Meaning of Business Environment
The business environment refers to the combination of all external and internal factors that influence a business’s operations, performance, and decision-making processes.
These factors encompass a wide range of elements including economic conditions, social trends, technological developments, regulatory policies, and competitive dynamics.
Nature of Business Environment
- Dynamic Nature:
- Constant Change: The business environment is continuously evolving due to changes in technology, market conditions, consumer preferences, and regulatory frameworks.
- Adaptability Required: Businesses must adapt to these changes to remain competitive and sustainable.
- Complexity:
- Interconnected Factors: The business environment comprises various interconnected factors that can impact each other. For example, a change in government policy can affect economic conditions and, consequently, consumer behavior.
- Multifaceted Influences: Factors influencing the business environment come from multiple sources and can have both direct and indirect effects on business operations.
- Uncertainty:
- Unpredictability: Elements of the business environment are often unpredictable, making it challenging for businesses to forecast future trends accurately.
- Risk Management: Businesses need to develop robust risk management strategies to navigate the uncertainties of the business environment.
- Relative Nature:
- Context-Specific: The impact of the business environment varies depending on the industry, location, and size of the business.
- Individual Reactions: Different businesses may perceive and respond to the same environmental factors differently based on their resources, capabilities, and strategic objectives.
- External and Internal Components:
- External Environment: Includes macroeconomic factors (economic, social, political, technological, legal, and environmental) and microeconomic factors (customers, competitors, suppliers, intermediaries, and public).
- Internal Environment: Comprises elements within the organization such as employees, management, corporate culture, and internal processes.
Microeconomics
Definition: Microeconomics is the branch of economics that studies the behavior of individuals and firms in making decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources. It focuses on the interactions between consumers and businesses, and the outcomes of these interactions in specific markets.
Key Concepts in Microeconomics
- Demand and Supply:
- Law of Demand: As the price of a good or service decreases, the quantity demanded increases, ceteris paribus (all other factors being equal).
- Law of Supply: As the price of a good or service increases, the quantity supplied increases, ceteris paribus.
- Market Equilibrium: The point where the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied, resulting in a stable market price.
- Elasticity:
- Price Elasticity of Demand: Measures how much the quantity demanded of a good responds to a change in its price.
- Price Elasticity of Supply: Measures how much the quantity supplied of a good responds to a change in its price.
- Income Elasticity of Demand: Measures how much the quantity demanded of a good responds to a change in consumers’ income.
- Consumer Behavior:
- Utility: The satisfaction or pleasure derived from consuming a good or service.
- Marginal Utility: The additional satisfaction gained from consuming one more unit of a good or service.
- Budget Constraint: The limitation on the consumption choices of individuals based on their income and the prices of goods and services.
- Production and Costs:
- Production Function: The relationship between the quantity of inputs used in production and the quantity of output produced.
- Cost Structures: Includes fixed costs, variable costs, and total costs associated with production.
- Economies of Scale: The cost advantages that a business obtains due to expansion, resulting in a reduced cost per unit of output.
- Market Structures:
- Perfect Competition: A market structure characterized by a large number of small firms, identical products, and free entry and exit.
- Monopoly: A market structure where a single firm controls the entire market, with no close substitutes for its product.
- Oligopoly: A market structure with a small number of large firms that dominate the market, often with products that are either identical or differentiated.
- Monopolistic Competition: A market structure with many firms offering products that are similar but not identical, allowing for some degree of market power.
Macroeconomics
Definition: Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that studies the behavior and performance of an economy as a whole. It focuses on aggregate measures and large-scale economic factors, such as national income, total employment, and overall price levels.
Key Concepts in Macroeconomics
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP):
- Definition: The total value of all goods and services produced within a country over a specific period, typically a year.
- Components: Consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports (exports minus imports).
- Unemployment:
- Definition: The condition of being jobless and actively seeking employment.
- Types of Unemployment: Includes frictional (short-term), structural (mismatch of skills), cyclical (due to economic downturns), and seasonal unemployment.
- Inflation:
- Definition: The sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over time.
- Causes: Demand-pull inflation (excess demand), cost-push inflation (rising production costs), and built-in inflation (wage-price spiral).
- Monetary Policy:
- Definition: The process by which a central bank controls the money supply and interest rates to achieve macroeconomic objectives such as controlling inflation, consumption, growth, and liquidity.
- Tools: Interest rate adjustments, open market operations, and reserve requirements.
- Fiscal Policy:
- Definition: The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.
- Objectives: Stimulate economic growth, reduce unemployment, and control inflation.
- International Trade and Finance:
- Trade Balance: The difference between a country’s exports and imports of goods and services.
- Exchange Rates: The value of one currency in terms of another currency.
- Balance of Payments: A comprehensive record of a country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world, including trade, investment, and financial transfers.
Key Differences Between Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
- Scope:
- Microeconomics: Focuses on individual units, such as consumers, firms, and specific markets.
- Macroeconomics: Looks at the economy as a whole, dealing with aggregate measures and broad economic factors.
- Key Focus Areas:
- Microeconomics: Demand and supply, price determination, consumer behavior, production costs, and market structures.
- Macroeconomics: National income, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade.
- Analytical Approaches:
- Microeconomics: Uses detailed, bottom-up analysis to understand the behavior of individual economic agents and markets.
- Macroeconomics: Employs broad, top-down analysis to understand aggregate economic indicators and trends.
- Policy Implications:
- Microeconomics: Helps in formulating policies to address market failures, competition, and consumer protection.
- Macroeconomics: Guides policies aimed at stabilizing the economy, promoting growth, and controlling inflation and unemployment.
Significance of Economic
The significance of economics can be understood from various perspectives: individual, business, government, and society. Here’s an overview of why economics is crucial in each of these contexts, particularly focusing on India:
1. Individual Perspective
Resource Allocation:
- Personal Finance: Economics helps individuals make informed decisions about spending, saving, and investing. Understanding concepts like budgeting, interest rates, and opportunity costs can improve personal financial health.
- Employment Choices: By analyzing job markets and potential earnings, individuals can make better career choices, considering both their skills and market demand.
