Unit 1 - Understanding Business Flashcards
(41 cards)
Describe the private sector (run by, objectives, businesses, financed by)
Owned and controlled by Private individuals
Objective is to make a profit
Business include sole trader, partnership, franchise, companies; PLC, LTD, MNC
Financed by savings, loans, grants and bank overdraft
Describe the public sector (run by, objectives, financed by)
Owned and controlled by central and local governments
Objectives are to provide a service, make effective use of funds
Financed via taxes paid by publics
Describe the third sector (objectives and financed by)
Objectives are to raise awareness and raise funds
Financed by donations
What is a business objective?
What a business aims to achieve
What is satisficing?
Aiming for a satisfactory result rather than the ‘best possible’ result, allows survival rather than profit maximisation
What are managerial objectives?
When managers set objectives they believe will improve the status of the company (expanding into new markets etc)
What is corporate social responsibility?
When a business aims to act in an ethical way so that they benefit society or the environment (good pay and working conditions, recycling etc)
What is growth?
Making the business larger
What are the factors affecting structure?
SIZE - as the business grows it becomes harder to control
TECHNOLOGY - introduction of new technology can change the structure
MARKET - if the market is small then the organisation will be small with an entrepreneurial structure
What is a flat structure?
Only a few levels of management
Short chain of command
Wider span of control for managers
Managers are directly responsible for employees
What are advantages and disadvantages of a flat structure?
Advantages
- info flows quickly
- consulting staff on decisions takes less time
- business is more able to respond to market changes
- customers needs are quickly dealt with
Disadvantages
- removal of management levels means there is less control
- mistakes are easier to make
What is a hierarchical structure?
Has many layers of management
Long chain of command
Each manager has a narrow span of control
Information and decisions need to go through each level
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a hierarchical structure?
Advantages
- great deal of control and supervision
- clearly defined roles and procedures
Disadvantages
- decision making can take a long time as every level must be consulted
- communication can be slow
What is an entrepreneurial structure?
One or two main decision makers
Usually used in small businesses
Relies on the expertise of the decision maker
What are advantages and disadvantages of an entrepreneurial structure?
Advantages
- decisions are made quickly
- decision makers are experienced
- staff know who they are accountable to
Disadvantages
- decisions can’t be made if the decision maker is unavailable
- difficult to use in large businesses
What is a matrix structure?
Used when the business is involved in a number of large projects/long-term contracts
Staff teams are formed within their functional departments
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a matrix structure?
Advantages
- specialist teams provide innovation
- new skills can be learned from working in teams
Disadvantages
- two managers to report to
- can be conflict and duplication of tasks between departments
- can be costly to set up and manage
What is functional grouping?
When organisation is split into departments which represent the main functional areas (HR, marketing, admin etc)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of functional grouping?
Advantages
- resources are better used
- good communication and cooperation
Disadvantages
- staff loyalty to the department rather than the business
- rivalries between departments
What is customer grouping?
Gives close contact with customers
Caters to individual needs of customers
Most likely to exist in the service sector
What are the advantages and disadvantages of customer grouping?
Advantages
- highly responsive to customer needs
- personal service
- respond faster to individual needs
Disadvantages
- admin can be time consuming
- large staffing costs
- competition between groups
What are the external factors?
PESTEC political economic social technological environmental competitive
Describe the political external factor
Decisions made by the government can influence a business
Both local and national governments can influence
Changes to laws - if a business adheres it is shown in a positive light, changes to minimum wage can result in increased costs for business
Changes to tax rates - if taxes were reduced, customers would buy more due to their higher income, opposite effect if taxes increase
Changes to VAT rates - if VAT was lowered products would be more affordable, works opposite way
Describe the technological external factor
Includes the use of social media, e-commerce, order tracking, mobile pay etc
Social media - enables business to keep in touch with customers and raise their profiles, but bad reviews spread faster
WiFi - offering free WiFi can attract customers, but costs a lot to set up and maintain
