Business Studies Grade 11 Notes
Topic 1: Business Environments
Definition: Business Environment
The external and internal factors that affect how a business operates.
Types of Environments
● Micro-environment → Internal factors a business can control (e.g. employees, capital,
goals).
● Market environment → Immediate external factors (e.g. competitors, customers,
suppliers).
● Macro-environment → Wider external factors outside the business’s control (e.g.
politics, economy, technology).
PESTLE Factors (Macro Environment)
● Political → Laws, government policies.
● Economic → Inflation, interest rates, exchange rates.
● Social → Culture, population, values.
● Technological → Innovation, automation.
● Legal → Legislation (Labour Relations Act, etc.).
● Environmental → Sustainability, climate change.
, Topic 2: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) &
Corporate Social Investment (CSI)
Definition: CSR
The responsibility of a business to act ethically and consider its impact on society and the
environment.
Definition: CSI
When a business uses its resources (money, time, skills) to improve the community.
Difference between CSR and CSI
● CSR → Overall responsibility and ethical approach.
● CSI → Practical actions/programs businesses implement.
Topic 3: Public Relations (PR)
Definition: PR
Activities a business does to create and maintain a good public image.
Methods of PR
● Sponsorships
● Media releases
● Events
● Social media
Successful PR
● Honesty
● Consistency
● Good communication
Topic 1: Business Environments
Definition: Business Environment
The external and internal factors that affect how a business operates.
Types of Environments
● Micro-environment → Internal factors a business can control (e.g. employees, capital,
goals).
● Market environment → Immediate external factors (e.g. competitors, customers,
suppliers).
● Macro-environment → Wider external factors outside the business’s control (e.g.
politics, economy, technology).
PESTLE Factors (Macro Environment)
● Political → Laws, government policies.
● Economic → Inflation, interest rates, exchange rates.
● Social → Culture, population, values.
● Technological → Innovation, automation.
● Legal → Legislation (Labour Relations Act, etc.).
● Environmental → Sustainability, climate change.
, Topic 2: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) &
Corporate Social Investment (CSI)
Definition: CSR
The responsibility of a business to act ethically and consider its impact on society and the
environment.
Definition: CSI
When a business uses its resources (money, time, skills) to improve the community.
Difference between CSR and CSI
● CSR → Overall responsibility and ethical approach.
● CSI → Practical actions/programs businesses implement.
Topic 3: Public Relations (PR)
Definition: PR
Activities a business does to create and maintain a good public image.
Methods of PR
● Sponsorships
● Media releases
● Events
● Social media
Successful PR
● Honesty
● Consistency
● Good communication
