1

Nature and Scope of Business

1.1 Introduction
All of us live in families and depending on the income, we have different
standards of living. We require various types of goods and services to satisfy
our needs and wants. Some members in your family have to work to earn
and provide for the needs of the family. Thus, people engage in different
activities which are known as economic activities. In ancient times, people
had limited wants to satisfy. In modern times however, we need a large
variety of goods and services to satisfy our needs and to raise our standard
of living. On the one hand the supply of goods and services has led to
various activities. On the other hand, activities of different types are undertaken
by people to earn sufficiently to fulfil their increasing wants. Thus we find
large numbers of people engaged in business, industry, and profession. Such
economic and business activities satisfy various needs and demands for goods
and services.

In this lesson you will learn about the nature and purpose of business.

1.2 Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :

• recall the meaning and scope of human activities;

• enumerate the types of economic activities and their characteristics;

• identify business as an economic activity;

• differentiate between business and other economic activities and explain

the meaning and characteristics of business;

• distinguish between different types of business activities;

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• explain the significance of business in modern society;

• establish the relationship between production and distribution and

identify different types of industries;

• state the concept of retail and whole-sale trade and export and import;
and

• identify the auxiliaries that facilitate trade and commerce.

1.3 Human Activities and Business

You know that man always keeps himself engaged in some kind of activity
to satisfy his needs and wants. All human activities may be broadly divided
into two categories: (i) economic activities, and (ii) non-economic activities.

The work of a farmer, manufacturer, teacher, doctor, trader etc. are some
examples of economic activities. They are primarily concerned with the
production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Economic
activities are undertaken to earn one’s living and for the production of wealth.

Besides economic activities, people also undertake a number of activities for

mental satisfaction. They engage in charitable work, practice religion, undertake
recreational activities and also do many things out of love for others or out
of patriotic feelings. These activities are known as non-economic activities.
These activities are undertaken not for any material reward or gain but for
one’s happiness, pleasure or satisfaction which can not be measured in terms
of money.

Distinction between economic and non-economic activities

Following are the points of distinction between economic and non-economic
activities.
Economic Non-economic
1. Economic activities are motivated Non-economic activities are
by economic gain. motivated by a desire to achieve
mental satisfaction or happiness.
2. Monetary gain is expected from There is no such satisfaction from
economic activities. non-economic activities.
3. Economic activities lead to Non-economic activities lead to
creation of wealth. personal satisfaction.

However, a particular kind of activity which is non-economic in one case

may be economic in the other. Cooking by a housewife is non-economic but
cooking in a hotel is an economic activity.
 Nature and Scope of Business :: 3

Types of Economic Activities

When a person is regularly engaged in a particular economic activity, it is
known as his or her occupation or vocation. Occupations may be classified
into three categories —
(i) Business,
(ii) Profession and
(iii) Employment (Service).

Business:

Activities connected with the production or purchase and sale of goods or

services with the object of earning profit are called business activities. Mining,
manufacturing, trade, transportation, insurance, banking are business activities.
Thus business may be defined as an economic activity involving regular
production or purchase and distribution of goods and services with the
object of earning profits.

Profession:

Any activity which requires special knowledge and skill to be applied by an

individual to earn a living is known as profession. For example doctors,
teachers, lawyers, engineers and accountants are engaged in profession.
Profession involves intellectual activity. It is not a mechanical or routine
operation.

The main characteristics of profession are

(i) Every profession requires special knowledge and training.
(ii) The primary objective is to render service.
(iii) The service cannot be substituted by another individual.
(iv) Every profession is regulated by a professional body. For example the
profession of Chartered Accountants is regulated by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India.

Employment

When a person works regularly for others and gets wages/salary in return, he
is said to be in employment. Thus factory workers, office assistants and
managers are said to be in employment. Those in employment are called
employees. Employment may be in government department or in private
organisation. It may be full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary. The
main features of employment are :
(i) Employees always work for others.
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(ii) There are certain terms and conditions of work.

(iii) The people involved earn fixed income.

Vocation

Vocation means an occupation which involves the use of some basic skills
which can be developed by practice. Type-writing, tailoring, laundering,
carpentry etc. are some examples of vocation. Those who wish to get employed
after completing secondary education may acquire the basic skills required
for any vocation.

