Unit 3 Flashcards
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Is concerned with monetary stability in the world economy. Members contribute quota subscriptions. To start a system of fixed stable exchange rates was set up. This evolved in the 1970s into a floating rate system we have today. The IMF still provides loans for countries with balance of payments deficits which are causing their currencies to depreciate very sharply. It gives copious advice on individual governments on economic policy which is often controversial. It still provides a useful talking shop for national economic policy makers.
The World Trade Organisation WTO
Used to be called the GATT (general agreement on tariffs and trade) This was too small, poorly funded organisation. It still managed to organise regular trade negotiations that led to import controls being steadily reduced. This helped many countries to find new markets to export to. In 1995 GATT was relaunched as the WTO with more staff and funding to continue the process of trade liberalisation.
Trade liberalisation
The process of reducing import taxes and cutting quota restrictions.
Trading blocs
Is a type of agreement, often part of regional intergovernmental organisation, where trade barriers to trade are reduced or eliminated among the participating states.
Interdependence
The dependence that countries have on each other. Buyers are often dependant on urging their requirements from other countries because of better values. FDI links to interdependence counties often depend on g MNC help develop their country. A natural consequence of interdependence is that a change in one country will affect many other economies.
Market share
The percentage of total sales f one particular product from an individual business
Market saturation
Occurs when it becomes impossible to expand sales further in that particular market. If the product is a durable good eg a washing machine it may still be possible to sell replacement machines
Market penetration
Refers to the process of expanding market share o as to reach a larger number of customers
Innovation
May mean either a new product development or an improved development or an improvement in the design of an existing product
Process innovation
Urging costs y finding a better method of producing
Extending product lifecycle
Extending the phase which many products go through between their first introduction to the market and the eventual decline in sales that lead to production ceasing.
Business objectives
The underlying reason for businesses searching for new markets is the desire to expand to make more profit and to spread the risk associated with growth.
Supply chain
The sequence of processes which starts with acquiring the most basic inputs no ends with delivery of the product to the consumer.
Outsourcing
Buying necessary inputs from independent suppliers either in the same country or overseas.
Joint ventures
Involve businesses in collaborative relationship with a local producer. They are of particular value to businesses that want to produce and/or sell in an unfamiliar market.
Trade liberalisation
The process of limiting and reducing barriers to trade so that economies move closer to free trade.
Globalisation
The ongoing process by which regional economies ,societies and cultures have become integrated through a global spanning network of communication and trade.
Economies of scale
As outputs grow, businesses can produce at a lower average cost than before.
Foreign direct Investment FDI
Occurs when businesses set up factories or other types of production or distribution facilities in other countries.
Structural change
Occurs when some industries are dealing while others are growing.
Free trade areas
Groups of countries that trade completely freely with each other it’s no trade barriers but each member country retains its own independent trade policies in relation to the rest of the world.
Common markets
Have completely free trade internally and a single unified trade policy covering all member countries trade with the rest of the world. But besides free movement of goods and services there is also free movement of people and capital
Single market
Barriers to the movement of goods services people and capital have gradually been reduced within the EU making it more and more like a single economy.
Harmonisation
Leads to most regulatory control on businesses being common to all Eu member countries.
The common agricultural policy CAP
Protects EU farmers from foreign competitive to a very considerable degree. EU import controls on food products are high