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Business Studies > Business And People > Flashcards

Business And People Flashcards

1
Q

Define sole trader

A

A sole trader describes any business that is owned and controlled by one person however it does not stop it from employing other people.

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2
Q

What are the advantages of being a sole trader?

A

Suitability- suitable for a variety of different businesses
Set up- easy and cheap
Capital- can be set up with very little capital
Financial information- it’s kept private
Ownership- owner keeps all profits

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3
Q

What are the disadvantages of being a sole trader?

A

Shortage of capital- find it difficult to grow as only have little amount of capital or can’t get a loan from the bank
Illness- no one to run the business resulting in loss of revenue
Hours of work- potentially very long
Shortage of skills- not skilled in all areas so can’t compete with other businesses
Unlimited liability- could lose personal possessions to pay of business debt

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4
Q

Define partnership

A

Business in which is owned by two more people. They share profits, losses and responsibility for managing it. (Can only have up to 20 partners)

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5
Q

What are the advantages of partnerships?

A

Different skills to offer
More capital can be raised
Ideas and workload can be shared
Illness won’t stop it from running properly
Easy and cheap to setup
Financial information stays private
Easy to admit another partner if required

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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of a partnership?

A

Sharing profits
Unlimited liability
Arguments among partners
Shortage of capital

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7
Q

What is a sleeping/limited partner?

A

Someone who invests in the business but does not have involvement of its day to day running or decision making

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8
Q

What is a deed of partnership?

A

A legal document which provides information on:
The way in which the business operates
How profits and losses will be shared
How much capital each partner contributed
Signature of all participating partners
Details of partners, e.g where they live

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9
Q

Define public limited company

A

A company who’s shares can be traded on the stock exchange and can be bought by any members of the public

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10
Q

Define private limited company

A

A company who’s Shares can only be bought by family or friends and can’t be bought by the general public

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11
Q

What is limited liability?

A

When the owners of a company will not be personally responsible for any debts the business have. Can only lose the amount of capital invested

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12
Q

What is as shareholder?

A

Those who own share capital

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13
Q

Define multinational

A

A company which is based in one country but sells and manufactures in a variety of others

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14
Q

What is a dividend?

A

Share of the profit each year

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15
Q

Define economies of scale

A

When unit costs fall as output rises

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16
Q

What are the disadvantages of being a multinational?

A

Communication problems
High transport costs
Different legal requirements in each country
Fluctuating exchange rates

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17
Q

What are the advantages of multinationals?

A

Manufacturing can be spread around the world nearer to the markets that they serve
Economies of scale can be obtained

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18
Q

What is a franchisor?

A

An already established business

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19
Q

Who is the franchisee

A

The person/business interested in buying the right to use the franchisors product, services and logo

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20
Q

What are the advantages of being a franchise?

A 
Company does all the advertising 
Have purchasing power
Product quickly and inexpensively goes to market 
Less risk going into the business 
No competition in the same area
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21
Q

What are the disadvantages of franchises?

A 
Will be using the franchisors name
Don't choose what you sell 
Less room for being entrepreneurial 
Large amount of initial capital 
All supplies must be bought from franchisors at a price they determine
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22
Q

What is a royalty payment?

A

A payment made to the franchisors based on the sale revenue of the franchisee

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23
Q

Advantages of being a PLC

A

Shares can be offered for general sales
Raise large sums of finance
Additionally funds can easily be raised

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24
Q

Disadvantages of PLC

A

Financial information is NOT private
Can be easily taken over
Shareholders have little say unless they have a large amount of shares

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25
Q

Advantages of an LTD

A

Shares can be issued to investors in exchange for money raising shares
If anything happens the business can be sold
Business is seperate from its owners

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26
Q

Disadvantages of an LTD

A

Financial information is NOT private
Shares cannot be offered for general sale
Lack of capital

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27
Q

What is social enterprise?

A

A business that makes its money in a sociably responsible way

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28
Q

What is a stakeholder?

A

An individual or group interested in the business and its activities

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29
Q

Summarise what it is meant by stakeholder conflict

A

When there are benefits for one stakeholder but drawbacks for another

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30
Q

What are business objectives

A

What the business is trying to achieve

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31
Q

What are the 5 main business objectives

A 
Profit
Increase market share
Growth 
Service 
Survival (PIGSS)
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32
Q

What is satisfying?

A

When a business aims to make just enough profit to aim for their future plans

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33
Q

What is the private sector?

A

A sector including businesses owned by private Individuals. Any business not owned by the government

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34
Q

What is the public sector?

A

A sector including all of the business and organisations owned and controlled by the government. (Includes public corporations)

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35
Q

What is insolvency?

A

A term to describe a firm that connot meet its financial commitments

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36
Q

What is a merger?

A

Where two companies join together to form a new larger business

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37
Q

What is a takeover/acquisition?

A

The control of another company is achieved by buying majority of its shares

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38
Q

What are the three sectors of business and what do they involve?

