Meaning of Business Environment
Business environment refers to all external forces, factors and institutions that are beyond the
control of the business and that affect the functioning of the business.
Features of Business Environment
1. Totality of External Forces
- It includes all the forces such as economic, political, social, technological, etc.
2. Specific and General Forces
- Specific forces affect individual enterprises directly (e.g., customers, competitors).
- General forces affect all business enterprises (e.g., social, political, legal).
3. Inter-relatedness
- Different forces are inter-related. For example, increased use of technology may affect marketing
practices.
4. Dynamic Nature
- Business environment is constantly changing due to technological changes, shifts in consumer
preferences, etc.
5. Uncertainty
- It is very difficult to predict future events due to rapid changes.
6. Complexity
- It is very complex due to various interconnected forces acting together.