Business Influences Overview

This unit covers the major external factors that shape how modern businesses operate. You'll explore everything from cutting-edge technology to ethical decision-making.

The six key areas include technology impacts, ethical considerations, environmental responsibilities, and other crucial influences. Understanding these topics will help you analyse real business scenarios and nail your exam questions.

Quick Tip: These influences often overlap - for example, technology can create both ethical opportunities and challenges for businesses.

Technology Introduction

Technology has completely transformed the business world, and it's moving faster than ever. From how employees work to how customers shop, digital innovation affects every aspect of modern business operations.

ICT Revolution

ICT (Information and Communications Technology) refers to all the computing and communications systems businesses use to share information with stakeholders. It's basically the digital backbone that keeps modern companies running smoothly.

ICT has revolutionised workplace flexibility. Employees can now work from home thanks to better electronic systems, often boosting their productivity. Many businesses have moved operations like call centres overseas, cutting costs through lower wages whilst improving customer service through instant access to customer data.

However, there's a downside. Job displacement is real - computers are replacing roles in job centres and other sectors. Whilst this reduces wage costs for businesses, it creates unemployment challenges for society.

Real Talk: Understanding ICT impacts is crucial for your exams - be ready to discuss both the benefits and drawbacks!

E-Commerce and M-Commerce

E-commerce means buying or selling products through electronic systems like websites. M-commerce takes this further, using wireless devices like smartphones for transactions. These aren't just trends anymore - they're essential business channels.

By 2019, roughly 20% of all UK transactions were happening through e-commerce and m-commerce platforms. That's a massive chunk of the market that traditional brick-and-mortar stores can't ignore.

Success in online retail requires two key elements: an intuitive website or app that customers actually want to use, and rock-solid payment security. Get either wrong, and you'll lose customers faster than you can say "shopping cart abandonment."

Pro Tip: Many exam questions focus on why some businesses succeed online whilst others fail - it usually comes down to user experience and security!

E-Commerce Trade-offs

E-commerce advantages are pretty compelling. You can reach customers worldwide, stay open 24/7, and slash costs by ditching expensive shop premises and reducing staff numbers. It's like having a global shopfront without the massive overheads.

But the disadvantages can be deal-breakers. Security issues, fraud, and identity theft genuinely worry customers. You'll need serious IT skills or expensive specialists to keep everything running smoothly.

Don't forget the logistics nightmare - organising delivery and returns systems can be incredibly complex and costly. Many businesses underestimate this challenge when they first go online.

Exam Focus: Questions often ask you to evaluate whether e-commerce suits different business types - consider their products, target market, and resources.

Data and Digital Communication

Smart businesses collect customer information through systems like Tesco's Clubcard. Data analytics technology lets them store, access, and use this information to target customers with personalised deals and promotions. It's like having a crystal ball for customer preferences.

Digital communication covers everything from emails and texts to video conferencing and social media. It's completely changed how businesses interact with all their stakeholders.

Companies use digital tools to streamline supplier relationships through automatic reordering systems. Video conferencing cuts travel time for manager and shareholder meetings. Many businesses now rely on apps to communicate with employees because they're cheap, reliable, and everyone's got a smartphone.

Key Point: Digital communication isn't just about talking to customers - it transforms relationships with suppliers, employees, and investors too.

Digital Communication Impact

Digital customer communication offers serious advantages. You can maintain regular contact, get detailed flexible feedback, and provide quicker response times. It's more accessible for customers and can genuinely enhance your business reputation whilst reducing staffing costs.

However, the disadvantages are significant. You'll need specialists to manage digital communication properly, which is time-consuming, especially for small businesses. Poor handling can damage your reputation quickly.

Setup costs can be substantial, and if you get it wrong, the negative publicity spreads faster online than it ever did through word-of-mouth. Social media disasters can go viral in hours, not days.

Reality Check: Many businesses jump into digital communication without proper planning - successful companies invest time and money in doing it right from the start.

Ethics and Environment Introduction

Business ethics and environmental responsibility have moved from nice-to-have extras to essential business considerations. Customers, employees, and society expect companies to do the right thing, not just make profits.

Business Ethics Fundamentals

Business ethics involves making decisions based on what's morally right or wrong within a business context. It sounds simple, but it's incredibly complex because different stakeholders want different things from your business.

Customers might ask whether you advertise fairly or mislead them with dodgy claims. Employees want to know if you treat them properly with fair wages and decent working conditions. Suppliers care about whether you pay them on time.

The local community questions your impact on their area. Shareholders focus on profits but increasingly care about ethical practices too. Balancing all these competing demands whilst staying profitable is one of the biggest challenges modern businesses face.

Exam Insight: Questions often present ethical dilemmas - practice weighing up different stakeholder needs and explaining the potential consequences of each choice.

Ethical Spectrum

Ethical activities genuinely benefit society. Think donating profits to charity, selling Fairtrade products, or investing in renewable energy sources. These choices might cost money short-term but build customer loyalty and improve brand reputation.

Unethical but legal activities walk a dangerous line. Selling high-fat, high-sugar foods, creating misleading adverts, or copying competitors' products might boost profits but can damage your reputation and customer trust.

Illegal activities will destroy your business. Paying below minimum wage, running sweatshops, embezzlement, or false advertising can result in hefty fines, legal action, and complete loss of customer confidence. Simply not worth the risk.

Remember: The line between ethical and unethical isn't always clear, but illegal activities are always off-limits and will seriously damage any business that tries them.