Discuss the free enterprise system
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Discuss the free enterprise system
Free Enterprise System
Referred to as private enterprise. Encourages individuals to start and
operate their own businesses without government involvement.
Allows the market to determine prices through supply and demand.
Basic Economic Freedoms
Freedom of ownership Competition Risk Profit
Freedom of ownership
The ability to choose a house, car, job or business.
There are restrictions on how and where particular businesses can operate.
Ex. zoning
Competition
A rivalry between two or more businesses to gain as much of the total market share or as possible.
Helps maintain reasonable prices, provides consumers with new and improved products and results in a wider selection of products from which to chose.
Forces businesses to operate in the most efficient manner possible.
Risk
The potential for loss or failure.
Profit
The essence of the free enterprise system.
The money earned from conducting business after all costs and expenses have been paid.
Advantages of Entrepreneurship
Personal independence to make key business decisions.
Personal fulfillment and feeling of self worth
Potential for increased income
Disadvantages of Entrepreneurship
Risk associated with potential loss of income
Hours can be long and often irregular
Sole Proprietorship
A business owned and operated by one person
70% of all businesses in the US are sole proprietorships
Advantages of a Sole Proprietorship
Ease of startup Limited government
regulations including taxes
Profits go to the owner Freedom in making
business decisions
Disadvantages of a Sole Proprietorship
Unlimited liability Responsible for all
aspects of the business including skills and finances
Life of business is limited to the life or interest of the owner
Partnership
A business owned and operated by two or more people.
Less than 10% of all businesses in the US are partnerships
Types of Partnerships
General partnership
Limited partnership
General Partnership
An agreement in which both partners agree to share equally in the profit and/or loss of the business
Each partner is liable for all debts incurred by the business
Limited Partnership
Each partner is liable for any debts of the business up to the amount of his/her investment
Must have at least one partner who has unlimited liability
Advantages of Partnerships
Relatively inexpensive to start Combined financial resources and knowledge Shared management responsibilities Increased potential for profits Shared responsibility for risk Taxed less than a corporation A change in ownership does not alter the
continuity of the business.
Disadvantages of Partnerships
Partners can disagree about business decisions
The decision or action of one partner is legally binding on the other partner, including finances
If one partner dies, the business is dissolved
Corporation
A business owned by stockholders A legal entity that is chartered by the
state in which the business is located Boards, directors and officers
manage the daily operations
Types of Corporations
Private (closed) -- Do not offer shares of stock for sale to the general public
Public (open) -- Offer shares of stock for sale to the general public
Subchapter “S” – Taxed like a sole proprietorship and limited to 35 or less shareholders
Advantages of Corporations
Delegation of specific management skills Limited liability for stockholders Life of the corporation is unlimited Easier to secure capital Stockholders can easily enter or leave the
business by purchasing or selling stock
Disadvantages of Corporations
Numerous legal restrictions Complex to start up and dissolve Taxed heavily Complex record keeping
Franchise
A business or organization with the right to use an established name and sell trademarked products
Granted to a retailer or a wholesaler for a fee
Advantages of Franchises
Reduced liability due to name recognition and common products
Franchisor usually provides training Business plan is established by the
franchisor, modified for the location and franchisee
Disadvantages of Franchises
Freedom to make business decisions is limited
Franchise fees may be expensive Supplies and products must be purchased
directly from the franchisor