2. Business Perspective
Decision Making:
- Production and Pricing: Businesses use economic principles to determine the most cost-effective production methods, set prices for goods and services, and predict market demand.
- Market Analysis: Economics helps businesses understand market trends, consumer behavior, and competition, enabling them to strategize effectively and sustain profitability.
3. Government Perspective
Policy Formulation:
- Economic Growth: Governments use economic theories and data to formulate policies that promote sustainable economic growth. This includes fiscal policies (taxing and spending) and monetary policies (control of money supply and interest rates).
- Welfare and Development: Economics aids in designing welfare programs aimed at poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
4. Societal Perspective
Social Welfare:
- Income Distribution: Economics provides tools to analyze and address income inequality, ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources within society.
- Public Goods and Services: Economics helps in the efficient provision of public goods and services like roads, education, and national defense, which are essential for societal well-being.
Significance in the Indian Context
Economic Reforms and Growth:
- 1991 Liberalization: The economic liberalization reforms initiated in 1991 transformed India from a closed economy to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Understanding economics helps in appreciating the impact of these reforms on trade, investment, and industrial growth.
Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Growth:
- Targeted Programs: Economics is crucial for designing and implementing targeted programs like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) which aim to provide employment and improve rural livelihoods.
- Financial Inclusion: Initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana aim to bring the unbanked population into the formal financial system, promoting inclusive growth.
Global Integration:
- Trade Policies: As a global player, India’s trade policies, export-import dynamics, and participation in international organizations like WTO (World Trade Organization) are informed by economic principles.
- Foreign Investment: Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) is essential for technological advancement and infrastructure development, guided by economic policies and incentives.
Sustainable Development:
- Environmental Economics: Balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability is critical. Economics helps in designing policies for resource conservation, pollution control, and sustainable development.
Technological Advancement:
- Digital Economy: Initiatives like Digital India leverage economic insights to boost digital infrastructure, promoting e-governance, digital literacy, and innovation.
Significance of Non-Economic Environment of India
The non-economic environment in India encompasses a wide range of factors that, while not directly related to economic activities, significantly impact the economy and business landscape. These factors include social, cultural, political, legal, and technological elements. Understanding the non-economic environment is crucial for comprehending the broader context in which economic activities occur. Here’s an exploration of the significance of the non-economic environment in India:
1. Social Environment
Demographics:
- Population Growth: India’s large and youthful population presents both opportunities and challenges. A growing workforce can drive economic growth, but also requires substantial investment in education, healthcare, and job creation.
- Urbanization: Rapid urbanization influences demand for housing, infrastructure, and services, shaping economic priorities and development strategies.
Cultural Diversity:
- Consumer Preferences: India’s cultural diversity affects consumer behavior and market segmentation. Businesses must tailor their products and marketing strategies to cater to different cultural and regional preferences.
- Social Norms and Values: Social norms around gender roles, family structures, and community ties influence economic activities, labor market participation, and consumer behavior.
2. Political Environment
Government Stability and Policies:
- Policy Consistency: Political stability ensures consistent policy implementation, crucial for long-term economic planning and foreign investment.
- Reforms and Regulation: Political will drives economic reforms, regulatory changes, and initiatives such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Digital India, impacting business operations and economic growth.
Bureaucratic Efficiency:
- Ease of Doing Business: Efficient bureaucracy and transparent governance enhance the ease of doing business, attracting investment and fostering entrepreneurship.
- Corruption and Red Tape: Conversely, corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies can hinder business operations and economic development.
3. Legal Environment
Regulatory Framework:
- Business Laws: Laws related to company formation, labor, intellectual property, and contracts affect business operations and investor confidence.
- Compliance and Enforcement: Effective legal enforcement ensures compliance, protects investors, and maintains market integrity.
Judicial System:
- Dispute Resolution: A robust judicial system provides mechanisms for resolving business disputes, ensuring a stable business environment.
- Legal Reforms: Ongoing legal reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing delays in the judicial system can enhance business confidence and economic growth.
4. Technological Environment
Innovation and R&D:
- Technology Adoption: Rapid technological advancements and adoption influence productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness of businesses. Initiatives like Digital India aim to enhance digital infrastructure and literacy.
- Start-up Ecosystem: A vibrant start-up ecosystem driven by technological innovation contributes to job creation, economic diversification, and new business models.
Infrastructure:
- Digital Connectivity: Improved digital connectivity and internet penetration enable new business opportunities, especially in e-commerce, fintech, and digital services.
- Smart Cities: Technological integration in urban planning and development, such as smart city initiatives, can improve living standards and economic efficiency.
5. Environmental Factors
Natural Resources:
- Resource Management: Sustainable management of natural resources, including water, minerals, and forests, is crucial for long-term economic stability and growth.
- Environmental Regulations: Stringent environmental regulations ensure sustainable industrial practices, balancing economic development with ecological preservation.
Climate Change:
- Impact on Agriculture: As a significant part of India’s economy relies on agriculture, climate change and environmental degradation directly affect agricultural productivity and livelihoods.
- Disaster Preparedness: Effective disaster management and preparedness can mitigate the economic impact of natural disasters, ensuring resilience and recovery.
Conclusion
The non-economic environment in India plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape. Social dynamics, political stability, legal frameworks, technological advancements, and environmental sustainability collectively influence business operations, investment decisions, and overall economic development. Understanding and navigating these non-economic factors are essential for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders to foster a conducive environment for sustainable economic growth and development in India.
Meaning of industrial policy.
Industrial policy means rules, remuneration principles, policies and procedures laid down by the government for regulating, developing and controlling industrial undertakings of the country.
It prescribes the respected roles, or public or private, joint and cooperative sectors for the development of industries.
It also indicates the role of the large, medium and small scale sector. It incorporates physical and monetary policies, tariff policy, labor policy and the government attitude towards foreign capital and the role to be played by multinational corporations in the development of the industrial sector. After independence, a number of Industrial policy were announce to achieve various objectives.
Some of the general and common objectives are identified as follows.
