KCSE Business Studies Topical Questions and Answers

The average consumer price for a 500g container of cooking fat for various years is shown in the table below.

11/12/2020

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The average consumer price for a 500g container of cooking fat for various years is shown in the table below.

Calculate the consumer price index using year 2000 as the base year

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Explain five factors that may promote the growth of entrepreneurship in Kenya. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Factors that may promote the growth of entrepreneurship in Kenya

Factors that may promote the growth of entrepreneurship in Kenya include:

Development of a positive culture that values individuals who are successful entrepreneurs, recognizes and holds them highly.
Relevant education curriculum. The training in business is made part of the curriculum hence preparing the youth at an early age to become entrepreneurs.
Presence of role models. Successful businessmen are an encouragement and a motivation to the youth and would-be entrepreneurs to also go into business.
Government support. Policies passed by the government that put in place institutions that support entrepreneurship like the youth fund.
Diminishing jobs in the formal sector. Since formal employment is becoming difficult to secure, entrepreneurship becomes the only viable alternative.
Availability of finances. The financial institutions support businesses and provide loans to the entrepreneurs hence supporting the growth of entrepreneurship.
Positive peer influence. When people see their peers succeeding in business, they get motivated and also try their hands at it.
Availability of security that ensures the safety of business owners/property.
Availability of market. Ready market where they can sell their produce is a motivating factor to venture into business.
Good infrastructure. This facilitates the conduct of business, access to markets, raw materials and movement of factor inputs.

Explain five factors that may promote the growth of entrepreneurship in Kenya

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Explain five methods that the government may use to increase supply of goods in the market. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Methods that the government may use to increase supply of goods in the market

Methods that the government may use to increase the supply of goods in the market include:

Reduce the taxes levied on producers. This causes a reduction in the cost of production hence motivating producers to increase production.
Increase subsidies. The government meets part of the production cost hence making production more affordable.
Eliminating quotas on production. By not limiting the quantity of goods to be produced, the producers are free to supply as much as they can to the market.
Setting favourable producer prices. The government fixes the prices at a high level which encourages emergence of new producers! expansion of existing ones.
Improving access to credit. The government extends loans to producers through bodies like K.I.E., IDB and ICDC to boost investment in production.
Facilitating marketing. The government may form agencies that buy produce to cushion producers and stabilize selling prices e.g. through NCPB.
Availing new research findings and technology to producers. New methods of production from government research bodies like KARI, KIRDI KEFRI will help boost supply.

Methods that the government may use to increase supply of goods in the market

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Explain five circumstances under which a country may realise surplus in its balance of payments. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Circumstances under which a country may realise surplus in its balance of payments

Circumstances under which a country may realize surplus in its balance of payment include:

When the country exports highly valued finished products.
The demand for such products is high and they fetch higher prices in the international market.
When the country mainly imports lowly valued primary goods.
These cheap imports are converted into finished goods hence earning profits from international trade.
When the country aggressively promotes its exports.
This will create more market for exporting goods thus increasing the country’s earnings.
When the country devalues its currency.
This makes imports more expensive forcing local consumers to by locally produced goods while exports become cheaper and are sold in large volumes.
When the country enjoys favourable economic order.
The country may be able to influence the world market prices to favour its exports.
When the country diversifies its exports.
The country increases the range of its exports hence becoming more competitive.
When the country has access to adequate capital and technology.
This makes the country to have a highly developed manufacturing and processing sector.

Circumstances under which a country may realise surplus in its balance of payments

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Explain the demerits of the output approach in measuring national income. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Demerits of the output approach in measuring national income

It excludes crucial services that contribute to national income but not paid for like government services, and self-employment. It is difficult to make a decision about the goods and services to include in this measure.
Problem of subsistence sector/output. It is difficult to value subsistence output.
Some activities considered illegal generate a lot of income but are not included in the measure of national income. These activities inject a lot of money into the economy.
Difficulty in valuing stock at the end of the accounting year as this differs with their value at production.
Difficulty in determining the increase in value as a result of increasing volumes of output. Final price is usually affected by market forces.
Difficulty in deciding on the value to use when making records. The values keep changing in line with market forces.
It is difficult to determine the value of depreciation hence failure to record accurately the value of capital goods.
Fluctuations in prices which may cause output to appreciate.

