Unit 7 definitions - External Environment Flashcards
the average rate of return
the average annual profit as a percentage of the initial investment
equation for ARR
(total net cash flow/number of years) / initial investment x 100
barrier to entry
factors that make it difficult or impossible to enter an industry e.g economies of scale
boom
is above-trend growth of GDP and characterised by high consumer and business confidence, high investment rising prices, low unemployment and rampant speculation
Bric economies
for large emerging economies, Brazil Russia India Chin
Budget deficit
occurs when taxation receipts are less than gov spending. Low taxes and high government spending help the economy expand and boost overall demand for firms’ products. The UK had a very large budget deficit in 2020/21 - £320bn
budget surplus
occurs when taxation receipts are greater than gov spending. This tends to reduce demand in the economy
business cycle
a regular fluctuation of income and output (GDP) within an economy over time
the four stages of the business cycle
boom, recession, slump, recovery
carroll’s pyramid
sets out the priorities for businesses to become good corporate citizens, starting with the foal of being profitable, then obeying the law, then being ethical and finally being philanthropic
cartel
a formal or written agreement to restrict competition and boost profits. This may be by fixing price via restricting output or sharing out the market
competitive advantage
a distinctive feature that gives a firm an edge over its rivals. It may result from innovation, relationships or reputation e,g Coca-Cola has a secret recipe
competitions and markets authority
the main UK organisation is set up by gov to enforce competition law and tackle constraints on the competition. It is responsible for investigating mergers, monopolies and firms that may abuse their market power.
competition policy
government action to prevent abuse of monopoly power and restriction of competition. It involves policy focused on monopoly, mergers and restrictive practices to ensure they are not allowed to prevent, restrict or distort competition
conflict of interest
occurs where different individuals or stakeholders want different outcomes/decisions to be made. E.g shareholders in Stansted airport would like an extra runway to boost dividends while local residents do not want an extra runway as this would damage their peace and quiet
contractionary policy
leads to a reduction in demand within the economy due to gov action such as higher interest rates, higher taxes or lower gov spending
core competencies
a key area of strength for the business that gives it a comp advantage
corporate objectives
specific time-based targets relating to the whole business. E.g gain a market share of 12% by 2025
cost-push inflation
a general rise in prices caused by an increase in costs
CSR
a commitment to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of lif of the workforce as well as the local community at large
CPI
measures the average change from month to month in the prices of consumer goods and services purchased in the UK, using a typical basket of items
customs union
a group of countries that do not impose tariffs on each other’s goods and agree to impose common external tariffs on goods from countries outside their customs union e.g EU
demand-pull inflation
a general rise in prices due to a nationwide rise in demand for products
disposable income
is the amount of income available to spend after taxes and benefits have been dealt with
what is the equation for disposable income
gross income - direct tax + state benefits
disruptive technology / innovation
is the introduction of a new process or new product that radically changes the competitive advantage of an existing market e.g Uber and taxicabs
e-commerce
buying through electronic means
economic growth
a rise in the real GDP meaning an increase in the number of goods and services produced per head of the population over a period of time
Elkington’s triple bottom line
an accounting framework in which businesses are assessed not only from their financial impact and accounts but their social impact and accounts and its environmental impacts and account
what does ETBL consider
profit, people and the planet
emerging market
is a country whose GDP is growing faster than average and has the potential to grow further in terms of productive capacity, market opportunities and competitive advantage e.g India
enterprise finance guarantee scheme
is a government loan guarantee scheme to help to provide additional lending to viable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack adequate security of track record for a commercial loan. EFG was launched in January 2009 at the height of the credit crunch and has supported over 20,000 SMEs
enterprise policy
government action to encourage the start-up of new businesses and health and growth of young businesses e.g New Enterprise Allowance, Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme, GRowth voucher programme, Science and research funding.
environmental audit
a check up on the level of pollution emissions, wastage, energy consumption, recycling levels and use of non-renewable resources of a firm
exchange appreciation
a rising value of the currency compared to other currencies e.g from £1:€1.15 in Jan 2015 to £1:€1.44 in July 2017
exchange depreciation
a fall in the value of the currency compared to other currencies e.g from £1:$1.47 in June 2016 to £1:$1.23 in December 2016