1. Achieving A socialistic pattern of society by preventing undue concentration of economic power by small sections of the society.
2. Achieving industrial development.
3. Economic growth.
4. Reducing disparities in regional development.
5. Developing heavy and capital goods industry.
6. Providing opportunities for gainful environment.
Objectives of 1991 industrial policy.
1. Reducing or minimizing the bureaucratic control of the industrial economy of India.
2. Integrating the Indian economy with the world economy.
3. Removing restrictions on direct foreign investment.
4. Free The domestic entrepreneur from excessive MRTP restrictions.
5. Streamlining the role of Public sector enterprises
The important areas covered by this policy were.
1. Industrial licensing.
2. Foreign investment.
3. Technology transfer and import of foreign technology.
4. Public sector policy.
5. Policy relating to the MRTP Act.
6. An exclusive small scale sector policy.
The important features or aspect of this policy were as follows.
1. Industrial licensing system was done away with except for 18 items were compulsory. Licensing is still required for various reasons like security and strategic factors, social reasons, safety aspect, environmental issue, production of hazardous good items of elitist consumption etc.
2. Direct foreign investment up to 15% equity was allowed in high priority industries. Besides also 100% participation was allowed in many industries like tourism related industries like hotels, shipping, hospitals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance sectors.
3. Automating Commission for foreign technology agreements in high priority industries was granted.
4. Automatic clearance for import of capital goods was also granted, provided foreign exchange requirements for such imports are made through foreign Equity.
5. Public sector policy.
A new approach towards public sector were introduced where public sector only allowed in priority like essential infrastructure of goods and services. Exploration and exploitation of oil and mineral resources. Production of items of strategic importance, like defense equipment. Technology development and building of Manufacturing capabilities where private sectors investment is inadequate.
Unit 2
World Trade Organization.
The World Trade Organization is the officially defined as the legal and institutional foundation of a multilateral trading system.
Set up on January 1st, 1995. The World Trade Organization is the most important Trade Organization for promoting Free trade.
It is a permanent organization created by an international treaty and ratified by the governments and legislatures of the member countries.
It is a principle international body for solving trade problems between member countries and is a forum for multilateral negotiation.
Fundamental principles or features of World Trade Organization.
Principles Of WTO
1. Non discrimination.
This is the basic and most important principles on which the World Trade Organization is founded.
This principle means two things.
A. All trading partners will have to give equal status and opportunities and treat each member equally.
No member can grant certain favours to 1 member without giving it to the others.
In other words, each member will treat every other member equally as the MFN Most Favored Nation.
Foreign goods, services, trademarks, patents, and copyrights shall be given the same treatment as is given to the nations of the country.
B. Principle of free trade. The World Trade Organization promotes free trade among member countries through progressive reduction in tariffs and gradual removal of quantitative restrictions.
2. Promotion of Fair competition.
A. The World Trade Organization system is based on a multilateral trading system which provides for transferring fare and undistorted competition amongst the various members country. Unfair practices such as exports of cities, dumping, etcetera, is not encouraged under the World Trade Organization regime.
B. Market access commitment.
Every member country has to reciprocate in giving market access by abolishing both tariffs and non tariff barriers. And DB.
C. Wider range of issues.
The World Trade Organization covers not only issues regarding trading goods, but also trade in services and intellectual property rights.
D. Multilateral trading system.
The World Trade Organization tries to establish a free and fair multilateral trading system which where each and every member country has equal opportunities of market access, where no discriminatory trade barriers and unjust government support exist.
Functions of World Trade Organization.
The World Trade Organization has the following five functions to perform.
1. Implementation and Administration:
The World Trade Organization provide the framework for implementation, administration, and operation of Multilateral Trade Agreement Reach at the Uruguay Round.
2. Negotiation Forum:
The World Trade Organization provides the Forum for further negotiation among Member States concerning multilateral trade agreements relating to matters at the Uruguay Round.
3. Dispute Settlement:
The World Trade Organization undertakes the tasks of settlements of disputes which can arise between Member States on different Understandings of the rules and procedures agreed upon.
4. Global Economy Policy:
The World Trade Organization tries to evolve a global economy policy for promoting free and fair trade by cooperating appropriately with international organizations like the IMF, the World Bank and its affiliated agencies.
5. Trade Policy Support:
The World Trade Organization administers the Trade review mechanism and helps members to frame their trade policy.
World Trade Organization agreements.
1. TRIPS. Trade related intellectual property rights.
This is one of the most controversial agreement of the Uruguay Round of negotiations. This agreement regarding DRI PS requires every member countries to provide Patient Protection to all products or processes in all fields of technology. The protection is guaranteed provided the following three conditions are present.
A. The product or the process is a new one.
B. It contains an invented steps and see it is capable of industrial application for 20 years from the date of the patent.
The TRIPS agreement covers the following several intellectual properties.
A. Patients.
B. Copyright and other related rights.
C. Geographical integration GI
D. Industrial designs.
E. Trademarks.
F. Layout designs of integrated circuits.
Z. Undisclosed information, including trade secrets.
Painting cell be available without discrimination as to the place of invention, the field of technology and also whether products are imported or locally produced.
The patent holder will enjoy exclusive Marketing rights since the wedding would be for products as well as processes, Chemical based products like drugs and pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, alloys or and food products would be possible.
In case of India who do not have product, patient are given a 10 year video transition time. Product patents are also given now for all kinds of plants, varieties as well as different kinds of seeds.
2. TRIMS. Trade related investment measurement.
The Trade Related Investment Measurement Agreement refers to conditions or restriction imposed to foreign investors. This agreement requires that investment regulations by member countries have to give the same treatment to domestic products and imported goods.
These agreements specifically forbids imposing restrictions on operations of an enterprise, which results in protecting domestic products, putting imported goods at a disadvantage.
The following conditions are prohibited under the Teams Agreement.
1. Local content requirement
that foreign enterprise must use a certain amount of locally produced inputs in production.
2. Trading balance requirement
that imports by foreign interfacial not exit exerting proportion of its exports.
