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Questions and Answers
What is production?
What is production?
The process of creating goods and services using factors of production (land, labor, capital, and enterprise).
Which of the following is NOT a factor of production?
Which of the following is NOT a factor of production?
What is the definition of labor?
What is the definition of labor?
The physical and mental human effort involved in producing goods and services.
Wages are the payment for labor?
Wages are the payment for labor?
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What is enterprise?
What is enterprise?
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Capital refers to man-made resources used for production.
Capital refers to man-made resources used for production.
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Which of the following is an example of working capital?
Which of the following is an example of working capital?
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What is fixed capital?
What is fixed capital?
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Entrepreneurs are not responsible for economic risks.
Entrepreneurs are not responsible for economic risks.
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What is opportunity cost?
What is opportunity cost?
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Division of labor increases efficiency and productivity.
Division of labor increases efficiency and productivity.
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What is NOT a disadvantage of division of labor?
What is NOT a disadvantage of division of labor?
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Define added value.
Define added value.
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Which of the following is NOT a way to increase added value?
Which of the following is NOT a way to increase added value?
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Privatization involves transferring an industry from the public sector to the private sector.
Privatization involves transferring an industry from the public sector to the private sector.
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What is NOT a potential disadvantage of privatization?
What is NOT a potential disadvantage of privatization?
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Entrepreneurs must be able to solve problems, learn continuously, and believe in their abilities.
Entrepreneurs must be able to solve problems, learn continuously, and believe in their abilities.
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What is the main purpose of a business plan?
What is the main purpose of a business plan?
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Government support can help increase competition and benefit society by supporting startups.
Government support can help increase competition and benefit society by supporting startups.
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Which of the following is NOT a typical government support for startups?
Which of the following is NOT a typical government support for startups?
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What are the main factors considered when determining the size of a firm?
What are the main factors considered when determining the size of a firm?
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Capital-intensive firms typically employ a larger workforce than labor-intensive firms.
Capital-intensive firms typically employ a larger workforce than labor-intensive firms.
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What are the two main types of intensive firms based on their primary input?
What are the two main types of intensive firms based on their primary input?
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A firm with a low output level will always employ fewer people than a firm with a high output level.
A firm with a low output level will always employ fewer people than a firm with a high output level.
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What is the meaning of 'value of output'?
What is the meaning of 'value of output'?
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Value of sales is always a reliable indicator of a business's profitability.
Value of sales is always a reliable indicator of a business's profitability.
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Define 'value of capital employed.'
Define 'value of capital employed.'
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of business expansion?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of business expansion?
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Growth of firms can only occur through international growth.
Growth of firms can only occur through international growth.
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Describe the difference between internal growth and external growth for businesses.
Describe the difference between internal growth and external growth for businesses.
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Horizontal mergers are more common between businesses in different stages of production.
Horizontal mergers are more common between businesses in different stages of production.
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of horizontal mergers?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of horizontal mergers?
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Vertical integration involves a business combining with another business operating in a different stage of production.
Vertical integration involves a business combining with another business operating in a different stage of production.
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Explain vertical backwards integration and provide an example.
Explain vertical backwards integration and provide an example.
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of conglomerate mergers?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of conglomerate mergers?
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Horizontal integration occurs when a business partners with a company that purchases the products it sells.
Horizontal integration occurs when a business partners with a company that purchases the products it sells.
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What is the marketing mix?
What is the marketing mix?
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Packaging is considered as part of the product and promotion marketing.
Packaging is considered as part of the product and promotion marketing.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of product?
Which of the following is NOT a type of product?
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The type of product or service a business offers has no impact on its marketing strategy.
The type of product or service a business offers has no impact on its marketing strategy.
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Producing the right product at the right price is irrelevant to the marketing mix.
Producing the right product at the right price is irrelevant to the marketing mix.
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What are the key factors that contribute to a product being considered 'right'?
What are the key factors that contribute to a product being considered 'right'?
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of developing new products?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of developing new products?
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The cost of market research and analysis is negligibly small for developing new products.
The cost of market research and analysis is negligibly small for developing new products.
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Define 'brand loyalty' and its significance.
Define 'brand loyalty' and its significance.
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Brand awareness is when consumers consistently mistake a brand for its product.
Brand awareness is when consumers consistently mistake a brand for its product.
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What is packaging and its primary purpose?
What is packaging and its primary purpose?
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of packaging?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of packaging?
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The product life cycle is the same for all products.
The product life cycle is the same for all products.
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The exact stage of a product within the product life cycle can be easily determined and does not require careful monitoring.
The exact stage of a product within the product life cycle can be easily determined and does not require careful monitoring.
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The product life cycle is not influenced by technological advancements.
The product life cycle is not influenced by technological advancements.
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Explain the development stage of the product life cycle.
