Chapter 2 - Business Structure
Chapter 2 - Business Structure
Chapter 2 - Business Structure
EMPLOYMENT % BY COUNTRY
UK 2 19 79
Ghana 42 26 32
China 54 20 26
LO1: Analyse primary, secondary and tertiary sector businesses.
GDP CONTRIBUTION BY
SECTOR IN VIETNAM 2019
As of 2019, the World Bank reported the following approximate
breakdown:
Disadvantages of Public
Corporations:
Potential Inefficiency: Without profit motivation, they may not be as driven to cut
costs and operate efficiently. For example, a public sector corporation might not be
as motivated to reduce wastage or streamline operations as a private company would
be.
Subsidy-Induced Inefficiencies: Government bailouts can discourage efficiency
and lead to resource wastage. For instance, a public transportation system might not
optimize its routes if it knows it will be bailed out by the government.
Political Interference: Decisions can be influenced by politics, which may not
always align with the corporation's or public's best interests. For example, a
government might insist on keeping unprofitable post offices open in rural areas for
political reasons, even if it would be more efficient to close them.
LO1: Analyse primary, secondary and tertiary sector businesses.
BUSINESS OWNERSHIP
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
ACTIVITY – PRESENTATION
For each group, your presentation should include:
A brief introduction to the business type.
Suggest businesses that will be best suited to this business type.
Supply a real word example.
The advantages and disadvantages of this business type.
Analysis and Application (examples, both generic and in context of your chosen company) for
each advantage and disadvantage.
Then suggest when a business may need to change from this type of business.
ACTIVITY – PRESENTATION
Group 1: Partnership & Private Limited Companies
Group 2: Public Limited Companies & Social enterprises
Group 3: Joint Ventures & Cooperatives
Group 4: Franchises – From the perspective of franchisee and franchisor
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Try think of
the most
relevant adv
and disadv for
JK Rowling
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
• Finance
• Legal identity and continuity
• Liability
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
ACTIVITY – PRESENTATION
Group 1: Partnership & Private Limited Companies
Group 2: Public Limited Companies & Social enterprises
Group 3: Joint Ventures & Cooperatives
Group 4: Franchises – From the perspective of franchisee and franchisor
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to set up Unlimited liability
Owner has complete control Intense competition from larger firms
Owner keeps all profits Owner needs to be multi-skilled
Closer relationships with staff (if there are Difficult to raise capital
any)
Long hours and hard work
Lack of continuity
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Advantages Disadvantages
Limited liability More legal formalities than unincorporated
business
Separate legal entity Can’t sell shares to general public
Can work together to solve problems and Shortage of capital as no shares to non-
make decisions members
Franchisor agrees not to open competing Strict rules over pricing, layout etc, reduce
branch locally owners control
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Definition: two or more businesses agree to work closely together on a particular project and create a
separate business division to do so.
Advantages Disadvantages
Shared costs and risks Styles of management and culture may
clash
Different companies may have different Errors and mistakes can lead to a ‘blame
strengths and work well together game’
Can exploit major markets in new countries Business failure of one partner puts the
more effectively other at risk
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Definition: a business that owns and controls a number of separate businesses but doesn't unite them into
one unified company.
This leads to a balanced portfolio – the holding company is not as vulnerable to risks if it has invested in
different industries.
The holding company can give independence to the separate business or maintain control.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Definition: a business enterprise owned and controlled by the state– also known as nationalised industry.
Advantages Disadvantages
Managed with social objectives rather thanTendency of inefficiency due to lack of profit
solely profit – can lead to better qualitytargets
Loss-making services may be kept running Subsidies (a sum of money granted by the
for the social benefit. state to help an industry or business) from
government can encourage inefficiencies
Finance raised mainly from the government Government may interfere in business for
political reasons
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Cooperatives
Cooperatives are a popular type of business organization, especially in agriculture and
retail. They can be divided into two main types:
Producer or Worker Cooperatives: These cooperatives are involved in making goods.
Consumer or Retail Cooperatives: These cooperatives sell goods and services.
Key Features of Cooperatives:
All members contribute to running the business, sharing the workload, responsibilities,
and decision-making. In larger cooperatives, tasks may be delegated to professional
managers.
Each member has one vote at important meetings.
Profits are shared equally among members.
For example, in an agricultural cooperative, members might collectively buy seeds and
materials in bulk to benefit from economies of scale. The cooperative might also buy the
produce of the members and then sell it collectively to get a better price.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Advantages of Cooperatives:
Economies of scale from buying in bulk.
Collective problem-solving and decision-making.
High motivation due to profit sharing.
Disadvantages of Cooperatives:
Potential for poor management skills, unless professional managers
are hired.
Possible capital shortages as selling shares to non-members is not
allowed.
Slow decision-making if all members need to be consulted on
important issues.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
FRANCHISE
Key Terms:
Franchiser: The original business that sells the
rights to use its name and model.
Franchisee: The individual or company that buys
into the original business.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Disadvantages:
Control Issues:
🢝 Less control over franchise units can lead to inconsistencies.
🢝 E.g., A Subway's cleanliness might vary.
Reputation Risk:
🢝 Poor service by a franchisee can tarnish the brand.
🢝 E.g., Undercooked chicken at a KFC outlet.
Legal Liability:
🢝 Franchisors can face legal issues due to franchisee's actions.
🢝 E.g., 7-Eleven selling alcohol to minors.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
JOINT
Advantages:
VENTURE
Shared Costs & Risks:
🢝 Split costs & risks of a project.
🢝 E.g., Sony Ericsson (Sony + Ericsson) shared mobile phone
development costs.
Combining Strengths:
🢝 Merge unique strengths & experiences.
🢝 E.g., Starbucks + PepsiCo = Coffee expertise + Distribution network.
Exploiting Markets:
🢝 Use combined market presence for product introduction.
🢝 E.g., Tata Motors + Marcopolo expanded their market reach.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
JOINT VENTURE
Disadvantages:
Clashing Cultures:
🢝 Different management styles can lead to conflicts.
🢝 E.g., Daimler-Benz + Chrysler failed due to cultural differences.
Blame Game:
🢝 Disagreements & blame can break the collaboration.
🢝 E.g., Renault + Mahindra split over the Logan car's failure.
Risk of Partner Failure:
🢝 If one partner fails, the venture is at risk.
🢝 E.g., Saab's bankruptcy threatened its venture with Spyker Cars.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Activity 2.6
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.
Memorandum of Association:
This is a legal document that outlines the fundamental conditions upon which a company
is allowed to operate (company's name, location, purpose, and maximum share capital)
Articles of Association: This document provides the regulations for a company's
operations, including the roles and responsibilities of the directors, the kind of business
to be undertaken.
Certificate of Incorporation: Once the Memorandum and Articles of Association are
satisfactorily completed, the registrar of companies issues this certificate. It is the proof
of the company's existence and allows a limited company to start trading.
LO3: Assess the main features of legal structures and evaluate the most important one for different businesses.