Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Business theme 2 > 2.5 external influences > Flashcards

2.5 external influences Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition for consumer demand?

A

the levels of spending by customers in general (not just the demand from one customer)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the definition of discretionary income?

A

a persons income after deducting taxes and fixed payments such as rent and utility bills

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the definition of economic climate?

A

The atmosphere surrounding the economy (for example doom and gloom, or optimism and boom)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the definition of GDP (Gross Domestic Product)?

A

Is the value of all the goods and services produced in a country in a year

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the definition of recession?

A

two or more quarters of negative economic growth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are 5 factors that help create an economic climate?

A
  1. the business cycle
  2. changes in inflation
  3. changes in interest rates
  4. changes in exchange rates
  5. changes in taxation and government spending
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the definition of real? (as in real wage cuts)

A

changes in money, for example wages, excluding the distorting effect of changes in prices. So a fall in real wages might be that wages are unchanged but the prices have risen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What 3 effects does inflation have on businesses?

A
  1. Firms with large loans benefit from inflation because inflation erodes the real value of money owed. So when they have to repay the loan it doesn’t feel as painful because of the fall in the value of money.
  2. Inflation can damage profitability, especially for firms that have fixed-price contracts that take a long time to complete.
  3. If costs are rising faster in Britain than prices elsewhere, UK companies will find they are losing their ability to compete
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why is the level of interest rates for firms very important? (3)

A
  1. It affects consumer demand, especially for goods bought on credit, the higher the rate of interest, the lower the sales that can be expected
  2. the interest charges affect the total operating costs
  3. the higher the rate of interest, the less attractive it is for a firm to invest money into the future of the business
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

When the value of the pound appreciates, what are the impact on exports and imports?

A

UK exports get pricier , so sales volumes slip

Imports to the UK get cheaper, making it harder for British firms to compete

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When the value of the pound depreciates, what are the impacts on imports and exports?

A

UK exports become cheaper, so sales volumes rise

Imports to the UK get more expensive, so UK firms can compete more effectively

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the impact of high exchange rate on firms with large export markets?

A

UK firms that sell a large proportion of their output overseas will prefer a low exchange rate, it would have to increase the price of the product to maintain the same level of profit, which would in turn lower sales

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the impact of a high exchange rate on firms that import most of their raw materials or stock?

A

They like a high exchange rate. This is because they buy imports more cheaply, allowing it to make more profit per item

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What happens to help reduce the level of unemployment when the government spending is up?

A

Extra spending on road building, health and other services with a big workforce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What happens to help reduce the level of unemployment when the government puts taxes down?

A

Reduce income tax to enable families to keep and spend more of the money they earn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happens to cut the growth rate when it is rising too fast when the government puts spending down?

A

Cut the spending on health, education and defence, to take bit of spending from the economy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What happens to cut the growth rate when it is rising too fast when the government puts taxes up?

A

Increases income tax to force people to think harder and more carefully about what they buy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What happens to improve the competitiveness of British firms when government spending is up?

A

There is extra spending on education

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What happens to improve the competitiveness of British firms when the government puts taxes down?

A

it cuts company taxation (corporation tax)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What happens to cut the rate of imports, especially consumer goods when government spending is down?

A

Benefits are cut (e.g. state pension) to cut peoples ability to buy imports

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What happens to cut the rate of imports, especially consumer goods when government puts taxes up?

A

Increase VAT on all goods other than food and drink

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How are real incomes measured?

A

By deducting price rises from the changes in peoples incomes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the five main areas in which the law affects businesses?

A
  1. consumer protection
  2. employee protection
  3. environmental protection
  4. competition protection
  5. health and safety
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is consumer protection?

A

is a law designed to ensure that consumers are treated fairly by the companies from which they buy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are the three Acts of Parliament that are especially important for consumer protection?

A
  1. The sale of goods act - law says ‘goods must be fit for the purpose for which they are sold’
  2. The trade descriptions act - It forces companies to ensure every claim and statement about a product is true
  3. consumer credit act - regulates credit card purchases but also gives you protection when you enter into a loan or hire agreement
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is employee protection?

A

Employee law aims to protect the rights of employees at work

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the 5 key areas of employment law?

