Sample Assignment on Business Environment

In the present report, learning will focus on work culture of Iceland supermarket stores in order to understand concept of business environment. It will also emphasize on the ways which can identify the purpose of different organisations that operate business in diverse environmental conditions. It will also provide information regarding nature of UK market so that management of Iceland Supermarket can design strategies in an effective manner. Further, it will also stress on understanding the behaviour of organisation within UK market. Furthermore, it will also focus on the significance of global factors that shape national business activities.

TASK 1

1.1 Identify the purpose of various organisations

As per the structured study of diverse kinds of business organisations, it has been spotted that there are number of different purpose behind operational activities of the firms. In other words, it can be stated that the every business organisation have different objectives and goals as per consideration of nature and market conditions. In order to understand the concept of business environment, it is essential to understand various types of business organisation and their purposes (Alexander, 2003). Some of the organization’s key purpose is to increase the profit margin ratio and meet the key needs of targeted customers. However, few of organisations have made efforts in developing social aspects and improving communal factors within surrounding environment. Therefore, the intention of all the organization is not precisely the same. Moreover, the classification of organisations can be done as private, public and governmental (Buthe, 2008).

1. Iceland Supermarket: It has been spotted that the Iceland Supermarket is considered as a subsidiary firm of Associated British Food which is referred as public limited organisation. Company operates its business in retail sector and provides number of products such as retail food products. In this respect, it can be said that the key purpose of public limited firm is to improve its profit margin ratio and wealth of stakeholders by operating various activities in the retail sector (Gellner, 2004). Iceland Supermarket firm also concentrate on corporate social responsibilities accomplishment in order to amend social development aspects.

2. KFC: It is referred as private limited firm which is essential part of the company named Yum. It is one of the most famous restaurant firms that provide wide range of product line in order to meet needs of its targeted customers (Harris, 2002). In addition to this, it can also be said that the key purpose of KFC is to gain more and more profit as well as to increase the market share. In this regard, company focuses on effective expansion of its operational activities in diverse geographical areas.

3. Transport for London: It is one of the local governmental body organisations which provide transportation services within London. Company performs various activities to enhance experience of public in context to transportation services (Katz, 2007). Key motive behind the services of organisation is to serve the areas of UK and render better development opportunities to London with the support of transportation services.

4. Cancer research: It is considered as a voluntary organisation that provides various health care services to identify key issue of cancer as well as discover new ways to overcome issues. In regard to organisational purpose, it can be said that organisation work for betterment of cancer patients and provide them with better cure (Hill, 2008).

1.2 Extent to which Iceland Supermarket meets the objectives of different stakeholders

Stakeholders play a key role in success of the organisation so it is necessary for the company to meet the requirements of stakeholders in order to have effective operational opportunities. In other words, it can be said that stakeholders are considered as factors which can impact the overall operational activities of the business firm (Miller, 2008). In regard to this, it can also be said that the stakeholders of Iceland Supermarket can be classified as customers, suppliers, society, employees, etc.

Customers: It has been spotted that the customers  are considered as one of the significant stakeholder so it is essential for the firm to meet their key needs. The firm also provides wide range of products and services to customers to gain profit (Nijkamp, 2010). However, the firm is effectively focusing on improving quality of products and services so that user can feel valued. It is also beneficial for the company as it facilitates in accomplishing customer's needs. Number of standards has also been set out to improve experience of customer.

Employees: These are the individual who are directly involved in the operational activities so it is also essential to meet key needs of employees. In this respect, it can be said that employee’s requirement is to attain better facilities and services which can improve their morale (Kerin,  2002). Company is also continuously focusing on various improvements in its services with an assistance of industrial standards. Management is also considering motivational techniques to enhance the morale of employees.

Suppliers: Suppliers expect that they receive payment on time in respect of raw material so in this respect company is focusing on effective payment system in order to meet the requirements (Mahapatraa, 2012). Organisation is also focusing on improving relationship with suppliers in order to accomplish their expectations effectively.

