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business firm

business firm

1 2.7
A company that sells goods or services to make money
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪz.nɪs fɜrm/
translation icon : empresa
  • In the final analysis, it is the behavior of the business firms and their workers that determines fine economic outcomes in any economic system.
  • small business firm
  • management of business firm

Examples

  • To remain competitive in a global environment, business firms will have to disregard ethics and social responsibility.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The local business firm has been expanding its operations to meet increasing demand.

  • Small business firms are able to market their goods and services to a larger population

    Academic text (2011)
  • Indeed, we observe a large number of different types of business firms in the West.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Last, but not least, we owe much to the 60 business firms and key personnel participating in this study.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The resulting behavioral pattern of business firms is found in all of the socialist countries.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Cluster B examines the importance of the customer, the nature and structure of the business firm, and management practices.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The uncertainty and insecurity that have always characterized competitive business firms have come at last to American lawyers.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Business firms had no choice but to adjust to neoliberal reform even without an overarching strategic framework.

    Academic text (1998)
  • An implication is that the value of labor participation to the employees of business firms is worth less than the costs to their contractual partners of providing it.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

company
vsbusiness firm
1.0

A business that makes and sells things or offers services for money

is an organization defined by its owners and employees, not just trade activity
business
vsbusiness firm
1.0

A company or shop and the people who work there

refers more specifically to an organization of owners and employees rather than general work
firm
vsbusiness firm
1.9

A company that provides professional services like lawyers or accountants

is a commercial organization of owners and employees rather than only professional services
corp
vsbusiness firm
  • US
82 6.9

A company that is legally created to do business

means a general commercial organization defined by owners and employees, not legal incorporation
business enterprise
vsbusiness firm
3 3.2

An organization that sells goods or services to make a profit

stresses the organization and people as a combined unit rather than profit focus
business organization
vsbusiness firm
3 2.9

A group that sells things or provides services and has people working in it

is the everyday organizational structure of owners and employees, not legal focus
business concern
vsbusiness firm
  • Formal
1 3.2

A company that sells goods or provides services, including its people

focuses on the same commercial activity but emphasizes owners and employees

How Big

multinational
112 4.4
corporation
3.7
business firm
1 2.7

Surface Forms

business firm singular

Morphology

business + firm

Both constituents 'business' and 'firm' individually denote a company or commercial organization, so the compound 'business firm' has a directly compositional, synonymous meaning. This near-redundant combination follows regular noun-noun compounding patterns found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily understand it.

Etymology

Business firm joins business (the work of buying and selling) with firm (an old word meaning 'strong' or 'steady') to create the image of a steady, organized company. So it means 'a company or organization that sells goods or services'.