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Business Essentials
The US Business Environment, The Global Context of Business, and Operations Management and Quality
144
Business
Undergraduate 1
09/26/2012

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Term
Business
Definition

Organization that provides goods or services to earn profits 

 

Term
Profits
Definition
Difference between a business's revenues and its expenses
Term
External Environment
Definition
Everything outside an organization's boundaries that might affect it
Term
Domestic Business Environment
Definition
The environment in which a firm conducts its operations and derives its revenues
Term
Global Business Environment
Definition
The international forces that affect a business
Term
Technological Environment
Definition
All the ways by which firms create value for their constituents
Term
Political- Legal Environment
Definition
The relationship between business and government
Term
Sociocultural Environment
Definition
The customs, mores, values and demographic characteristics of the society in which an organization functions
Term
Economic Environment
Definition
Relevant conditions that exist in the economic system in which a company operates
Term
Economic System
Definition
A nation's system for allocating its resources among its citizens
Term
Factors of Production
Definition
Resources used in the production of goods and services- labor, capital, entrepreneurs, physical resources, and information resources
Term
Labor (Human Resources)
Definition
Physical and mental capabilities of people as they contribute to economic production
Term
Capital
Definition
Funds needed to create and operate a business enterprise
Term
Entrepreneur
Definition
Individual who accepts the risks and opportunities involved in creating and operating a new business venture
Term
Physical Resources
Definition
Tangible items organizations use in the conduct of their businesses
Term
Information Resources
Definition
Data and other information used by businesses
Term
Planned Economy
Definition
Economy that relies on a centralized government to control all or most factors of production and to make all or most production and allocation decisions
Term
Market Economy
Definition
Economy in which individuals control production and allocation decisions through supply and demand
Term
Communism
Definition
Political system in which the government owns and operates all factors of production
Term
Market
Definition
Mechanism for exchange between buying and sellers of a particular good or service
Term
Capitalism
Definition
System that sanctions the private ownership of the factors of production and encourages entrepreneurship by offering profits as an incentive
Term
Mixed Market Economy
Definition
Economic system featuring characteristics of both planned and market economies
Term
Privatization
Definition
Process of converting government enterprises into privately owned companies
Term
Socialism
Definition
Planned economic system in which the government owns and operates only selected major sources of production
Term
Demand
Definition
The willingness and ability of buyers to purchase a good or service
Term
Supply
Definition
The willingness and ability of producers to offer a good or service for sale
Term
Law of Demand
Definition
Principle that buyers will purchase more of a product as its price drops and less as its price increases
Term
Law of Supply
Definition
Principle that producers will offer more of a product for sale as its price rises and less as its price drops
Term
Demand and Supply Schedule
Definition
Assessment of the relationships among different levels of demand and supply at different price levels
Term
Demand Curve
Definition
Graph showing how many units of a product will be demanded (bought) at different prices
Term
Supply Curve
Definition
Graph showing how many units of a product will be supplied (offered for sale) at different prices
Term
Market Price (Equilibrium Price)
Definition
Profit-maximizing price at which the quantity of goods demanded and the quantity of goods supplied are equal
Term
Surplus
Definition
Situation in which quantity supplied exceeds quantity demanded
Term
Shortage
Definition
Situation in which quantity demanded exceeds quantity supplied
Term
Private Enterprise
Definition
Economic system that allows individuals to pursue their own interests without undue governmental restriction
Term
Competition
Definition
Vying among businesses for the same resources or customers
Term
Perfect Competition
Definition
Market or industry characterized by numerous small firms producing an identical product
Term
Monopolistic Competition
Definition
Market or industry characterized by numerous buyers and relatively numerous sellers trying to differentiate their products from those of competitors
Term
Oligopoly
Definition
Market or industry characterized by a handful of (generally large) sellers with the power to influence the prices of their products
Term
Monopoly
Definition
Market or industry in which there is only one producer that can therefore set the prices of its products
Term
Natural Monopoly
Definition
Industry in which one company can most efficiently supply all needed goods or services
Term
Economic Indicator
Definition
A statistic that helps assess the performance of an economy
Term
Business Cycle
Definition
Short-term pattern of economic expansions and contractions
Term
Aggregate Output
Definition
The total quantity of goods and services produced by an economic system during a given period
Term
Standard of Living
Definition
The total quantity and quantity and quality of goods and searches people can purchase with the currency used in their economic system
Term
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Definition
Total value of all goods and services produced within a given period by a national economy through domestic factors of production
Term
Gross National Product (GNP)
Definition
Total value of all goods and services produced by a national economy within a given period regardless of where the factors of production are located
Term
Real GDP
Definition
Gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted to account for changes in currency values and price changes
Term
Nominal GDP
Definition
Gross domestic product (GDP) measured in current dollars or with all components valued at current prices
Term
