Si estás en la Facultad de Administración de Empresas es imprescindible que conozcas lo que significa una empresa, pues hasta la palabra forma parte del nombre de la facultad. Pero más allá de su definición («unidad de organización dedicada a actividades industriales, mercantiles o de prestación de servicios con fines lucrativos»), según la Real Academia Española, la palabra empresa o negocio implica la labor titánica de aportar al beneficio de la sociedad desde un campo específico.

Por otro lado, la palabra industria significa el «conjunto de procedimientos ordenados y metódicos que emplea el hombre para transformar las primeras materias en objetos útiles para la satisfacción de sus necesidades». (1) Es decir, una industria se compone de muchas empresas. Las empresas Ferrari, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Tesla y Toyota son algunas de las que componen la industria automotriz.

El empresarismo como tema está ligado a términos tales como empresa, economía, estructuras de mercado, entre otros. Allen y Meyer (2007), [2] definen empresarismo como “el proceso de reconocer una oportunidad, probarla en el mercado y reunir los recursos necesarios para entrar en un negocio”. Asimismo señalan que la economía estudia la forma como las personas usan sus escasos recursos para satisfacer sus ilimitados deseos (Allen & Meyer, 2007, p. 7). No todo el mundo es empresario o empresaria pero la actitud empresarial permite identificar a quien realmente lo es.

Hay leyes, instituciones y actividades que formulan las decisiones económicas de un país. Preguntas respecto a (1) cuáles son los bienes y servicios, (2) el volumen en que estos deben producirse, (3) para quién y (4) cómo han de producirse son imprescindibles para determinar el sistema económico de un  país. Algunos sistemas económicos son:

• El tradicional basado en la agricultura y el trueque
• Sistema de mercado puro basado en la oferta y la demanda
• Sistemas económicos planificados (ej. Antigua Unión Soviética)
• Economías mixtas (ej. Estados Unidos, Unión Europea)

El sistema de libre empresa (capitalismo o economía de mercado) es indicativo de los países democráticos en el cual, según Allen y Meyer (2007), las personas pueden elegir: qué productos comprar, poseer propiedad privada y comenzar una empresa para competir con otras. La ganancia como incentivo y el papel de la competencia son retos para cualquier empresa. Seguramente en tus clases –o en el día a día- evidencias el tipo y grado de competencia característico de las empresas que operan en la misma industria. A esto se le llama estructura de mercado, como por ejemplo el monopolio y el oligopolio.

Si ya conoces los conceptos de economía básicos tales como (1) bienes y servicios, (2) factores de producción -tierra, trabajo, empresarismo y capital-, (3) escasez y (4) teoría de la oferta y la demanda, entonces comprenderás el arduo trabajo de los empresarios en la economía. No obstante, a su favor, los empresarios y las empresarias pueden entender el estado de la economía y predecir los posibles cambios si estudian los indicadores económicos como es: la tasa de empleo, la confianza de los consumidores y el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB). El PIB es “el valor total en el mercado de los bienes y servicios producidos por los trabajadores y el capital de una nación durante un periodo determinado” (Allen & Meyer, 2007, p. 14).

Sin lugar a dudas el aporte de los empresarios es de importancia cardinal para el crecimiento económico. Generar empleos y aumentar la producción es el resultado del esfuerzo y la dedicación de todo buen empresario. Los vídeos contenidos en la bibliografía a continuación te ilustrará el panorama de las empresas a través de varias situaciones y también interesantes estudios de caso. Encontrarás la bibliografía segmentada y agrupada acorde a un tema en particular. Podrás evaluar el recurso según su descripción (en inglés) y su ubicación, acorde al Catálogo en Línea.

 

American Airlines, Inc.

Airlines–Management

Greenberg, P., & Weitzner, M. (2008). Inside American Airlines: a week in the life [vídeo]. Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities & Sciences: Films Media Group.

