Business Management 1 - Chapter 3 Flashcards
INTRODUCTION
List the two main activities that businesses use to create value according to the value chain
- Primary Activities
- Support Activities
INTRODUCTION
How does organisations remain competitive?
continuously monitor events in its environment
INTRODUCTION
True or False - Business and its environment are not closed, independent or mutually exclusive entities.
True
INTRODUCTION
True or False - Business and its environment must
influence and depend on each other for their continued existence.
True
INTRODUCTION
List 3 needs that society depends on businesses to satisfy
- products
- services
- employment
INTRODUCTION
List 3 resources that business depends on its environment to obtain.
- labour
- capital
- raw material
INTRODUCTION
Complete the statement “the business can be regarded
as a creation of its environment in that its:”
- Assets
- Income
- Problems
- Opportunities and
- Continued survival depends on the environment
INTRODUCTION
what does continued changes in the environment force management to do?
management is continually forced to make adjustments to its competitive strategy.
INTRODUCTION
to a large extent what determines how the organisation is structured and how it functions?
a continual interaction between the organisation and its environment
INTRODUCTION
in a dynamic environment what should management strive to do?
strive to adapt timorously and effectively to current and anticipated changes in its environment
INTRODUCTION
What does a thorough investigation or scanning of the environment enable management to do?
enables management to avert threats in the environment timeously and to exploit opportunities
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
When did the democratisation of South Africa occur?
1994
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
What did the democratisation of South Africa enatil?
normalised international relations, but at the same time exposed South African businesses to a borderless world in which they suddenly had to compete.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
How did globalisation and the trend towards a world without barriers affect businesses
affected businesses in new ways, and some businesses have responded by taking their investments out of the country.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
List 5 factors that increasingly affect the environment in which South Africans must do business and make decisions regarding their investments
- Accelerating urbanisation
- increased poverty in Southern Africa
- the influx of immigrants
- the high crime rate
- the breakdown of law and order
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
when planning strategically what is of great importance for management to take into consideration?
it is of great importance that management takes into account the interaction between the organisation and its environment.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
if management takes into account the interaction between the organisation and its environment what happens to long term planning?
long-term planning becomes geared towards the future.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
What does management and business need to do to stay abreast of new challenges?
Appropriate methods of research frequently need to be developed and organisational structures and management aids must be revised.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Name one factor that prevents management task from being carried out effectively and efficiently if not considered.
External factors
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
what is the internal environment also known as?
decision-making or micro environment
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
what does the micro environment entail?
- strategy
- business functions
- management tasks
- setting of goals
- resource abilities
- expectation of interest groups
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Define a “Strength”
a unique capability of a particular organisation that gives it an advantage over competitors
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Define a “Weakness”
can be described as a deficiency, which, if not addressed, could negatively affect the organisation’s position in the market
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
True or false - Management cannot control the elements of the micro environment
False - Management can control the elements of the micro environment
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
What does management use its strengths for?
use its strengths to improve the position of the organisation in the market
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
how does management improve its competitive capacity?
rectify weaknesses
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
what is the Market environment also known as?
Task environment
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Briefly explain the market environment
is the environment immediately outside the organisation. The market environment lies between the micro and macro business environments and, while influenced by both, serves as a buffer between the two.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
what does the macro environment entail?
The macro environment encompasses all
uncontrollable variables and the implications they
have for management.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
what types of decisions must management make with regards to the macro environment?
Management must make strategic decisions with
regard to economic, social, technological, physical,
political and institutional and international
environments.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
what types of decisions must management make with regards to the micro environment?
Management must make decisions that relate to
the strengths and weaknesses of the business.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
What affect does changes in the market and macro environment have?
it gives rise either to opportunities or threats.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Define an “opportunity”
is defined as a favourable condition in
the external environment that could be exploited to
the benefit of the organization.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Define a “Threat”
an unfavourable condition in the
external environment, which, if not responded to
by management, could seriously harm the
organization’s position in the market
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
The organization’s management must be well
informed of international events, especially with
regard to which developments?
- economic developments
- social developments
- political developments
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
List the characteristics of the business environment
- Interrelatedness of environmental factors.
- Increasing instability.
- Environmental uncertainty.
- Complexity of the environment.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Briefly explain “Interrelatedness of environmental factors”.
Change in one of the external factors may cause a change in the micro- environment or internal factors, and, similarly, a change in one external factor may cause change in other external environmental variables.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Briefly explain “Increasing instability”.
One of the consequences of interdependence in the environment is increasing instability and change. Although the general rate of change in the environment accelerates, environmental fluctuation is greater in some industries than others.
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Briefly explain “Environmental uncertainty”.
Uncertainty about the environment is, of course, a function of the amount of information about environmental variables and of the confidence that management has in such information
THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION IN PERSPECTIVE
Briefly explain “Complexity of the environment”.
This indicates the number of external variables to which a business organisation has to react, as well as variations in the variables themselves.
THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
What does international business activities refer to?
profit-oriented activities across national borders.
THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
What levels affect organisation that operate within a country while drawing resources from or selling products to another country?
- National Level
- International Level
THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Local organisations must keep up to date with which international data?
- Inflation,
- Exchange rates,
- Interest rates,
- Recession,
- Shortages of natural resources,
- The gold price and
- Especially international political events
THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
What does success or failure greatly
depend on for Organizations involved in international trade?
- Knowledge of legislation,
- Customs,
- Ethics,
- Economic systems and
- On the management practices that are followed
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
What does the macro-environment include?
all external influences that have a bearing on the business but do not fall within its direct sphere of influence.