Explain the development stage of the product life cycle.
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During the introduction stage, high spending on promotion is crucial to create awareness for a new product.
During the introduction stage, high spending on promotion is crucial to create awareness for a new product.
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Why do sales increase rapidly during the growth stage of the product life cycle?
Why do sales increase rapidly during the growth stage of the product life cycle?
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The maturity stage of a product is typically characterized by slow sales growth due to intense competition.
The maturity stage of a product is typically characterized by slow sales growth due to intense competition.
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What is NOT a typical characteristic of the saturation stage of the product life cycle?
What is NOT a typical characteristic of the saturation stage of the product life cycle?
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During the decline stage, sales of the product decline because it has lost consumer appeal.
During the decline stage, sales of the product decline because it has lost consumer appeal.
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Advertising is always essential regardless of a product's stage within the product life cycle.
Advertising is always essential regardless of a product's stage within the product life cycle.
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Describe the purpose of extension strategies and when they are typically employed.
Describe the purpose of extension strategies and when they are typically employed.
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Which of the following is NOT a common extension strategy?
Which of the following is NOT a common extension strategy?
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Penetration pricing involves setting a higher price than competitors to enter a new market.
Penetration pricing involves setting a higher price than competitors to enter a new market.
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Penetration pricing aims to encourage customers to switch to a new product because of its lower price.
Penetration pricing aims to encourage customers to switch to a new product because of its lower price.
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Penetration pricing is typically used for short-term profit maximization.
Penetration pricing is typically used for short-term profit maximization.
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Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of penetration pricing?
Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of penetration pricing?
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Price skimming is only used for existing products, never for new ones.
Price skimming is only used for existing products, never for new ones.
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Price skimming aims to attract price-sensitive customers.
Price skimming aims to attract price-sensitive customers.
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Explain the purpose of promotional pricing.
Explain the purpose of promotional pricing.
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Promotional pricing is always effective in the long term for building brand loyalty.
Promotional pricing is always effective in the long term for building brand loyalty.
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Psychological pricing is based on the idea that certain prices have a psychological impact on consumers and influence their buying decisions.
Psychological pricing is based on the idea that certain prices have a psychological impact on consumers and influence their buying decisions.
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Dynamic pricing involves offering the same product at different prices to diverse customer segments, catering to their differing price sensitivities and demand.
Dynamic pricing involves offering the same product at different prices to diverse customer segments, catering to their differing price sensitivities and demand.
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What are the four Ps of marketing?
What are the four Ps of marketing?
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Explain the role of packaging within the four Ps of marketing.
Explain the role of packaging within the four Ps of marketing.
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A product's lifecycle has a fixed duration that remains constant across markets.
A product's lifecycle has a fixed duration that remains constant across markets.
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Which stage of the product life cycle is characterized by high spending on promotion?
Which stage of the product life cycle is characterized by high spending on promotion?
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The growth stage of the product life cycle usually features a decrease in sales due to competitors.
The growth stage of the product life cycle usually features a decrease in sales due to competitors.
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Persuasive advertising is primarily used in the maturity stage to differentiate a product from competitors.
Persuasive advertising is primarily used in the maturity stage to differentiate a product from competitors.
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The decline stage of the product life cycle is characterized by reduced advertising spending.
The decline stage of the product life cycle is characterized by reduced advertising spending.
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What is the main objective of penetration pricing?
What is the main objective of penetration pricing?
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Penetration pricing is typically associated with long-term profit maximization.
Penetration pricing is typically associated with long-term profit maximization.
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Price skimming is a pricing strategy that focuses on maximizing profits per unit early in the product life cycle.
Price skimming is a pricing strategy that focuses on maximizing profits per unit early in the product life cycle.
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Study Notes
Production
- Production is the creation of goods and services
- Factors of production include:
- Labour: physical and mental effort
- Land: natural resources, renewable/non-renewable
- Capital: man-made resources for production
- Enterprise: willingness to take risks and make decisions in business
Working capital vs Fixed capital
- Working Capital: goods not yet used (on shelves)
- Fixed capital: goods used regularly (e.g. machinery)
Enterprise
- Willingness and ability to bear uncertain risks and make business decisions.
Economic Problem & Opportunity Cost
- Choosing how to use limited resources wisely.
- Opportunity cost is the next best alternative forgone when a choice is made.
Specialisation
- Division of labour: breaking down a production process into different tasks.
- Advantages:
- Increased efficiency and output
- Less time wasted
- Disadvantages:
- Could be boring for workers
- If one worker is absent, it can impact output.
Added Value
- Added value is the difference between the selling price and cost of inputs.
Ways to increase added value
- Raising selling price, while input costs remain the same.
- Lowering input costs while maintaining selling prices.
Privatization
- Transferring ownership and management of industries from public to private sector.