Distinction between Business, Profession and Employment

Basis Business Profession Employment

1. Primary Earning Rendering Earning

Objective profit paid service wages/salary

2. Reward Profit Professional fee Salary/wages

3. Nature of Prodeuction of Expert Job

work purchase and sale serve performance

4. Qualification Undefined Professional As per the need

training of the employer

1.4 Nature and Purpose of Business

Nature of Business:

The nature of business is best understood on the basis of its characteristics

or features which are as follows:

1. Business is an economic activity

2. It includes the activities of production or purchase and distribution.

3. It deals in goods and services.

4. It implies regularity of transactions.

5. It aims at earning profits through the satisfaction of human wants.

6. It involves risk; it is not certain that adequate profit will be earned.

7. It creates utilities.
 Nature and Scope of Business :: 5

8. It serves a social purpose by improving people’s standard of living.

Objectives of business

Success in business depends on proper formulation of its objectives. Objectives

must be clear, and attainable. Objectives may be divided into two parts -

(i) economic and

(ii) social.

Economic Objectives :

Economic objectives of business include earning adequate profit or satisfactory

return on capital invested, survival in the case of competition and growth to
maintain progress.

Social Objectives:

Social objectives include providing employment opportunities, supply of quality

goods and services at reasonable price, improving the standard of living and
contributing to environmental protection. It also includes justice to workers
in terms of wages, welfare amenities, improved service conditions and
professional growth.

1.5 Significance of Business in Modern Society

Business is an integral part of modern society. It is an organised and
systematised activity for profit. It is concerned with activities of people
working towards a common goal. The modern society can not exist without
business. The need and importance of business in society can be described as
follows:

1. Improvement in standard of living:

Business helps people in general to improve their standard of

living.

2. Proper utilization of resources:

It leads to effective utilization of the scarce resources of society.

It provides facility of mass production.

3. Better quality and large variety of goods and services:

It involves production, purchase and sale of goods and services

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for price. Customer’ satisfaction is the backbone of modern

business. Services such as supply of water, electricity etc. may
be considered highly significant for the community.

4. Creates utilities:

Business makes goods more useful to satisfy human wants. It

adds to products the utilities of person, time, place, form,
knowledge etc. Thus, people are able to satisfy their wants
effectively and economically.

5. Employment opportunities:

It provides employment opportunities to large number of people

in society.

6. Workers' welfare

Business organisations these days take care of various welfare

activities for workers. They provide safer and healthier work
environment for employees.

Intext Questions 1.1

I. Fill in the blanks

(a) Economic activities may be divided into three categories :

(i) ______________ (ii) ______________ (iii) ______________

(b) Activities which require special knowledge and skill are known
as ______________.

(c) The people who work regularly for others and get remuneration
in return are known as ________________.

(d) Activities connected with production of goods for earning are

known as ___________________ activities.

(e) The main economic objective of business is earning

__________________.

II. Match the following statements with appropriate term:

Statement Term
(1) An occupation which involves the use of (a) Occupation
some basic skills which can be developed
by practice.
 Nature and Scope of Business :: 7

(2) It includes human activities of production, (b) Profession

buying and selling.

(3) When a person is regularly engaged in a (c) Employment

particular economic activity.

(4) Activities which require special knowledge (d) Vocation

and skill in work.

(5) When a person works regularly for others (e) Business

and gets wages in return.

1.6 Classification of Business Activities

Business activities are undertaken to satisfy human wants by producing goods
or rendering services.

We may classify business activities on the basis of functions into two broad
categories

(a) Industry and

(b) Commerce.

Industry is concerned with the production and processing of goods. This

type of business units are called ‘industrial enterprises’ which produce
consumer goods as well as machinery and equipments. On the other hand,
‘commerce’ includes all those activities which are necessary for the storage
and distribution of goods. Such units are called ‘commercial enterprises’
which include trading and service activities like transport, banking, insurance
and warehousing.

Let us examine the characteristics of industry and commerce.

Industry and its Types

Industry means production of goods for sale by the application of human or
mechanical power. In other words, industry refers to economic activities
which are connected with raising, producing and processing of goods and
services.

Characteristics of Industry

The main characteristics of industry are as follows:-

• Industry refers to the productive aspect of business.

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• Production is done by the application of human or mechanical power.

• It creates form utility to natural or partly processed goods.

• It is concerned with the production of both producer and consumer goods.
• Industrial activities are regulated by different laws.
• It involves continuous operation.

Types of Industries
Industries are divided into two broad categories:

(i) Primary industries

(ii) Secondary industries.

