Econ Chapter 8 test review

Describe business associations

Business associations promote the collective business interests of a city, state, or other geographical area. The Better Business Bureau (BBB), which aims to protect consumers by promoting an ethical and fair marketplace is an example of a business association.

How are some businesses organized to help others?

Cooperatives are businesses created by a group of individuals who share benefits. Nonprofit organizations are run like a business but their goal is not to make a profit. Instead these organizations seek to benefit the public in some way.

What are the disadvantages of incorporation?

Difficulty and expense of start-up - Corporate charters can be difficult, expensive, and time consuming to create. Double taxation - Corporations must pay corporate income taxes as well as taxes on the dividends paid to stockholders Loss of control - Owners do not manage the activities of a corporation More regulation

Describe entrepreneurs

The potential to make a profit is a big incentive for entrepreneurs to start a sole proprietorship. Entrepreneurs must be willing to assume total responsibility and take risks. A successful entrepreneur is: optimistic, enthusiastic, and focused on the future

Describe cooperatives

A cooperative is a type of business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their shared benefit. First instituted by Benjamin Franklin, cooperatives are based on the following principles: Voluntary and open membership, control of the organization by its members, and sharing of contributions and benefits by members, cooperatives do not have to pay income taxes because they are not corporations, and cooperatives are found in many industries including farming and health care.

Describe partnerships

A partnership is a business organization owned by two or more persons who agree on a specific division of responsibilities and profits. There are three types of partnerships: General partnerships, Limited partnerships, and Limited liability partnerships

The role of sole proprietorships

A sole proprietorship is a business owned and managed by a single individual. In this type of business organization the lone entrepreneur earns all of the firm's profits and is responsible for all its debts. More than 70 percent of all businesses in the United States are sole proprietorships but they are small, generating only 4 percent of all U.S. sales.

Describe franchises

Sometimes people opt to form a business franchise instead of a partnership. A business franchise is a semi-independent business that pays fees to a parent company. In return, the business is granted the exclusive right to sell a certain product or service in a given area.

Describe non-profits

Nonprofit organizations function like a business but do not operate for the purpose of generating profit. Examples of nonprofits include museums, public schools, the American Red Cross, hospitals, churches, and many other groups and charities. Nonprofits, like co-ops, are exempt from paying income taxes, but the nonprofit must meet certain requirements to qualify for tax-exempt status. Nonprofits have limits on their political activity.

What are the risks and benefits of a sole proprietorship?

Sole proprietorships are easy to start and when you are the sole owner, you receive all of the profits from the business. On the other hand, you have total liability for the company and could lose your investment as well as other personal property if the business fails.

Describe corporations.

The most complex form of business organization is the corporation. Individual stockholders own stock in a corporation and are, therefore, part-owner of the company that issues the stock. In the United States, corporations account for about 20 percent of all businesses but more than 80 percent of all sales.

What are the advantages of franchises?

Advantages of franchises include: Built-in reputation, management training and support, standardized quality, national advertising programs, financial assistance, and centralized buying power

Describe the types of corporations.

Closely held corporations - Corporations that issue stock to only a few people, often family members. Publicly held corporations - Corporations that sell stock on the open market. Owners of a corporation elect a board of directors that makes all the major decisions.

Describe corporate combinations

Corporations can grow larger by merging with another corporation. There are three types of mergers: Horizontal mergers are the combination of two or more firms competing in the same market with the same good or service, such as the merger between Cingular and AT&T in 2004. Vertical mergers join two or more firms involved in different stages of producing the same good or service. Conglomerates occur when three or more businesses that produce unrelated products or services merge.

What are the risks and benefits of corporations?

Corporations provide the opportunity for stockholders to own part of a company and reap the benefits of that company's success. Corporations provide flexibility for their stockholders. Corporations provide the opportunity for stockholders to own part of a company and reap the benefits of that company's success. Corporations provide flexibility for their stockholders. On the other hand, corporations are difficult and expensive to start and must pay double taxes. Also, the original owners can lose control over their company, since decisions are made by corporate officers an board of directors.

What are the advantages of partnerships?