1.3 Various responsibilities as an organization and strategies it employs to meet them

Iceland Supermarket is considered as one of responsible retail firm that performs various activities in order to accomplish its responsibilities in an effective manner. It is also one of key reason that company provides healthy frozen food products to its customers (Carter, 2007). It facilitates in meeting key needs of customers and social aspects.

It is one of key responsibility of organisation to ensure that the goods and services that they provide to customers are of premium quality. Another responsibility is towards government and employees such as proper facilities to employees. Responsibility towards government is effective participation in social development and provide appropriate taxes on time (Fernando, 2011). In order to have effective accomplishment of key responsibilities the business organisation has developed various strategies such as they have meeting and discussion with stakeholders on continuous basis. However, to meet the responsibility of providing healthy and safe frozen food to their customers supermarket must focus on freezing the range of frozen food (Matthews, 2005). It is considered as procedure that provides better preservation to food which is beneficial for customers needs accomplishment.

Moreover, in order to meet the responsibilities towards government the management invest in various social and governance projects. In the support of this, it can be said that the payment of taxes on desired time is also one of significant activity that facilitates in accomplishment of responsibility (Grier, 2006). Iceland Supermarket also has some responsibilities towards environmental aspects so management follows diverse environmental standards and policies in order to meet responsibilities. Installation of fir alarm and energy efficient tools is also considered as a activity that can meet responsibilities in better way. Various laws and regulations has also been followed while creating policies in order to fulfil the responsibilities towards government, employees and customers.

TASK 2

2.1 Different economic systems attempt to allocate resources effectively

It is necessary for every business organisation to focus on key aspects of economic system in order to attain better allocation of resources. It has been identified that the economic system key factors also impacts the allocation of resources in diverse manner. Classification of economic system can be as command, mixed, free enterprise and transnational systems.

Free enterprise: It is a economic system which is also considered as  a free market economy. In this respect, it can be said that  the business organisation is allowed to have allocation of resources in its own way as economic system allows private owners to take decisions. For example, USA is referred as free economy and it allows organisation to take decisions on individual basis (Rejc,  2004). It is necessary for Iceland Supermarket to ensure that the decisions will provide maximization in profit margin ratio.

Command economy: It is a economic system in which government has power to take decisions. In other words, it can be said that the government plays a key role in planning and decisions of economic system. For example, Cuba is considered as command economic system so while operating business in Cuba, it is necessary for Iceland Supermarket to ensure about decisions of government (Bracci, 2013). Government authorities have full power to take decisions in order to ensure about allocation of resources.

Mixed economy: It means the combination of command and free market economy in order to boost the allocation of resources. In other aspect, it can be said that the decisions are made by the collective work of government authorities as well as management of Iceland Supermarket (David, 2000). UK is one of best example of mixed economic system so, Iceland Supermarket can allocate resources as per needs of organisation but the final decision will be taken into account with assistance of government authorities.

2.2 Impact of fiscal and monetary policy

As per the structured study, it can be said that the fiscal and monetary policies have great impact on the operational activities of Iceland Supermarket. In other words, it can be stated that he various business activities of organisation can face some conflict situations due to changes in fiscal and monetary policies. Fiscal policy is framework which is accessed by governance of UK to provide effective direction to economic system (Guo, 2014). It mainly concentrates on optimistic investment of business firms in diversified areas. In respect of this, it can be said that government consider investment of company on social development.

However, the monetary policies of UK are being controlled by central bank. Authorities ensure that the monetary policies are providing support to supply of money in economic development. If bank has changed the interest rate on retail products then it will influence the cost of capital in diverse manner (Ingulli, 2014). Advancement in interest rate will have negative impact on the operational activities of Iceland Supermarket as cost of loan will also be enhanced.

On the other side, the taxation policies must be followed by the management of Iceland Supermarket. In this support, it can be said that the increase in taxation policies will impact the profit margin ratio of firm in negative manner. Advancement in tax rates forces management to pay high taxes to the government which will have direct negative influence on the operational activities of retail firm (Kourteli, 2000). Along with this, exchange rate will also affect the operational activities of Iceland Supermarket as it will impact perception of international customers. If exchange rate are high then international customer's will back step as it will impact overall capital in negative manner.

