Chapter Five: Business and Labor Flashcards
Sole Proprietorship
An unincorporated business that has just one owner who pays personal income tax on profits earned from the business. (ex: grocery store, repair shop, beauty parlor)
Advantages of Sole Proprietorship
-Ease of Start-up
-Relatively few regulations
-Sole receiver of profits
-Full control
-Easy to discontinue
Disadvantages of Sole Proprietorship
-Unlimited personal liability
-Limited access to resources
-Lack of permanence
Partnerships
A type of business that two or more individuals own.
Two main types of Partnerships
-General: Working arrangements defined by a written agreement
-Limited: One partner is liable for the debt, while the other is not.
Advantages of a Partnership
-Ease of Start-up
-Shared decision-making and specialization
-Large pool of capital
-Taxation
Disadvantage of a Partnership
-Unlimited liability
-Potential for conflict
Corporations
A legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners.
Advantages of a Corporation
-Limited liability
-Transferable ownership
-Ability to attract capital
-Long life
Disadvantages of a Corporation
-Difficulty and expense of start-up
-Double taxation
-Loss of control
-More regulations
Business Franchise
A business in which the operator pays a mixture of upfront and ongoing fees in order to license the brand name and supporting resources of a parent company.
Advantages of a Franchise
-Management training and support
-Standardized quality
-National advertising
-Financial assistance
-Centralized buying power
Disadvantages of a Franchise
-High franchising fees and royalties
-Strict operating standards
-Purchasing restrictions
-Limited product line
Vertical Integration
A strategy that allows a company to streamline its operation by taking direct ownership of various stages of its production process rather than relying on external contractors or suppliers.
Horizontal Acquisition
A new combined entity when one company acquires another company in the same industry and works at the same production stage.
Conglomerate
A corporation made up of several different independent businesses.