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

1. What is Economic Competition?

Economic competition is the process of rivalry between undertakings for consumer choice by offering the best possible goods and services.

2. Negative Effects of Lack of Competition

When markets lack effective competition, several negative consequences can arise:

• High Prices (Artificial): Without competition, businesses can artificially inflate prices beyond reasonable levels.
• Low Quality: The absence of competitive pressure can lead to a decline in product or service quality.
• Limited Options for Consumers: Consumers face fewer choices when competition is limited.
• Lack of Innovation: Without the drive to outperform competitors, innovation stagnates.

3. Economic Regulation vs. Competition Policy

While both aim to promote... Continue reading "Understanding Economic Competition and Its Effects" »

More engaged employees = up to 21% productivity boost

Strategy

Creating a competitive advantage that generates superior, sustainable financial returns.

• Need to choose a position against the competition, player dynamic, and industry changes.
• Successful strategy considers: external environment, internal activities, and long-term industry/organizational changes.
• Decisions should be mutually reinforcing, leading to optimization of effort.

Aspirations

The purpose and goals of a person or corporation, essential for a strategy.

• Personal Aspirations: Intrinsically motivated, more than a goal; enduring and motivated from within, an expression of the search for fulfillment.
• Organizational Aspirations: Extrinsically motivated, encompassing mission, vision, and

Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. There are 17 interconnected goals:

• 1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
• 2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
• 3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
• 4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• 5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
• 6. Clean Water and Sanitation:

The Welfare State: A Social Contract

The welfare state is a system in which the government provides citizens with a minimum level of education, healthcare, and financial support, even during challenging circumstances such as illness, retirement, disability, or unemployment.

Types of Taxes

Value-Added Tax (VAT)

A tax levied on the price of goods or services paid by consumers.

Income Tax

A tax on the income earned by individuals or businesses, including salaries and profits.

Company Tax

A tax on the profits generated by companies.

Social Security Contributions

Taxes paid by both employers and employees to fund social security programs.

Measuring Social Inequality: The Gini Coefficient

The Gini coefficient is a measure of social inequality, ranging from 0... Continue reading "Understanding the Welfare State and Social Security: A Comprehensive Guide" »

SMART Objectives

SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound

Aims vs. Objectives

Difference between aims and objectives: Aims are general statements concerning the overall goals, ends, or intentions of teaching. Objectives are the individual stages that learners must achieve to reach these goals.

AIDA

AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. The objective is close to the sale.

Marketing Mix

Marketing mix: 4 aspects to be considered in the market: product, price, distribution, and promotion.

KPIs

KPIs: Numbers related to the objectives set within our strategy or annual marketing plan.

The Boston Matrix

The Boston Matrix: Relationship with the commission and the growth of the market.

The Body Shop (Auditing)

How do the auditing

• Modes of International Business

  • Merchandise Exports & Imports

-This is the most common mode of international business.

-Merchandise exports and imports are tangible products. They can be seen leaving and entering a country.

• • Services Exports & Imports

They are international non-product sales and purchases.

• • • Tourism and Transportation:

Are important sources of revenue for airlines, shipping companies, travel agencies, and hotels.

• • • Performance of Services

This refers to company's earnings in the form of fees (payments for the performance of a service).

1. Turnkey Operation

Is a deal where a company takes all responsibility for constructing, fitting and staffing a building (such as a school, hospital or factory) so that it is completely ready for the purchaser... Continue reading "Modes of International Business and Investment" »

What is Economics?

Economics is the study of choices that people make to satisfy their needs and wants.

Factors of Production

• Land
• Labor
• Capital
• Entrepreneurship

Goal of Entrepreneurship

The goal of entrepreneurship is to be successful and maximize profit.

Why is Scarcity a Basic Problem of Economics?

Scarcity is a basic problem because wants are unlimited, even when resources are limited. Therefore, it's crucial to use resources effectively.

What Issues Must Producers Address to Distribute/Allocate Resources?

1. What to produce?
2. How to produce?
3. For whom to produce?

Why Do Producers Study Productivity?

Producers study productivity to determine if resources are being used wisely.

Why is Sacrifice an Important Element of Economic Choice?

Sacrifice forces people to... Continue reading "Understanding Economics: Principles and Applications" »

People were eager to buy and practically everything was sold. But a few years ago there has been an abrupt change in consumer behavior, which is beginning to wonder if they really need so many things. These new consumer trends have led to responsible consumption.

The buyer must convince himself that the purchase is worthwhile and appreciate what he really needs. They have become a saturated consumer, a customer who is not looking for anything else; because you have enough, because you don't need it, or because you don't want it. However, this does not mean that they do not continue buying, but that they buy in another way.

Materialism has given way to a type of customer who seeks sustainable consumption, based on the optimization of resources

Executive Summary

This policy paper analyzes Venezuela's recent financial crisis and provides recommendations to the Venezuelan government regarding exchange rate policy.

Venezuela's Economic Crisis

Venezuela has experienced a rapid economic downturn since the implementation of socialist economic policies in 1999. The country's heavy dependence on oil exports to manage the economy has stifled private investment and created an over-reliance on imports for basic goods. The drop in global oil prices since 2013 has plunged Venezuela into hyperinflation, which exceeded 1.3 million percent in 2018. The nation's political turmoil has been exacerbated by a lack of economic development, corruption, and the devaluation of its currency, the Venezuelan Bolivar.... Continue reading "Venezuela's Financial Crisis: Exchange Rate Solutions" »

Chapter 1: Introduction to Economics

Economics is the study of how we choose to use resources to produce goods and services. There are four factors of production:

• Land: Natural resources, such as grass
• Labor: Human effort, such as work
• Capital: Tools and machinery used in production
• Entrepreneurship: The ability to combine the other factors of production to create goods and services

When making economic decisions, we consider marginal benefit (MB) and marginal cost (MC). If:

• MB > MC: It is beneficial to proceed
• MB = MC: This is the break-even point
• MB < MC: It is not beneficial to proceed

Economic theory simplifies economic reality, while economic policy involves remedial actions taken to solve economic problems. Economic goals include economic... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Economic Theory and Practice" »