What is Business?

A business is an organization owned by a person, group, or corporation so that it may pursue a commercial or professional activity. Businesses can provide either goods or services. The design of for-profit enterprises is primarily to make money, while non-profit organizations pursue charitable or social goals. Business studies include buying and selling, managing employees, organizational operations, finances, economics, and more.

Studying business involves studying many aspects of the smooth functioning of a business. Accounting is the study of financial information and how to record, analyze, and understand the financial information of businesses and individuals. Economics studies more significant economic trends and philosophies and how the ebb and flow of resources impacts everyone, from entire nations to individuals. Finance studies how the handling of money transpires on an individual or organizational level. Human Resources is the study of how to hire and manage people in organizations. Operations Management and Business Administration study the business practices that create the most efficiency and profit. Information Technology examines how computers and other technology help businesses operate smoothly. Healthcare Administration is where business and medicine come together and is an umbrella term to encompass all aspects of this intersection. Real estate studies the business of buying and selling physical spaces. Sales & Marketing explores how to optimize relationships with customers and how to maximize organizations' reach. Business Law explores the rules and regulations of the world of commerce. International Business studies how businesses all across the globe operate. Business Intelligence is the study of data-driven methods for creating the most effective business practices. Business Communications is the study of the art of effective corporate language. Business Ethics is a form of professional ethics that studies moral implications of ethical problems that may arise in business. All of these topics of study inform each other and are part of fully understanding the world of business. All of these topics of study support each other and are part of fully understanding the world of business.

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Business Topics

Accounting

Find resources related to accounting education and the purpose of accounting. See courses such as Financial Accounting and Introduction to Managerial Accounting.

Business Administration

Discover information on business administration and management. Access the business administration courses to learn about the role of a business administrator.

Business Communication

Find resources for learning about business and professional communication. Explore the fundamentals of communications in business using courses on this page.

Business Ethics

Explore business ethics. View resources related to ethics in business and find courses like Management Ethics and Practicing Ethical Behavior in the Workplace.

Business Intelligence

Learn about business intelligence systems and reporting. Discover the benefits of business intelligence with examples by following the BI courses and resources.

Business Law

Understand business law definitions and topics. Discover the international business laws and the commercial business laws. Get access to business law resources.

Economics

Learn to define the study of economics. Discover the branches of economics, such as micro and macroeconomics, by accessing economic resources and courses.

Finance

Understand the meaning of finances in business. Learn about the stock market and corporate finance by referring to the finance courses and resources.

Healthcare Administration

Explore the field of healthcare administration and what it means to be a healthcare administrator. Access healthcare administration resources and study help.

Human Resources

Identify the role of human resources and learn about strategic human resource management. Visit this page to access HR resources or receive help studying.

Information Technology

Learn to define what information technology is. Discover the concepts and applications of information technology by accessing the courses and resources.

International Business

Discover what international and global business refer to professionally. Access examples of global businesses, business fundamentals, and related courses.

Operations Management

View educational resources related to operations management. Find operations management courses like Retail Operations and Introduction to Entrepreneurship.

Real Estate

Learn about the real estate industry and the education required to become a realtor. Also, find real estate courses and information about test preparation.

Sales & Marketing

Find out the definition of sales and marketing. Discover the concepts and strategies of sales and marketing by accessing the marketing courses and resources.

Popular Business Resources

Study.com has various resources to study the many facets of business and the business world. From comprehensive introductory courses that provide a strong foundation in understanding business to in-depth classes on industry best practices, Study.com has the tools and tactics to help students at every level. Whether they want to learn how to start a business plan, explore the steps to starting a business, or are eager to take their business skills to the next level, students can find the resources, courses, lesson plans, videos, and study guides that they need.

Business Courses

Study.com's extensive collection of engaging business courses helps students and professionals learn about every aspect of business, from accounting and finance to leadership and communication. Study.com courses also cover many types of companies, including small businesses. Study.com offers business courses geared toward graduate and post-graduate students, independent adult learners, employees, professionals, and teachers. These resources provide a deep and broad education in all facets of business taken as a whole.

Business 102: Principles of Marketing

This is a credit-eligible college-level course. In this course, learn the foundations of marketing and its applications. Chapters in this course cover topics such as competitive advantage, marketing environments, supply chain management, and more.
Business 203: Introduction to Retail Merchandising

This course is an introductory college-level course and is eligible for credit. Retail merchandising is extensively covered with topics such as design and presentation, buying merchandise, pricing strategies, buyer behaviors, and customer service.
Marketing 301: Marketing Research

This course in marketing research covers an abundance of research, data, and analysis. Lessons include quantitative, qualitative, and casual research along with analysis and patterns in data, and trends and issues in marketing. Eligible for college credit.
Marketing 303: Global Marketing

Become an expert in marketing internationally. Lessons included in this course include competing in the global marketplace, techniques, entry strategies, policies and regulations, research strategies, emerging markets, and ethics. College-credit recommended.
Marketing 306: Principles of Selling

This marketing course focuses on how to sell, the skills needed for selling, the seller-buyer relationship, buyer behaviors, sales forecasts, sales budgets, management, sales planning, and selling strategies. This course is eligible for college credit.

Business Test Prep for Teachers and Students

Study.com offers Test Prep that will help with certifications for business professionals and academics. These study guides offer short lessons, videos, quizzes, and some offer final exams. These study guides prepare the learner for professional business certifications, job opportunities, and academic certifications. Whether looking into how to start a business, write a business plan, or expand current knowledge on types of businesses, Study.com has the information.

Tests

For teachers and parents

Business Lesson Plans for Teachers

Study.com offers a vast collection of business lesson plans for teachers who want to increase their understanding, develop a new course, or enhance an existing class. These exciting lesson plans are for various age levels and abilities. They are created with students and teachers in mind to help create a positive learning environment and help teach business and economic fundamentals.

Lesson plans
  • Teaching Economics Lesson Plans

    Develop or refresh the lesson plans for economics classes. Topics covered include micro and macroeconomics, interest, business and economic production, growth and recession, economic systems, and more.

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Business Homeschool Curriculum

Homeschooled high schoolers can use Study.com's AP Macroeconomics Course to gain a solid understanding of the field of macroeconomics and prepare for the AP exam. Explore scarcity, choice, and production possibilities - understand comparative advantage, supply and demand, and how to measure the economy. Learn about inflation, factors related to unemployment, money supply, foreign exchange, and more. Students who complete this course will be ready to take the AP exam or to move on to college-level work.

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Study.com is an excellent program that can help my children learn anything. The incredible library of videos is more than I could have ever hoped for.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the types of business?

    The main types of businesses are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Sole proprietorships are the default business type for those who do not establish any other business and many small businesses fall into this category. Partnerships involve two or more people who own a business together. Limited liability companies protect owners from personal liability so that personal assets such as homes and savings accounts are not at risk. Corporations are separate entities from business owners and require more record-keeping and reporting.

  • What is a simple definition of business?

    A business is owned by a person, persons, or entities to engage in professional, industrial, or commercial activity. A business exists to provide either goods or services, usually for money. Non-profit companies can exist to fulfill a charitable need or promote a social movement.