A

Primary- produce raw materials for businesses
Secondary- use the raw materials to manufacture products
Tertiary- provide a service

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39
Q

Give reasons for change in the primary sector

A

Raw materials used up
Increase use in machinery
Foreign competition

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40
Q

Reasons for change in the secondary sector

A

Increase use in machinery

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41
Q

Reason for change in the tertiary sector

A

Rise in population
Increase in wealth
Increased leisure time
More emphasis on customer service

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42
Q

How can a business internally grow?

A

Opening more shops
Releasing more products
New markets
New factories

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43
Q

What is an unincorporated business?

A

A business that does no posses a separate legal identity from its owners- they have unlimited liability

44
Q

What is an incorporated business?

A

A business that has its own legal identity and has limited liability

45
Q

What factors affect the location of the business

A 
Nature of the product 
Access to materials 
Cost of location 
Availability to the customers 
Climate
Physical geography 
Transport 
Tradition
46
Q

What is horizontal integration? Include advantages and disadvantages

A

When an organisation is in the same industry and same stage of production
Advantage- increase economies of scale
Disadvantage- reduces choice for customers

47
Q

What is backwards vertical integration? Include advantages and disadvantages

A

Organisation will merge with another organisation in a stage of production below their current operation
Advantage- reduce unit costs
Disadvantages- reduce customer choice

48
Q

What is forwards vertical integration? Include advantages and disadvantages

A

When an organisation take over another organisation in a different stage of production to provide an outlet
Advantage- reduces unit cost+ more control over sales
Disadvantages-less choice+ higher costs for customers

49
Q

What is Diversification/conglomerate integration? Include advantages and disadvantages

A

Takeover or merge with unrelated business
Advantage- spread risk+ reduces dependency
Disadvantage- lack of understanding for the new market

50
Q

What is a job description?

A

Document that describes the duties of a worker

51
Q

What is a person spec?

A

A profile of the type of person needed for the job- their skills and qualities

52
Q

Name the 6 methods of job advertisement

A

Local newspaper- cheap,for locals
National newspaper-more expensive, bigger audience
Specialist magazine- particular work
Job centre- run by government, free to advertise, display advertisements
The internet- cheap, use your own site
Word of mouth- doesn’t get around a lot of people

53
Q

What is internal recruitment?

A

When a vacancy is filled with someone who already works in the organisation

54
Q

What is external recruitment?

A

When a vacancy is filled with someone who doesn’t already work in the business

55
Q

Advantages of internal recruitment

A

You know how they work

They know how the business works

56
Q

Advantages of external recruitment

A

Someone may know the job better outside the organisation

Isn’t the right person suitable at the current workplace

57
Q

Name three types of selection methods and outline them

A

Cvs- written document containing information about the person
Application forms- filled in by candidate only giving information directed by employer, easily comparable
References- what they were like at their previous job

58
Q

What are the benefits of an interview?

A

Get a sense of the type of person they are

Can tell if they’re interested in the job

59
Q

What is psychometric testing?

A

Psychometric testing helps to identify a candidates skills, knowledge and personality

60
Q

What are the two main types of psychometric testing?

A

Personality- analyse how your personality fits with the businesses
Aplitude- asses wether or they you’ve got the right skill set for the role

61
Q

What is a recruitment agency?

A

Acts as a middle man between an organisation and an individual looking for a job. Main function is to source the most suitable person for a job vacancy.

62
Q

What does recruitment agency do?

A 
Draws up job description 
Draws up person spec for employer 
Advertises post
Reviews applications 
Shortlists candidates 
Send short listed candidates to employer
63
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of a recruitment agency

A
  • saves time for business
  • using people with experience
  • costs money
  • communication problems
64
Q

In what order are maslow’s needs on the hierarchy and outline each one (bottom to top)

A

Physiological needs- basic needs to stay alive
Safety needs- need to feel safe from physical danger
Social needs- need to be with other people
Esteem needs- need to feel valued by others
Self actualisation needs- need to feel you have used your talents to achieve a goal

65
Q

Name the monetary methods of motivation

A

Time rate- paid related to number of hours worked
Overtime- paid extra for working more hours
Piece rate- paid for number of items produced
Commission- paid for number of items they sell
Profit sharing- receive part of profits
Salary- paid monthly
Fringe benefits-company car, discounts

66
Q

Define job rotation, job enrichment and job enlargement. Include advantages and disadvantages for each

A 
Job rotation: do different jobs 
\+won't get bored 
-going from one boring job to another 
Job enlargement:give more jobs 
\+variety in work 
-more work same pay 
Job enrichment- more challenging tasks/responsibility 
\+skills improve 
-time consuming training
67
Q

Define team working, award schemes and promotions. Give advantages and disadvantages for each

A 
Team work:put into teams
\+feel independent
-may not work well 
Award schemes:a worker is recognised 
\+meet self esteem needs 
- resentment amongst workers
Promotion: higher ranking job 
\+self actualisation needs
-cause competition
68
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantage of using fear as a non monetary method of motivation

A

+ scared of punishment so work harder

- people may change jobs in the long run

69
Q

What is an autocratic leader?

A

Someone who:
Has full control of decision making
Uses power to control others
Their employees have little to no input in decisions

70
Q

What is a democratic leader?