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The following transactions relate to Dagoreti Enterprises for the month of March 2016.

29/11/2020

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The following transactions relate to Dagoreti Enterprises for the month of March 2016

March 1:
Started business with Ksh 15,300 in cash and a bank overdraft of Ksh 8,200
March 3:
Made cash purchases of Ksh 10,200 in cash
March 4:
Harrison, a debtor settled his account of Ksh 18,000 by issuing a cheque of Ksh 13,400 and the rest by cash
March 5:
Paid wages by cheque, Ksh 5,000
March 6:
Received a cheque of Ksh 9,310 from Chebet
March 7:
Received cash, Ksh 7,720 from Otieno
March 8:
Paid Hassan Ksh5.450 in cash
March 9:
Deposited Ksh6.000 from the office into the business bank account
March 10:
Paid insurance Ksh 3,700 by cheque
March 11:
Paid Ksh 3,900 for repairs in cash
March 12:
Received Ksh 8,570 in cash from Mwende
March 13:
Received a cheque of Ksh 11,200 from Makokha
March 14:
Paid water bill Ksh 2,590 by cheque
March 15:
Paid rent Ksh 6,500 by cheque
March 29:
Took all the cash that was in the office and deposited it into the business bank account

Required: Prepare a two column cash book for the month of March 2016. (10 marks)

Extract

The following transactions relate to Dagoreti Enterprises for the month of March 2016

Expected Response

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Explain five disadvantages of using direct taxes to raise government revenue. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Disadvantages of using direct taxes to raise government revenue

Disadvantages of using direct taxes to raise revenue include:

Direct taxes are very unpopular with the citizenry.
The burden of paying this tax is borne directly by the individual taxpayer and is paid at once or even in advance.
Gives the taxpayer motivation to evade tax payment.
The tax payer may come up with ways of concealing their income in order to avoid paying the tax or reduce the amount to be paid.
Non-consultation of taxpayers in the determination of the tax rate.
The determination of the rate and amount of tax to be paid is at the discretion of the tax authorities.
Not an adequate source of government revenue.
Most people in developing countries are low income earners hence limiting the amount of tax revenue from this source.
Reduced ability to save and invest.
Direct taxes take away money from the citizens hence reducing their purchasing power causing low investments.
Tax payers are not involved in the expenditure of the tax revenue.
There is low civic involvement and call for government accountability since tax payers do not make decisions on government expenditure.
May encourage capital flight.
Foreign investors may conceal their profits in order to transfer such earnings to other countries.

Explain five disadvantages of using direct taxes to raise government revenue

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Explain five benefits that a private limited company would get by converting to a public limited company. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Benefits that a private limited company would get by converting to a public limited company

Benefits that a private limited company would get by converting to a public limited company include:

Ability to raise larger amounts of capital. Converting to a public limited company will enable the firm to access more funds by selling shares to members of the public through the stock exchange.
Enjoy permanency of capital. Shareholders cannot easily withdraw the shares bought in public limited companies such shares can only be sold to other investors.
Increased transparency and accountability. The shareholders must scrutinize and approve the company’s annual audited accounts which must also be published.
Increased public confidence in the company. This is due to increased exposure to the public and control by the stock exchange.
Freedom from interference by owners as it operates as a separate legal entity in which owners have no direct managerial control.
Increased professionalism and specialization in management. It is mandatory to have professional managers and staff to run the company on behalf of the shareholders.
Perpetual succession. The firm is assured of continuity since shares can be transferred and membership changed without affecting the business.

Explain five benefits that a private limited company would get by converting to a public limited company.

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The following Trial Balance was extracted from the books of Ojwang Limited on 31 December 2013.

29/11/2020

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The following Trial Balance was extracted from the books of Ojwang Limited on 31 December 2013.

