Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-7-1-external-factors [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business.md) › [Edexcel IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse.md) › External Factors # External Factors Business: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.7.1 ## Businesses Face Constantly Changing Environments Every business is affected by the external environment that it operates in. The business environment is characterised by: ### Technological advancements ![Technological advancements](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/5dcb7629-1a03-4858-a632-e78424c3b244/shutterstock_390641047.jpg) - Advances in technology can affect every aspect of a business. If there is a technological advancement in the capital used by a company, they may be able to produce the same products and services at a lower cost per unit. - In the industrial revolution (1780 - 1850), advances in technology reduced the cost of cotton cloth (used in your clothes) by 85%. ### The economy ![The economy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/8df2d468-31e2-4587-b81a-b01bc10fd071/shutterstock_604548008.jpg) - The economic situation describes how well the country and world’s overall economy is performing. - For example, in 2008 there was a financial crash which led an increase in unemployment in the UK and other countries. Because of this, the customers of most businesses began to spend less money. Customers had less money to spend on luxury products like Gucci handbags or expensive holidays. ### Legislation ![Legislation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a5968870-4408-41d6-8b77-2d766d7a2b4f/shutterstock_232964731.jpg) - Some industries are heavily impacted by laws (also known as pieces of legislation). - When legislation (the law) changes, businesses can be forced to change their practices. - For example, the UK government changed a law and forced cigarette companies to sell their products in plain packaging. ### Environmental expectations ![Environmental expectations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f8d37f66-96ea-4378-a20b-0987d170602d/shutterstock_336888689.jpg) - In today’s business environment, businesses have to change the way they operate to meet environmental expectations. - For example, in 2018, the supermarket Iceland promised not to use plastic packaging in their supermarkets by 2023. - Automotive (car and lorry) companies may be pressured to make electric vehicles instead of those that use petrol (or diesel) fuel. ## Test yourself on External Factors - What is the business environment characterised by? - The supermarket Iceland promised not to use plastic packaging in their supermarkets by 2023. What has this business been influenced by? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/842fa0dc-132a-4180-9456-45b3931aca6b/section/5ee0cdba-737d-434c-8814-e0b67565321e/session) - Previous topic: [1.6.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Recessions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-6-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-recessions.md) - Next topic: [1.8.1 Measuring Success](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-8-1-measuring-success.md) ## Business: Edexcel IGCSE contents ### 1 Business Activity & Influences on Business - 1.1 Business Objectives - [1.1.1 Business Aims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-1-1-business-aims.md) - [1.1.2 Business Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-1-2-business-objectives.md) - [1.1.3 Business Objectives Change Over Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-1-3-business-objectives-change-over-time.md) - [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Business Aims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-business-aims.md) - [1.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-profit.md) - 1.2 Types of Organisations - [1.2.1 Sole Traders & Partnerships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-1-sole-traders-and-partnerships.md) - [1.2.2 Limited Companies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-2-limited-companies.md) - [1.2.3 Limited Liability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-3-limited-liability.md) - [1.2.4 Unlimited vs Limited Liability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-4-unlimited-vs-limited-liability.md) - [1.2.5 Not For Profit & Franchises](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-5-not-for-profit-and-franchises.md) - [1.2.6 Multinational Companies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-6-multinational-companies.md) - [1.2.7 End of Topic Test - Business Ownership](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-7-end-of-topic-test-business-ownership.md) - [1.2.8 Application Questions - Business Ownership](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-8-application-questions-business-ownership.md) - [1.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Company vs Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-company-vs-business.md) - [1.2.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Owners vs Shareholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-2-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-owners-vs-shareholders.md) - 1.3 Classification of Businesses - [1.3.1 Sectors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-3-1-sectors.md) - 1.4 Decisions on Location - [1.4.1 Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-4-1-location.md) - 1.5 Business & the International Economy - [1.5.1 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-5-1-globalisation.md) - [1.5.2 Exchange Rates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-5-2-exchange-rates.md) - 1.6 Government Objectives & Policy - [1.6.1 Government Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-6-1-government-objectives.md) - [1.6.2 The Government & Business Activity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-6-2-the-government-and-business-activity.md) - [1.6.3 Interest Rates](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-6-3-interest-rates.md) - [1.6.4 Interest Rates - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-6-4-interest-rates-calculations.md) - [1.6.