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

Monetary Policy

Monetary policy involves actions taken by a central bank or regulatory committee to control the money supply and influence interest rates. These actions include modifying interest rates, buying or selling government bonds, and adjusting bank reserve requirements.

Types of Monetary Policy

Expansionary Monetary Policy

Expansionary monetary policy increases the money supply to lower unemployment, encourage borrowing and consumer spending, and stimulate economic growth.

Contractionary Monetary Policy

Contractionary monetary policy slows or decreases the money supply to control inflation. While necessary at times, it can slow economic growth, increase unemployment, and reduce borrowing and spending.

Example: The Federal Reserve in the 1980s

To... Continue reading "Monetary Policy: Controlling Inflation and Economic Growth" »

Market Segmentation and Targeting

True/False Questions

Question 4

Dove, a division of Unilever, traditionally targeted both men and women with its Dove-branded skin care products.

Question 6

For some consumer products such as cigarettes, soft drinks, and candy that have a low per-unit cost, income is often a more valuable segmentation variable than population.

Question 12

Categories such as "successful idealists" and "affluent materialists" can be used to describe psychographic segmentation, not age segmentation.

Question 13

Sometimes it is preferable to market to a particular mind-set rather than an age group; in such an instance, psychographic studies can help marketers arrive at a deeper understanding of consumer behavior than is possible with traditional... Continue reading "Understanding Market Segmentation and Targeting" »

Basic Economic Problems

In view of the scarcity of resources at our disposal and the unlimited ends we seek to achieve, the economic problem lies in making the best possible use of our resources so as to get maximum satisfaction in the case of the consumer and maximum profit for the producer. Hence, economic problem consists in making decisions regarding the ends to be pursued and the goods to be produced and the means to be used for the achievement of certain ends.

Fundamental Problems facing an economy (Basic Economic Problems)

What to Produce?

The first major decision relates to the quantity and the range of goods to be produced. Since resources are limited, we must choose between the different alternative collection of goods and services that... Continue reading "Understanding Basic Economic Problems and Economic Systems" »

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" »

Different Marketing Orientations in International Business

Understanding the approach a company takes when entering foreign markets is crucial. These orientations dictate the level of adaptation required for the marketing mix.

1. Domestic Market Extension Orientation

This orientation is illustrated by a domestic company seeking sales extension of its existing domestic products into foreign markets. It is typified by the belief that, if a product sells successfully in the home market, it will sell anywhere else in the world.

Minimal efforts are made to adapt the marketing mix to foreign markets; the firm’s orientation is to market to foreign customers in the same manner as the company markets to domestic customers. It seeks markets where demand... Continue reading "International Marketing Strategy Models and Starbucks Business Strengths" »

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:

Strategy Identification and Selection

Strategy identification and selection involves defining the approaches a company will take across various dimensions:

1. Product Market Investment Strategies: (See the Ansoff Matrix)
2. Investment Strategies: Defined by the strategic approach in economic and financial terms (e.g., reducing costs, promotions, price reduction, quality increases).
3. Functional Area Strategies: The development of a business strategy involves specifying strategies for functional areas such as sales, brand management, R&P, manufacturing, supply chain, and finance. It is critical that the various departments are coordinated so they do not work at cross-purposes, as objective alignment can be difficult.

   The role of strategic objectives

Types of Cooperatives

1. Financial Cooperative: A financial institution where ethical and social aims take precedence over profit. Example: Lending money at lower interest rates, or providing loans to individuals who might not qualify at traditional institutions.

2. Housing Cooperative: Run to provide housing for its members, as opposed to generating rent for private landlords. Example: Owning an apartment building where each member is entitled to one housing unit.

3. Workers' Cooperative: A business owned and operated by the workers themselves, typically avoiding significantly higher wages for managers. Their primary priority is providing employment. These cooperatives often emerge when a business is about to fail, and workers take over to save their

Accounting Fundamentals: True or False Statements

1. The usual presentation of the retained earnings statement includes (1) Beginning balance, (2) Net income or loss, (3) Dividends, (4) Stockholders' contributions, and (5) Ending balance.

   Answer: False

2. Office Equipment is an example of a current asset account.

   Answer: False

3. Journalizing and posting closing entries must be completed before financial statements can be prepared.

   Answer: False

4. Assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity accounts are real accounts and do not get closed at the end of the period.

   Answer: True

5. In a merchandising business, sales minus operating expenses equals net income.

   Answer: False (Sales minus Cost of Goods Sold equals Gross Profit; Gross Profit minus Operating Expenses equals