Case study: Lightbulb moment as first mass market graphene product goes live

Many firms are developing new products that use graphene. Assess the importance to these firms of research and development (R&D) in gaining a competitive advantage.

Question paper p.12 Mark scheme p.14 Examiner report p.16 Open in the tool

Short answer questions on business growth and competitive advantage

A-level Paper 2, November 2020, Q1(a)Calculate4 marks

Case study: Sainsbury’s Asda merger: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocks merger

Using the information in Extract C, calculate the index for UK butter prices in July 2018. You are advised to show your working.

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, November 2020, Q1(b)Explain4 marks

Case study: Sainsbury’s Asda merger: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocks merger

Using Extract A, explain one impact on competitors of the proposed merger between Sainsbury’s and ASDA.

Question paper p.6 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

Case study: Sainsbury’s Asda merger: Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocks merger

With reference to Extract B, explain one likely reason for the change in market share of the discount supermarkets.

Question paper p.7 Mark scheme p.5 Examiner report p.4 Open in the tool

AS Paper 2, June 2019, Q1(a)Define2 marks

Case study: UK premium chocolate market and inflation data

What is meant by the term 'brand'?

Question paper p.4 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.3 Open in the tool

A-level Paper 2, June 2017, Q1(b)Explain4 marks

Case study: The UK balance of trade in 2013

Explain how exporters may benefit from economies of scale. (Extract C, Lines 6-7)

Question paper p.5 Mark scheme p.4 Examiner report p.5 Open in the tool

AS Paper 1, June 2016, Q2(b)Calculate4 marks

Case study: MPs pass legislation to introduce standardised cigarette packaging

Calculate, to 2 decimal places, the percentage change in the number of adults smoking between 1974 and 2013 (Extract D). You are advised to show your working.

Question paper p.12 Mark scheme p.10 Examiner report p.13 Open in the tool

Case study: MPs pass legislation to introduce standardised cigarette packaging

Explain one possible reason why governments have intervened in the packaging of cigarettes.

Question paper p.13 Mark scheme p.11 Examiner report p.14 Open in the tool

Question text is quoted from the question papers, © Pearson Edexcel, for students’ private study. Open the official papers and mark schemes from the links on each question. Examiner insights are written with AI assistance and moderated by Finn.

Essay questions on business growth and competitive advantage

Data response questions on business growth and competitive advantage

Short answer questions on business growth and competitive advantage

More Edexcel B topics: The wider economic environment