May 2026 IB Bus Man Exam Key Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to ABC's practices in recycling e-waste and concrete production.

Recycling

The process of converting waste materials into usable products to reduce environmental impact.

Publicly held company

A company owned by shareholders who can buy and sell shares in a public stock market.

Producer

A manufacturing business that creates goods or provides services from resources to sell to customers.

Manufacturing

The process of producing physical goods by transforming raw materials or components into finished products.

Research

The process of investigating and developing new products, processes, or ideas.

Recycled products

Goods made from materials that have been recovered and reused instead of being discarded.

Products

Goods or services created by a business to sell to customers.

Recover

To extract valuable materials from used or waste products for reuse instead of disposal.

e-waste

Discarded electronic products such as computers and mobile phones.

Factory

A physical facility where goods are manufactured, processed, or assembled using machinery.

Efficiencies

The ability of a business to use resources effectively to minimize waste and costs.

Production

The process of creating goods or services by combining resources such as raw materials, labor, and machinery.

Market-oriented

A business approach focusing on identifying and meeting the needs and preferences of customers.

Growth

An increase in a business's size, output, or market share over time.

Aggregates

Granular raw materials used in construction, improving volume, stability, and strength.

Business-to-business (B2B)

Commercial transactions between businesses.

Carbon-intensive

Production processes that release large amounts of carbon dioxide.

Cement

A binding construction material used to make concrete.

Clay

A natural aggregate used in cement production.

Concrete

A construction material made from cement, sand, aggregates, and water.

Jewellery makers

Businesses that produce jewellery using precious metals and stones.

Landfill

A site where waste is buried.

Limestone

A natural rock used to produce cement.

Precious metals

Rare, valuable metals such as gold, silver, and platinum

How ABC uses precious metals

• Gold (connector plating and conductivity pins)

• silver (used in electrical contacts and solder)

• platinum (used in capacitors and connectors)

ABC recovers these metals from discarded circuit boards as part of its e-waste recycling process, generating additional revenue while reducing electronic waste and supporting environmentally sustainable business practices. 

Room temperature

The typical indoor temperature, around 20-25°C (68-77°F). The e-waste recovery process operates at room temperature, avoiding energy-intensive heating, lowering its carbon emissions, reducing costs, and promoting sustainable recycling while efficiently recovering precious metals.

Solar panels

Devices that convert sunlight into electricity. ABC could use them in its factories to lower energy costs and reduce its environmental impact, providing a renewable alternative energy source to support more sustainable concrete production.  

Toxic metals

Harmful substances (like lead and mercury)  Lead is harmful to the nervous system, while mercury is poisonous to kidneys and the brain. Improper disposal of e-waste releases these toxic metals into landfill sites, contaminating soil and water, highlighting the importance of responsible recycling and sustainable waste management practices.  that can pose serious risks to health and the environment.