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Recessions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-6-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-recessions.md) - 1.7 External Factors - [1.7.1 External Factors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-7-1-external-factors.md) - 1.8 What Makes a Business Successful? - [1.8.1 Measuring Success](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-8-1-measuring-success.md) - [1.8.2 Reasons for Failure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/1-8-2-reasons-for-failure.md) ### 2 People in Business - 2.1 Internal & External Communication - [2.1.1 Communication](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-1-1-communication.md) - 2.2 Recruitment & Selection Process - [2.2.1 Types of Employment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-2-1-types-of-employment.md) - [2.2.2 Recruitment Stages](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-2-2-recruitment-stages.md) - [2.2.3 Effective Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-2-3-effective-recruitment.md) - [2.2.4 Legal Controls Over Employment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-2-4-legal-controls-over-employment.md) - [2.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Internal Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-internal-recruitment.md) - 2.3 Training - [2.3.1 Training](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-3-1-training.md) - 2.4 Motivation & Rewards - [2.4.1 Motivation in the Workplace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-4-1-motivation-in-the-workplace.md) - [2.4.2 Financial & Non-Financial Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-4-2-financial-and-non-financial-methods.md) - [2.4.3 End of Topic Test - The Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-4-3-end-of-topic-test-the-workforce.md) - [2.4.4 Application Questions - The Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-4-4-application-questions-the-workforce.md) - [2.4.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Money](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-4-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-money.md) - 2.5 Organisation Structures - [2.5.1 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-5-1-organisational-structures.md) - [2.5.2 Centralised vs. Decentralised Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-5-2-centralised-vs-decentralised-structures.md) - [2.5.3 Tall & Flat Organisations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-5-3-tall-and-flat-organisations.md) - [2.5.4 Functional Areas Within a Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-5-4-functional-areas-within-a-business.md) - [2.5.5 End of Topic Test - Org Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/2-5-5-end-of-topic-test-org-structure.md) ### 3 Business Finance - 3.1 Sources of Finance - [3.1.1 Internal & External Sources of Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-1-1-internal-and-external-sources-of-finance.md) - [3.1.2 Factors Affecting Sources of Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-1-2-factors-affecting-sources-of-finance.md) - 3.2 Cash Flow Forecasting - [3.2.1 Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-2-1-cash-flow.md) - [3.2.2 Consequences of Cash Flow Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-2-2-consequences-of-cash-flow-problems.md) - [3.2.3 Cash Flow - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-2-3-cash-flow-calculations.md) - [3.2.4 Solutions to Cash Flow Problems](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-2-4-solutions-to-cash-flow-problems.md) - [3.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-cash-flow.md) - 3.3 Cost & Break-Even Analysis - [3.3.1 Costs, Revenue & Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-1-costs-revenue-and-profit.md) - [3.3.2 Profit, Average Unit Cost & Interest](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-2-profit-average-unit-cost-and-interest.md) - [3.3.3 Costs - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-3-costs-calculations.md) - [3.3.4 Revenue - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-4-revenue-calculations.md) - [3.3.5 Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-5-break-even-analysis.md) - [3.3.6 Profit & Losses - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-6-profit-and-losses-calculations.md) - [3.3.7 End of Topic Test - Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-7-end-of-topic-test-finance.md) - [3.3.8 Grade 9 - Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-8-grade-9-finance.md) - [3.3.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Fixed Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-fixed-costs.md) - [3.3.