3. Domestic sales requirement.
That is, every enterprise should sell a certain proportion of its output locally.
The TRIMS agreement requires removal of all quantitative restrictions on imports and exports.
Impact of WTO on India’s industrial and business sector.
India being a founder member of World Trade Organization, has been following World Trade Organization rules and decisions but as a consequence certain effects on the Indian. Especially in the industrial and business sector has become evident.
The Indian industries have had to pay a very high price, with World Trade Organization urging India to lower import duties, removing controls on consumer goods, removing quantitative restriction, etcetera. The protection given to Indian industry have virtually disappeared and they are now having to face stiff competition from foreign goods and enterprises.
The Indian capital goods industry, on a conservative estimate, lost about orders worth 5000 crore from foreign countries.
Foreign goods are allowed duty free access, while Indian industry has to face excise, sales tax, Octroi etcetera.
The entire manufacturing industry was put in a crisis. The machine tools industry, then sets and boilers producers were put at a serious disadvantage. Consequently, import of finished products were displacing indigenously for these products.
Many industrial units have to close down, with cheap imports becoming the main cause of recession in the Indian industry. Along with the import of second hand, cars also cause problems from the automobile industry. Chinese goods flooding the Indian market is also causing weather problems for the Indian economy. Battery cells, cigarette lighters, energy saving plans, reached watches, toys, electronic items and other items of consumer goods is also causing problems for the Indian industries. The issue of Chinese dumping goods have been taken off with World Trade Organization, as China is now is also a member of the World Trade Organization. However, the worst impact has been filled by the SSI small scale industries. The small scale industries now not only have to Complete with large units of the country, but also with cheap imported products.
The entry of MNC’s in ordinary consumer goods like ice cream, agarbatti, soft drink, etcetera, have virtually wiped out small scale units. Consequently, many Small scale industries units have closed down which were responsible for providing about 50% of the employment. Regarding the impact in the trade sector, especially in the export of cotton textiles, unfair games have been played by countries like the US and other developed countries in the name of child labor environmental issue, another aspect of. Non tariff barriers posing serious problems for Indian competitiveness in the world market.
Economic integration or regional trade blocs
- Definition: Economic integration is the process where nations, often neighbors, agree to remove trade barriers and align monetary and fiscal policies for mutual benefit.
- Purpose: It aims to unify economic policies between states by reducing or eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
- Examples: Notable examples include the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA), Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). These are regional trade blocs formed to facilitate economic cooperation among member countries.
Types of Economic integration
1. Free trade area.
This is the most basic form of integration, where goods are allowed to pass freely between countries without any kind of restrictions.
Members states remove all kinds of trade barriers, but they have individual freedom to set up tariffs among non members.
2. Common market.
A common market is one, where not only goods are allowed to pass freely, but all kinds of restriction on the movement of capital and labor are also lifted.
3. Custom unions.
This is a type of integration where there is not only free trade amongst the members, but every member also have a common uniform commercial policy with those of the non members.
Members of the custom Union therefore have the same tariff rate for imports for a country that is a non member.
4. Economic union.
An economic union is an absolute case of economic integration.
It implies complete economic integration between a group of nations where there is not only free mobility of factor resources and commodities, but all economic general policies like the monetary and physical policies are perfectly coordinated, harmonized and collectively operated by the members.
Also, there is a common currency in an economic union.
Example. Euro of the European Union.
5. Other than the above, there are also other kind of economic integration like free financial trading where agreements are reached between parties to give certain biased advantages to one another, like the MFN Most Favored Nation. Such arrangements are normally bilateral.
Advantages/Importance of economic integration
Economic integration is based on the philosophy of advantages of free trade.
The principle of free trade means increased market access will lead to larger production, more employment, more income, economies of scale, lower cost, fuller utilization of resources, etc for all member countries.
In other words, the advantages of economic integration can be summarized as follows.
1. Trade creation leading to reduction in cost.
2. Improved availability of goods and services, leading to consumer welfare.
3. Cross-border investment leading to employment opportunities.
4. Full utilization of available resources.
5. Larger Markets: Firms gain access to larger markets beyond their national borders, which can lead to increased sales and economies of scale.
Meaning of globalization.
Globalization is a new economic order where there is integration of all economies resulting from free flow of trade, capital, labor and technology.
Globalization is based on the philosophy of free trade, which advocates the absence of trade restrictions between countries can increase the size of the market, resulting in larger production and hence economies of scale.
Case for Globalization or advantages of globalization for the Indian economy
India adopted the process of globalization in 1991, where various structural reforms were initiated in the country.
Tariff and non tariff barriers were removed or reduced to promote free trade as well as there was liberalization of foreign investment and capital.
The arguments put forward it from globalization of the Indian economy was based on the following beliefs and the benefits that the Indian economy would acquire.
They may be briefly described as follows.
1. Shift from an import-substitution to an export-led growth strategy.
Empirical data and experience had shown that India’s policy of import substitution could not achieve the desired rate of economic growth.
It was therefore believed that an export LED growth strategy would be more beneficial by expanding export industries and getting the necessary foreign exchange to get the required imports.
Export industries based on comparative advantage. In case of India, abundant cheap labor can bring Indian goods more competitive in the world market.
Queen export oriented industries develop production and investment increases resulting in higher level of employment and income.
And with the India becoming the member of the WTO This change in, direction was imperative and necessary.
2. Foreign capital inflow.
One of the major benefits of globalization was the advantage in boosting foreign capital inflow in the form of FDI and portfolio investment.
External commercial borrowings were expensive, with rates of interest increasing the debt burden for the economy.
Along which in case of foreign assistance, it was believed that capital inflow in the form of FDI and PPI will be more beneficial for economy.
3. Transfer of technology.
Along with capital, globalization was a means or mechanism to transfer technology from developed country. Technology upgradation for Indian industries through FDIC can result in better quality products at lower prices, making Indian goods more competitive in the world market. Globalization results in faster diffusion of new ideas and advanced technology.
