Edexcel GCSE Business Studies

Human resources

Edexcel GCSE Business Studies revision on Human resources. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Business 1BS0 specification. This bank has 10 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 10)

  1. Question 1

    A business uses internal recruitment when it...

    • A) Hires through an external agency
    • B) Promotes someone who already works there
    • C) Posts the job on a recruitment website
    • D) Holds an open assessment day
    Show answer

    Answer: Promotes someone who already works there

    Advantages of internal: cheaper, faster, the candidate already knows the business + culture. Disadvantages: smaller talent pool, leaves a vacancy elsewhere, can demotivate staff who weren't picked. External recruitment brings fresh ideas but costs more.

  2. Question 2

    Maslow's hierarchy of needs places which of these at the TOP?

    • A) Safety needs
    • B) Self-actualisation
    • C) Physiological needs
    • D) Social needs
    Show answer

    Answer: Self-actualisation

    Bottom to top: physiological (food, shelter, pay) → safety (job security, conditions) → social (teamwork, belonging) → esteem (recognition, status) → self-actualisation (personal growth, creativity). A business motivates by understanding which level a worker is at and meeting needs above.

  3. Question 3

    Piece-rate pay rewards workers based on...

    • A) Their seniority
    • B) The number of units they produce
    • C) Their qualifications
    • D) Their team's performance
    Show answer

    Answer: The number of units they produce

    Used in factories, agriculture, garment-making — anywhere individual output is countable. Pros: directly incentivises productivity, easy to calculate. Cons: workers may rush and sacrifice quality, doesn't suit team-based or creative work, can incentivise unsafe practices. Compare with time-rate (per hour) and salary (annual).

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

7 more questions on Human resources — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Business Studies spec.