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Break-even](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-3-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-break-even.md) - 3.4 Financial Documents - [3.4.1 Financial Statements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-4-1-financial-statements.md) - [3.4.2 Income Statement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-4-2-income-statement.md) - [3.4.3 Understanding Business Performance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-4-3-understanding-business-performance.md) - 3.5 Account Analysis - [3.5.1 Business Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-5-1-business-calculations.md) - [3.5.2 Gross Profit - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-5-2-gross-profit-calculations.md) - [3.5.3 Net Profit - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-5-3-net-profit-calculations.md) - [3.5.4 Business Calculations 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-5-4-business-calculations-2.md) - [3.5.5 Business Calculations 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-5-5-business-calculations-3.md) - [3.5.6 Liquidity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/3-5-6-liquidity.md) ### 4 Marketing - 4.1 Market Research - [4.1.1 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-1-1-market-research.md) - [4.1.2 Forms of Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-1-2-forms-of-market-research.md) - 4.2 The Market - [4.2.1 Customer Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-1-customer-needs.md) - [4.2.2 Satisfying Customer Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-2-satisfying-customer-needs.md) - [4.2.3 Market](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-3-market.md) - [4.2.4 The Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-4-the-competitive-environment.md) - [4.2.5 Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-5-market-segmentation.md) - [4.2.6 Market Mapping - Price vs Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-6-market-mapping-price-vs-quality.md) - [4.2.7 End of Topic Test - Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-7-end-of-topic-test-marketing.md) - [4.2.8 Application Questions - Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-8-application-questions-marketing.md) - [4.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Competition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-competition.md) - 4.3 The Marketing Mix - [4.3.1 Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-1-price.md) - [4.3.2 Price Penetration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-2-price-penetration.md) - [4.3.3 Other Forms of Pricing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-3-other-forms-of-pricing.md) - [4.3.4 Product Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-4-product-design.md) - [4.3.5 The Product Life Cycle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-5-the-product-life-cycle.md) - [4.3.6 Extending Existing Products](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-6-extending-existing-products.md) - [4.3.7 New Products](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-7-new-products.md) - [4.3.8 Benefits and Risks of New Products](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-8-benefits-and-risks-of-new-products.md) - [4.3.9 Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-9-promotion.md) - [4.3.10 Public Relations and Sales Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-10-public-relations-and-sales-promotion.md) - [4.3.11 Sponsorship & Social Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-11-sponsorship-and-social-media.md) - [4.3.12 Product Placements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-12-product-placements.md) - [4.3.13 Promotional Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-13-promotional-mix.md) - [4.3.14 Place](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-14-place.md) - [4.3.15 Place 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-15-place-2.md) - [4.3.16 Place 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-16-place-3.md) - [4.3.17 M-Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-17-m-commerce.md) - [4.3.18 Benefits & Drawbacks of M-Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-18-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-m-commerce.md) - [4.3.19 End of Topic Test - Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-19-end-of-topic-test-marketing-mix.md) - [4.3.20 Grade 9 - Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-20-grade-9-marketing-mix.md) - [4.3.21 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Decreasing Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-21-diagnostic-misconceptions-decreasing-price.md) - [4.3.22 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Advertise vs Promote](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-22-diagnostic-misconceptions-advertise-vs-promote.md) - [4.3.23 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Social Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/4-3-23-diagnostic-misconceptions-social-media.md) ### 5 Business Operations - 5.1 Economies & Diseconomies of Scale - [5.1.1 Economies of Scale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-1-1-economies-of-scale.md) - [5.1.2 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Economies of Scale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-1-2-diagnostic-misconceptions-economies-of-scale.md) - 5.2 Production - [5.2.1 Production Processes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-2-1-production-processes.md) - [5.2.2 Flow and Batch Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-2-2-flow-and-batch-production.md) - [5.2.3 Production Efficiency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-2-3-production-efficiency.md) - [5.2.4 Technology & Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-2-4-technology-and-production.md) - [5.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - JIT vs JIC](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-jit-vs-jic.md) - 5.3 Factors of Production - [5.3.1 Factors of Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-3-1-factors-of-production.md) - 5.4 Quality - [5.4.1 Importance of Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-4-1-importance-of-quality.md) - [5.4.2 Identifying Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-4-2-identifying-quality.md) - [5.4.3 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-4-3-total-quality-management.md) - [5.4.4 End of Topic Test - Operational Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/business/edexcel-igcse/5-4-4-end-of-topic-test-operational-decisions.md)