Ans) Business cycle are natural expansion and contraction of
business productivity . It has four phases÷
- Trough
- Expansion
- Peak
- Contraction.
Characteristics ÷
- Periodicity÷ However, each business goes through these cycles
but there is no specific time. It varies with sector and business
type. The duration may vary from months to 12 years. The intensity
of each phase also differs from industry to industry.
- Synchronic÷ these fluctuations are not limited to one industry
or sector, they affect other sectors and overall economy of a
country.
- All Sectors are affected ÷ a change in business cycle of one
sector affects other sectors as well. in general all major sectors
are affected. Durable consumption good and capital goods bear more
brunt of business cycle.
- Fluctuations in business cycle in one country can eventually
affect business in other countries too.
- It is sellf reinforcing.
- The wavelengths of peak and trough may vary.
Causes÷ there can be many causes of business cycle
- Change in political conditions.
- Changes in demand. More demand, more output, more employment
and more profits.
- Change in real wages.
- Population expansion.
- Wars. It shift the production from consumer goods to capital
goods like arms and weapons.
- Change in technology.