Ease of start-up - partnerships are easy and inexpensive to establish. It is a good idea, though, to sign a partnership agreement, which spells out the rights and responsibilities of each partner. Little government regulation More capital - with more people involved, more capital can be raised. Better employees - partnerships can attract and keep talented employees more easily than sole proprietors can Taxes - partnerships are not subjected to any special taxes Shared decision-making - each partner brings different strengths and skills to the business

Describe all three types of partnerships

General Partnerships: All parties share equally in both responsibility and liability Limited Partnerships: Only one partner is required to be a general partner; Limited partners only contribute money; they are not liable for the firm's actions Limited Liability Partnerships: This partnership acts like a general partnership, except that all partners have limited personal liability in certain situations, such as another partner's mistakes.

What are the advantages of corporations?

Incorporation, or forming a corporation, offers advantages to stockholders and the company itself. Advantages for stockholders: Unlimited liability and flexibility with easily transferable stock Advantages for the company: More potential for growth and longevity, the ability to raise money by borrowing, and there's no need for special managerial skills Corporations have a self-interest in developing profitable products and services. For example, consumer concern about global warming has led many corporations to develop eco-friendly technology.

Describe multinational corporations

Multinational corporations are the world's largest corporations and they sell their goods and services in more than one country. Advantages: It benefits consumers by producing jobs and products around the world, it helps poorer countries enjoy better living standards, and it spread new technology across the globe Disadvantages: It has unduly influence culture and politics in countries in which they operate, and jobs in poorer countries are often marked by low wages and poor working conditions.

What are the risks and benefits of partnerships and franchises?

Partnerships are easy to start up, have more assets to contribute, and are subject to few regulations. But, like sole proprietorships, there is unlimited liability for at least one of the partners. Franchises allow each owner a level of control and benefit from the support of the parent company. Disadvantages include high fees, royalties, and purchasing restrictions.

Describe the advantages of sole proprietorships

Sole proprietorships have many advantages, including: They are easy to start - there is only a small amount of paperwork and legal expense There are minimum requirements - sole proprietors need only a business license, a state permit if not working out of their home, and a name for their business There are few regulations - sole proprietorships are the least regulated form of business organization.- However, sole proprietorships are subjected to zoning laws, which may prohibit them from operating businesses out of their homes. They are the sole receiver of profit - the owner gets to keep all of the profits after paying income taxes. Sole proprietors have full control - a high level of freedom allows sole proprietors to run their company as they wish.

Describe personal organizations

Some nonprofits provide support to particular occupations or geographical areas. Professional organizations work to improve the image, working conditions, and skill levels of people in particular occupations such as the National Education Association for educators. Keep members up-to-date on industry trends. Set codes of conduct that members must follow.

Describe the 3 kinds of cooperatives

There are three kinds of cooperatives. Consumer cooperatives are retail outlets owned and operated by consumers. They sell merchandise to members at reduced prices. Examples of consumer cooperatives include discount price clubs and housing co-ops. Some co-ops require members to work a small number of hours to maintain membership. Service cooperatives are co-ops that provide a service. Some service co-ops offer discounted insurance, health care, or legal help. Credit unions are an example of a service co-op. Producer cooperatives are agricultural marketing co-ops that help members sell their products. Members focus their attention on their crops or livestock while the co-op markets the goods for the highest possible price.

Describe trade associations

Trade associations promote the interests of particular industries. Many trade associations hire lobbyists to work with state legislatures and Congress to try to influence laws that affect an industry.

What are the disadvantages of partnerships?

Unlimited liability - at least one partner has unlimited liability (unless the partnership is an LLP) which means that person could lose everything Lack of performance - a partnership may not outlast the life of one of the general partners Potential for conflict - interpersonal conflicts between partnerships can lead to disagreements and, in some cases, an end to the partnership

What are the disadvantages of sole proprietorships?

Unlimited liability - sole proprietorships are fully and personally responsible for all their business debts Limited access to resources - Sole proprietorships must buy all the necessary resources they need to run their business, which can be very expensive, They may lack in human capital, Demands on a sole proprietorships can be personally and financially exhausting. Sole proprietorships often have trouble finding and keeping good employees. - Many sole proprietorships do not have the ability to offer fringe benefits.

What are the disadvantages of franchises?

With their many advantages comes a few disadvantages of franchises: High franchising fees and royalties, Strict operating standards, Purchasing restrictions, Limited product line