Chapter 1 Flashcards
What does the term ‘environment’ refer to in a business context?
Anything outside an organisation (industry/market) that affects what it does or how it acts.
What is an ‘environmental scan’?
An analysis that includes identifying factors in the environment that create threats or opportunities, recognising the most significant factors, and deciding how the organisation should respond to them.
What are ‘threats’ in the context of environmental analysis?
Factors in the environment that might prevent the organisation from achieving its business objectives and create an adverse risk for the entity’s future prospects.
What is necessary for understanding the environment according to the text?
It should be an on-going activity.
What are ‘opportunities’ in environmental analysis?
Developments that provide opportunities for the organisation to achieve its objectives more successfully.
What are the two methods for analysing environmental factors?
- Porter’s 5 forces model (Industry Analysis)
- PESTEL analysis (Country/Region/Macro environment Analysis)
List the five factors in Porter’s 5 forces model.
- Threats from potential entrants
- Threats from substitute products or services
- The bargaining power of suppliers
- The bargaining power of customers
- Competitive rivalry within the industry or market
What categories are used in PESTEL analysis?
- Political
- Economic
- Social, cultural and demographic
- Technological
- Environmental/Ecological
- Legal
Fill in the blank: PESTEL analysis groups environmental factors into _______.
[four or six categories]
What is the scope of political and legal influence on business?
Political decisions and legal changes can significantly impact business activities in different countries.
What does nationalisation of industry mean?
Nationalisation refers to the state owning wholly or partly an industry.
What is privatisation?
Privatisation is the transfer of ownership of state-owned businesses to commercial companies.
How can transport and infrastructure affect businesses?
Businesses rely on the transport system to move goods and employees, which is affected by the quality of the infrastructure.
What role does government policy play in transport and infrastructure?
Government policy on transport and building roads or rail networks can significantly affect business operations.
How can taxation influence business activities?
Businesses may be affected by changes in taxation, such as increased taxes on fuel consumption or waste disposal.
What is the purpose of government subsidies?
Governments may offer subsidies to encourage certain activities, such as skills training.
What factors determine the political setup in a country?
The political setup depends on pre-existing laws, regulations, political ideology, and opposition agendas.
How does environmental policy impact businesses?
Environmental policy can include regulations to reduce pollution levels in air, water, or land.
What was the significance of the 2007 corn shipment incident?
The shipment contained genetically-modified corn, which was legal in the US but illegal in the European Union.
Who is responsible for the education system in most countries?
The government is typically responsible for the education system.