Purchasing Power Parity
Definition
The principle that exchange rates are set so that the prices of similar products in different countries are about the same
Term
Productivity
Definition
A measure of economic growth that compares how much a system produces with the resources needed to produce it
Term
Balance of Trade
Definition
The economic value of all the products that a country exports minus the economic value of all the products it imports
Term
National Debt
Definition
The amount of money that government owes its creditors
Term
Stability
Definition
Condition in which the amount of money available in an economic system and the quantity of goods and services produced in it are groaning at about the same rate
Term
Inflation
Definition
Occurs when widespread price increases occur throughout an economic system
Term
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Definition
A measure of the prices of typical products purchased by consumers living in urban areas
Term
Unemployment
Definition
The level of joblessness among people actively seeking work in an economic system
Term
Recession
Definition
A period during which aggregate output, as measured by GDP, declines
Term
Depression
Definition
A prolonged and deep recession
Term
Fiscal Policies
Definition
Policies used by a government regarding how it collects and spends revenue
Term
Monetary Policies
Definition
Policies used by a government to control the size of its money supply
Term
Stabilization Policy
Definition
Government economic policy intended to smooth out fluctuations in output and unemployment and to stabilize prices
Term
Globalization
Definition
Process by which the world economy is becoming a single interdependent system
Term
Import
Definition
Product made or grown abroad but sold domestically
Term
Export
Definition
Product made or grown domestically but shipped and sold abroad
Term
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Definition
Agreement to gradually eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers among the United States, Canada, and Mexico
Term
European Union (EU)
Definition
Agreement among major European nations to eliminate or make uniform most trade barriers affecting group members
Term
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Definition
Organization for economic, political, social, and cultural cooperation among Southeast Asian nations
Term
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
Definition
International trade agreement to encourage the multilateral reduction or elimination of trade barriers
Term
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Definition
Organization through which member nations negotiate agreements and resolve disputes about trade policies and practices
Term
Balance of Trade
Definition
Economic value of all products a country exports minus the economic value of all products it imports
Term
Trade Deficit
Definition
Situation in which a country's imports exceed its exports, creating a negative balance of trade
Term
Trade Surplus
Definition
Situation in which a country's exports exceed its imports, creating a positive balance of trade
Term
Balance of Payments
Definition
Flow of all money into or out of a country
Term
Exchange Rate
Definition
Rate at which the currency of one nation can be exchanged for the currency of another nation
Term
Euro
Definition
A common currency shared among most of the members of the European Union (excluding Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom)
Term
Absolute Advantage
Definition
The ability to produce something more efficiently than any other country can
Term
Comparative Advantage
Definition
The ability to produce some products more efficiently than others
Term
National Competitive Advantage
Definition
International competitive advantage stemming from a combination of factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, and firm strategies, structures, and rivalries
Term
Outsourcing
Definition
The practice of paying suppliers and distributors to perform certain business processes or to provide needed materials or services
Term
Offshoring
Definition
The practice of outsourcing to foreign countries
Term
Exporter
Definition
Firm that distributes and sells products to one or more foreign countries
Term
Importer
Definition
Firm that buys products in foreign markets and then imports them for resale in its home country
Term
International Firm
Definition
Firm that conducts a significant portion of its business in foreign countries
Term
Multinational Firm
Definition
Firm that designs, produces, and markets in many other nations
Term
Independent Agent
Definition
Foreign individual or organization that agrees to represent an exporter's interests
Term
Licensing Arrangement
Definition
Arrangement in which firms choose foreign individuals or organizations to manufacture or market their products in another country
Term
Branch Office
Definition
Foreign office set up by an international or multinational firm
Term
Strategic Alliance
Definition
Arrangement (also called joint venture) in which a company finds a foreign partner to contribute approximately half of the resources needed to establish and operate a new business in the partner's country
Term
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Definition
Arrangement in which a firm buys or establishes tangible assets in another country
Term
Quota
Definition
Restriction on the number of products of a certain type that can be imported into a country
Term
Embargo
Definition
Government order banning exportation and/or importation of a particular product or all products from a particular country
Term
Tariff
Definition
Tax levied on imports products
Term
Subsidy
Definition
Government payment to help a domestic business compete with foreign firms
Term
Protectionism
Definition
practice of protecting domestic business against foreign competition
Term
Local Content Law
Definition
Law requiring that products sold in a particular country be at least partly made there
Term
Business Practice Law
Definition
Law or regulation governing business practices in given countries
Term
Cartel
Definition
Association of producers whose purpose os to control supply and prices
Term
Dumping
Definition
Practice of selling a product abroad for less than the cost of production
Term
Service Operations (Service Production)
Definition
