Bmit 111: Business, Society And Environment Question Paper
Bmit 111: Business, Society And Environment
Course:Bachelor Of Commerce
Institution: Kabarak University question papers
Exam Year:2009
KABARAK UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
2009/2010 ACADEMIC YEAR
FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
COURSE CODE: BMIT 111
COURSE TITLE: BUSINESS, SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer question ONE (Compulsory) and any other THREE other questions
1. When interviewed by Baron on some thoughts on avoiding false alarms, knowing market
competitive edge before business, and why the family should be part of the entrepreneurial
team, Severino, a seasoned entrepreneur gave the following contributions:
Severino – Well fleet communications
Before starting a new venture, it is important for entrepreneurs to gather several kinds of
information facts and data will tell them whether their new venture is really feasible, what specific
form their new products and services should take, and how these can be effectively marketed.
“What I did was a real need for a standard high speed network for computers. We considered the
number of computers and projected how many there would be in future. That made us think that
this was a really big opportunity. At the time, there were a few network standards around that I
thought might work – for instance, the Ethernet – so we decided to focus on that. I started well
fleet communications in 1986, and by the time, there was already a large number of local area
networks, so we decided to focus on these. But again, we wanted to project how big the whole
concept would get. The bottom line in this: if by the time you are in a market opportunity for a
start – up and you are reading about details of the market magazines or newspapers, it is probably
too late. You have to have a vision, a sense of the future, and to take some risks. But you do this
with a clear idea of what the size will be”.
If Government policies affect you, you have to know as much about them as you can. If these are
really complex you might want to ask yourself “is this the right place to start a company”. These
change all the time, and they could put you out of business before you know it. Government
regulations and policies have another effect: they can be the basis for startup companies that
provide information about them and help companies formulate policies for them.
There is another very important piece of the puzzle – entrepreneurs really have to understand a
competitive environment before they enter it. As a start – up, you must have a compelling reason
why a customer should buy from you. That is why I like a marketplace without big players-
competition is more than my size. You to understand the competitive environment and how to fit
into, and how you can win. So, opportunities are at best when you can enter a market where
competitors are relatively small. The key is to be certain that you bring something to the table that
is so compelling that customers will say “I want this”.
(a) With reference to Severino of well fleet communications;
(i) What stands out to the major concern of an entrepreneur before starting a business
according to the contents of the interview response by Severino?
(12mks)
(ii) In what ways do you agree with Severino’s interview comments in relation to business
present – up?
(6mks)
(iii) Why is an understanding of Government regulations and policies critical when starting
a business?
(6mks)
(b) Discuss the advantages and challenges of running a family business in Kenya
(6mks)
2. (a) Explain how business operations are influenced by;
(i) Economic environment
(ii) Competitive environment
(iii)Demographic environment
(10mks)
(b) Discuss the advantages and challenges of the following;
(ii) A Franchise (5mks)
(iii)A joint stock company (5mks)
3. (a) (i) Define hazardous wastes (2mks)
(ii) Research has revealed some specific facts about hazardous wastes. Identify and explain
four facts
(4mks)
(iii)Explain the environmental effects of above mentioned facts (4mks)
(b) (i) Explain the goals of the World Summit on the environment (3mks)
(ii) Discuss the contribution of the wildlife sub-sector to Kenya’s economy
(4mks)
(iii)Identify the problems facing wildlife management in Kenya (3mks)
4. (a) (i) Explain the eight (8) millennium development goals (8mks)
(ii) Identify Kenya’s goals on the environment (2mks)
(b) Due to the fact that 95% of Kenya’s rural population depends on wood fuel, it is
considered unsustainable and is surely facing a crisis in the near future. There is therefore
need to consider other renewable energy sources like wood and solar energy. Explain;
(i) Solar energy (3mks)
(ii) Wind energy (3mks)
(iii)The efforts to promote access and constraints facing their full exploitation (4mks)
5. (a) (i) Discuss the various stakeholders in the business environment (6mks)
(ii) Explain “business social responsibility” and state why business should be socially
responsible
(4mks)
(b) (i) Outline the major managerial functions and state how they are related to the functions of
a business firm
(5mks)
(ii) State the appropriate steps a manager can take to motivate his or her subordinates.
(5mks)
More Question Papers