3.3: Industry (Paper 1 and 2)

Question 1

Explain the industrial system: (5)

• Inputs (2)
• Processes (1)
• Outputs (2)

Answer 1

• Inputs: Inputs are the elements that are required for the processes to take place. (1) Inputs include raw materials, labour, energy and capital. (1)
• Processes: Processes are the industrial activities that take place in the factory to make the finished product. (1)
• Outputs: Comprise the finished product or products that are sold to customers. (1) Sometimes by-products and waste products may be produced. (1)

Question 2

Explain the industry types: (3)

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Answer 2

• Processing: Processing industries are based on the direct processing of raw materials. (1)
• Assembly: Assembly industries put together parts and components that have been made elsewhere. (1)
• High-tech: High-technology industries use or make silicon chips, computers, software, robots, aerospace components and other very high technically advanced products. These companies put a great deal of money into scientific research as their aim is to develop new and advanced products. (1)

Question 3

Explain the physical factors affecting the location of industry: (5)

Answer 3

• Site: The availability and cost of land is important, large factories will need flat, well drained land on solid bedrock and an adjacent water supply may be essential.
• Raw Materials: Industries requiring heavy and bulky raw materials tend to locate as close as possible to these raw materials. (1)
• Energy: Energy-hungry industries such as metal smelting, may be drawn to countries with relatively cheap hydro-electricity such as Norway. (1)
• Natural routeways and harbours: Many modern roads and railways still follow natural routeways. (1)
• Climate: Some industries such as aerospace and film benefit from a sunny climate. (1)

Question 4

Explain the human factors affecting the location of industry: (5)

Answer 4

• Capital: Some areas are more likely to attract investment than others. (1)
• Labour: The quality, cost, reputation, mobility and quantity of labour are all important. (1)
• Transport and communications: Accessibility to airports, ports, railway terminals and motorways may be crucial for some industries, especially those with heavy and bulky items. (1)
• Markets: The location and size of markets are a major influence for some industries. (1)
• Government influence: Government policies and decisions can have a big direct and indirect impact on the location of industry. (1)
• Quality of life: Highly skilled personnel will favour areas where the quality of life is high. (1)

Question 5

Explain how the combined influence of a range of factors will impact the decision-making of a company: (4)

Answer 5

• Location: Companies decide on particular locations for many reasons but most will look to the location that is seen as the ‘least-cost’ or ‘highest profit’ location. (1)
• Scale of Production: The amount of a product a company plans to produce will be an important factor in deciding location and companies can achieve economies of scale by manufacturing more of a product. (1)
• Methods of organisation: Companies can follow various methods of organisation from traditional to highly innovative and location factors can influence such decisions. (1)
• The product or range of products manufactured: Many large companies produce a range of products and some locations may be more suited to the production of one product than another due to cost factors. (1)

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Question 6

Define the following terms:

• By-product (1)
• Waste Product (2)

Answer 6

• By-product: Something that is left over from the main production process, which has some value and therefore can be sold. (1)
• Waste product: All manufacturing industries produce waste product that has no value and must be disposed of. (1) Costs will be incurred in the disposal of waste product. (1)

Question 7

Define the term footloose industries: (1)

Answer 7

Industries that are not tied to certain areas because of energy requirements or other factors. (1)

Question 8

Define the term industrial agglomeration: (1)

Answer 8

The clustering together of economic activities in close proximity to one another. (1)

Question 9

Define the term industrial estate: (1)

Answer 9

An area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development. (1)

Question 10

Define the term greenfield locations: (1)

Answer 10

An area or agricultural land or some other undeveloped site earmarked for commercial development or industrial projects. (1)