A
  1. minimum wage
  2. right to a contract of employment
  3. increased right to sick, maternity and paternity leave
  4. redundancy
  5. trade union rights
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are implications of minimum wage for firms?

A

Increased labour costs, which may lead to increased automation in the longer term and increased unemployment. However employees may be more motivated by a fair wage satisfying basic needs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what are the implications of a right to a contract of employment for firms?

A

Meets employees security needs but can reduce employers flexibility in how they use their staff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are the implications of increased right to sick, maternity and paternity leave for firms?

A

increased cost of paying for cover for these staff, however staff may feel more valued as they feel well treated by employers, reducing staff turnover levels, which saves costs of recruiting new staff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are the implications of redundancy for firms?

A

reducing capacity becomes expensive due to stator payments to staff made redundant, this can mean that closing a factory or office has a negative impact on cash flow in the short term

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what are the implications of trade union rights for firms?

A

employers can be forced to deal with a trade union if enough staff are members, this brings benefits as well as drawbacks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are the two most important pieces of environmental legislation?

A
  1. landfill tax - forces businesses to pay £80 per tonne of to deposit. It encourages businesses to minimise and recycle waste instead of dumping it.
  2. The environmental protection act- sets out the structure of waste management and emissions control for the UK
34
Q

What is a competition policy?

A

It makes sure that no large competitors force out smaller competitors. This is illegal

35
Q

What is the CMA and what do they do? (3)

A
  1. investigate merges and takeovers
  2. investigate possible anti-competitive practices
  3. bringing criminal proceedings against individuals who commit cartel offences
36
Q

what does the health and safety legislation do?

A

it is designed to ensure the safety of employees and customers within the workplace. this provides a safe working environment for employees

37
Q

What is the definition of cartel?

A

an agreement between producers to control supply and demand and thereby control prices. This is illegal, it not unusual

38
Q

What is the definition of laissez faire?

A

literally means ‘let it be’, implying leaving businesses free to chose their own policies and practices, trusting in the free market

39
Q

What is the definition of an oligopoly?

A

markets dominated by a few large companies

40
Q

What is the definition of collusion?

A

when mangers from different firms get together to discuss ways to work together to restrict supply and/ or raise prices

41
Q

What is the definition of non-price competition?

A

all competitive strategies other than price, such as branding, product design and technological innovation

42
Q

what is the definition of predatory pricing?

A

pricing low with the deliberate intention of driving a competitor out of business

43
Q

what are some responses of businesses to a changing competitive environment? (3)

A
  1. price cutting
  2. increase product differentiation
  3. collusion
44
Q

What are two ways a product can increase differentiation?

A
  1. design change

2. a unique selling point

45
Q

what is the definition of monopoly?

A

the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a product or service. to dominate they need more than 25% of the market

46
Q

what is the definition of a duopoly?

A

A situation in which two suppliers dominate the market for a product or service

47
Q

what is the definition of a oligopoly?

A

a state of limited competition, in which a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers

48
Q

what is the definition of monopolistic competition?

A

Characterises an industry in which many firms offer products/ services that are similar but not perfect substitutes. they differentiate from each other

49
Q

What is the definition of perfect competition?

A

the situation prevailing in a market in which buyers and sellers are so numerous and well informed that all elements of monopoly are absent and the market price of a commodity is beyond the control of individual buyers and sellers

50
Q

Give one strength and one weakness of a monopoly

A

strength - monopolies make lots of profit, which can be used for R&D
weakness - lack of competitors may lead to low quality and outdated goods and services

51
Q

Give one strength and one weakness of a duopoly?

A

strength - likely to both invest lots in R&D to come up with new products
weakness - little option available for consumer - ether one or another

52
Q

Give one strength and one weakness of a oligopoly?

A

strength - generates high profits with little competition

weakness - makes it harder for smaller businesses to enter the market

53
Q

Out of monopoly, oligopoly, duopoly and monopolistic competition, which has the highest barrier to entry?

A

monopoly is the highest whilst perfect competition is the lowest

54
Q

What are the porters 5 forces, which analyse the level of competition within an industry?