4. Increased market access.
One of the major benefits of globalization is the increase in the size of the markets. Wider market access can result in higher production, leading to economies of scale and lowering the unit cost of production, which can increase the competitiveness of manufacturing products.
5. Employment argument.
Following from the above mentioned advantages, globalization can result in increased employment opportunities. With the growth of export industries through FDI, there can be a direct increase in the level of employment.
6. Faster economic growth and poverty reduction.
Empirical datas and statistics have shown that countries which have previously adopted globalization has been able to do much in reducing poverty and achieving faster growth rate.
Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong are such examples.
Measures taken to promote globalization.
Parenting measures were adopted in 1991 to promote globalization in the Indian economy.
Some of them can be very fully described as follows.
1. Import liberalization.
Liberalization of foreign trade by reducing import controls on all major items of capital goods, raw materials, intermediate goods, etcetera, was one of the first steps taken to promote globalization. Not only import controls were removed, but import tariffs was reduced at all kinds of quantitative restrictions like quotas were removed in a phased manner. Import customs duties as high as 200% were reduced to around 20%.
2. Liberalization of foreign investment and capital.
The other major step taken by the government to promote globalization has been the relaxation of inflow of foreign capital for investment. Prior approval by foreign companies from the government was removed and restrictions on the upper limit of equity was done away with. Foreign companies can now invest up to 100% of equity in most sectors of the economy, like drugs and pharmaceuticals, insurance, banking, etcetera. Conditions like transfer of technology, local content requirement etcetera has been removed.
Apart from FDIC portfolio investment as non debt creating capital inflow has also been encouraged. The portfolio investment which is investment by foreign firms, Foreign Institutional Investor and NRS, investing in the equity, bonds and security of Indian firms.
The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, FRA has been replaced by the Foreign Exchange Management Act FEMA to remove constraints previously applicable to firms operating in India with foreign equity.
3. Market Determined exchange rate.
Another major steps taken to promote globalization is to convert from a basket pegged exchange rate system to a market determined exchange rate. With this the exchange rate of the rupee is not determined by demand and supply conditions in the foreign exchange market.
4. Convertibility of the rupee.
Another major reform for globalizing the Indian economy was the convertibility of the rupee on the balance of payments on current account. This means that the importers can get the required quantity of foreign exchange by converting the rupee resources into dollars from the foreign exchange market. The exporters also do not have to surrender the foreign exchange earned from abroad to the RBI, but can now sell them in foreign exchange market.
5. Import of gold and silver.
The government also started allowing free import of gold and silver without charging any Commission for it.
Liberalisation
Liberalization refers to the policy of the government in removing previous restrictions of all kinds.
In the context of the Indian economy, liberalization includes the following.
1. Dismelting of industrial licensing system.
2. Reduction in physical restrictions on imports and also in the rate of import duties.
3. Reductions in controls on foreign exchange, both current and capital account.
4. Reduction in restriction on foreign investment or capital, both direct and portfolio.
5. Privatization, opening up of areas previously reserved for the public sector, Basic industries, power, transport, banking, etc.
6. This investment.
Partial privatization of public sector units.
7. Softening of MRTP regulations. Monopolies, Restrictive Trait Practices Act.
Unit 3
Foreign Collaborations /Capital Investments
FDI Foreign Direct Investment
It refers to investment by foreign companies, multinational corporates directly in the home country for building of assets or infrastructure like airports, seaports, highways, communication facilities or power projects and also for setting up of industries in various consumer goods sector.
Portfolio Investments
MNC
Multinational corporation are generally considered as Giant firms engaged in productive activities of a corporate nature with headquarters located in one defined country and having a variety of business operations. In different countries.
MNC’s are also called transnational corporations.
Types of MNC
Nature of MNC
Features of MNC’s.
1. Amenities operate in many countries at different levels of economic development.
2. Its local subsidiaries are managed by the nationals.
3. It maintains a complete industrial organization, including research and development facilities in several countries.
4. They have a multinational central management and multinational stock ownership.
Objectives of MNC’s.
1. To expand business beyond the boundaries of the home country.
2. To minimize cost of production, especially labor cost.
3. To capture lucrative foreign markets against international competitors.
Role/Importance/benefits of MNC’s for the Indian economy.
1. MNC’s have had increased the level of investment, thereby increasing the income and employment level of the country.
2. They have the vehicles for The transporting of technology which has been useful, lowering cost of production and making Indian goods more competitive worldwide.
3. They have therefore being enable to increase indias export and reduce import requirements.
4. MNCs have made commendable contributions to research and developments.
5. The Balance of Payments position have substantially improved.
Role of Foreign aid and World Bank
Impact of foreign aid on India’s economic development.
Foreign aid has always played an important role for the Indian economy.
Foreign aid is meant to do three things.
1. To supplement domestic savings.
2. To make available additional supplies of foreign exchange.
3. Facilitate transfer of technology.
The extent to which the foreign aid can contribute to the development of the productive capacity of the country depends on the judicious use of foreign aid, the effort, and the total disposable resources of the recipient country.
In case of India, foreign aid has helped in the following field.
1. Foreign aid has helped to raise the level of investment, which has substantially increased from the annual level of over 10% of the national income at the beginning of the first plan to now nearly more than 36% of the national income. Could the increase in the foreign aid, the foreign exchange outlet also correspondently increase which now stands at more than fifty $100 billion Dollars.
2. Aid used to stabilize food crisis and import of raw materials.
Of the total 8 utilized, the bulk has been used to import food grains, which played a significant role in stabilizing food crisis. Also aid has been used to import raw materials and spare parts, which has contributed to the increase in the production of the country.
3.Aid used for enlargement of irrigation and power potential.
External assistance has contributed to the productive capacity of agriculture in a big way by enlarging the irrigation potential of the country. In the field of dairy and fishery, foreign aid has helped to modernize the technique of production.
The power potential of the country has also increased with the import of machinery equipment where it the installed capacity of the country has increased from 2.3 million kilowatts in 1950 to now more than 500 million kilowatt.
4. Aid for improving transport.
Transport has absorbed a large proportion of the total utilized aid. That is out of 14 percent, 12% has gone to the railways, which has been used for renovation and modernization of the railway transport.
