business

(also called a firm or an enterprise) is a legally recognized designed to provide and/or Businesses are predominant in most being privately owned and formed to earn that will increase the of its owners and grow the business itself. The owners and operators of a business have as one of their main objectives the receipt or generation of a in exchange for and acceptance of Notable exceptions include businesses and . systems involve either government agencies, public, or worker ownership of most sizable businesses.

The of "business" relates to the state of being busy either as an individual or society as a whole, doing commercially and profitable work. The term "business" has at least three usages, depending on the scope — the singular usage (above) to mean a particular or , the generalized usage to refer to a particular , such as "the music business" and compound forms such as , or the broadest meaning to include all activity by the community of suppliers of goods and services. However, the exact definition of business, like much else in the , is a matter of debate.

, the study of the of individuals to maintain collective order to accomplish particular creative and goals (usually to generate profit), is taught as an subject in many scho

• and businesses are concerned with the production of raw material, such as plants or minerals.
• businesses include banks and other companies that generate profit through investment and management of
  
• generate profits primarily from the resale of intellectual property and include and packaged software companies.
• produce from or component parts, which they then sell at a profit. Companies that make physical , such as cars or pipes, are considered manufacturers.
• businesses generate profit from the selling, renting, and development of properties, homes, and buildings.
• and act as middle-men in getting goods produced by manufacturers to the intended consumer, generating a profit as a result of providing sales or distribution services. Most consumer-oriented stores and catalogue companies are distributors or retailers. See also:
• offer intangible goods or services and typically generate a profit by charging for labor or other services provided to government, other businesses or Organizations ranging from house decorators to consulting firms to restaurants and even to entertainers are types of service businesses.
• businesses deliver goods and individuals from location to location, generating a profit on the transportation costs
• produce public services, such as heat, electricity, or sewage treatment, and are usually government chartered.

There are many other divisions and subdivisions of businesses. The authoritative list of business types for North America is generally considered to be the , or NAICS. The equivalent European Union list is the NACE.

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