IGCSE Economics Unit 3 Key Terms

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This document defines 47 key terms related to economics and business studies, including: Money, which is anything generally accepted as a means of exchange; commercial banks, which are most…

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  • Unit 3 Key Terms

Unit 3 Key terms

1. Money - Anything that is generally accepted as a means of exchange


2. Standard of deferred payment – Purchase of products can be made now and
payment can be made later as the value of currency stays same.
3. Medium of Exchange – Money is generally acceptable to buy and sell goods and
services in a country.
4. Store of Value - The money is used as a store of value because they can be kept
for a long period of time without any wastage and money is easily to store.
5. Measure of Value/ Unit of Account – The value of the products can be measured
with the value of money.
6. Commercial Bank – Mostly private sector banks which aims for profit by
providing various services to the people.
7. Central Bank - a government owned bank which provides banking
services to the government and commercial banks. Its an apex bank which
manages and supervises all other banks in the country.
8. Lender of last resort - The central bank will lend to the banks which are
temporarily short of cash.
9. Average Propensity to Save - The proportion of income which people save is
referred as APS. It is calculated by dividing savings by disposable income.
10. Average Propensity to Consume - The proportion of income which people spend
is referred as APC. It is calculated by dividing consumption by disposable
income.
11. Wage factors - Monetary factors that affect a person while choosing a job.
12. Non Wage Factors - Non monetary factors that affect a person while choosing a
job.
13. Limiting Factors – Factors which affect a person not to choose a particular job.
14. Trade Union – An association which represents interest of the workers with the
employer. It bargains to increase wages and working conditions for the workers.
15. Collective bargaining - Negotiation of wages and other conditions of
employment by an organized body of employees.
16. Sole Trader - a business owned by one person.
17. Partnership Firm - a business organization for two or more people who are
personally responsible for its debts and share its profits.
18. Cooperatives -a firm that exists for the benefits of its members.
19. Public Corporation - a business organization owned by the government which is
designed to act in the public interest.
20. Private Limited Company - a business organization with limited liability which
can only share its shares with the approval of existing shareholders.
21. Public Limited Company - a business organization with limited liability which
sells its shares to the general public.
22. MNCs - a company which produces and operates in more than one country.
23. Private Sector - owned and controlled by people (individual or group)
24. Public Sector - owned and controlled by the government
25. Economies of Scale - The large scale production reduces the average cost of
production to a considerable extent
26. Diseconomies of Scale - The large scale production increases the average cost of
production due to problems faced by it.
27. Internal Economies of Scale - lower long run average costs resulting from a firm
growing in size.
28. External Economies of Scale - lower long run average costs resulting from an
industry growing in size.
29. Internal Diseconomies of Scale - higher long run average costs arising from a
firm growing too large.
30. External Diseconomies of Scale - higher long run average costs arising from an
industry growing too large in size.
31. Horizontal integration - the merger/take over of firms producing the same
product and at the same stage of production.
32. Vertical Integration - The merger/take over of one firm with another firm that
either provides an outlet for its products or supplies it with raw materials,
components or the products it sells.
33. Conglomerate Integration - a merger between firms producing different
products.
34. Integration - growth of a firm by a merger or a takeover.
35. Labour intensive Production - Labor intensive refers to a process or industry
that requires a large amount of labor to produce its goods or services
36. Capital Intensive Production - refers to a business process or an industry that
requires large amounts of money and other financial resources to produce a
good or service
37. Total Cost - Total Fixed cost +Total Variable cost
38. Average Cost - Average fixed cost +Average variable cost (or) total cost divided
by output
39. Fixed Cost - Cost which does not change with output
40. Variable Cost - Cost which changes with the output. It’s usage rate can be
changed easily.
41. Average Variable Cost - It is the total variable cost divided by output.
42. Average Fixed Cost - It is the total fixed cost divided by output. It decreases
when the output increases.
43. Total Revenue – Price x Quantity Sold
44. Profit - Revenue minus cost
45. Sales Maximization Principle - After reaching a point of profit, a company
should produce more, keep prices low, and invest in advertising to increase
product’s demand.
46. Monopoly - a market with a single supplier.
47. Perfect Competition - A market structure with the highest level of competition.
Firms produce identical products.