5. Aid for building the steel industry.
Foreign aid has also played an important role in the creation of capacity in basic line of production as the steel industry.
Over 80% of the amount of air utilized by the manufacturing industry has gone into the expansion and creation of capacity in the steel industry. That is 38 for this has been received from West Germany, UK, USSR.
6. Aid utilized for development of petrochemical and electronic industry.
The so-called unraced industries of petrochemicals and electronic industries has been done with the help of foreign aid.
7. Aid used to enlarge the technical resources.
External assistance has also gone a long way in helping to enlarge technical resources through.
i. The provision of expert services.
ii. Training of Indian personnel.
iii. Helping the establishment of new or development of existing educational, research and training institutions of the country.
India has developed its technical manpower and is in a position now to export technical manpower.
Forms of foreign capital.
1. What is FDI?
2. Portfolio investment.
3. Foreign collaborations.
4. intergovernmental loans
5. The loans from international financial institutions.
6. External commercial borrowing from banks and other financial institutions.
Balance of Payments
The balance of payments of a country is a systematic record of all the economic transactions of the country with debt of the rest of the world. When total receipts is equal to total payments, there is an equilibrium in the country’s balance of payments.
Account of a country’s balance of payments.
Credits. | Debits. |
1. Export of goods. 550. | 5. Import of goods. 800. |
2. Export of services. 150. | 6. Import of services. 50. |
3. Unrequited receipts. Gifts, identities, etcetera from foreigners. 100. | 7. Unrequited payments. Gibbs, indemnities, etcetera to foreigners. 80. |
4. Capital recipes. Borrowings from. Capital repayments by, or sales of assets to foreigners. | 8. Capital payments. Leading to capital requirements to for purposes of assets from foreigners. 70. |
Total receipts. 1000. | Total payments. 1000. |
When receipts are greater than expenditure surplus in the balance of payments.
When receipts are less than expenditure, it is a deficit balance of payments.
Item one and Item 5 also known as Balance of trade visible items.
Item 1,2,3 and 5,6,7 is balanced on the current account.
Item four and eight is balanced on capital account.
Items 2,3,6 and seven are invisible item.
The balanc All famous is the systematic record of all economic transactions of the country.
When there is a deficit in a country’s balance of payments, that demand of foreign countries will increase.
The visible items in a BOP is a part of Balance of trade.
Causes of disequilibrium in India’s balance of payments.
A balance of payments reflects the economic health of the country. In case of India, there has always been a deficit in a balance of payments position, current account. Except for a few years during the 4th Plan. The crisis was seen more during the 7th planned and during the 70s and the 80s. The important factors which were responsible for this can be briefly categorized as below.
1. Heavy developmental imports.
india in order to achieve industrialization have had to import heavy capital goods machineries and other component India, to build the industrial base as well as furious infrastructure facilities which require heavy import of these items.
2. Attaining price stability.
Also, over the period, even though India has a sapphire agricultural production, the country has to import various food grains and other items of essential consumption in order to maintain price stability of the Economy.
3. Growing bills of petroleum products.
Another factor which has been responsible for India’s unfavorable balance of payments is the import will of India’s petroleum products have also been increasing.
This is because domestic production of crude oil is not sufficient and hence the import of petroleum products, prices of which has been constantly increasing in the world market.
4. Growing import of consumer items.
With the start of the liberalization policy, they has also been a substantial rise in the import of consumer items.
With the new liberalization policy and with the India becoming the member of World Trade Organization, that has been a substantial inflow of all kinds of consumer goods item into the country without any restrictions.
5. India’s trade in the invisible account also suffer and remittances like NRS keeps on fluctuating.
6. In the capital account, India has been borrowing heavily from different international agencies.
Even though the India has been doing well and India’s exports have been increasing, especially after 1991, it has still not be Able to keep pace with its imports.
Problems in the export of agricultural products, such as farm support, given by the developed countries is causing problems.
Prices of agricultural products in the world market has also been fluctuated and there is increasing competition from the other countries.
Export of cotton textile was also with discriminatory measures taken by the countries like the United States of America.
Solutions for growing problem of deficit in the balance of payments.
The growing end persistence deficit in the balance of payments cannot be solved by the use of accumulated foreign exchange reserves or drawings from the island, or by inflow of resources through external loans and grants. The basic factors responsible for the persistent deficit must be taken seriously and therefore in such a situation the ultimate solution will lie in continue the import bill through restrictions and to promote export to the maximum extent possible.
Import restriction has to be brought through more production in the country. Judicious use of imported goods is to be encouraged by containment of wasteful and unlimited consumption. Import substitution methods should be progressively encouraged, which can control the import bill to a certain extent. But however, in the present scenario, especially under the World Trade Organization regime, restrictions of imports cannot be put by the government.
The solution therefore rise more in increasing exports. Export proportion measures should be effectively taken by the government for increasing exports. Various incentives have to be provided by the government to the exporters.
Some of them are as follows.
1. Export incentives.
They are form of economic assistance that the government tries to provide to the exporters in order to help them secure foreign markets by making them more internationally competitive.
Export incentives can be in the form of.
A. Subsidies that lower export prices.
B. Text concessions such as duty exemptions and duty remediation. Duty exemptions which enable duty free import of inputs for export production. Duty remission which enables most post export replenishment of inputs used in the export product.
C. Credit facilities such as low-cost loans.
D. Other physical supports in the form of income tax exemptions.
E. Special schemes or facilities under the Export Import Policy.
However, in India, since 1992, under World Trade Organization restrictions, export incentives has been mainly concentrated in the following In the following three ways.
1. Market based exchange rate.
The previous. The previous pegged exchange rate system by the RBI has now been replaced with the LERMS Liberalised Exchange Rate Management System One officially determined by the RBI and the other market based determined by demand and supply conditions in the foreign exchange market. The market rate is higher, serving as an incentive to The exporters.
2. Physical concessions in the form of income tax reliefs on exporters Tax holiday for a period of 10 years, 100% EOU exports.
