Chapter 7 Business Environment Solutions

Part A

Part B

(a) Globalization

(3) Borderless economy

(b) Privatization

(6) Disinvestment

(c) Liberalization

(9) Abolishing license policy

(d) New economic policy

(8) 1991

(e) Social Environment

(7) Social Values

Part A

Part B

(a) Internal environment

(1) Knowledge of law

(b) Political environment

(2) Taxation policy

(c) Legal environment

(3) Technology

(d) Economic environment

(4) Traditions

(5) WTO

(6) Controlled by business

(7) High cost

(8) Ideology of political party

Part A

Part B

(a) Internal environment

(7) High cost

(b) Political environment

(8) Ideology of political party

(c) Legal environment

(2) Taxation policy

(d) Economic environment

(3) Technology

1. (C) Write a word or a term or a phrase which can substitute each of the following statements

1. (D) State whether the following statements are True or False

1. (E) Complete the sentence

1. (F) Select the correct option

1. (G) Correct the underline word and rewrite the following sentence

1. (H) Answer in one sentences

2. Explain the following terms /concept.

According to Bayard O. Wheeler
“The total of all things external to firm and industries which affect their organization and operations is called as “Business Environment”.

3. Study the following case/situation and express your opinion.

(1) The court passes an order to ban polythene bags as the bags are creating many environmental problems which affects the life of people in general.
(2) Society in general is more concerned about quality of life. The government decided to give subsidy to jute industry to promote this business.

2. Anchor company manufacturing light tubes increased expenditure on Scientific Research and Development and discovered a technology that made it possible to produce an energy efficient light tubes that lasts at least twenty times as long as standard tubes. It resulted in growth and profitability of the company.

3. Make in India is an initiative launched by the government of India. It focuses on job creation and skill development and it is in twenty five sectors of the economy. Under the initiative, brochures on these sectors and web portal were released. The initiative aims at high quality standards and minimizing the impact on environment.It also seeks to attract foreign capital investment in India.

4. Distinguish between the following

5. Answer in brief.

6. Justify the following statements.

7. Attempt the following

(ii) Opportunities and Threats : Study of business environment enables a business enterprise to visualise future problems that can arises as also future business prospects in advance. Deriving benefit from honourable business opportunities is possible as also it can face the problems boldly. Awareness of environment help an organisation to take advantage of such opportunities instead of loosing them to competition. It helps organisation to identify various threats on time and serves as an early signal.

(iii) Competition : Understanding the business environment helps to obtain qualitative information which in turn is useful in formulating business plans, policies and strategies for the future course of action.

(iv) Utilization of Resources Optimally : Optimum use of available resources for the business enterprise is possible by studying the business environment. It enables the enterprise to take full advantage of the policies implemented by the government.

(v) Strength and Weakness Identification : With the change of technology and global development it helps to analyze individual strength and weakness of the business understanding the challenges, appropriate decisions are taken on timely basis.

(vi) Knowledge : Study of environment is necessary to discover and exploit new opportunities for business expansion broad strategies and long term planning enable the development of a formidable business wait.

(vii) Image Building: Environment study makes it possible for the business to expand and to make it acceptable and agreeable to different social groups. By fulfilling its social obligations towards different groups of society, business can create goodwill and reputation for itself.

(viii) Adaptability to Socio-Economic Changes : A business organization needs to show its keen intentions towards adapting to the socio-economic changes.

2. Social Trends : Business practices and procedures must be in tune with the social beliefs. Growing number of working women and changing life style have increased the demand for household appliances in India.

3. Social Values : Cultural and social values, (social justice, national integration, etc.), family organization and caste structure, social institutions and groups, are taken to consideration while making practices and procedures of business.

4. Traditions : Customs and traditions. (Diwali, Id, Christmas, etc.) also has an effect on the business. The businessmen have to be more responsible towards the demand of the people accordingly.

2. Economic Condition : If refers to present state of economy of a country or region based on gross domestic product, per capita income, availability of capital, etc.

3. Economic Policies: Government frames economic policies time to time influencing the business activities. In order to controls the business in the interest of the politics, e.g. – Industrial policy, monetary policy, foreign investment policy etc.

4. Economic System: It refers to the scope of private business and extent of government regulation on economic activities determines the nature of economic system i.e. – capitalist social or mixed economic.

Political stability builds up confidence among business people to invest in long-term projects for the growth of the economy. In India we have adopted mixed economy and growth rate often remains moderate. Indian political system comprises three vital institutions like Legislature, Government and Judiciary.

(B) Impact of changes in Government Policy on Business and Industry:
1. Budgetary Support: The Central Government’s budgetary support for financing the public sector outlays has declined over the years. In order to survive and grow, PSUs have to be more efficient and self sufficient so as to compete with private sector.

