Business Studies Flashcards
(228 cards)
-Consumer good- goods and services sold to ordinary people rather than businesses.
-Producer goods- goods and services produced by one business for another.
Needs- basic requirements for human survival.
Wants- peoples desires for goods and services.
Financial aims and objectives
Survival- high costs, strong competitors, lack of experience, shortage of supplies, low customers, failure of business
Profit- profit maximisation, for shareholders, dividends, keep shareholders.
Sales- low costs, larger market share, higher public profile, more money for owners, and shareholders
Market share- win customers from competitors, dominate the market, charge higher prices, easier to launch new products.
Financial security- profit satisfying, no extra responsibility, more time for personal life.
Non-financial aims and objectives
Social objectives- improve human wellbeing
Personal satisfaction- more happier in their own work environment.
Challenge- more risks, and motivated by challenges, need to be hardworking, committed.
Independence and control- want to be ‘their own boss’ in control, independent and make all decisions.
Multinational
Large production or service operating in at least 2 different countries.
Features of multinational
-Huge assets/ turn over
-High quality/ experienced professionals
-Powerful advertising/ marketing
-Advanced technology
-Economies of scales
-Higher profile, more brand recognition, more customers
Private enterprise:
Owned by individuals or groups of individuals. Their aim is to make profit.
Social enterprise
These are non-profit making. For example charities.
Public enterprise
These are owned by the government.
Features of public corporations
- State owned
- Created by law: they are created by an act of parliament.
- Incorporation: they have a separate legal identity.
- State-funded: the government provides the capital needed by public corporations. This money comes from taxes.
- Provide public services: most public corporations do not aim to make profit. (Schools and hospitals).
- Public accountability: collecting tax.
Advantages and disadvantages of public ownership
Advantages
-Avoid wasteful duplication
-Save jobs
-Fill gaps left by the private sector
Disadvantages
-Cost to government
-Difficult to control
-Taxpayers
Stakeholders
people who have interest in the business.
Eg, Customers, Employees, Managers (run the business), Owners, Suppliers (provides raw materials), Financiers (lends money to businesss.
The importance of clear objectives:
- Employees need something to work towards, objectives motivate people, higher productivity, higher levels of output
- Objectives decide where to take a business and what steps are necessary to get there.
- Makes it easier to assess the performance of a business.
Entrepreneurs
- Innovators: introduces changes and new ideas.
- Organisers: buy or hire resources, give instructions and make arrangements.
- Decision makers: make decisions on how to raise finance.
- Risk takers: risk losing any money they put into a business.
Unincorporated
No legal distinction between the owner and the business.
Everything is carried out in the name of the owner.
Incorporated
Has a separate identity from that of its owners.
Why are objectives change as businesses evolve?
Market conditions, competition, need to dominate them eg lower costs, customers are driven
Technology
Performance
Laws
Internal reasons ( changes inside the business)
Sole trader
Business owned by a single person.
Advantages- The owner keeps all the profit, this is because they are the only person owning the business, as a result of this, they don’t have to share it to anyone. no coorporation tax
Simple to set up with no legal requirements. Flexibility.
Disadvantages- Unlimited liability.
Struggle to raise finance.
Long hours and hard work.
No continuity.
Partnerships
Business owned by between 2 and 20 people.
Advantages- No legal formalities.
Job is shared, different partner skills / responsibilities, meaning more ideas shared, more options for customers, more consumer input, more profit.
More capital raised with more owners.
Financial information not published.
Disadvantages- Unlimited liability.
Profit is shared.
Partners may disagree, slow down decision making.
Franchise:
Structure in which a business (franchisor) allows another operator (franchisee) to trade under their name.
Franchisee
Advantages:
- Less risk , as its a tried and tested idea, no risk of failing, brand recognition
- Set-up costs are predictable.
- National marketing may be organized.
Disadvantages:
- Profit is shared with franchisor.
- Strict contacts have to be signed.
- Lack of independence.
- Expensive way to start a business.
Franchisor
Advantages:
- Fast method of growth and cheaper method of growth as franchisees take some of the risk.
Disadvantages:
- Potential profit shared with franchisee.
- Poor franchisees may damage brands reputation.
- Cost of support for franchisees may be high.
Limited liability
Business owner is only liable for the original amount of money invested in the business.
Unlimited liability
Business that are responsible to pay all the debts.