OCR · A Level · H431
Business — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)
OCR A Level Business (H431)
Topic-by-topic keywords, key terms and definitions for precise exam language—separate from our revision checklists (topic coverage) and formula sheets (equations).
Keywords & Key Terms — definitions
Examiner-style keywords and definitions organised by syllabus topic. Terms are tagged Essential (start here), Core (typical exam standard), and Advanced for harder distinctions — tick each row when you can recall it. Your progress is saved in this browser for this list.
OCR A Level Business (H431)
OCR A Level Business (H431)
OCR A Level Business (H431)
OCR H431 (2026) covers business objectives and strategy, operations, finance, marketing, human resources, and external influences — assessed through three papers blending quantitative skills, analytical theory, and case-study application.
Mark schemes: OCR demands quantitative working shown in full with units (formula, substitution, answer). Application must reference the specific case business by name and data. Evaluation requires balanced judgement weighing alternatives by stakeholder and time horizon. Examiner reports penalise generic theory unconnected to the scenario.
Active recall: 0 / 21 terms ticked
| Recalled | Topic | Level | Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing & sales | Essential | Marketing mix (4Ps) | Product, price, place, promotion combined to meet customer needs profitably. | |
| Marketing & sales | Core | Market segmentation | Dividing a market by demographic, geographic, psychographic, or behavioural traits. | |
| Marketing & sales | Core | Product life cycle | Stages of introduction, growth, maturity, decline guiding marketing decisions. | |
| Marketing & sales | Advanced | Boston (BCG) matrix | Portfolio analysis classifying products as stars, cash cows, question marks, dogs. | |
| Operations & finance | Core | Capacity utilisation | Actual output divided by maximum possible output expressed as a percentage. | |
| Operations & finance | Core | Just-in-time (JIT) | Lean stock system delivering inputs only when required for production. | |
| Operations & finance | Core | Gross profit margin | Gross profit divided by sales revenue, showing profitability before overheads. | |
| Operations & finance | Core | ROCE | Return on capital employed: operating profit divided by capital employed, percentage. | |
| Operations & finance | Advanced | Gearing ratio | Long-term debt divided by total capital employed, indicating financial risk. | |
| Operations & finance | Advanced | Break-even point | Output where total revenue equals total costs, giving zero profit or loss. | |
| Strategic management | Core | SWOT and PESTLE | Internal strengths/weaknesses with external political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental scans. | |
| Strategic management | Core | Porter's five forces | Competitive analysis: rivalry, new entrants, substitutes, buyer and supplier power. | |
| Strategic management | Core | Ansoff matrix | Four growth strategies: market penetration, development, product development, diversification. | |
| Strategic management | Advanced | Decision trees | Probability-weighted EMV calculations comparing expected outcomes of options. | |
| Strategic management | Advanced | Investment appraisal | NPV discounts future cash flows, IRR finds the discount rate at zero NPV. | |
| HR & global business | Core | Maslow's hierarchy | Five-level needs pyramid from physiological to self-actualisation guiding motivation. | |
| HR & global business | Core | Herzberg's two-factor theory | Hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction, motivators drive genuine job satisfaction. | |
| HR & global business | Core | Tannenbaum and Schmidt continuum | Leadership styles ranging from autocratic tells to fully democratic delegation. | |
| HR & global business | Core | Globalisation | Increased integration of national economies through trade, capital, and technology flows. | |
| HR & global business | Advanced | Multinational corporations (MNCs) | Firms with operations across multiple countries, balancing global scale and local responsiveness. | |
| HR & global business | Advanced | Hofstede's cultural dimensions | Framework comparing national cultures across power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance. |
Pair this with our revision checklists, formula sheets hub and past paper finder.
Business (H431) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ
- What is on this OCR A Level Business keywords and key terms list?
- It is a topic-organised glossary of important business terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to OCR A Level Business (H431) (H431). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.
- How should I use this Business glossary alongside past papers?
- Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for A Level Business (H431) so you apply terms in context.
- Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?
- No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for Business.
- Can I download this Business keywords and key terms list for free?
- Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.
- Is this Business list aligned to the H431 specification?
- Topic groupings and wording follow OCR A Level Business (H431) for OCR A Level. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.
- Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?
- Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for Business at A Level, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.