Introduction to business

Preface
1. About OpenStax
2. About OpenStax resources
3. About Introduction to Business
4. Additional resources
5. About the authors
Chapter 1. Understanding Economic Systems and Business
Introduction*
1.1. The Nature of Business*
1.2. Understanding the Business Environment*
1.3. How Business and Economics Work*
1.4. Macroeconomics: The Big Picture*
1.5. Achieving Macroeconomic Goals*
1.6. Microeconomics: Zeroing in on Businesses and Consumers*
1.7. Competing in a Free Market*
1.8. Trends in the Business Environment and Competition*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 2. Making Ethical Decisions and Managing a Socially Responsible Business
Introduction*
2.1. Understanding Business Ethics*
2.2. How Organizations Influence Ethical Conduct*
2.3. Managing a Socially Responsible Business*
2.4. Responsibilities to Stakeholders*
2.5. Trends in Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 3. Competing in the Global Marketplace
Introduction*
3.1. Global Trade in the United States*
3.2. Why Nations Trade*
3.3. Barriers to Trade*
3.4. Fostering Global Trade*
3.5. International Economic Communities*
3.6. Participating in the Global Marketplace*
3.7. Threats and Opportunities in the Global Marketplace*
3.8. The Impact of Multinational Corporations*
3.9. Trends in Global Competition*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 4. Forms of Business Ownership
Introduction*
4.1. Going It Alone: Sole Proprietorships*
4.2. Partnerships: Sharing the Load*
4.3. Corporations: Limiting Your Liability*
4.4. Specialized Forms of Business Organization*
4.5. Franchising: A Popular Trend*
4.6. Mergers and Acquisitions*
4.7. Trends in Business Ownership*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 5. Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing Your Own Business
Introduction*
5.1. Entrepreneurship Today*
5.2. Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs*
5.3. Small Business: Driving America's Growth*
5.4. Ready, Set, Start Your Own Business*
5.5. Managing a Small Business*
5.6. Small Business, Large Impact*
5.7. The Small Business Administration*
5.8. Trends in Entrepreneurship and Small-Business Ownership*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 6. Management and Leadership in Today's Organizations
Introduction*
6.1. The Role of Management*
6.2. Planning*
6.3. Organizing*
6.4. Leading, Guiding, and Motivating Others*
6.5. Controlling*
6.6. Managerial Roles*
6.7. Managerial Skills*
6.8. Trends in Management and Leadership*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 7. Designing Organizational Structures
Introduction*
7.1. Building Organizational Structures*
7.2. Contemporary Structures*
7.3. Using Teams to Enhance Motivation and Performance*
7.4. Authority—Establishing Organizational Relationships*
7.5. Degree of Centralization*
7.6. Organizational Design Considerations*
7.7. The Informal Organization*
7.8. Trends in Organizational Structure*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 8. Managing Human Resources and Labor Relations
Introduction*
8.1. Achieving High Performance through Human Resources Management*
8.2. Employee Recruitment*
8.3. Employee Selection*
8.4. Employee Training and Development*
8.5. Performance Planning and Evaluation*
8.6. Employee Compensation and Benefits*
8.7. The Labor Relations Process*
8.8. Managing Grievances and Conflicts*
8.9. Legal Environment of Human Resources and Labor Relations*
8.10. Trends in Human Resource Management and Labor Relations*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 9. Motivating Employees
Introduction*
9.1. Early Theories of Motivation*
9.2. The Hawthorne Studies*
9.3. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs*
9.4. McGregor's Theories X and Y*
9.5. Herzberg's Motivator-Hygiene Theory*
9.6. Contemporary Views on Motivation*
9.7. From Motivation Theory to Application*
9.8. Trends in Employee Motivation*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 10. Achieving World-Class Operations Management
Introduction*
10.1. Production and Operations Management—An Overview*
10.2. The Production Process: How Do We Make It?*
10.3. Location, Location, Location: Where Do We Make It?*
10.4. Pulling It Together: Resource Planning*
10.5. Production and Operations Control*
10.6. Looking for a Better Way: Improving Production and Operations*
10.7. Transforming the Factory Floor with Technology*
10.8. Trends in Production and Operations Management*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 11. Creating Products and Pricing Strategies to Meet Customers' Needs
Introduction*
11.1. The Marketing Concept*
11.2. Creating a Marketing Strategy*
11.3. Developing a Marketing Mix*
11.4. Buyer Behavior*
11.5. Market Segmentation*
11.6. What Is a Product?*
11.7. Creating Products That Deliver Value*
11.8. The Product Life Cycle*
11.9. Pricing Strategies and Future Trends*
11.10. Trends in Developing Products and Pricing*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 12. Distributing and Promoting Products and Services
Introduction*
12.1. The Nature and Functions of Distribution (Place)*
12.2. Wholesaling*
12.3. The Competitive World of Retailing*
12.4. Using Supply Chain Management to Increase Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction*
12.5. Promotion Strategy*
12.6. The Huge Impact of Advertising*
12.7. The Importance of Personal Selling*
12.8. Sales Promotion*
12.9. Public Relations Helps Build Goodwill*
12.10. Trends in Social Media*
12.11. Trends in E-Commerce*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 13. Using Technology to Manage Information
Introduction*
13.1. Transforming Businesses through Information*
13.2. Linking Up: Computer Networks*
13.3. Management Information Systems*
13.4. Technology Management and Planning*
13.5. Protecting Computers and Information*
13.6. Trends in Information Technology*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 14. Using Financial Information and Accounting
Introduction*
14.1. Accounting: More than Numbers*
14.2. The Accounting Profession*
14.3. Basic Accounting Procedures*
14.4. The Balance Sheet*
14.5. The Income Statement*
14.6. The Statement of Cash Flows*
14.7. Analyzing Financial Statements*
14.8. Trends in Accounting*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 15. Understanding Money and Financial Institutions
Introduction*
15.1. Show Me the Money*
15.2. The Federal Reserve System*
15.3. U.S. Financial Institutions*
15.4. Insuring Bank Deposits*
15.5. International Banking*
15.6. Trends in Financial Institutions*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 16. Understanding Financial Management and Securities Markets
Introduction*
16.1. The Role of Finance and the Financial Manager*
16.2. How Organizations Use Funds*
16.3. Obtaining Short-Term Financing*
16.4. Raising Long-Term Financing*
16.5. Equity Financing*
16.6. Securities Markets*
16.7. Buying and Selling at Securities Exchanges*
16.8. Trends in Financial Management and Securities Markets*
Glossary
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Summary of Learning Outcomes
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Preparing for Tomorrow's Workplace Skills
Ethics Activity
Ethics Activity
Working the Net
Working the Net
Critical Thinking Case
Critical Thinking Case
Hot Links Address Book
Hot Links Address Book
Chapter 17. Your Career in Business
Introduction*
17.1. Learn the Basics of Business*
17.2. Developing Interpersonal Skills Is Key to Your Success*
17.3. Make Your Future Happen: Learn to Plan*
17.4. Going to College Is an Opportunity of a Lifetime—Never Drop Out*
17.5. Get Your Career Off on the Right Track*
17.6. Self-Test Scoring Guidelines*
Appendix A. Understanding the Legal and Tax Environment*
A.1. Learning Outcomes
A.2. Understanding the Legal Environment
A.3. Contract Law
A.4. Understanding the Tax Environment of Business
References
Index
Index
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