Unit 1 AOS 3 Flashcards
what is the external business environment made up of?
operating and macro
what is the macro environment?
the broad conditions and trends in the economy and society within which a business operates
factors of the macro environment?
- corporate social responsibility considerations
- global issues
- economic conditions
- legal and government regulations
- societal attitudes and behaviour
- technological considerations
what do changes in the macro environment affect and do business have control over them?
Changes in the macro environment can affect ALL businesses, therefore, businesses have
no control over these factors.
what is the factor of Legal and government regulations?
The laws or regulations made by parliaments and courts, which affect how businesses operate and behave
what is the factor of Societal attitudes and behaviour?
The factors relating to changes in the attitudes, behaviour, tastes and lifestyles of communities on a local, national and international scale
what is the factor of Economic conditions?
The set of influences that relate to economic activity, including interest rates, wages, unemployment, exchange rates and inflation
what is the factor of Technological considerations?
The issues related to the growing use of tools, techniques or systems
what is the factor of Global considerations?
The pressures that arise as a result of businesses operating in worldwide markets and competing on a global scale
what is the factor of Corporate social responsibility considerations?
The pressures on a business to take into account environmental considerations to ensure broader social welfare
what is the operating environment?
The specific outside stakeholders with whom the business interacts in conducting its business.
what do changes in the operating environment affect and do business have control over them?
A business has less control over these factors than the internal environment, but does still
have some influence over these stakeholders
what are the factors of the operating environemnt?
- suppliers
- competitors
- customers
- special intrest groups
what is the factor of customers?
The people who purchase goods and services from the business, expecting high quality at competitive prices
what is the factor of competitors?
Other businesses or individuals who produce and sell rival, or competing, goods or services to the ones offered by the business
what is the factor of suppliers?
The businesses or individuals that supply materials and other resources that the business needs to conduct its operations
what is the factor of special intrest groups?
The groups of people who attempt to directly influence or persuade a business to adopt particular policies or procedures, including lobby groups, business associations and unions.
what are key legal and governement regulations?
- health regulations
- weights and measures
- ownership
. sole trader
. partnership
. company - consumer protection
. refunds
. misleading and deceptive advertising
. unconsionable conduct
. product labelling - building permits
- safe food handling
- patents
- signage
- trade practices and fair trading
- development applications
- trading hours
- taxation
. pay as you go (PAYG) tax
. goods and services tax (GST)
. company tax
. payroll tax - employment of people
. awards
. superannuation
. occupational health and safety
. unfair dismissal
. workers compensation
. equal employment opportunity - licenses
- business registration
- copyright
- safety
- zoning
federal government obligations of business laws?
- payment of taxes for employees (earning above the minimum taxable income level) an for businesses with company tax and GST
- provision of employee superannuation
- observance of customs regulations
- abiding by relevant legislation that would affect business operations
state government obligations of business laws?
- provision of employee entitlements, including workers compensation, work health and safety (WHS) requirements, award rates of pay an entitlements
- payment of payable tax
- abiding by relevant state legislation (health, trade practices, employment)
- abiding by pollution controls
local government obligations of business laws?
- approving new development and alteration (to an existing building) applications
- fire regulations
- parking regulations (provision pf parking by new businesses)
- size, location and shape of business signs
what and why is it essential for businesses to have in relation to legal and government regulations?
It is essential that business owners have sound knowledge of the laws that will affect their operations when they are planning their business
what happens when business do not obey the law?
risk losing customers and their reputation, being fined or losing the right to continue trading
have their been changes to laws?
There have been a number of changes to laws in the
past 20 years which impact businesses
what does the new legislation surround?
New legislation (laws) relating to taxation, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination, protection of the environment
what does society expect with businesses regarding laws and legislation?
Society expects business owners to abide by the laws made by parliaments and local councils and in rulings set down by the courts
what do the levels of government do with business laws and legislation?
each level of government (federal, state and local) imposes its own direct and indirect regulations to which all businesses must adhere
can laws and legislation be changed?
