Production Flashcards
What is production?
Process of converting resources into goods and services
What are the 4 factors of production?
- Land
- Labour
- Capital
- Enterprise
What is land?
Earth’s natural resources (in and on it)
What is labour?
Human workforce
What is capital?
Equipment used in producing goods & services
Name 2 types of capital
- Working Capital
2. Fixed Capital
Give an example of working capital
Stocks of raw materials and finished goods
Give an example of fixed capital
Factories, shops, machines, tools and equipment
What is human capital?
Value of an individual worker to a business
How can you increase human capital?
Through training and education
What is enterprise?
Entrepreneurs = Willingness to take a risk to make a profit
What is capital intensive production?
Involves using relatively more capital than labour
What is labour intensive production?
Involves using relatively using relatively more labour than capital
What is productivity?
It’s the output per unit of input
How can production be increased?
By raising productivity: involves using factors more effectively
Why do firms try to increase productivity?
To lower costs and increase profits
How can firms increase productivity?
e.g. by introducing new working practices or investing in new machinery
What does the primary sector do?
Turns natural resources into raw materials for manufacturing (secondary) sector
Give 4 areas of work in the primary sector
- Mining & Quarrying
- Agriculture
- Fishing
- Forestry
What does the primary sector provide for the secondary sector?
Raw materials
What does the secondary sector do?
Turns raw materials into finished products
What is de-industrialisation?
Growth in tertiary sector at the expense of manufacturing
Name 4 reasons for de-industrialisation
- Competition from overseas
- Changes in consumer demand
- Advances in technology
- Growth in public employment
What does the tertiary sector do?
Provides support services for the extractive (primary) and manufacturing (secondary) sectors and to consumers
In developing countries, what is happening to primary, secondary and tertiary sectors?
- Declining primary sector production
- Increasing manufacturing
- Some growth in the tertiary sector
In developed countries, what is happening to primary, secondary and tertiary sectors?
- Sharply decreasing primary sector production
- Decreasing manufacturing
- Rapidly growing tertiary sector
Why do businesses need to define potential costs?
To make informed business decisions → to make profit
What are fixed costs?
Same at all levels of output in the short run
What are variable costs?
Costs of production that increase directly as output increases
Give two examples of a fixed cost
Insurance, Rent, Salaries, Taxes, Loans
Give two examples of a variable cost
Piece rate labour, Commissions, Direct materials, Electricity, Telephone