Export processing, imports and concessional weight of custom duties on import of machineries and raw materials.
3. Content Journal Rates of Export Finance for Free Shipment and Post Shipment Credit. EXIM.
4. Cover of insurance risk to the ECGC
5. Conduct of market service, publicity campaigns, participation in trade fairs should be encouraged to the explorers.
India’s trade policy.
India has always used its trade policy as an instrument or vehicle for achieving economic growth. A trade policy of a country refers to a set of policies which govern the external sector of its economy. The twin objectives of India’s trade policy have been to promote exports and to restrict the level of imports to the level of foreign exchange available to the government. The basic problem for India as a developing economy happens to be domestic non availability of certain crucial inputs like industrial raw materials, machinery and technology, crucial for economic development.
This bottleneck has been tried to be removed from imports, which in the short run can be financed through foreign aid. However, in the long run, imports must be financed by additional exports. The basic objective of India’s trade policy therefore revolves around the instruments and techniques of export promotion and import management.
Export policy.
The main objectives of India’s economic policy can be briefly summarized as follows.
1. To earn adequate foreign accents to finance, study great volume of imports.
2. To effect a change in the directional pattern with a view to reducing dependence on a single country or limited number of countries.
3. To supplement domestic demand for abnormal opportunities.
4. To raise unit value realization by promoting exports of value added items.
5. To import minimum price regulation.
6. To impose controls when domestic availability is less than adequate.
Import policy.
The main objectives are.
1. To insure that the limited amount of foreign exchange available is properly utilized for economic development and As for national priorities.
2. To allocate foreign accents so that capacity utilization is maximized.
3. To great protection to domestic industries.
4. To maintain price stability.
Over the years, various trade policies have been formulated keeping in mind the above guideline and objectives.
Export promotion measures centered around giving various incentives to diasporas to reduce cost and make them more competitive in the world market.
Policy relating to MRTP monopolies. Restricted Trade Policy Act.
1. The threshold or the upper limit of the assets of MRTP companies and dominant undertaking were removed.
Example. provisions related to acquisition or transfer of shares of MRTP companies were delete Provisions related to acquisition or transfer of shares of MRTP companies were deleted and the provisions requiring prior approval projects for merger, amalgamation and taken over by MRTP companies were removeremoved.
2. Exclusive smart sector policy was announced by the government, where the definitions of small scale, medium ancillary and tiny industries were revised depending on their number of investments. Government measures for support of these industries included institutional finance at lower rate of interest, priority in government purchase programs, and relaxation of certain provisions of Labor laws.
Q. Globalization leading to in increased market access means.
Economies of scale. Greater production, lower cost. All of this.
Q. Relaxation of previous government rules and regulations is
liberalization.
Q. Buying of shares of Indian companies by foreign institution is
portfolio investment.
Q. Protectionist treatment measures are
tariffs, quotas and Non tariff barriers.
Q. The process of liberalization started with the industrial policy.
1991.
Q. Which of the following covers under microenvironment?
Electronic Media Newspaper Consumer rights.
Q. World Trade Organization is an organization for.
Promotion of free trade. Framing of rules and regulations of international trade. Sitting of trade disputes.
Q. Which of the following measures were adopted to promote globalization For Indian economy.
Import liberalization. Convertibility of rupee. Relaxation of foreign capital inflow.
Q. That last round of GAAT ended in.
Uruguay.
Q. The Bretton Woods Conference of 1944 was responsible for the birth of the following organisations.
IBRD World Bank, IMF.
Q. Which of the following is not a component of macro business environment?
Workers and their union.
Unit 4
Government Budget
Types
Components
Fiscal Deficit
Non-banking financial companies or non-banking financial institutions.
Non-banking financial companies are financial institution that provide banking services without meeting the legal definition of a bank. That is one that does not hold a banking license. This institution are not allowed to take deposits from the public like demand deposits.
Nevertheless, the operations of this institution are exercised under the banking regulation.
Non banking financial institution carry out financing activities. These institutions mobilize the public saving for rendering other financial services, including investment.
Example of. Non banking financial institution. Unit Trust of India. LIC GIC
Types of non banking financial institutions.
1. Asset Financing Company.
They are financial institution whose principal business is financing physical assets such as automobiles, tractors, construction material, handling equipments and other machines.
Example. Bazaz. Auto Finance Corporation. Fullerton India.
2. Investment company.
Investment company is a financial intermediary whose principal business is buying and selling of securities. The investment company invest money on behalf of its shareholders who is term shared in the profit and losses.
They are generally involved in the business of stock bonds, debenture shares issued by the government or local authority.
Example. Mutual funds, stock broking companies.
3. Loan company.
These are financial institution whose principal business is that of providing finance by making loans or advances.
These can be housing loans, gold loans, etcetera.
Examples. HDFC. Muthoot Gold Finance Company. Mannapuram Gold Finance.
4. Higher purchase company.
Higher purchase company are financial intermediaries whose principal business related to higher purchase transaction or financing such transactions.
Economic Planning in India.
General objectives of planning in India.
For a developing country like India, economic planning plays a very important role.
The fundamental objective of economic planning is to accelerate the pace of economic growth and to provide social justice to a genuine masses.
The major objective of economic planning in India are.
1. Attainment of higher rate of economic growth.
2. Reduction of economic inequalities.
3. Achieving full employment.
4. Attending economic self-reliance.
5. Modernization of various sectors.
6. Achieving balance regional developments.
Achievements of India’s five year plans.
7 decades of planning experience has witnessed various achievements and failures in different sectors of the economy.
The planning experience in India has proved to be one of a mixed blessing.
Achievements.
1. Economic planning through the public sector has been successful for laying a strong infrastructure.
The foundation of economic growth through the development of various social and economic overrides has been done with the Help of economic planning.
The public sector has been responsible for the development of such industries as iron and steel, nonferrous metals, petroleum, fertilizers, coal, electricity, arms and ammunition, transport and communications, etc.
2. Another major achievement of economic planning in India is the increase in food grains production from around 50 million tonnes in 1950 to 1951 to now about more than 500 million tons.