Primary industries include all those activities which are connected with
extraction, producing and processing of natural resources. These industries
may be further sub-divided into two types: (a) extractive and (b) genetic.
Secondary industries are concerned with the materials which have already
been produced at the primary stage. For example, mining of iron ore is a
primary industry, but manufacture of steel is a secondary industry.

a) Extractive Industries:

Extractive industries are concerned with the extraction of materials

from the earth, sea and air such as mining, farming, fishing and hunting
etc. Products of these industries are used either directly for consumption
such as food grains, fruits and vegetables or as raw materials such as
cotton, sugar-cane, etc.

b) Genetic Industries:

Genetic industries include activities connected with rearing and breeding

of animals and birds and growing plants. Reproduction and
multiplication is the main activity in these industries, such as, agriculture,
animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, pisciculture etc. Main products are milk,
wool, butter, cheese, meat, egg, fish, seeds of plants, etc.

Secondary industries may also be of two types: (a) manufacturing, and (b)
construction.

a) Manufacturing Industries :

Industries engaged in the conversion of raw materials or semi-finished

 Nature and Scope of Business :: 9

products into finished product are called manufacturing industries. Cotton

is converted onto textiles and iron one is converted into in these industries.
It creates a form utility of the product.

b) Construction Industries :

The activities of Construction industries include erection of buildings,

bridges, roads, railways canals etc. Their output do not consists of
movable goods. It makes use of the output of other industries like brick,
cement, steel etc.

Characteristics of Commerce
Commerce is the sum total of all the activities connected with the placing
of the product before the ultimate consumer. It provides the necessary link between
the producer and the consumer of goods.

Commerce is defined ‘as activities involving the removal of hindrances in the

process of exchange’. Commerce includes all those business activities which
are undertaken for the sale or exchange of goods and services and facilitates
their availability for consumption and use - through trade, transport, banking,
insurance, and warehousing. Thus commerce includes trade and auxiliaries to
trade, that is transport, banking, insurance and warehousing.

The main characteristics of commerce are as follows:

(i) Commerce is the sum total of activities which facilitate the availability of
goods to consumers from different producers.

(ii) It aims at ensuring proper distribution of goods.

(iii) It adds different type of utilities to the goods by making goods available
at the right time and the right place to the people who need them.

(iv) It includes trade and auxiliary to trade.

Trade and its types

Trade is an integral part of commerce and refers to sale and transfer of
goods. It involves actual buying and selling of goods. It means exchange of
goods and services for cash or credit. Traders help in directing the flow of
goods to the most profitable market. They also bring about equitable
distribution of goods on a national and international scale. It is because
goods are produced on a large scale and it is difficult for producers to reach
individual customers, that trade is said to remove the hindrance of persons
through traders. Goods acquire place utility through trade.
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Characteristics of Trade
The main characteristics of trade are as follows:

(i) Trade is regarded as the primary activity in commerce;

(ii) It means exchange of goods and services for price;

(iii) It helps in directing the flow of goods to the most profitable market;

(iv) It helps to equalise the supply of and demand for goods in different
markets both national and international.

Classification of Trade
Trade may be classified into (i) Home Trade or Internal Trade and (ii) Foreign
Trade or External Trade.

i) Home Trade:

Home Trade means trade carried on within the boundaries of a country.

The primary object of home trade is to bring about proper distribution
of goods within the country. It may be divided into two types
(a) Wholesale Trade and (b) Retail Trade

(a) Wholesale Trade: Wholesale trade involves buying goods from

producers and selling them in small quantities to retailers. The
wholesaler generally deals in large quantities of goods of a
limited number of varieties. He serves as a connecting link
between the producer and the retail dealer.

(b) Retail Trade: A retail trade consists of selling goods directly

to the consumers in small quantities. A retailer usually purchases
goods from wholesalers or manufacturers and deals in a variety
of goods of different manufacturers.

ii) External Trade:

External trade refers to trade between two countries. It implies buying

and selling of goods by traders of two different countries. It creates
a very wide market for goods produced in different countries. External
trade involves (a) Export and (b) Import.

Export is concerned with the sale of goods to foreign countries. Import

trade relates to the purchasing of goods from other countries.
 Nature and Scope of Business :: 11

Distinction between Industry, Commerce and Trade

Basis of Industry Commerce Trade

difference

1. Meaning Production of Sum total of Exchange of goods

goods and activities for price through
services for connected with buying and selling
sale transfer of
goods from
producers to
consumers

2. Utility Creates form Creates time Creates time and

utility and place place utility and
utility removes hindrance
of persons

3. Broad Four types: Two types: Two types:

classifi- genetic, Trade and internal and
cation extractive, auxiliaries external
manufacturing to trade
and construction