- Cons:
- May not consider all costs and benefits to society
- Can lead to monopolies
- Lower quality and higher prices if there is a lack of competition.
- Pros:
- Easier to raise funds
- Products may satisfy consumer needs more easily
- Businesses are more efficient
Business Plans
- Description of the business
- Products and services offered
- Target market (who you sell to)
- Competitors
- Business location
- How to reach customers (distribution plan)
Government Support
- Governments offer support to entrepreneurs to increase competition, output, and benefit society.
- Support can include training, low-cost premises, low-interest loans, and grants.
Size of Firms
- Size of a business can be measured by:
- Number of employees
- Output value
- Revenue
- Capital employed
Capital intensive firms
- Employ fewer people
- High output levels
- Examples include Tesla and Honda
Labour intensive firms
- Opposite of capital intensive, employing a lot of people.
Business Expansion
- Pros:
- Higher profits
- More prestige
- Economies of scale
- Larger market share
- Methods of growth
- International growth (enlarging existing plants or opening new ones)
Product Life Cycle
- Stages a product goes through from introduction to decline:
- Development: testing/prototyping
- Introduction: launch to wider market, high promotion
- Growth: rapid sales increase
- Maturity: slower sales increase, competitive pricing
- Saturation: high competition, no new competitors
- Decline: sales fall, low demand
Product Life Cycle: Extension Strategies
- Ways to extend the product life cycle
- Introduce new variations (small changes in design, color, packaging)
- Selling into new markets
- Advertising campaigns
- Improvements to old products
- Selling through multiple retail outlets
Marketing Mix: Price
- Setting prices for products which considers:
- Brand image
- Competitors
- Market Share
- Methods of Pricing:
- Cost plus pricing: costs plus a profit margin
- Competitive pricing: pricing in line with competitors
- Penetration pricing: lower prices to enter market
- Price skimming: high prices initially for a new product
- Promotional pricing: temporary low prices
Marketing Mix: Promotion
- Raising customer awareness.
- Methods:
- Advertising (above the line): widely broadcast media (TV, radio etc.)
- Sales promotion (below the line): short-term incentives (coupons, discounts)
Marketing Mix: Other Elements
- Product: what the business sells
- Price: amount of money charged
- Place: where the product is sold
- Promotion: how the product is advertised
Types of advertising
- Persuasive: trying to convince consumer that they need the product
- Informative: providing information
- Sales promotion: incentives for buyers to purchase (promotions)
Marketing Budget
- Financial plan for marketing a product or range over a period of time.
- A consideration for firms which spend less money
Social Media Marketing
- Creating and sharing content across social media to achieve marketing goals.
Viral Marketing
- Encouraging consumers to share info about the product online.
E-Commerce (electronic commerce)
- Buying and selling goods/services online
Forms of Working Capital
- Additional working capital
- Working capital - finance needed for daily costs.
- No business can be run without sufficient working capital.
- Includes cash, debtors, inventory
Statement of Financial Position
- Summarize the value/worth of the business at a given time.
- It shows the business's assets and liabilities.
Assets
- Items of value owned by the business.
- Types
- Current assets: used within one year (cash, inventory, accounts receivable)
- Non-current assets: used over a year (equipment, buildings)
Liabilities
- Debts owed by the business
- Types
- Current liabilities: debts payable within a year (accounts payable, loans)
- Non current liabilities: debts payable over more than one year. (long-term loans)
- Shareholder's equity= amount invested by shareholders + retained profit
Profitability Ratios
- Measures of profitability
- Includes:
- Gross profit margin
- Net profit margin
- Return on capital employed
Liquidity Ratios
- Measures of liquidity.
- Includes
- Current ratio
- Acid test ratio
Business Cycles
- The fluctuation in a country’s total output (GDP).
- Stages
- Growth: rising GDP
- Boom: high spending
- Recession: decrease in spending
- Slump: low demand, many businesses close downs
Government Economic Policies
- Fiscal Policy: Changes in taxation and government spending.
- Monetary Policy: Changes in the level of interest rates, controlled by central banks.
- Supply-side policies: Aim to improve training, increase competition, and improve efficiency overall.
Environmental and Ethical Issues
- Social Responsibility: Impacts of a business decision
- Environmental Responsibilities: Consideration for the environment (recycling, renewable sources)
- Ethical Issues: Doing the right thing
Protectionism
Policies that protect businesses from foreign competition.
- Includes:
- Tariffs (taxes on imported goods)
- import quotas (limits on the number of imports)
Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
- Businesses that operate in more than one country.
- Benefits:
- Lower production costs
- Access to new markets
- Global reach
- Drawbacks:
- Reduced local business
- Repatriation of profits
Exchange Rates
- The price of one currency in relation to another.
- Exchange rates can affect the competitiveness of a company or country.
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