The second plan had given birth to the Green Revolution, which was responsible for increasing food grains production, especially with to a substantial amount leading to self-sufficiency in terms of food requirements for the country.
This breakthrough has been achieved as a result of substantial public investment in irrigation and agricultural research and extension seeds, subsidized inputs, credit facilities and price support programs.
3. Economic planning in India has also been successful in maintaining a reasonable degree of price stability after the post independence. The annual rate of inflation, with some exception, has remained a single digit through better management of demand and supply conditions for essential commodities. A vast public distribution system has been built up to contain the rising prices.
4. The public sector has also created an important role in developing backward areas of the country. In terms of development of infrastructure, employment opportunities and growth of ancillary industries. Subsidized transport facilities, credit facilities etcetera has been given to develop industries in backward areas.
5. Various programs for property in education has also been introduced, which has been responsible for reducing poverty to a certain extent. Various rural development and poverty alleviation schemes Like IRDP Integrated Rural Development Program, NRP, National Rural Employment, etc Has been introduced by the government. In spite of the above equipment, economic planning has been performed poorly in several areas.
A. The rate of growth in the real GMP as Empiserged in the succession plan as generally been between 5 to 5.5%. The economy progress at the modest average growth rate of 3.5% per annum only, and if the rate of growth of population is taken into account, which is around 2.5%, the actual growth rate of per capita income turns out to be very modest.
B. The massive, backlog of unemployment in the rural as well as urban areas, is also a glaring failure of the planning process.
C. Undue emphasis on Heavy Industries is partly responsible for the unemployment problems. Similarly, in the rural sector, investment in agriculture, rural work problem, Have not been sufficient to reduce unemployment in the country.
D. The benefit of development under the plans have not trickled down towards the police section of the society in the rural sector. The policy of land reforms has failed. The growth of black money in urban areas has led to wasteful expenditure. Economic disparities among various classes has caused pension. Slogan for the establishment of a socialistic veteran on society.
E. The vast amount of internal and external deaths have also put the country in a debt trap.
F. The budget of the central and state government show huge deficit of a growing nature and the fiscal policy of government Has failed to contain the budgetary deficits, which has resulted in deficit financing on a large scale.
G. experience of economic planning in India shows That it has been a mixed blessing. The achievements are mixed with contrast And disparities. The chronic food deficit sheet dictation of the 50s and the 60s has been transformed into a self-sufficient.
Changing perspectives of India’s five year plans.
The last ticket of 20 century has seen a visible shift in the focus of development planning, from a near expansion of production of goods and services and the consequent growth of per capita income to planning for enhancement. Of human Well-being. The notion of human well-being is now broadly conceived to include not only consumption of goods and services in general, but more specifically ensuring that the basic material requirements of all section of the population, especially those below the poverty line, are meant. And they have access to basic social services such as health and education.
Social development has been given a new dimension and based on past experience, economic prosperity, measured in terms of far capita GDP, does not always enhance the investment of quality of life. Social indicators like health, longevity, literacy and environmental sustainability are considered to be more important and socially desirable.
The development process must also be fueled in terms of efficiency of users of the economics, productive resources, both physical and human resources to attain the desired social helds.
Planning has to go beyond undertaking budgetary allocations among competing sectors and regions.
It has to stimulate private investment and initiative in the various facets of the development process.
From the 10th 5 year plan onwards, there has been a change in the focus of planning from merely resources to the policy, procedural and institutional changes which are considered essential for every Indian to realize his or her potential.
Monetary policy refers to the set of measures and actions taken by a country’s central bank or monetary authority to regulate and control the supply of money, credit availability, and interest rates in the economy with the goal of achieving specific macroeconomic objectives, such as price stability, full employment, and economic growth.
In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policy to achieve price stability and support economic growth. Here’s a detailed explanation of how monetary policy controls inflation in India:
Repo Rate:
The RBI sets the repo rate, which is the rate at which it lends money to commercial banks for short periods. When inflation is rising, the RBI may increase the repo rate to make borrowing more expensive for banks. Higher repo rates lead to higher borrowing costs for banks, which they then pass on to consumers and businesses through higher interest rates on loans and credit products. This increase in borrowing costs reduces consumer spending and investment, thereby dampening inflationary pressures.
Reverse Repo Rate:
Conversely, the RBI may also adjust the reverse repo rate, which is the rate at which it borrows money from commercial banks. By increasing the reverse repo rate, the RBI incentivizes banks to park more funds with it, rather than lending them out. This reduces the amount of money available for lending in the economy, leading to lower spending and inflation.
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR):
The RBI mandates banks to maintain a certain percentage of their deposits as reserves in the form of cash with the central bank. This is known as the cash reserve ratio (CRR). When the RBI wants to reduce inflationary pressures, it may increase the CRR, thereby reducing the amount of money that banks can lend out. With less money available for lending, borrowing becomes more expensive, leading to reduced spending and inflationary pressures.
Open Market Operations (OMOs):
The RBI conducts open market operations by buying and selling government securities in the open market. When inflation is high, the RBI may sell government securities to absorb excess liquidity from the banking system, thereby reducing the money supply. Conversely, during periods of low inflation or economic slowdown, the RBI may buy government securities to inject liquidity into the system and stimulate economic activity.
Forward Guidance:
The RBI also communicates its policy stance and future actions through forward guidance. By providing clarity on its inflation targets and policy intentions, the RBI influences market expectations and helps anchor inflationary expectations. This can be particularly important in a country like India, where inflation expectations can play a significant role in driving actual inflation dynamics.
Inflation Targeting Framework:
In recent years, the RBI has adopted a formal inflation targeting framework, wherein it aims to keep inflation within a specified target range. By setting a clear inflation target, typically around 4% with a tolerance band of +/- 2 percentage points, the RBI guides its monetary policy decisions to achieve price stability over the medium term.
In summary, the RBI employs a combination of policy tools, including interest rate adjustments, reserve requirements, open market operations, and communication strategies, to control inflation in India. These measures are implemented with the objective of maintaining price stability while supporting sustainable economic growth.
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