A

Focus power is with the group as a whole
Employees have greater involvement
Emphasis on delegation and empowerment

71
Q

What is a laizzes-faire leader?

A

Gives employees little direction

Responsibility lies with the group

72
Q

Define induction training

A

Training aimed at introducing new employees to a business and its procedures

73
Q

Define on the job training

A

Training whilst remaining in the workplace

74
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of on the job training

A 
\+individual training 
\+cheap
\+still producing whilst training 
- lower productivity 
-lower quality 
-poor rep
-not suitable for groups
75
Q

Define Off the job training

A

When employees are taken away from their place of work to be trained

76
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of off the job training

A 
\+expert training
\+can ask questions 
\+less pressure 
-expensive 
-shifts need to be covered
77
Q

What is staff appraisal?

A

A review given to an employee from a manager about their current performance and targets for the upcoming year. Also identify is training/support is needed

78
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of staff appraisal

A 
\+increase self esteem
\+motivational 
\+ work harder to reach targets 
-demotivating if lots of negatives 
-cause argue,nuts or resentment
79
Q

Name the employment laws

A

Equal pay-men and women paid same
Employment rights-give workers info like pay and working hours
Race relation- everyone treated same(race religion etc..)
Minimum wage-cannot be paid below an amount
Health+safety- safe workplace
Sex- men+ women treated same
Disability-equal ops for disabled

80
Q

What is an employment tribunal?

A

A special court of law that deals with disputes involving employers and workers

81
Q

Define redundancy

A

When employment is ends because a firm no longer needs the work that was done

82
Q

What would you want to avoid a tribunal?

A

Costs
Time away from work
Bad publicity

83
Q

Why might a business make staff redundant?

A

Closing down
Moving location
New machinery
Cutting costs

84
Q

What is a trade union?

A

an organization that represents the people who work in a particular industry, protects their rights, and discusses their pay and working conditions with employers

85
Q

What do trade unions try and improve for workers

A

Pay
Working conditions
Working hours

86
Q

What is the main benefit of a trade union?

A

Offers a single point of contact

87
Q

What are the three types of industrial action

A

Strike- withdrawing labour
Overtime ban- only work hours stayed on contract
Work to rule- only do what is included in their contract

88
Q

How does going on strike help?

A

Customers will complain
Bad press
Lack of services therefore lack of income
Customers switch to competitors

89
Q

What is ACAS?

A 
An organisation that helps employees settle disputes between workers and employers 
Advisory
Conciliation
And
Arbitration
90
Q

What is an organisational chart and how is it a benefit to a business?

A

Diagrams that show the internal structure of a business
+Motivate employees to reach higher levels in the chart= higher productivity
+easy to see promotion routes
+easy to see lines of communication

91
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a wide span of control?

A 
\+can work independently 
\+no one interfering 
\+more responsibility 
-hard to communicate with employee in charge 
-work not appreciated 
-make mistakes
92
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a narrow span of control?

A

+easy to communicate
+don’t make mistakes
-too much pressure
-interfere with work

93
Q

Advantages of a flat structure

A

Quicker communication
More accurate message passed on
Ideas can be shared as there are lots of people doing similar work on the same level
Top layer interacts with lower layers more

94
Q

Advantages of tall structure

A

Many promotion opportunities

Narrow span of control

95
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of ICT

A

+message can be sent directly to a person
+resources can be shared and accessed for free online
+presentation quality is better
-technology is expensive
-technical problems occurring

96
Q

How is attitude of sender a barrier of communication?

A

The receiver could not like what they’re hearing so choose to ignore the message

97
Q

How is language used a communication barrier?

A

The sender could use language the receiver doesn’t understand and assume they know

98
Q

How is time of communication a barrier?

A

If sent when a person is in a rush they may not properly understand the message or the importance of it

99
Q

How is wrong method of communication a barrier?

A

If an urgent message was sent by email it may not be screened if the receive doesn’t frequently check their emails

100
Q

How is feedback not being received a communication barrier?

A

If the sender doesn’t check the receiver has understood the message work may no be done properly

101
Q

How is the means of communication a barrier?

A

If there is a problem with the computer emails may not be received

102
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of working from home

A 
\+save time and money not travelling 
\+increase staff without increasing space 
\+less distractions at home 
-lack of facilities
-more distractions 
-less work without discipline 
-miss social aspect
103
Q

Give examples of the types of communication

A

One way- leaflet through a door
Two way- conversation
Internal- talking to someone inside the firm
Vertical- talk to someone on the layer below you
Horizontal- talk to someone on the same layer
External- talk to someone outside the firm
Formal- have an official meeting
Informal-communicate during a lunch break

104
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of verbal communication

A

+person can check the message has been understood
+points can be emphasised by voice tone/body language
-if a group of people listening all may not hear
-could answer back
-no permanent record

105
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of written communication

A 
\+record of message 
\+can reread 
\+sent to multiple people 
-can't immediately check if message has been understood 
-may not be written clearly
106
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of communicating with images

A

+like images
+more impact
-can’t check quickly if it’s been understood

Business Studies (3 decks)

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