Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Economy

E-commerce Fundamentals

Payment Methods for Online Shoppers

Online shoppers commonly use a credit card or a PayPal account to make payments. Other alternative methods include:

• Billing to mobile phones
• Cash on delivery (COD)
• Check
• Debit card
• Electronic money
• Gift cards
• Postal money order
• Invoice

Product Delivery Options

• Downloading (for music, movies, images, etc.)
• Drop shipping (the manufacturer ships the item directly to the consumer)
• In-store pick up (collecting items at a physical shop)
• Printing or by e-mail (tickets for concerts, cinema, etc.)

Market Share and Statistics

E-commerce represented 8% of sales in the USA. In 2012, there were 242 million people shopping online in China.

Advantages of E-commerce

• Convenience

  Online shops are usually available 24 hours

The Great Depression: The Longest and Deepest Economic Downturn in American History

Causes of the Great Depression

In 1929, the prevailing economic theory held that the economy possessed self-correcting mechanisms that would prevent a severe depression. However, the Great Depression defied these expectations.

• Overproduction: Some economists believed the depression was caused by an excess of goods and services.
• Lack of Investment Opportunities: Others pointed to a decline in profitable investment opportunities.
• Technological Innovation: Joseph Schumpeter argued that the failure of entrepreneurs to introduce new products contributed to the depression.
• Stock Market Crash and Bank Panics: The stock market crash of 1929 and subsequent bank failures exacerbated

Understanding Global Inequality: Thomas Piketty's Capital in the 21st Century

The Inequality Problem: R > G

Thomas Piketty's research on inequality has gained significant attention, particularly his formula r > g, where:

• r represents the return on capital (profits or interest from investments)
• g represents the overall growth of the economy

Piketty argues that over time, wealth concentrates in the hands of the wealthy few, regardless of hard work or intelligence. The actual distribution of wealth reveals higher inequality rates than commonly perceived. To combat this, he advocates for active redistribution and improved access to education.

Capitalism and Inequality

Piketty's book, Capital in the 21st Century, challenges the notion that capitalism... Continue reading "Understanding Global Inequality: A Deep Dive into Thomas Piketty's Capital in the 21st Century" »

External Environment Tools

PESTEL Analysis

List of influences on the possible success or failure of strategies:

• Political Factors: Government policies, taxation changes, trade regulations. Zara's corporate social responsibility is transparent; Zara collaborates with communities in its areas of operation and has a code of conduct.
• Economic Factors: Business cycles, interest rates, GDP trends. Zara conducts deep consumer research and acts in a unique way. Export and import concerns affect performance.
• Social-Cultural Factors: Population changes, income distribution. Zara has a good image through donations and charity. Zara embraces diverse cultures, and its brand is known worldwide.
• Technological Factors: ICT innovations, new discoveries, and technological

1. Nature of Business

The working capital requirement of a firm depends primarily on the nature of its business. Public utilities and service organizations require minimal working capital as sales are conducted on a cash basis. There is a negligible time gap between production and sales, and these enterprises do not maintain large stocks of goods. Conversely, trading and manufacturing concerns require significant working capital to maintain inventory.

2. Size of Business

The size of the business has a direct correlation with working capital needs. Generally, the larger the business unit, the greater the requirement for working capital, and vice-versa.

3. Length of Operating Cycle

The length of the operating cycle significantly affects working capital... Continue reading "Key Factors Influencing Corporate Working Capital Requirements" »

Topic 1: Intro to FAB

Types of Businesses: Manufacturing (make & sell), Merchandising (buy & sell), Services (delivery etc.)

Business Structures: Sole Proprietorship -> owned and opened by 1 person; business is a separate entity from owner, owner is liable for debts. Partnership -> 2 to 20 partners; business is a separate entity from partners, partners are liable for debts.

Types of Partnerships: 1. General -> equal responsibility & unlimited liability. 2. Limited (Liability) -> 1 partner(s) not liable for debts beyond the agreed obligations. 3. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) -> ≥2 partners are separate legal entities and are not liable for business debts. Business ceases if partner dies UNLESS have perpetual... Continue reading "Understanding Business Structures and Financial Fundamentals" »

The Company Beta (β)

β = Cov(R_i, R_M) / Var(R_M)

Problems of Beta:

1. Betas may vary over time.
2. The sample size may be inadequate.
3. Betas are influenced by changing financial leverage and business risk.

Solutions:

1. Problems 1 and 2 can be moderated by more sophisticated statistical techniques.
2. Problem 3 can be lessened by adjusting for changes in business and financial risk.
3. Look at average beta estimates of several comparable firms in the industry.

Stability of Beta

Most analysts argue that betas are generally stable for firms remaining in the same industry, but they can change due to:

• Changes in product line
• Changes in technology
• Deregulation
• Changes in financial leverage

Using an Industry Beta

It is frequently argued that one can better estimate a firm's beta... Continue reading "Understanding Beta in Finance: Calculation, Stability, and Determinants" »

Utopia sets Ethical Objectives to:

to enhance the brand's image/reputation

to build brand preference and loyalty

to avoid legal problems

to reduce the risk of negative publicity

to motivate employees

to increase profits

overall customer satisfaction.

Utopia Implements Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies

to act as a good corporate citizen. There are many benefits of CSR for Utopia:

• The image of the business and its products can be improved with a socially responsible approach. This could become an advantage, attracting new customers and loyalty from existing customers

• attracting the best motivated employees as many workers will prefer to work for and be associated with socially aware business

• socially irresponsible behavior by Utopia could lead to

Mentoring: Development & Benefits

• It is a developmentally oriented relationship between senior and junior colleagues or peers. Mentoring relationships can occur at all levels and in all areas of an organization.
• Key activities include: advising, role modeling, sharing contacts, and giving general support.
• Effective mentoring can significantly improve outcomes such as:
  • Performance levels
  • Promotion rates
  • Upward mobility
  • Income
  • Job satisfaction

Employee Coaching: Goals & Productivity

• Employee coaching consists of ongoing, sometimes spontaneous, meetings between managers and their employees to discuss the employee’s career goals and development.
• Working with employees to chart and implement their career goals enhances productivity and can spur a

1. Legal and Economic Definition of Enterprise

Economic definition of enterprise

• An enterprise may be defined as an organized assemblage of capital and work intended for manufacturing or distributing goods or services for meeting market demand.
• It designates activity and the instrumental organization.

Legal definition of enterprise

There is no single unitary concept of "enterprise" from the legal point of view. In legal terminology the concept of enterprise can embody different meanings. Thus it is clear that the concept of enterprise in laws against restraints on competition does not coincide with that of corporation law. In company law, an enterprise is identified with the single legal personality of each company or corporation; in restraints-... Continue reading "Enterprise and Entrepreneur: Legal & Economic Definitions" »