Activities producing intangible and tangible products, such as entertainment, transportation, and education
Term
Goods Operations (Goods Production)
Definition
Activities producing tangible products, such as radios, newspapers, buses, and text books
Term
Operations (Production)
Definition
Activities involved in making products- goods and services- for customers
Term
Utility
Definition
Product's ability to satisfy a human want or need
Term
Operations (Production) Management
Definition
Systematic direction and control of the activities that transform resources into finished products that create value for and provide benefits to customers
Term
Operations (Production) Managers
Definition
Managers responsible for ensuring that operations activities create value and provide benefits to customers
Term
Operations Process
Definition
Set of methods and technologies used to produce a good or a service
Term
Make-to-Order Operations
Definition
Activities for one-of-a-kind or custom-made production
Term
Make-to-Stock Operations
Definition
Activities for producing standardized products for mass consumption
Term
Low- Contact System
Definition
Level of customer contact in which the customer need not be part of the system to receive the service
Term
High- Contact System
Definition
Level of customer contact in which the customer is part of the system during service delivery
Term
Operations Capability (Production Capability)
Definition
Special ability that production does especially well to outperform the competition
Term
Capacity
Definition
Amount of a product that a company can produce under normal conditions
Term
Custom- Products Layout
Definition
Physical arrangement of production activities that groups equipment and people according to function
Term
Same- Steps Layout
Definition
Physical arrangement of production steps designed to make one type of product in a fixed sequence of activities according to its production requirements
Term
Assembly Line
Definition
A same-steps layout in which a product moves step by step through a plant on conveyor belts or other equipment until it is completed
Term
Quality
Definition
Combination of "characteristics of a product of service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs"
Term
Performance
Definition
Dimension of quality that refers to how well a product does what it is supposed to do
Term
Consistency
Definition
Dimension of quality that refers to sameness of product quality from unit to unit
Term
Master Production Schedule
Definition
schedule showing which products will be produced, and when, in upcoming time periods
Term
Detailed Schedule
Definition
Schedule showing daily work assignments with start and stop times for assigned jobs
Term
Staff Schedule
Definition
Assigned working times in upcoming days for each employee on each work shift
Term
Gantt Chart
Definition
Production schedule that breaks down large projects into steps to be performed and specifies the time required to perform each step
Term
Pert Chart
Definition
Production schedule specifying the sequence of activities, time requirements, and critical path for performing the steps in a project
Term
Operations Control
Definition
Process of monitoring production performance by comparing results with plans and taking corrective action when needed
Term
Follow- Up
Definition
Operations control activity for ensuring that production decisions are being implemented
Term
Materials Management
Definition
Process of planning, organizing, and controlling the flow of materials from sources of supply through distribution of finished goods
Term
Lean Production System
Definition
Production system designed for smooth production flows that avoid inefficiencies, eliminate unnecessary inventories, and continuously improve production processes
Term
Just-in-Time (Jit) Production
Definition
Type of lean production system that brings together all materials at the precise time they are required at each production stage
Term
Supplier Selection
Definition
Process of finding and choosing suppliers from whom to buy
Term
Purchasing
Definition
Acquisition of the materials and services that a firm needs to produce its products
Term
Transportation
Definition
Activities in transporting resources to the producer and finished goods to customers
Term
Warehousing
Definition
Storage of incoming materials for production and finished goods for distribution to customers
Term
Inventory Control
Definition
Process of receiving, storing, handling, and counting of all raw materials, partly finished goods, and finished goods
Term
Quality Control
Definition
Action of ensuring that operations produce products that meet specific quality standards
Term
Total Quality Management (TQM)
Definition
All activities involved in getting high- quality goods and services into the marketplace
Term
Quality Ownership
Definition
Principle of total quality management that holds that quality belongs to each person who creates it while performing a job
Term
Competitive Product Analysis
Definition
Process by which a company analyzes a competitor's products to identify desirable improvements
Term
Value-Added Analysis
Definition
Process of evaluating all work activities, materials flows, and paperwork to determine the value that they add for customers
Term
Quality Improvement Team
Definition
TQM tool in which collaborative groups of employees from various work areas work together to improve quality by solving common shared production problems
Term
ISO 9000
Definition
Program certifying that a factory, laboratory, or office has met the quality management standards set by the International Organization for Standardization
Term
ISO 14000
Definition
Certification program attesting to the fact that a factory, laboratory, or office has improved its environmental performance
Term
Business Process Reengineering
Definition
Rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to improve performance, quality, and productivity
Term
Supply Chain (Value Chain)
Definition
Flow of information, materials, and services that starts with raw- materials suppliers and continues adding value through other stages in the network of firms until the product reaches the end customer
Term
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Definition
Principle of looking at the supply chain as a whole to improve the overall flow through the system
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