2.3 Impact of competition policy and other regulatory mechanism

Competition policies are considered as one of most favourable policy that can provide various business opportunities to customer's as well as organisation. It provides better protection to customers from unethical practice that business can have get involved in. With an improved focus on competition policy the management of Iceland Supermarket can easily promote fair work culture (European, commission. 2010). In other aspect, it can be said that the policy also provide safeguarding to the community. It means it restrict monopoly organisations to dominate market.

For example, if Iceland Supermarket is operating its business in monopoly market then it is necessary for management to ensure that the products and services are provided to customer's as per the consideration of competition policy. If organisation will have any avoidance of competition policy then it will impact business in negative manner and may cause various legal issues. However, competition policy also aims to make better market by improving efficiency of organization within the market  and also to enhance competitiveness of the UK businesses (External environment theory. 2014).

Other than this, it can be said that the influence of competition policy on Iceland Supermarket will bring advancement in quality of products at very economical prices. In this respect, it can be said that there are number of competition policies that has to be considered by the Iceland Supermarket as it is beneficial to amend ethical business practice within environment (Kourteli, 2000). Fair trade policy is also essential for business organisation as it creates positive environment within marketplace. Moreover, implementation of new competition policy  will prompt management of Iceland Supermarket to have production and operational activities as per standards which are set out by EU and government authorities.

TASK 3

3.1 Market structure determine the pricing and output decisions of business

As per the structured study of diverse market structure, it can be said that the different kinds of market structure impacts the determination of pricing and other decisions. In the support of this, it can be said that there are three key types of market structure and it is necessary for management of Iceland Supermarket to focus on key concepts of structures in order to have effective decision making process (Ingulli, 2014). Classification of diverse market structure can be as perfect completion, monopolistic, oligopoly and monopoly.

Perfect completion: It has been identified that the there are number of business organisations who operate in same market with the similar product. It means the Iceland Supermarket can face high ratio of competition which can impact business in negative manner (Guo, 2014). In this regard, it is essential for organisation to decide pricing of products as per financial condition and key trends of market in order to attain better competitive advantages.

Monopolistic: It means the competition low even if various firms are operating in same market. It is because the products that company are different as compared to other competitors available in the market. In order to have effective decision making process, it is essential for management of Iceland to ensure that they are providing better quality of products as compared to other competitors in the market (David, 2000). Company can also have pricing decision as per consideration of competitors products.

Monopoly: It is a market structure in which only one business organisation operates its business, it means the company have effective control over market. In this respect, it can be said that there is high entry barrier for new business organisation as existing business has already captured market in optimistic manner. If Iceland Supermarket is operating its business in monopoly market that means company is not facing any kind of competition (Bracci, 2013). Organisation can decide pricing of its products as per product feature in order to gain better competitive advantage.

3.2 Ways in which market forces shapes Iceland supermarket responses

There are different market forces that can impact the operational activities of Iceland supermarket. Classification of key market forces can be as demand, employee, technology and labour. In regard to demand, it can be said that the changes in demand of frozen food products will influence the operational activities of business firm. For example, the demand of frozen food products has been increased then it will force management to improve its productivity so that goods and services can be provided to customers in desired time (Rejc,  2004). It will also prompt management to focus on hiring of various new employees so that operational activities can be accomplished in proper way.

Moreover, changes in technological tools also impact the business of Iceland Supermarket. With the change in technology they can easily promote and advertise their services in the market. For example, with an improved use of CRM system the company can easily improve its relationship with customer's which is beneficial for advancement in services (Grier, 2006). Employees also plays a key role in success of every organisation as they have direct participation in day to day activities. For example, the employees are demanding to enhance their salary as per industry standards then it is necessary for management to amend their salary which will directly influence organisational profit margin ratio.

3.3 Business and cultural environments shape the behaviour of Iceland supermarket

Political: It is essential for business organisation to follow various decisions and frameworks which are set out by UK government. In this respect, it can be said that the political environment of UK are stable that provides better opportunities to the Iceland Supermarket. Stability in political factors boosts the opportunities and motivate management to pay taxes in appropriate manner (Matthews, 2005).

