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3. Flexible Working Patterns.

The changing face of the workforce means that today's organisations need to adapt to the needs of their employees. A case study of the Audit Commission illustrates how developing flexible work practices can both improve a company's services and meet the needs of its staff. A review of it business activity identified three groups of jobs within the organisation, as well as the types of workers they employed. It then outlines the three types of flexibility needed to optimise the productivity of their workforce, and covers the benefits and challenges of managing a flexible workforce. The process of examining a workforce and workforce practices via a case study is an excellent way to understand business studies theory.

There are many other types of case studies that support business studies theory, such as those involving the creation of quality standards, the role of market research, how deregulation can support the growth of a company, and how business planning can support key performance indicators as measures of success. Best of all, they're all available as a free educational resource. Business studies theory incorporates an incredible variety of topics. Broadly divided into marketing, finance, human relations, strategy, operations, and environment, business studies theory is often difficult to master. Whether you're delving into a broad topic like marketing theory or a highly specialised field like stock valuation and depreciation, it's helpful to examine case studies. In looking at how actual businesses tackled a problem, you can more quickly learn how business studies theory applies to the real world. This can help you enormously when you are sitting for your Business Studies GCSEs, AS or A Levels.

Here are three examples of actual case studies that are available on the Web as a free educational resource:

• 1. Embracing Change.
• To illustrate the need for organisations to adapt to shifts in the business environment, one case study examines Aegon, a global insurance and pensions company. Aegon needed to combine its own strengths with those of its subsidiary brands in order to increase its visibility within the UK. By examining the external factors influencing change, the reasons for change, the process of creating a new organisational culture, and the steps needed to implement change, this case study illustrates the complete cycle involved in one company's quest to achieve a greater market presence.
• 2. Corporate Social Responsibility.

Consumers are increasingly choosing to patronize companies that demonstrate a high degree of social responsibility through improving the lives of their workers, their communities, and ultimately, the world. Among the case studies offered as a free educational resource is a case study on Amway, a worldwide direct sales organization, and the way the company partnered with UNICEF, the global advocate for children. The case study looks at the issue of corporate growth and responsibility, how Amway developed a strategy for implementing a programme, the process of identifying stakeholders, and the elements involved in ensuring that the corporate social responsibility strategy was in alignment with the company's business objectives. In the process, the company was able to strengthen its already sterling reputation.

• 3. Flexible Working Patterns.
• The changing face of the workforce means that today's organisations need to adapt to the needs of their employees. A case study of the Audit Commission illustrates how developing flexible work practices can both improve a company's services and meet the needs of its staff. A review of it business activity identified three groups of jobs within the organisation, as well as the types of workers they employed. It then outlines the three types of flexibility needed to optimise the productivity of their workforce, and covers the benefits and challenges of managing a flexible workforce. The process of examining a workforce and workforce practices via a case study is an excellent way to understand business studies theory.