Inter-relationship between Industry, Trade and Commerce

All the three branches of business are closely related to each other. Each
depends upon the other for the achievement of aims and objectives of business.
For example, industry is concerned with the production of goods and services,
trade is related with sale and purchase of products, and commerce arranges for
their distribution. Industry can succeed only if goods are marketed and without
production of goods, there cannot be commerce and trade. Hence, trade provides
necessary support to industry and commerce. Thus, industry, trade and commerce
are inter-dependent and cannot operate in isolation. Service facilities also provide
necessary support to trade.
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FIG. RELATIONSHIP OF INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND TRADE

INDUSTRY COMMERCE

PRODUCERS OF ⇒ MANUFACTURING ⇒WHOLE SALE RETAIL

RAW MATERIALS TRADE
⇒ TRADE
INDUSTRY

TRANSPORT BANKING INSURANCE WAREHOUSE

AUXILIARIES TO TRADE

Intext Question 1.2

1. Fill in the blanks:

1) Business may be divided into two broad categories:

(i)___________________ (ii)_______________.

2) Primary industries are subdivided into two groups:

(i)___________________ (ii)_______________.

3) Secondary industries may be divided into two groups:

(i)___________________ (ii)_______________.

4) On Geographical basis trade may be classified as:

(i) __________________ (ii)_______________.

5) Foreign trade may include

(i) __________________ (ii)_______________.
 Nature and Scope of Business :: 13

II. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words selected from those given
within brackets:

(i) The enterprises which are concerned with the production and
processing of goods are _________________ (public
enterprises/private enterprises/industrial enterprises)

(ii) The industries which are connected with extraction, producing and
processing of natural resources are __________________ industries
(primary/secondary/cottage)

(iii) Fishing is _________________ industry. (genetic/extractive/

construction)

(iv) The trade carried on within the boundaries of a country is

____________________ (import trade/home trade/retail trade)

(v) A trader who sells goods directly to the consumer is known as a

_______________ (wholesaler/retailer/producer)

(vi) The trade which relates to the purchasing of goods from other
countries is known as __________________. (export trade/
import trade/enterepot trade)

1.7 Transport and Communication

Transport:
It is one of the most important auxiliaries to trade. Transportation helps
trade by facilitating the movement of goods and passengers from one place
to another. Transport creates ‘place utility’ of the goods and remove the problem
of distance. All kinds of goods can be transported in large quantities over long
distances.

A business can depend upon a number of modes of transportation - land

transport (road, railways, and pipeline), water transport (inland waterways,
coastal and sea) and air transport (domestic and international).

Communication :

Now-a-days it is not possible to have business without communication.

Communication implies transmission of information, ideas, opinions, etc
between two or more persons. It is a systematic and continuing process of
telling, listening and understanding. Communication may be of two types - (i)
internal and (ii) external. Internal communication refers to transmission of
information by a person to another of the same organisation. External
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communication refers to transmission of information by persons to others

outside the organisation. Methods of communication may include face to
face, by telephone, postal mail, etc. On the basis of means of
communication, there are two types of communication –oral and written.

Banking and Finance

Banking provides safe, efficient and convenient mode of payment for
goods in inland trade as well as in foreign trade. Banking helps business
firms to overcome the problem of finance by lending money as and when
required. Banks accept deposits and lend money. The other services of
banks are: discounting of bills, collection of cheques, acting as agent. A
bank accepts deposits on various accounts such as fixed deposit, savings,
recurring deposit, and current. Loans are granted through over-draft, cash
credit, loans and advances, discounting of bills. Other services of banks
include collection of payments on cheques, bills, drafts etc., sending money
from one place to another, buying and selling securities, payment of
insurance premium, issuing travellers cheques, providing locker system,
and providing information on credit worhtiness. Banks are of various
types: commercial, agricultural, indigenous, rural, cooperative, exchange,
central, etc. In fact banking is the lifeline of business.

Finance:

Finance is the life blood of business. It implies provision of money at the

time it is required by business. Provision of funds is essential for every
type of trade. Finance needed by business is called “Business Finance”.
It means arrangement of cash and credit to carry out business activities.
Types of finance required by business are long–term, medium–term and
short–term. Long–term finance (more than 10 years) is required for buying
fixed assets; medium–term finance (one to 10 years) is required for
modernization and expansion of business, and short-term finance (upto
one year) is needed for working capital. Sources of finance may be owned
funds and borrowed funds. Special financial institutions which provide
finance to business are IFCI, SFCs, ICICI, IDBI, SIDBI, and IRBI. They
provide long-term and medium-term finance.

