Year 12 Cambridge Business Studies – Stakeholder Influence

During a recent visit to a Year 12 Business Studies class I observed a lesson focused on how internal and external stakeholders influence a company’s objectives. The topic is part of the syllabus and encourages students to consider the practical implications of business theory. 

The teacher introduced a case study, and students were asked to identify stakeholders, such as employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, and regulators and discuss how each group’s interests might affect the company’s strategic decisions. 

Students worked in small groups to represent different stakeholder perspectives. They engaged in structured discussions, considering how stakeholder priorities might conflict or align with the company’s goals. For example, some groups debated whether the company should delay its launch to meet regulatory standards or proceed to satisfy shareholder expectations. 

It was good to see students’ analytical thinking, communication, application and decision-making skills in action as they worked through the relationship between a company’s objectives and their stakeholders.  

The teacher facilitated the session effectively, prompting students to think critically and guiding them to connect theory with real-world scenarios. The activity supported the development of both subject knowledge and transferable skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. It’s great to see students inspired by their learning and readying themselves for their next steps. 

From David Slade - Head of Secondary

To learn more about The British school of Guangzhou and our record of academic excellence, please visit www.bsg.org.cn