Elected governments also attempt to make or change the laws that have an impact on businesses
Laws related to establishing a new business?
- A business name must be registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) unless the owner is trading under their own name, in which registration is optional
- New business names require an ABN (Australian business number)
- Companies or partnerships require their own tax file number
- If the business is established as a company, it is required to register with ASIC to receive a Certificate of Registration and an Australian Company Number (ACN).
Laws related to location?
The location and development of a business premises will be influenced by:
- Local government zoning (councils)
- Building regulations
- Regulations surrounding position and size of signage
- Fire regulations
- Parking regulations
what act do local councils impose health regulations under?
Food Act 1984 (Vic)
what do local councils supply business with relating to health regulations?
supply businesses with the regulations and standards they have to meet in order to obtain a licence to operate
what do health inspectors do?
A health inspector will assess premises regularly and often without warning to ensure the business owner maintains standards.
what do some health regulations relate to?
- Temperature of food storage
- Kitchen layout
- Employee clothing requirements
- Correct food handling
what happens if a business does not meet health regulations?
If problems occur, the business is given a period of time to rectify the situation or it will be closed down.
what are some employment regulations?
- Conditions of employment eg casual, part-time, full-time
- Unfair dismissal
- Dispute settling methods
- Wages
- Protection of human rights in employment
- Paying tax
- Paying superannuation into employee accounts
how is employee welfare provided?
through occupational health and safety legislation
what do business owners need to be aware of with employee regulations?
Business owners also need to be aware of their legal responsibilities when recruiting and selecting staff, especially in regard to discrimination and equal employment opportunities.
what will larger business do in relation to employee regulations?
Larger businesses will often employ human resource professionals who are responsible for ensuring that the business is acting in accordance with all legislation related to employment.
what act relates to Anti-discrimination regulations?
Equal opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
what does the Equal opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) state?
It’s unlawful to discriminate against an employee or potential employee on the basis of age, impairment,
marital status, physical features, political belief, gender, race, religious belief or sexual orientation
what must employers do with anti-discrimination regulations?
Employers must take steps to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation, therefore be proactive not reactive
what happens to an employer if discrimination does occur in the workplace?
they may be liable
do all places have the same work health and safety regulations?
Each state has its own health & safety laws
what is the relevant legislation for work health and safety regulations?
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
(Vic)
what are the main objectives of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)?
- Eliminating risks to health, safety or welfare of employees
- Ensuring health and safety of the public is not placed at risk
who does taxation laws apply to?
Taxation laws apply to all businesses.
what taxation laws do business need to abide by?
- All registered businesses are required to prepare a set of accounts — the business activity statement
(BAS) — at regular intervals, either monthly or quarterly. - The business may also have to pay state government payroll tax, as well as tax payable on its own
earnings. - A business owner will need to plan to comply with tax laws.
what does a BAS detail?
The BAS details the collection of the goods and services tax (GST), and payment of pay as you go
(PAYG) income tax instalments on behalf of employees.
what is a Business activity statement (BAS)?
records a business’s claims for input tax credits and accounts for GST payable
what is Goods and services tax (GST)?
is a broad-based tax of 10% on the supply of most goods and services consumed in Australia
what is the relevant legislation for trade practices and consumer protection?
Competition and consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth)
what does the competition and consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth) do?
- Provides guidelines for fair trading, advertising, credit and consumer protection
- State that consumers have the right to purchase good quality goods and fit for
purpose - If goods are faulty, the consumer is entitled to a replacement or a cash refund
- Also covers product safety, labelling, unfair market practices, price monitoring
what is the relevant legislation for environmental protection legislation?
Environment protection Act 1970 (Vic)
what does the environment protection Act 1970 (Vic) apply to?
Applies to noise emissions, preventing pollution and environmental damage to the air, water and land
what will happen if business owners plan to meet their legal responsibility to protect the environment?