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
In the study of the macro-environment where does the emphasis fall on?
the emphasis falls on the changes that uncontrollable macro-variables bring about, and their implications for the business.
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
True or False - Remaining abreast of environmental changes in order to be able to predict environmental changes is a difficult task.
True
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Why are certain changes in the macro environment unpredictable?
due to the speed with which the changes take place
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Why are certain changes in the macro environment difficult to predict?
due to a lack of information or knowledge.
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
What are the main characteristics of external factors?
Their origin is outside the business, they are unpredictable and change constantly, but they are a determining factor in the survival of the business.
THE MACRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
List 20 external factors
- Economic environment,
- Inflation
- the business cycle,
- Interest rates,
- Provisions of employment,
- Productivity and profitability,
- The influence of trade unions,
- The technological environment,
- Social environment,
- Distribution of income,
- Consumerism and employees interests
- Participation of employees and the community (social
involvement) , - Different languages,
- Level of education,
- The threat of HIV/aids,
- Population growth,
- Urbanization,
- The physical environment,
- The political environment, and
- The institutional environment.
THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
Which economic factors influence the demand for goods and services by compelling consumers to reassess their priorities in terms of consumer products.
- The business cycle
- inflation
- recession
THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
What is required by the business with every significant economic change?
appropriate reaction by the business
THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
What is required by management with regards to the business cycle?
management should not only try to determine the intensity of the business cycle, but should also try to forecast the possible cycle of the economy for the following year.
INFLATION
Briefly explain inflation
Inflation is described as a continual rise in the general
price level.
INFLATION
Why did the South African government decide to introduce or set the South African Reserve Bank inflation target?
Because inflation introduces uncertainty
into decision-making
INFLATION
When did the South African government decide to introduce or set the South African Reserve Bank inflation target?
February 2000
INFLATION
What was the South African Reserve Bank inflation target set in February 2000?
between 3 and 6%
INFLATION
What is the South African Reserve bank?
The South African Reserve Bank is the central bank of
the Republic of South Africa.
INFLATION
What is the primary purpose of the South African Reserve bank?
The primary purpose of the Bank is to achieve and maintain price stability in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth in South Africa
INFLATION
Apart from the primary purpose of the South African Reserve bank, how else does the bank aid Southern Africa?
Together with other institutions, it also plays a pivotal role in ensuring financial stability.
INFLATION
List the two types of inflation
- Demand inflation
- Cost push inflation
INFLATION
When does “Demand inflation” occur?
Demand inflation occurs when the demand for goods
and services is higher than the supply, resulting in
higher prices.
INFLATION
When does “Cost push inflation” occur?
Cost push inflation occurs when production costs of
goods and services continually increase, resulting in
higher selling prices.
INFLATION
True of False - The organization must not counteract the influence of inflation as far as possible.
False - The organization must counteract the influence of inflation as far as possible
INFLATION
Under condition of high inflation where is the emphasis placed?
the emphasis is, to a large extent, placed on the management of working capital, such as debtors, stock and creditors.
THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Briefly explain “the business cycle”
This involves the pattern of expansion and
contraction of economic activities around a
long-term growth tendency.
THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Western economies-South Africa included are harassed by what?
By the phenomenon of inflation, and also by periods of recession that follow each other in quick succession and are interrupted by short periods of economic growth.
THE BUSINESS CYCLE
What should businesses and consumers do during different phases of the business cycle to adapt to emerging economic realities?
They must make certain value adjustments during the various phases of the business cycle
INTEREST RATES
Define “interest”
Interest is the price paid for money.
INTEREST RATES
What largely determines the level interest rates?
The demand for and the supply of funds.
INTEREST RATES
Who else uses interest rates to influence the supply of money?
The Reserve Bank also uses interest rates to
influence the money supply.
INTEREST RATES
Define “Repo rate”
The “repo” rate is the cost at which banks can borrow money from the Reserve Bank.
INTEREST RATES
Define “Prime rate”
The prime rate is the floor price at
which banks make loans or overdraft
facilities available to their clients
PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT
What is one of the biggest problems we face in the South African economy?
Unemployment is one of the biggest problems in the
South African economy
PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT
When did unemployment in South-Africa spread beyond the unskilled labour force
In the early 1990’s unemployment spread beyond the unskilled labour force
PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT
what implication does an unemployment figure of 40% have?
An unemployment figure of 40 per cent of the
economically active population has enormous social
implications
PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT
With crime increasing, who does it affect?
Crime affects not only home-owners, who have to spend more of their disposable income on home security, but also affects the business community.
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY
What is the relationship between productivity and profitability?
There is a strong relationship between these two phenomena. If productivity increases, profitability should also increase. Increased productivity enables the organisation to compete better in the market.
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY
True or False - The labour unit cost in South Africa is among the highest in the world.
True
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY
What is the reason for the high labour unit cost is South- Africa
The conduct of labour unions, and
because of a low work ethic
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY
What is the affect of the high labour unit cost on businesses?
Businesses find it difficult to compete on the basis
of price with businesses in other parts of the
world.
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY
what is the result of a high disparity between labour productivity and wages?
There is no positive correlation between wage
increases and productivity,resulting in increases in labour-unit cost and inflation.
THE INFLUENCE OF TRADE UNIONS
Why is it important for management to know how to deal with labour disputes?
Due to the activities of trade unions, many
organizations have been forced to close their doors,
with a resultant loss in employment opportunities.
THE INFLUENCE OF TRADE UNIONS
What are trade union activities in South Africa often characterized by?
Trade union activities in South Africa are often
characterized by acts of intimidation and violence.