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Role of business in societyRole of business in society

A business aims to satisfy customers鈥 needs and wants. Businesses operate in the private, public or third sectors of the economy and in the primary, secondary or tertiary sectors of industry.

Part of Business managementUnderstanding business

Role of business in society

A business is an organisation that makes, buys or sells goods or provides a service. All businesses aim to satisfy needs and wants.

A caveman showing needs (clothes, food, shelter) and a modern man showing wants (technology, fashion)

Needs are the basic requirements that are essential for survival such as food, water, clothing, shelter and warmth.

Wants are things we would like to have but don鈥檛 need to survive. These include luxuries such as mobile phones or holidays.

For a business to survive, it needs to satisfy the needs and wants of the consumer. Business can satisfy needs and wants by providing goods and services to the consumer.

Goods are products that you can see and touch (tangible) such as laptops, clothes or food.

Services are products that you cannot hold or touch (intangible) such as public transport, a haircut or a visit to the cinema.

For a business to be able to provide goods and services it will need to combine a variety of resources. These are known as the factors of production.