Warehousing

Warehousing refers to storage of goods which are generally produced on

a large scale in anticipation of demand. Goods have to be stored for some
time before transportation by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.
Thus warehousing creates ‘time utility’.
 Nature and Scope of Business :: 15

Insurance

Insurance occupies a prominent and valuable place as an aid to business and

commerce. Insurance provides security against risks. It makes trade and
business secure by making provision against all probable losses. Insurance is
based on the principle of ‘pooling of risks’. Insurance helps the businessman to
conduct his business with confidence and peace of mind.

There are two major types of insurance coverage - (i) insurance of life of
people and (ii) insurance of property.

Intext Questions 1.3

I. Match the following :-

Statement Terms

(1) It provides security against risks (a) Banking

(2) It provides place for storage of goods (b) Insurance

(3) It implies provision of money at the (c) Transport

time it is required by business

(4) It helps business firms to overcome the (d) Warehousing

problem of finance

(5) It refers to the means of physical (e) Finance

movement of goods and passengers

II. Tick the correct answer

(a) It provides scientific storage facilities to manufacturers. (Transporter/

Warehousekeeper/Banker)
(b) It is an agreement between two parties whereby one agrees to
protect the other against a loss (Insurance/Warehousing/
Transport)
(c) It is based on an important principle of utmost good faith.
(Business/Insurance/Trade)
(d) It finances internal and external trade. (Insurance company/Bank/
Transport company)
(e) It implies exchange of facts or ideas by two or more persons.
(Transport, Communication, Finance)
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1.8 What You Have Learnt

Human activities involve efforts under taken to satisfy human needs, to earn one’s
livelihood, or to derive mental satisfaction. Economic activities are undertaken by
people to earn one’s living and for production of wealth.

Non-economic activities are social activities which people undertake to derive

personal satisfaction. Economic activities are of three kinds (i) profession,
(ii) employment and (iii) business. Activities which require special knowledge
are known as profession. When people work for remuneration, they are said
to be in employment. Activities connected with production, purchase or sale
with the object of earning profit are called business activities. Business
activities may be classified as (i) industry and (ii) commerce. Industry includes
production of goods. Commerce is related with sale, exchange and transfer
of goods and services.

On the basis of functions there are two broad categories of business : (i)
industry, (ii) commerce. Industry may be of two types - primary and secondary.
Primary industries may be extractive and genetic. Secondary industries are of
two types: manufacturing and construction. Commerce includes trade and
aids to trade. Trade is classified as home trade and foreign trade. Home trade
may be retail trade and wholesale trade. Foreign trade is of two types:
import and export. Industry, trade and commerce are closely related to each
other. Transport provides for movement of goods. Banking provides financial
facilities to business. Insurance provides security against risks. Warehousing
provides storage facilities.

1.9 Terminal Exercises

1. Name two divisions of human activities.

2. Give examples where cooking can be an economic and a non-economic

activity.

3. Name two indsutries which are connected with extraction of natural

resources.

4. Distinguish between business and profession.

5. Distinguish between economic and non-economic activities.

6. What is banking?

7. State the purpose of warehousing.

8. Define ‘Business’. Explain business as an economic activity.

9. What do you understand by the term ‘Industry’?

 Nature and Scope of Business :: 17

10. What is commerce? Show how the various divisions of commerce are
related to each other.

1.10 Answers to Intext Questions

1.1 I. (a) businees, profession, employment

(b) profession (c) employees (d) business (e) profit

II (1) d (2) e (3) a (4) b (5) c

1.2 I. (1) Industry, commerce

(2) Extractive, Genetic

(3) Manufacturing, Construction

(4) Internal, External

(5) Import, Export

II. (i) Industrial

(ii) Primary

(iii) Extractive

(iv) Home Trade

(v) Retailer

(vi) Import Trade

1.3 I. (1) b (2) d (3) e (4) a (5) c

II. (a) Warehousekeeper

(b) Insurance

(c) Insurance

(d) Bank

(e) Communication
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COURSE MAPING

HUMAN ACTIVITIES & DIVISIONS OF BUSINESS

ECONOMIC NON-ECONOMIC

BUSINESS PROFESSION EMPLOYMENT SOCIAL SERVICE CHARITIES NATIONALISM

INDUSTRY COMMERCE

PRIMARY SECONDARY

EXTRACTIVE GENETIC MANUFACTURING CONSTRUCTION TRADE AUXILIARY TO TRADE

INLAND FOREIGN

RETAIL WHOLESALE

IMPORT EXPORT ENTREPOT RE-EXPORT

BANKING TRANSPORT WAREHOUSING INSURANCE ADVERTISING