Business Studies: Social Responsibility, Problem Solving, and Teamwork

Vocabulary flashcards covering corporate social responsibility, problem-solving and decision-making techniques, business objectives, and workplace teamwork dynamics.

Social Responsibility

The duty of individuals to act in the best interest of their environment and society, taking personal responsibility for how their actions and lifestyle affect others and the environment.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

A company’s commitment to manage the social, environmental, and economic impacts of its operations responsibly.

Corporate Citizenship

The concept that businesses act as moral citizens with duties toward their communities, taking responsibility for their operational ethics and social and environmental impacts.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

The practice of lowering carbon emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels in transport, heating, and manufacturing.

Creative Thinking

The process of creating innovative and imaginative ideas by seeing existing challenges in a new way and developing unique, non-traditional solutions.

Problem Solving

The overarching process of analyzing an entire problem to fix it, which requires identifying, analyzing, and critically evaluating alternative solutions usually via a collaborative team or group effort.

Decision Making

A single step within the broader problem-solving process that involves considering and choosing from existing alternatives, usually made by an individual manager or authority figure.

Problem-Solving Cycle

A seven-step sequential process: 1. Identify the problem, 2. Define the problem, 3. Formulate a strategy, 4. Implement the strategy, 5. Allocate resources, 6. Monitor problem solving, and 7. Evaluate the problem-solving process.

Force Field Analysis

A decision-making technique used to compare forces driving change against restraining forces resisting change by scoring each force on a numerical scale.

Empty Chair Technique

A role-play problem-solving exercise where an individual speaks to an empty chair to examine a problem from another person's perspective.

Delphi Technique

A problem-solving method that uses a panel of experts who complete multiple rounds of questionnaires without meeting in person until a consensus is reached.

Nominal Group Technique

A structured group decision-making technique where participants silently generate ideas, share them without criticism, and anonymously vote to rank the best options.

Mind Mapping

A visual diagramming technique that connects concepts around a central theme using keywords, branches, colors, symbols, and images.

Brainstorming

A group activity designed to generate a large volume of spontaneous ideas to solve a specific problem while enforcing a strict zero-criticism rule during sharing.

Business Objectives

Detailed explanations of the steps a business plans to take to achieve specific goals, typically focused on profit, productivity, and service, and aligned with the vision, mission, and purpose.

Teamwork

A collaborative effort that occurs when two or more people come together and communicate openly to reach a common goal.

Interpersonal Relationships

A strong association and connection among individuals working together that fosters trust, openness, and mutual understanding to achieve business objectives.

Peer Relationships

Workplace relationships between employees on the same organizational level who are considered equals and treat each other with mutual respect.

Group Relationships

Workplace relationships formed among members of a specific team or group, where positive interactions foster success and poor interactions cause conflict.

Authority Relationships

Hierarchical workplace relationships established between a manager and a subordinate based on mutual respect.

External Relationships

Working relationships established between company personnel and individuals outside the business, typically centered around service delivery or outsourcing.