Expected Response

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Explain five differences between chain stores and departmental stores. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Differences between chain stores and departmental stores

Differences between chain stores and departmental stores include:

Vertical Divider

CHAIN STORES

Have many branches in different towns.
Purchases are centralized.
Have standardized prices in all branches.
Has uniform outward appearance and interior layout in all branches.
Management of the stores is centralized.
Slow moving goods in one branch can be moved to another where demand for them is higher.
A customer can pay for goods in one branch and collect than from another branch.

DEPARTMENTAL STORES

Have different departments within the same building.
Purchases are made per department.
Every department sets its own prices.
Each department is different from the other in terms of outward appearance and interior layout.
Each department has its own management.
Slow moving goods in one department cannot be moved to another department.
Goods paid for in a department can only be collected from that department.

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Describe five channels of distribution that a Kenyan manufacturer would use to ensure her goods reach consumers in another country. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Channels of distribution that a Kenyan manufacturer would use to ensure her goods reach consumers in another country

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Explain five ways in which the internal environment may contribute to the success of a business enterprise. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Ways in which the internal environment may contribute to the success of a business enterprise

Ways in which the internal environment may contribute the success of a business enterprise include:

A functional business structure.
Formal arrangement of functions and the relationships of people that is directed towards achievement of organizational goals.
Employment of qualified, skilled and experienced personnel.
When the correct labour force is acquired and correctly matched to their jobs, then performance is enhanced.
Proportionate allocation of financial resources.
The business finances are allocated to activities based on percentage contribution to the organization’s success.
Access to relevant physical resources like buildings, machinery, furniture and other equipment to complement human effort.
Appropriate technology.
Effective methods of production boosts the quantity and quality of output.
Positive business culture.
Productivity is enhanced when culture matches the expectations, beliefs and values of the staff.
Realistic objectives.
Setting objectives that are simple, measurable, achievable and specific.

five ways in which the internal environment may contribute to the success of a business enterprise

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Explain five factors that one may consider when selecting a means for communicating. (10 marks)

29/11/2020

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Factors that one may consider when selecting a means for communicating

Factors that one may consider when selecting a means for communicating include:

Confidentiality of the message.
The means should safeguard the content of the message from being accessed by unauthorized people.
Accuracy of the means.
Should be able to deliver the message in its original form without distortions.
Urgency of the message.
The means should be fast enough to ensure timely delivery of the message.
Need for feedback.
The means should allow for response/action where necessary.
Affordability of the means.
The sender must be able to meet the cost of the means so chosen.
Nature of the message.
A combination of means could be chosen if the message is very complex.
Need for future reference.
The means must be able to provide evidence if future reference will be required.
Capacity of the means.
The means should allow the required volume of information to be passed at an agreeable speed.
Reliability of the means.
The means should be able to deliver the information to the receiver as intended.
Availability of the means.
The means should be readily available
Type/nature of audience/Recipients.
The means chosen should be appropriate/suitable to the needs of the audience.

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Outline four benefits that may be realised when two firms form a merger. (4 marks)

28/11/2020

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Benefits that may be realised when two firms form a merger

Benefits that may be realized when two firms form a merger include:

Increase in the volume of output.
Increased control over supplies.
Increased influence on the market/customers.
Reduced cost of operations as a result of economies of scale.
Access to larger capital.
Increased ability to control prices of the product.
Elimination of unhealthy competition. Ability to employ more qualified personnel.
Increased quality of output.
Combined talents and skills which may lead to better management.

benefits that may be realised when two firms form a merger

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State four functions of commercial attachees. (4 marks)

28/11/2020

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Functions of commercial attachees

Functions of commercial attachees include:

Educating and advising exporters on trade regulations/practices in other countries.
Expansion and diversification of exports.
Organizing for trade fairs and exhibitions of local goods in foreign markets.
Expansion and diversification of foreign markets.
Providing information about available selling opportunities in foreign countries to local producers.
Developments of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Select buyers/agents and distributors for the country’s export.
Publish and advertise their country’s exports in business journals and magazines.