• For one intense week, CNBC cameras go behind closed doors at American Airlines to the places you’ve never been and are not allowed.
• 1 videodisc (90 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HE9803.A95 I575 2008

 

Automobile Industry and trade—Brazil

Beeh, P., & Sheppard, P. (2003). Global business: a case study of Volvo in Brazil [vídeo]. Warriewood, NSW; Morris Plains, NJ: Classroom Video; New York: [Distributed by] Insight Media.

• 1 videodisc (18 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher’s guide. Admin. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. B82 G66 2003

 

Bank and Banking –History

Terpstra, N., Leesti, E., Feore, C., Romeike, C., Carmody, J., & Third, T. (2004). The invention of banking [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ : Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• In 13th- and 14th-century Tuscany, money became the new tool of power as industry, trade, and finance flourished. This program follows the remarkable rise of the great banking families whose groundbreaking innovations in finance led to the economics of international big business practiced today. Merchant bankers also supported the aims of the Catholic Church by using their extraordinary wealth to become patrons for charities and spectacular works of art and architecture.
• de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HG2563 .I58 2004

 

Business case studies

General Motors Holden’s Limited

Collard, M., Hayward, N., Marshall, J., Repich, W., & Hayward, N. (2006). Key functions of business [vídeo]. Lawrenceville, NJ : Cambridge Educational.

• Using Holden as a case study, this program looks at the key functions performed in business on a daily basis. In particular, the program looks at the manufacturing operations, human resources, marketing, sales and finance departments.
• 1 videodisc (29 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HD31 .K34 2006

 

Business enterprises—Economic aspects

Industries—Social aspects

Hale, S. (2005). Business and external factors: how “PEST” works in the in the real world [vídeo]. Bromley, Kent: TV Choice Productions.

 

• How are businesses affected by the external world — things outside their control? This film looks at the experiences of a hotel, a jewellery business, a car part manufacturer, an independent off-licence and Hornby Hobbies, the makers of world-famous model trains.
• 1 videodisc (27 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. HD2326 .B87 2005

 

Business planning

Schrever, C. (2010). The business plan [vídeo]. Hamilton, NJ: Films Media Group/Films for the Humanities and Sciences.

• This program spotlights two very different small-business owners–a physical therapist and a performance artist–who have something very important in common: a business plan. Over the course of the video, Peter Dolan and Neda Rahmani talk about the key components of a business plan: the executive summary and overview, the operations plan, the marketing plan, and the financial plan. Expert commentary is provided by Nicole Donegan, a business growth adviser with 20 years’ experience in B2B and professional services marketing»–Container.
• 1 videodisc (27 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HD30.28 .B87 2010

 

Business – Vocational guidance

Iacono, P., Weber, A. S., & Isem, D. (2008). Business management and administration [vídeo]. Lawrenceville, N.J.: Cambridge Educational.

• People in the field of business administration share their knowledge and experience about careers in their profession.
• 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HF 5382 .B87 2008

 

Cellular telephones – Japan Design

Ando, T., Arima, Y., & Ogawa, T. (2008). Design battles: competition for Japan’s cell phone market [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

 

• Examines the struggle for dominance in the Japanese cell phone market and the internal battles tech companies endure in order to create hot products. Viewers are taken inside South Korea’s LG Electronics, Japan’s NEC and Sony Ericsson as they plan and design a product that will attract worldwide technology consumption.
• 1 videodisc (50 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. TK6570.M6 D47 2008

 

Competition

Barnett, W. P., & Gurley, G. (2004). Red queen competition: a dynamic view of strategy [vídeo]. [Stanford, CA]: Stanford Video; Mill Valley, CA: Kantola Productions.

• The neo-classical model of business strategy is built on a theory of market equilibrium. But in reality, markets create disequilibrium…and therefore opportunity. Rather than seeing competition as a problem to be solved, Professor Barnett explains how to see competition as an engine that generates capability. Your job as a manager is not to come up with solutions–it is to be the architect of an organization that comes up with solutions. You will thereby develop the strength to persevere and prosper, while others lose themselves in the struggle of just trying to keep up.
• 1 videodisc (49 min.) : sd., col. : 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. HD41 .B375 2004

 

Cotton farmers

Cotton trade

Gasman, D., Paugam, M., & Robiche, A. (2007). The cotton wars [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanites & Sciences.