Common questions

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A firm may experience internal diseconomies of scale when it becomes too large, leading to inefficiencies such as bureaucratic inertia or communication breakdowns . External diseconomies can occur when an industry grows too large, causing factors like resource shortages or overcrowded infrastructure. To mitigate these effects, firms can streamline operations, decentralize decision-making processes, and invest in technology to manage internal inefficiencies. For external diseconomies, advocating for infrastructure development and engaging in strategic partnerships can help alleviate industry-level constraints .

Wage factors impact job choice through monetary compensation, affecting individuals' lifestyle and savings potential . Non-wage factors, such as work-life balance, job security, and organizational culture, play a critical role in determining job satisfaction and long-term career commitment. These factors influence labor market mobility, as workers may forego higher wages for better non-wage benefits or vice versa. The interplay between wage and non-wage factors can lead to labor market segmentation, where workers prioritize different attributes based on their personal circumstances, potentially affecting overall economic productivity and workforce distribution .

Trade unions advocate for fair labor practices by representing workers' interests in negotiations with employers, striving for better wages, working conditions, and benefits . They can help in reducing wage inequality and improving workplace safety. However, unions may also lead to adversarial industrial relations, especially if negotiations become contentious or lead to strikes. The presence of unions can thus facilitate structured dialogue and conflict resolution, promoting industrial peace, but can also complicate employer-worker relations if parties adopt rigid stances, potentially affecting productivity and economic growth .

Collective bargaining can lead to better wage outcomes and improved working conditions by enabling workers to negotiate as a unified group with employers, thus increasing their bargaining power . In sectors where unions are strong, wages and benefits tend to be higher, reducing income inequality. However, this can also lead to increased labor costs for employers, potentially reducing competitiveness or leading to higher consumer prices. Economically, it may shift income distribution without necessarily increasing total economic output, affecting economic efficiency and allocation of resources .

Central banks acting as lenders of last resort can stabilize financial systems during crises by providing liquidity to banks that are temporarily short of cash, preventing bank runs and sustaining operations. This role helps maintain confidence in the banking system and prevents systemic failures that could lead to economic downturns . However, there is a risk of moral hazard, where banks may engage in riskier behaviors, expecting bailouts in times of trouble.

Public corporations, owned by the government, are designed to serve the public interest by providing essential services without a primary focus on profitability, which can ensure accessibility and affordability . However, they may suffer from bureaucratic inefficiencies and lack the competitive drive of private markets. Private limited companies, being privately owned, can be more flexible and profit-driven, often resulting in more innovative and efficient operations. Yet, they may face more scrutiny regarding shareholder interests and can suffer from limited access to capital compared to public companies, which can sell shares on the open market .

The 'store of value' function of money allows it to be held over time without depreciating in nominal terms, which means people can save money and use it for future transactions or investments. This function ensures that money retains its value over time, providing individuals with the ability to defer consumption until a later date . Without this attribute, money would not be reliable for savings or investments, limiting its effectiveness as a medium of exchange and a unit of account.

Internal economies of scale occur when a firm grows and its costs per unit fall due to operational efficiencies within the firm, such as improved technology or managerial expertise . External economies of scale, on the other hand, arise when the entire industry grows, leading to cost reductions due to factors like improved infrastructure or supplier networks. These differences mean that firms focusing on internal economies can invest in technology and management, while those looking at external economies might advocate for industry-wide growth or collaborate with other firms to influence the external environment .

A central bank is government-owned and oversees the banking system's stability, regulates monetary policy, and acts as a lender of last resort, ensuring liquidity in financial markets . In contrast, commercial banks are primarily profit-driven entities that provide financial services like savings accounts, loans, and payment services to individuals and businesses. While the central bank manages national monetary policy and regulatory frameworks, commercial banks operate under these frameworks to serve the financial needs of the public . The relationship between them ensures the smooth functioning of the economy, with the central bank establishing the regulatory environment and commercial banks executing financial services.

The 'measure of value' function of money allows it to serve as a standard benchmark for valuing goods and services, facilitating trade and economic transactions . It enables consumers and producers to compare prices and make informed decisions based on relative value, thereby aiding in resource allocation and market efficiency. This function is crucial for establishing a common ground for financial reporting and budgeting, helping maintain consistency and transparency across the economy .

Unit 3 Key terms
1. Money - Anything that is generally accepted as a means of exchange
2. Standard of deferred payment – Purc
18.Cooperatives -a firm that exists for the benefits of its members.
19.Public Corporation - a business organization owned by
requires large amounts of money and other financial resources to produce a 
good or service
37.Total Cost - Total Fixed cost

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