2. Increase in Competition : Competition for Indian firms has increased due to the changes in the rules of industrial licensing and entry of foreign firms, for e.g. Service Industries like Insurance, Banking, Telecommunications, Hotel and Airlines, etc. which were earlier in the public sector are now facing competition from private players such as Bajaj Alliance, Max Life, Star Life, Insurance, low cost airlines like Indigo, etc.

3. New Trade Policy : The new trade policy has helped the Indian Firms to enter into foreign markets and earn the foreign exchange required for importing raw materials, spare parts and components they needed for keeping their production lines going.

4. Demanding Customers : Today’s market is customer oriented as customers are well informed and there is growing awareness among them about the malpractices adopted by traders, consumer rights, consumer education and so on. Moreover, competition in the market gives the customer wider choice in purchasing good quality product and makes customer more demanding.

5. Need for Human Resource Development : New technologies require expert knowledge and skill in various fields. Moreover, newer markets made it compulsory for companies to acquire trained personnel with high degree of competence and commitment. Hence, there is a need for well trained staff and thereby develop human resources.

6. Change in Technological Environment : Increased competition and advancements in the field of technology have forced the business units to develop new ways to survive and grow in the market and keep pace with latest technological developments.

7. Change in the Concept of Marketing : Earlier business organisations were production oriented but due to fast changing business world it has now become market oriented. This changed to societal concept where needs of society are kept in mind by the producers. The latest is relationship marketing whereby it is not only producing goods for consumers but maintaining long term relationship with them so as to sustain them.

8. Answer the following

Business environment consists of economic, social, legal, technological and political situation. Business obtains money, material, machinery and manpower and other resources from environment.
According to B. O. Wheeler – Business environment is “the total of all things external to firms and individuals which effect their organisation and operations”.
According to Oxford English Dictionary – “Business Environment refers to those aspects of the surroundings of a business enterprise which influence or effect its operations and determine its effectiveness.”
Basically business environment consists of all internal and external factors that influence the nature and scope of business activity.

(B) Importance of Business Environment:
(i) Flexible and Dynamic : Changing environmental factors should be appraised from time to time. So as to keep the business flexible and dynamic. The new opportunities and threats created by the environment can be appraised by the corporate planners to make the most of it. Turbulent market conditions, less brand loyalty, more demanding customers and intense global competition are some of the images of todays business environment. In order to cope with these significant changes, organization must understand and examine the environment and develop suitable course of activity.

(ii) Opportunities and Threats : Study of business environment enables a business enterprise to visualise future problems that can arises as also future business prospects in advance. Deriving benefit from honourable business opportunities is possible as also it can face the problems boldly. Awareness of environment help an organisation to take advantage of such opportunities instead of loosing them to competition. It helps organisation to identify various threats on time and serves as an early signal.

(iii) Competition : Understanding the business environment helps to obtain qualitative information which in turn is useful in formulating business plans, policies and strategies for the future course of action.

(iv) Utilization of Resources Optimally : Optimum use of available resources for the business enterprise is possible by studying the business environment. It enables the enterprise to take full advantage of the policies implemented by the government.

(v) Strength and Weakness Identification : With the change of technology and global development it helps to analyze individual strength and weakness of the business understanding the challenges, appropriate decisions are taken on timely basis.

(vi) Knowledge : Study of environment is necessary to discover and exploit new opportunities for business expansion broad strategies and long term planning enable the development of a formidable business wait.

(vii) Image Building: Environment study makes it possible for the business to expand and to make it acceptable and agreeable to different social groups. By fulfilling its social obligations towards different groups of society, business can create goodwill and reputation for itself.

(viii) Adaptability to Socio-Economic Changes : A business organization needs to show its keen intentions towards adapting to the socio-economic changes.

(i) Liberalisation:
It means to liberate the industry, trade and commerce from the unnecessary restrictions and regulations that curtailed the freedom of enterprise.
Liberalisation has helped the Indian economy to open up and allowed the entry of foreign business in India. The interaction with the world has happened after the 1991 policy.

Liberalisation policy has brought about the following measures:

Liberalisation has thus made the country achieve high growth rate, made the rupee stronger and helped good industrial relations.

(ii) Privatisation:
Privatisation is a process of transferring ownership of business, enterprise agency or public service from the public sector (government) to the private sector.
Features of Privatisation are:

The government of the country has followed a disinvestment policy.

Disinvestment means:

(iii) Globalisation:
When the operation and organization of business activities are on a global scale, it is called as Globalisation. It is integration of business activities by considering the entire world is one market.

In short globalisation means a boundary less world, where there would be a free flow of goods, services, information, capital and people across nations. Globalisation has effect on socio-economic and political sphere of life.

Features of Globalisation:

Thus it could be seen that globalisation is an evolutionary concept. Through the policy of 1991 the government moved the country to this globalisation pattern.