• This program examines the lopsided nature of the global cotton industry– in which U.S. and European producers enjoy massive government support while independent African farmers struggle to remain competitive. Going deep inside the agricultural, bureaucratic, and diplomatic networks that control the cotton trade on both sides of the Atlantic, the program also looks at the growing influence of Chinese producers– another factor working against Africa.
• 1 videodisc (53 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in. Admin. de Empresas, Circ. Vidorec. 5 .C688 2007

 

Economic Policy

Cran, W., Barker, G., & Yergin, D. (2003). Commanding heights: the battle for the world economy [vídeo]. WGBH Boston Video.

• Episode one: explains how, for the last half of the 20th century, the world moved toward more governmental control of markets — from the centrally planned economies of the communist world to the «mixed economies» of Europe and the developing world to the United States’ regulated capitalism — and then began to move away from governmental control in the 1980s and 1990s. Discuss two important economists of this era: John Maynard Keynes, who advocated government intervention to control the booms and busts of capitalist economies, and Friedrich von Hayek, who argued that government intervention in the economy would erode human freedom and was doomed to failure. Episode two: illustrates how economies with strict governmental control encountered serious trouble in the 1980s and how many leaders embraced the idea of «shock therapy,» a rapid conversion to free-market capitalism. The program focuses in detail on how reform played out in several countries: Russia, Poland, India, Bolivia, and Chile, as they lived through the upheavals of rapid change, dealing with both the new freedoms and the new dangers of privatization, deregulation, and competition. Episode three: examines the promises and perils of globalization in the 1990s, focusing on the story of President Clinton’s embrace of free-trade policies, the challenges the world’s leaders faced in taming the virulent contagion of financial collapse in the developing world, and the strong opposition to globalization that surfaced in protests against the policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Covers the years from the 1992 U.S. presidential election to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
• 3 videodiscs (120 min. each) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. HD87 .C66 2003

 

Economics

Liberty Fund. (2000). Adam Smith and the wealth of nations [vídeo]. Liberty Fund.

• Traces the life, career and basic beliefs of the man considered the father of economics, along with a look at the provocative ideas that are expressed in The Wealth of Nations.
• 1 videodisc (28 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher’s guide (6 p. ; 19 cm.) Admin. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. S6 A32 2000

 

Electronic commerce — Case studies

Handley, E., Pidgeon, J., & Bear, D. (2004). E-commerce in business [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• Case studies on using the Internet to capture and exploit new markets.
• 1 videodisc (30 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HF5548.32 .E26 2004

 

Entrepreneurship

Bromley, Kent. (2007). Enterprise case studies 1: Winners and Losers [vídeo].

 TV Choice Productions.

• Starting a business isn’t easy. Half of new businesses go bust within the first three years, while new businesses look to make money from technology and innovation. Disc 1 highlights 4 case studies of enterprise success and failure, and disc 2 illustrates the possibilities and the pitfalls of starting a technology-based business.
• 2 videodiscs (78 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 2 support literature booklets. Admin. de Empresas, Circ. HD 62.5 .E58 2007

 

Factory and trade waste —Environmental aspects —Mexico

Corcoran, L. (1997). Borderline cases: environmental matters at the United States-Mexico border [vídeo]. Oley, Pa.: Bullfrog Films.

• Describes problems caused by factories along the U.S. and Mexico border which did not need to comply with environmental regulations.
• 1 videodisc (64 min., 38 sec.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. TD897.8.M6 B67 1997

 

Finance

Martin, J. (2002). Financing business: a guide through the maze [vídeo]. [Bendigo, Vic.]: Video Education Australasia; New York: Insight Media, distributor.

• Introduces basic concepts concerning financial markets. It looks at different types of financial markets and the various instruments they use, including the stock exchange, the market for loan funds, the market for foreign exchange, and the futures market.»–Distributor’s website.
• 1 videodisc (44 min.) : sd. col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HG173 .F56 [2002]

 

Footwear industry —China

Kirchhoff, A. (2008). Sports shoe wars: battle of the giants in China [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films Media Group/Films for the Humanities and Sciences.