A
  1. supplier power
  2. buyer power
  3. competitive rivalry
  4. threat of substitution
  5. threat of new entry
55
Q

what is the definition of inflation?

A

It is the rate at which the general levels of prices for goods and services are rising and consequently the value of money falls

56
Q

what 3 effects does inflation have on a business?

A
  1. business uncertainty as there is low confidence because they cannot be sure of the costs of goods and services
  2. firms with large loans benefit as they pay less back, so its not as costly for them
  3. borrowing costs increase for businesses and people needing loans and mortgages
57
Q

What is the definition of interest rates?

A

The cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount

58
Q

Why are the levels of interest important for a business? (3)

A
  1. affects consumer demand, especially for goods bought on credit, the higher the rate of interest, the lower the expected sales
  2. interest charges affect the total operating costs
  3. the higher the rate of interest the less attractive it is for a firm to invest money into the future of the business as there is risk of falling demand
59
Q

What is the definition of exchange rates?

A

It has two components, the domestic currency and foreign currency, and can be quoted either directly or indirectly. It is the value of the currency

60
Q

What is the impact on firms with a high exchange rate?

A

If the pound falls in the UK the foreign countries like this as it means that they get their product cheaper than they would otherwise

61
Q

What is the impact on firms with a high exchange rate on firms which import most of their raw materials or stock?

A

They would usually like a small pound as it means they get their products cheaper from abroad as the rate reduces the cost of buying goods

62
Q

What is the impact on firms with a low exchange rates?

A

the impacts of a weak exchange rate are the reverse of a strong exchange rate, exporters specifically, manufactures can be damaged by a strong exchange rate

63
Q

what is the definition of taxation?

A

the money paid as tax

64
Q

What are the two types of tax?

A
  1. corporation tax

2. income tax

65
Q

What are three things corporation tax can be made on?

A
  1. Doing business
  2. investments
  3. selling assets for more than they cost
66
Q

What must you pay corporation tax on?

A

on profits from doing business as a limited company, a foreign company with a UK branch or any other incorporated association

67
Q

What is income tax?

A

The tax on earned and unearned income of individuals. Income includes earnings from employment, profits from a trade, incomes from pensions and investment such as interest, dividends and rent

68
Q

What happens when there is high tax? (2)

A
  1. low profits

2. prices increase

69
Q

Give two benefits of using cost to influence pricing?

A
  1. easy to calculate

2. price increases can be justified when costs increase

70
Q

Give two negatives of using cost to influence pricing?

A
  1. ignores price elasticity of demand

2. may not take into account competition

71
Q

What usually happens in a boom in the business cycle? (4)

A
  1. results in higher GDP
  2. lower unemployment
  3. rising asset prices
  4. confidence in the market is high
72
Q

What usually happens in a recession in the business cycle? (4)

A
  1. growth is negative
  2. lower employment levels
  3. lower incomes
  4. lower profits for businesses
73
Q

what usually happens in a slump in the business cycle? (3)

A
  1. when the recession is at its lowest point
  2. there is limited spending by the consumer
  3. massive fall in output and demand
74
Q

what usually happens in a recovery in the business cycle? (4)

A
  1. the economy returns
  2. there is rising levels of employment
  3. higher incomes
  4. eventually leads to an economic boom
75
Q

Give two reasons why its important to follow legislation to gain market share?

A
  1. resume consumer/ customer confidence

2. employees feel protected

76
Q

Give two reasons its not important to follow legislation to gain market share?

A
  1. marketing is more important to gain market share

2. training of employees is more important

77
Q

What is the definition of business legislation?

A

a law or set of laws made by a government for a business

78
Q

What is the role of business legislation? (3)

A
  1. regulate the rights and duties of people carrying out business in order to ensure fairness
  2. protect people dealing with businesses from harm caused by defective services
  3. protect investors, creditors and consumers
79
Q

What are the three sections of the competition policy, and explain them:

A
  1. fair competition rules - competition based in factors of price, quality and service
  2. competitive commission (competition and markets authority)
  3. penalties issued
80
Q

What four actions can businesses take to try and compete better?

A
  1. looking at rivals pricing
  2. new products - differentiate and increase product range
  3. decreasing pricing
  4. advertising

Business theme 2 (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions