Introduction: The principles of economics do not take place in a vacuum. In this section, we will discuss the major institutions that shape and are shaped by economic behavior. The three major institutions are: households, businesses, and the government's impact on economics.
Households
Households provide some of the resources needed by businesses. Households consume many of the goods produced by businesses, and the members of households are the ultimate owners of wealth.
Households provide labor, land, capital, and entrepreneurial skills to businesses. Households consume automobiles, food, clothing, and a host of other products produced by businesses. Businesses and all the assets they use are owned ultimately by individual households. Thus, businesses ultimately do not receive profits; they are only the middlemen who channel profits to the owners of the businesses, who are the individuals of households.
Types of Business Ownership
There are three legal forms of businesses that can be established in the United States. Businesses may be operated as sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations.
A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP is the easiest type of business to establish. Registering with the state and getting a federal tax number is about all it takes in most cases. As the proprietor, you are the owner and boss. The amount of profit you make depends on your skill, hard work, and luck.
The basic advantages associated with a sole proprietorship are
(1) it is easy to start up,
(2) it is simple to manage, and
(3) it is relatively free from government regulation.
But on the other side of the coin there are some distinct disadvantages, which are
(1) getting financed is limited by the wealth and credit standing of the proprietor,
(2) the business dies when the proprietor dies or quits, and
(3) unlimited liability of the proprietor (both business and personal assets may be lost if the business fails or becomes a losing party in a lawsuit).
In a PARTNERSHIP, two or more individuals combine to form a business so they can overcome some of the financial and managerial disadvantages of sole proprietorships.
The advantages associated with partnerships would include
(1) it is easy to start up,
(2) it is relatively simple to manage, and
(3) it is subject to relatively few government regulations.
Disadvantages of a partnership include;
(1) unlimited liability of partners (if your partner makes a mistake or is dishonest, your personal assets may be in jeopardy),
(2) division of ownership often leads to disagreements in operations and management of the business, and
(3) the death or withdrawal of one partner dissolves the partnership, although a new organization may be formed.
CORPORATIONS are organizations sanctioned by state laws and are considered "legal entities" separate and distinct from the owners. To start a corporation, you are required to submit a "charter" to the state government outlining the type of business intended. The charter should also specify how the corporation will be financed and governed.
The advantages of a corporation over other types of businesses would include
(1) it is easier to finance because a corporation can sell stocks and bonds,
(2) limited owner liability (the stockholders can only lose their investment),
(3) unlimited life (the death of a stockholder does not mean the end of a corporation), and
(4) highly specialized management.
The disadvantages of a corporation are
(1) it is more difficult to start up, and
(2) it is subject to extensive government regulation and taxation.
Each type of business (sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation) uses different methods for distributing the profits to the owners.
Sole proprietorship-All profits are distributed to the sole owner, as he or she has taken all the risks.
Partnership-Typically profits are distributed based on the percentage of capital invested. If one partner invested more than the others, then this partner has more at risk.
Corporation-Profits are distributed to the stockholders. Preferred stock is paid first, and then any remaining profits are distributed to the common stock.
Supplemental Assignments (These are optional. Please do not submit with your work, as they will not be graded.)
1. If you could start any kind of institution, what kind would it be, and why?
Review
Directions: For each question, write your answer in complete sentences. Use supporting details from the lesson to justify your answers. Do not copy and paste text but use your own words to demonstrate understanding of the lesson concepts. Remember to cite your resources. Citation examples are provided below the Review.
1. Identify and describe the various types of business ownership. Provide examples of each. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
2. What three institutions influence economics the most? Explain how each influences economics and provide examples of each.
3. If you were a sole proprietor and had annual profits of $100,000, how would the profits be distributed?
4. You are partners with Alice and Mark. You contributed 50% of the capital, Alice contributed 30%, and Mark contributed 20%.
(a) How would the annual profits of $100,000 be distributed among all three of you?
(b) Using these same numbers, how would an annual loss of $80,000 be distributed between the three of you?
5. Conduct internet research to discover the three biggest threats to each type of business institutions today. Report your findings in short essay form.
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