• Three athletic footwear companies, Nike, Adidas, and homegrown upstart Li Ning, have faced off in a high-stakes battle for China’s gigantic market. This program examines Adidas’ rising prominence in the country, an ascension due in no small part to its well-publicized Olympic Games sponsorship. Li Ning’s efforts to retain its precarious hold on the urban market are also studied.
• 1 videodisc (27 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. HD9787.C64 S66 2008

 

Global economics

Dwyer, J. (2007). Global economics [vídeo]. Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• This four-part series provides a foundation for studying the political economy of international trade, finance, development, and natural resource competition. Using concise case studies, straightforward explanations of complex financial concepts, and interviews with renowned experts — including Dr. Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, Bank of Israel Governor Dr. Stanley Fischer, and former World Bank president James Wolfensohn — this series gives viewers the wide-ranging subject coverage necessary for sustained class diaologue and discussion. 4 videodiscs (142 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. Admin. de Empresas, Referencia Videorec. HD75 .G56 2007

 

International business enterprises — Management — Case studies

BBC Education & Training. (2005). Case studies from the multinational

marketplace [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• How do major multinationals deal with intensified competition, a failed product launch, corporate fraud, and the scrutiny that comes with rapid growth? This incisive five-part series analyzes some of the situations that multinational companies face as they conduct their business in the global marketplace.» –back of container.
• 5 videodiscs (158 minutes) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HD2755.5 .C37 2005

 

International economics relations

Purdue, K., & Stucke, M. (2004). Globalization: winners and losers [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

 

• Sabeer Bhatia, inventor of Hotmail, Narayan Murthy, founder of Infosys, and other industry leaders attest that globalization has raised the standard of living in developing economies through high-tech opportunities, foreign investment, and debt relief. Harvard’s Jeffrey Sachs and other experts point out that the world market is being exploited through shortsightedness, including the aggressive deployment of genetically modified crops, environmental negligence, and the abuse of NAFTA. This program addresses the pros and cons of doing business in the global marketplace.
• 1 videodisc (42 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. HF1379 .G56 2004

 

Madoff, Bernard L.

Ponzi schemes –United States –Case studies

Smith, M., McCoy, B., Montminy, J., & Samaha, J. (2009). The Madofff Affair [vídeo]. [Boston, Mass.] : WGBH Educational Foundation ; [Alexandria, Va.]: distributed by PBS Home Video. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/madoff/

• Presents an account of the crimes of Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff.
• 1 videodisc (ca. 60 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. Videorec. HV6692.M33 M333 2009

 

Offshore outsourcing –India

Computer service industry –Subcontrating –India

Dhaliwal, D., Sanders, J. O., Coleman, P., Bradley, J., White, G., & John, A. (2006). 1-800-INDIA: importing a white collar economy [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ : Films for the Humanities & Sciences. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/1-800-india/introduction/?p=70

• Over the past decade, India has emerged as the leader in the global market for outsourced white-collar jobs, one reason for the nation’s rapid economic growth. This WIDE ANGLE case study explores the experiences of emerging Indian professionals who have been recruited into positions requiring long hours, late-night shifts, and Westernized work habits. The program reveals the human and cultural impact of a controversial yet essentially unstoppable global economic trend, examining its effect on Indian family life, on the evolving landscape of urban India, and on the aspirations and daily lives of young Indian citizens, especially women, as they enter the work force. In addition, anchor Daljit Dhaliwal discusses social, political, and economic development in India with Michael Elliott, editor of Time International.
• 1 videodisc (55 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec HD2365 .O53 2006

 

Product Management

Donato, A. F., Collins, C., Harding, B., Video Education America., Films for the Humanities (Firm), & Films Media Group. (2006). Manufacturing and the product cycle: a case study of Moran furniture [vídeo]. Hamilton, NJ : Films for the Humanities & Sciences/Films Media Group.

• The development process for any product, large or small, is complex and made up of many phases. This program examines the various stages of manufacturing that take place in the production of an award-winning line of furniture. Viewers receive an in-depth look at the product cycle, from the initial concept to the evaluation of a finished sofa. At each stage, the program spotlights the personnel involved and the specialized roles they play in the process. Students gain an understanding of what goes into design, creation of the prototype, production, distribution, marketing, sales, evaluation, and modification.»–Container. 9781608253548 1608253546
• 1 videodisc (27 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HF5415.153 .M36 2006

 

Subprime ortgage Loans –United States

Barry, P., Doyle, M., Miller, J., & Wild, K. (2008). Mortgage meltdown: a primer on America’s subprime crisis [vídeo]. Hamilton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• Explains how the U.S. subprime market grew from the post-9/11 rise of easy credit, which was then exploited by predatory lenders; subsequent widespread defaults and foreclosures; the attendant market correction; and the resulting threat of recession.
• 1 videodisc (43 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. Admin. de Empresas, Circ. HG2040.5.U5 M67 2008

 

Sustaniable Development

Sethi, S., Henderson, H., & Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.). (2007). Ethical markets: growing the green economy [vídeo]. Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities & Sciences; Films Media Group.

• Publisher description. Featuring profiles of visionary entrepreneurs, economists, and activists, this 12-part public television series delves into hot-button ethical issues at the heart of international business. Each program investigates corporate challenges and solutions related to the triple bottom line, an increasingly popular term for standards of human dignity, environmental stewardship, and financial profit that guide socially responsible commerce. Building on the real-world expertise of its guests, commentators, and creator, renowned scholar Hazel Henderson, author of the engaging companion book, Ethical Markets, the series serves as a video forum for bold «green business» ideas.
• 12-part series, 28 minutes each. [v.1] Redefining success — [v.2] Global corporate citizenship — [v.3] Community investing — [v.4] Green building and design — [v.5] Renewable energy — [v.6] Clean food, organic agriculture — [v.7] Fair trade, ethical trading — [v.8] Socially responsible investing — [v.9] Shareholder activism — [v.10] The love economy — [v.11] Women-owned businesses — [v.12] Transformation of work. 9781421365763 (DVD) 1421365766 (DVD) 9781421365766 (VHS) 12 video discs (DVD) (28 mins. each) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. Admin. de Empresas, Circ. 6 .E85 2007

 

Wal Mart (firm)

Faber, D., Gordon, L., & Rochkind, G. (2008). The age of Wal-mart: inside America’s most powerful company [vídeo]. Princeton, N.J.: Films Media Group/Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• «CNBC’s David Faber scrutinizes Wal-Mart as he seeks to understand how the company has ascended to the heights of power it has come to occupy – and whether this juggernaut can continue to succeed in the face of increased opposition. Given unprecendented access, Faber takes viewers from an annual managers’ meeting that resembles an evangelical revival to the opening of a new store in China, where Wal-Mart is one of the country’s leading importers. Faber also sits down for a one-on-one with CEO Lee Scott, who addresses criticisms over outsourcing, community friction, lawsuits, and other issues»–back of container.
• 1 videodisc (ca. 81 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4.in. Admin. de Empresas, Circ. 2 .A43 2008

 

Wine Industry

Macnaught, F., & Glimois, N. (2007). The Wine Wars [vídeo]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences.

• Are French wine producers an endagnered species? This documentary vividly illustrates the economic dynamics of the global wine wars examining the explosion in New World wine-making and its impliation for the French wine industry.
• 1 videodisc (53 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. de Empresas, Circ. Videorec. HD9370.5 .W56 2007

 

[1] Elosúa, M. (2007). Diccionario Lid empresa y economía: Estrategia, finanzas, contabilidad, marketing, comercial, tecnologías de información y comunicación, recursos humanos, producción, economía. Madrid: Lid Editorial Empresarial.

[2] Allen, K. R., & Meyer, E. C. (2007). Empresarismo y administración de pequeños negocios. México: McGraw-Hiil Interamericana.

 

Por Elaine Tornés,
Bibliotecaria Auxiliar I