Tutor2u Glossary Theme 3.1 Business Growth Flashcards
Agency problem
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Possible conflict of interest that may result between the shareholders (principal) and the management (agent) of a firm
Barriers to entry
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Ways to prevent the profitable entry of competitors - they may relate to differences in costs between existing and new firms. Or the result of strategic behaviour by firms
Barriers to exit
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
The costs associated with a decision to leave a market/industry, for example, lost goodwill with customers, redundancy costs and the reduced value of equipment at rock-bottom prices in a fire-sale of assets
Divorce of ownership from control
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
This occurs when the owners of a business do not control the day-to-day decisions made in the business. The owners of a company normally elect a board of directors to control the business’s resources for them
Incumbent firms
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Firms already in the market - established firms may be able to use barriers to entry
Innocent barriers to entry
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Also know as structural entry barriers - arise when established firms have lower unit costs than potential rival firms. Might come about from first mover advantage
Innovation
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Making changes to something established. Invention by contrast is the act of coming upon or finding. Innovation is the creation of new intellectual assets
Legal barriers to entry
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Legal barriers include patent protection, legal franchises, trademarks and copyright
NGO
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Non-governmental organization (e.g. WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Shelter)
Not for profit organisation
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Not for profit businesses are charities, community organisations that are run on commercial lines. Also know as social enterprises
Principal agent problem
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
This is an asymmetric information problem. Owners often cannot observe directly the day-to-day decisions of management. The performance of the agent is costly and and difficult to monitor. Managers may have different objectives than owners
Private sector
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
All privately owned businesses and organisations. These businesses usually aim to return a profit to their owners
Public sector
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Public sector organisations are owned and operated by the government - in the UK this includes the NHS and state education
Shareholder return
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Total return (dividends + increases in business value) for shareholders
Strategic barriers to entry
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Strategic actions by existing business in a market that discourages potential entrants from coming into the industry, may involve price wars, advertising and use of patents
Strategic behaviour
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Decisions that take into account the market power and reactions of other firms
Structural barriers to entry
3.1.1 - Sizes and types of firms
Cost advantages of existing, established firms in a market - they might have benefitted from economies of scale, vertical integration and built up high levels of customer loyalty. This makes it more expensive for a new firm to enter successfully