Introduction to Business

Businesses should aim to improve customers' quality of life. This is done by trading goods and services and improving the production quality of goods and services to satisfy consumers' needs. There is much more to the business process, though. Read along to take a closer look at some of the fundamentals.

Get started

Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies

Sign up for free

Need help?
Meet our AI Assistant

Upload Icon

Create flashcards automatically from your own documents.

   Upload Documents
Upload Dots

FC Phone Screen

Need help with
Introduction to Business?
Ask our AI Assistant

Review generated flashcards

Sign up for free
You have reached the daily AI limit

Start learning or create your own AI flashcards

Contents
Contents

Jump to a key chapter

    What is Business?

    Business is economic activity that involves the exchange of products and/or services for profits, or other motives. It is a transactional activity.

    Business looks to satisfy customers' needs through the provision and production of necessary services or goods.

    Goods are tangible items produced and traded by businesses in order to generate profits. Examples include bags, food, and electronics.

    Services are intangible products that cannot be touched, held, or stored. Examples include services from lawyers, doctors, banks, or internet providers.

    Business activities are important for improving the standard of life by creating employment opportunities, providing services, and producing goods.

    Some businesses are not established for profit generation, though. These businesses, referred to as not-for-profit organisations, are established for purposes other than the generation of profit.

    These purposes usually include goals that benefit society as a whole, such as the provision of education or community empowerment. Examples of such organizations include Amnesty International, Boy Scouts, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Introduction to Business: Business Factors of Production

    In the provision of goods and services, businesses utilise the four factors of production. They are land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship (see Figure 1 below).

    Introduction to Business, factors of production, StudySmarterFig. 1 - Factors of Production

    Introduction to Business: Land (natural resources)

    Often referred to as just land, natural resources are inputs such as raw materials and land areas essential for business activities. Examples of natural resources include minerals, farmland, water, forests, etc.

    Capital refers to the resources and money used by the business to create further wealth. It is used to purchase non-current assets like machinery, equipment, warehouses, etc.

    Often referred to as labour, human resources involve human input - skilled or unskilled - into business activities. Examples include business managers, workers, scientists, and all employees who work for a company.

    Introduction to Business: Entrepreneurship

    These are risk-takers who manage other factors of production to provide the goods and services needed to satisfy consumers' needs, while also making profits for the business. They are referred to as risk-takers because not all business processes return profits.

    Business Environment

    The business environment takes into consideration all events, factors, or conditions, internal or external, that influence business activities. These factors may either have a direct or an indirect effect on the business and may either provide it with an opportunity or a risk.

    The interaction between the environment and business is mutual. Examples of business environments include government regulations, health and safety regulations, the economic climate, the political environment, technology changes, environmental culture, competition, and customer demand.

    Types of business environments

    The two types of business environments are internal and external.

    Introduction to Business, Types of business environment, StudySmarterFig. 2 - Types of Business Environments

    The internal environment is related to the internal functions of the business, such as its operations, its employees, its management, ethics, marketing resources, etc.

    The external environment is related to influences that come from outside of the business, such as governmental bodies, the economic climate, customer demands, etc.

    Introduction to Business: Stakeholders

    Stakeholders are either internal or external parties who hold interest in the activities of a business, and can exert or receive influence in regard to that business. Stakeholders include owners, investors, employees, suppliers, customers, communities, trade associations, and government bodies.

    A business stakeholder can be of two types - internal or external.

    Internal stakeholders have a direct relationship with the business. They could be employees or investors. Thus they have a significant interest in the business.

    External stakeholders are those who don’t have a direct relationship with the business but are still affected by or are affecting business activities. Examples include suppliers and local communities.

    Check out our explanation on Stakeholders to find out more!

    Introduction to Business Management

    Business management refers to the organising, maintaining and allocating of business resources in order to achieve business goals and develop the business. Business managers are responsible for overseeing the management processes of the business enterprise.

    Introduction to Business: Business enterprise and entrepreneurship

    An 'entrepreneur' is someone who uses an available opportunity to set up a new business. This opportunity may arise due to an unsatisfied market need, a drive to make a social difference, or simply to make a profit. Entrepreneurs bear most of the risks that come with setting up a new business. However, they also enjoy the rewards if it is a success.

    Want to learn more about entrepreneurship? Take a look at our Business enterprise explanation

    Risks and Rewards of starting a business

    Starting a new business is risky. The kinds of risks in starting a new business include:

    1. Strategic risks

    2. Operational risks

    3. Financial risks

    4. Compliance risks

    5. Reputation risks.

    The rewards of starting a new business include:

    1. Sense of satisfaction

    2. Financial rewards mostly from business profitability

    3. Expanding business reach

    4. Provides the entrepreneur with autonomy

    5. Provides the entrepreneur with a platform for growth and development.

    To learn more about this topic, check out our explanation, Risks and rewards of business enterprise.

    In conclusion, businesses are essential for improving stakeholders' quality of life. An entrepreneur might have a fantastic idea for a business opportunity that leads to a huge amount of sales and profit. Starting a company is a huge challenge, though, and there are numerous internal and external risks businesses face. It is important to pay attention to these to minimise business failure.

    Introduction to Business - Key takeaways

    • Business is any economic activity that involves the exchange of products and/or services for profits, or other motives. It is a transactional activity.

    • Goods are tangible items produced and traded by businesses in order to generate profits. Examples include bags, food, and electronics.

    • Services are intangible products that cannot be touched, held, or stored. Examples include services from lawyers, doctors, banks, or internet providers.

    • When providing goods and services, businesses utilise the four factors of production. They are land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship

    • The business environment takes into consideration all events, factors, or conditions - internal or external - that influence business activities.

    • Stakeholders are either internal or external parties who hold an interest in the activities of a business.

    • An'entrepreneur' is someone who uses an available opportunity to set up a new business.

    • There are various risks and rewards associated with starting a business.

    Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

    Human resources can also be referred to asLandManagement Labour None of the above

    Identify an external stakeholder from the following list.

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a profit-making business?

    Next

    Discover learning materials with the free StudySmarter app

    Sign up for free
    1
    About StudySmarter

    StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

    Learn more
    StudySmarter Editorial Team

    Team Business Studies Teachers

    • 6 minutes reading time
    • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
    Save Explanation Save Explanation

    Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

    Sign-up for free

    Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

    The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

    • Flashcards & Quizzes
    • AI Study Assistant
    • Study Planner
    • Mock-Exams
    • Smart Note-Taking
    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App
    Sign up with Email