The scope and range of commerce can be determined from the fact that it includes production, marketing, banking, finance, transporting, warehousing, increase and information. These factors or elements of commerce are discussed in the lines follow:
1. Production
Business function starts with the planning for the production which is conversion of material from one form to another. It requires the purchase of raw material, machinery and equipment and hiring different classes of laborers. Production, which is a commercial activity, has four factors without it cannot take place. They are land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship.
Better production depends on paper and timely planning, effective quality control, subtle selection of power, minimization of cost, continuous research, right and quality materials, modern plant, machinery and equipment, knowledge of customer taste and market trends and best possible combination of ingredients.
2. Banking/Finance
Banking and Finance are part and parcel of commerce. By performing this service, commerce is able to finance the needs of the business firms. Through banking producers and middlemen get the needed funds. Banking caters to the financial needs of business.
Most of the loans are provided by the banking system. Specialized banking exists in the areas of industry, savings, agriculture, commerce, exchange, etc. Commercial banks help businessmen in advancing loans, issuing letters of credit, discounting bills of exchange, transferring of money and other agency and utility services. They offer facilities to open current and saving accounts. Industrial banks provide long-term loans to enable industries to purchase plant, machinery and equipment. On the other hand, agricultural banks provide funds to purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides tractors and warehousing facilities. Loans may also be obtained from the general public and are referred to as bonds payable.
Finance is the lifeblood of business. Every commercial activity requires capital and loans. Funds can be obtained through the following sources:
i. Capital
ii. Loans or bonds
iii. Retained earnings
3. Transportation
Transportation is so important activity that no business can be performed without it transporting starts immediately after production. It refers to moving goods from the point of production to the point of consumption. It helps the producer dispose of their goods to the far and needy markets. It creates place utility. Quick and modern means have made it possible to send goods is any part of the globe in a very short period.
Today millions of dollars goods go across the world annually the credits of which goes to transportation.
There are many of transportation that includes three routes three routes, viz., land, air and sea. Most commonly used means is marine transport which is the lowest in cost and used for shipping heavy or voluminous goods. Most of the world trade takes place by sea.
The other significant means is air transport which is quick but costly. The goods, light and compact are dispatched by air, especially, when time is important.
The third means is road transport which is vital for inland trade. Landlocked countries are compelled tp undertake foreign trade by land. Land transport requires an efficient network of roads, motorways, highways, carriage ways and trucks. The means of lands transport covers railways carriages, trucks and animals cart.
It is the blessing of transportation that a product manufactured in one country can be made available anywhere across the world.
4. Storing/Ware-housing
Without storing a commercial function cannot be imagined. Goodsmust be stored before they are sold. It is needed at once after production. It refers to holding the goods when they are produced until they are consumed. Storing creates time utility. There are many kinds of stores and warehouses, where surplus goods are stocked awaiting their demand.
It allows seasoning, aging, ripening and converting raw material into work-in-process into finished goods. The place where goods are held are known as a store or a warehouse. Shop, show-rooms, granaries, cupboards are all different forms of stores or storerooms. Cold storage, a type of warehouse, increase the life of perishable goods. Storage is also necessary when goods are in surplus or out of season awaiting demand in future.
Business houses use the facility of different types of stores and warehouses, some of which are bonded warehouse, public warehouse, private warehouse and cold storage.
5. Information
Commerce extends to getting information from various sources and media. It requires information at every stage. In production, in buying, in selling and in research one needs exacts and latest information. Well-informed activity of commerce also includes advertising without which a major business activity cannot be successful.
Like finance information is also life-blood of business. The businessman has to gather, classify and analyze information to make sound decisions. The quality and soundness of decisions depends on having the latest and relevant data.
It is the key to success and no business can thrive without having right and up-to-date information. It provides a charismatic basis for sound decisions leading the business to a great success and voluminous profits. It can be classified as follows:
i. Primary information: It is first-hand information received through research, study, analysis, observation, experimentation and experience.
ii. Secondary information: It is obtained through the other sources that include libraries, books, newspapers and data collected by others.
Large business houses resort to their own research and analysis in establishing primary information. Advertising is also a significant means of providing and receiving information and helps sell the product.
The modern and fairly large companies use management information system(MIS) with the help of computers. MIS provides information on time, informs of risks well ahead of time, helps face extraordinary challenges, interprets market information and aids in preparing policies etc.
6. Insurance(Risk)
Risk is inherent to business. Business risks include theft, fire, sinking of the ship, change in prices, government policies and restrictions, strikes, lockouts, change in fashion, inventions, changing taste of consumers, drop in sales.
Risks may be classifies as:
a). Insurable risks.
b). Uninsurable risks.
Those risks which can be covered under an insurance policy are referred to insurable risks and entail theft, fire and hazards.
Risks that cannot have insurance cover are known as uninsurable risks. They include unfavorable changes in prices, fashions, consumer taste and competition. These risks arise out of marketing activities and can only be minimized by better and effective management.
For insurable risks the services of insurance companies are hired against the payment of premium.
7. Grading and Standardization
Standardization refers to bring the goods and services to a certain criterion, measurement established model or accepted norms or values. It creates uniformity and facilitates buying, selling, storing and transporting. Standards may take the form of brands , weights, heights, volumes, qualities and varieties. Standards are used for industrial and man-made goods and grades are used for classifying agricultural produces.
8. Trade(Buying and Selling)
Trade has a pivotal role in business. Trade refers to buying and selling. It also covers imports, exports, retailing, wholesaling and brokerage.
Business and trade are compulsory to each other. In fact trade is a branch of business. Business requires acumen of the businessman. Before buying he has to take in to account quality, variety, price, design, terms of sale, guarantee and services offered by the seller. In selling, he has to locate customers, advertise his products, determine channel of distribution, prepare promotional materials and fix selling prices. He must also be aware of customers' taste, trends and preferences.