Likely that the business will benefit in the long
term through cost savings, competitive
advantage and operational efficiencies.
Minimising the environmental impact of the
business will also be good for the health and
safety of employees and customers.
what are societal attitudes?
Societal attitudes are the ideas, values and beliefs held by people in society
do societal attitudes and behaviours change?
Societal attitudes and behaviours are constantly changing
what are values and beliefs?
Values and beliefs refer to the shared principles and
morals of a group of people - ideals about what is good or bad and necessary or unnecessary
what do values and beliefs determine?
Values and beliefs determine what people do, what they wear, what and how they eat and where and how they live
what do attitudes affect?
the way people behave
what are behaviours?
Behaviour relates to the actions that express these ideas, values and beliefs.
what do changing societal behaviours and attitudes affect?
affects how individuals live, work and consume products, how businesses operate and how stakeholders view the business in which they have an interest
how are values and beliefs learned?
These are often a learned way of life and can be passed on to younger members of society by older members.
how can values and beliefs be reflected?
Values and beliefs can be reflected in the way people behave, the way they treat each other and what they prioritise.
what has global access to information and communication done?
Global access to information and communication has made the world’s population acutely aware of what businesses are doing.
what are pressures from society doing?
Pressure from society continues to force businesses to implement procedures to preserve and protect the natural environment.
what are businesses today expected to do?
Businesses today are also expected to contribute to society by giving something positive to the communities in which they operate
what are trends?
A trend is the general direction in which people’s attitudes or behaviour in society is developing or changing
what is the trend ‘demographic’?
the characteristics of the human population eg ageing, overweight, more educated with uni degrees, health conscious, wanting diverse workplaces and family-friendly workplaces, time-poor
what are businesses that plan for changing demographics likely to do?
Businesses that plan for changing demographics are likely to thrive
whats another trend that may affect business planning?
Another trend that may affect business planning is the demand for family friendly and flexible workplaces
what are economic conditions?
refer to the set of influences that relate to economic activity, including interest rates, wages, unemployment, exchange rates and inflation
what and why businesses need to consider economically?
Business owners need to consider the state of the economy when planning a business as economic forces have an enormous impact on both businesses and customers
what does the economy influence?
They influence a business’s capacity to compete and customers’ willingness and ability to spend
what does a slump in the economy result in and vice versa?
When the economy is in a slump, spending is low & unemployment levels rise. When it is at a peak, spending is high.
What are the phases of the business cycle?
- expansion
- contraction
- peaks
- troughs
what happens in the expansion phase of the business cycle?
- increasing consumer spending
- business expectations increasingly optimistic
- increasing business investment
- sales and profit rising
- employment increases
- unemployment decreases
what happens in the contraction phase of the business cycle?
- decreasing consumer spending
- business expectations increasingly pessimistic
- decreasing business investment
- sales and profits falling
- employment decreases
- umemployment increases
what happens in the peak phases of the business cycle?
-wages and salaries high levels
- business operating at full capacity
- sales and products at higher levels
- high levels of employment
- low levels of unemployment
what happens in the trough phases of the business cycle?
- wages and salaries at low levels
- business operating at below full capacity
- sales and profits at lowest levels
- consumer spending at lowest levels
- lower levels of employment
- high levels of unemployment
what happens when the economy is in downturn?
When an economy is in a downturn, it will most likely mean that customers are not spending as much. Reduced spending translates to reduced opportunities for business.
what happens when the economy is booming?
When an economy is booming, lower levels of unemployment and rising incomes are likely to increase the overall level of spending in the economy. There are many opportunities for businesses to do well in this situation, and business owners may plan to expand as sales and profits increase.
what and how can information economic growth be beneficial?
Information on economic growth, and associated indicators such as inflation trends, average weekly earnings, consumer confidence, interest rates, consumer spending and unemployment provide businesses with insight into economic trends.