Describe the Environmental Forces that Affect the Businesses a Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Discuss environmental factors, what they are, how they affect businesses, and how organizations can combat their impact
- Understand the different factors in the internal and external business environment that are likely to affect an organization's performance
- Understand how to use environmental factors to forecast future performance and how an organization can formulate strategies based on these factors
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Organizations face a number of issues in the form of internal and external environmental factors. The internal environment of a business consists of factors, conditions, and forces within the Business organization that affect its performance. The internal environment defines the scope of a business organization which entails the strengths and weaknesses of the organization.
This assignment will describe the environmental forces that affect the company's ability to serve its customers. Environmental forces are external factors that influence the business environment and can have a positive or negative impact on the company's performance. Some of the environmental forces that affect the company's ability to serve its customers are:
Economic factors:
These include the state of the economy, the level of income, the availability of credit, the inflation rate, the interest rate, and the exchange rate. Economic forces affect the demand for the company's products or services, the cost of production, and the profitability of the company. For example, a recession can reduce the purchasing power of customers and lower the demand for the company's products or services. On the other hand, a booming economy can increase the demand for the company's products or services and boost its sales and profits.
Social factors:
These include the values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, lifestyles, and demographics of the society. Social forces affect the needs and wants of customers, their tastes and preferences, and their buying behavior. For example, an aging population can increase the demand for healthcare products or services. On the other hand, a shift in consumer preferences can reduce the demand for certain products or services.
Technological factors:
These include innovations, inventions, discoveries, and developments in science and technology. Technological forces affect the availability and quality of products or services, the efficiency and effectiveness of production and distribution processes, and the competitiveness of the company. For example, new technology can create new products or services that meet customer needs better or offer more value. On the other hand, new technology can also make existing products or services obsolete or less attractive.
Political factors
These include the laws, regulations, policies, and actions of governments and political parties. Political forces affect the legal and regulatory environment of the business and can create opportunities or threats for the company.
For example, a favorable tax policy can reduce the tax burden of the company and increase its profitability. On the other hand, an unfavorable trade policy can restrict the access of the company to foreign markets or increase its costs.