国际商务与管理 The Business Organisation.pdf

THE BUSINESS ORGANISATION What is an Organisation ? • Common elements in various definitions : People Goals Structures • Thus, an organisation is a social entity that provides the necessary structures to achieve specific aims The Business Organisation • Initial definition : a commercial enterprise or establishment that trades in goods or services • But “trading” is not necessarily for profit eg. public sector enterprises • Revised definition : an entity that is both commercial and social, which provides the necessary structures to achieve the central objective of trades in goods or services Origins of Business Organisations • Sumerians formulated missions and goals • Ancient Egyptians built the Pyramids • Babylonians developed the Code of Hammurabi Employment standards for paid labour Penalties for non-compliance • Chinese construction of the Great Wall; systems of irrigation and river control • Roman Empire instituted effective communication systems Origins of Business Organisations • Aztec, Indus Valley, Cambodian civilisations Irrigation, cities, temples Origins of Business Organisations • Business has a long history : Silk road trade between China and Persia Spice trade from Indonesia and India to Arabia and Europe River trade through Russia between Baltic and Black Sea • Romans conceptualised the corporation and written contracts • Venetians developed legal framework for corporations; concept of the “immortal” or “perpetual” organisation Origins of Business Organisations • Venetians distinguished “ownership” from “management” • Venetians were forerunners in development of commercial laws; invented double-entry book-keeping • Niccolo Machiavelli wrote about acquiring power in the Italian court • The Catholic Church perfected a governance structure Origins of Business Organisation