Economic: It means the stability in economic factors is also essential in order to have better business opportunities. Stability in terms of financial environment also has significant impact on working of organizations such as Iceland Supermarket (Fernando, 2011). If economic conditions are facing recession issues then it is essential for management to cut down the cost of products and services in order to meet organisational goals effectively.

Social: Changes in social needs also impacts the operational activities of business so it is necessary for management to ensure that the decisions are made as per needs of society. For examples, the customers are more attracted towards healthy food habits so it is essential for management to bring changes in its product line in order to meet the social needs (Carter, 2007).

Technological: It forces business organisation to use various technological tools in order to amend the productivity. With an improved focus on digital billing system the organisation can accomplish operational activities in easy manner. It is also beneficial to finish task in desired time period.

TASK 4

4.1 Significance of international trade

With an improved focus on international trade policies the business firm can have better opportunities and lead business to impressive level of success. With the help of international trade business organization can easily expand their activities in the different other regions and also results in expanding their market share. In this respect, it can be said that the business expansion in international market will amend the profit margin ratio (Mahapatraa, 2012). It will allow business to sale its products and services in diverse locations which will directly have positive impact on the market share. Advancement in market share is beneficial for enhancement in profitability.

Moreover, international business expansion activities is also advantageous for effective development of brand image. With the help of international trade the management of Iceland Supermarket can easily expand its operational activities in diverse geographical area which will provide better presence in the retail sector (Kerin,  2002). Development in brand image also has some positive impact on the customer base in order to attain better competitive advantages. Other than this, it has been spotted that  the business expansion in international market also provides detailed information about market trends. In other words, it can be stated that the international trade supermarket will also provide better competitive advantage in the retail sector.

4.2 Impact of global factors on the organization

It has been identified that there are number of global factors that can impact the work culture of organisation. In this respect, it can be said that the classification of global factors can be as development in technological tools, taxation framework, cost of workforces, etc. For example, while working in international market the management of Iceland Supermarket has noticed that the global retail firms are focusing on digital tools to amend inventory management (Nijkamp, 2010). It will prompt management to adopt these kinds of technological developments in order to boost operational effectiveness.

Other than this, it has also been spotted that the cost of labour can also impact the operational activities of business. In this regard, it has been noticed that there are number of nations in which company can access to low cost labour in order to accomplish goals effectively (Adhikara, 2002). For example, if company expand its business in China or any other Asian nation then they can easily approach to low cost skilled labour.  Therefore it will positively impact the supermarket in lowering their cost of production as due to availability of cheap workforce. Other than this, taxation policies of every nation is differ which also impacts the work culture of organisation (Gellner, 2004). For example, the tax rates in UK economic system impacts the work culture and forces management to bring some changes in its decisions so that business can effectively manage all activities.

4.3 Impact of policies of the European union on the Iceland supermarket

It has been identified that there are number of European union policies that can impact the operational activities of retail firm. Classification of EU policies can be as regional policy, food policy and international policy. It has been spotted that the key aim of regional policy is have effective development of positive work environment and amend the employment opportunities.  With the help of government support supermarket will develop and grow the area by generating employment opportunities (Harris, 2002). In the support of this, it can be said that the effective consideration of regional policy will also create better brand image within market.

Moreover, it has also been spotted that company is providing frozen goods to its customers so it is necessary for management of Iceland Supermarket to ensure that they are having effective consideration of food policy. In this respect, it is necessary for business organisation to develop products according to standards that has been set out by government (Gellner, 2004). For example, EU has changed the standards in food policy that frozen food products must include 30% calories then it will be essential for management to bring some modifications in its products as per new standards of food policy. If business organisation will not follow rules and regulations in appropriate manner then business can face some issues which can impact operations in negative manner.

CONCLUSION

As per the above study, it can be concluded that the study of business environment is essential for every organisation as it provides learning regarding diverse internal and external factors. It is essential to understand the different types of business organisation and their purposes.  It has been identified that the economic system key factors also impacts the allocation of resources in diverse manner. Classification of economic system can be as command, mixed, free enterprise and transnational systems. It has been identified that there are number of European union policies that can impact the operational activities of retail firm. Classification of EU policies can be as regional policy, food policy and international policy.

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REFERENCES

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