1. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed External Influences 3: Legal and Political

2. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed External Influences - Legal and Political

3. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed Consumer Legislation

4. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed UK Government

5. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed The European Union

6. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed Labour Market Legislation

7. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed External Influences - Legal and Political Impact on Business: –Impact on costs –Impact on competitiveness –Impact on profitability –Impact on behaviour –Impact on decision making –Impact on innovation and new product development

8. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed External Influences - Legal and Political Examples: Accessibility and usability –Increases need to provide for those with different needs –Installation of lifts, ramps, wheelchair access, widening doorways etc, monitoring of Web site, use of colour, font in documents – all adds costs

9. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed External Influences - Legal and Political Example 2 Government Policy: –Government procurement policies Should government focus on securing most cost- effective solution or supporting of UK industry? –Decisions to privatise – wide impact on businesses in relevant sectors –Government planning law – out of town shopping centres

10. http://www.bized.ac.uk Copyright 2003 – Biz/ed External Influences - Legal and Political Example 3: The EU –Stilton Cheese, Cornish Pasties, Parma Ham, Parmesan Cheese – Who has the right to name their products in a certain way? –Date marking and food labelling – stricter controls – how much meat is in sausages? –Impact on costs to comply –Who benefits – consumer? But at what cost?