Science, Technology, and Business Management
Hard and Soft Technologies
Hard technologies involve designing and producing tangible products to solve problems or meet needs. Soft technologies focus on organizational, management, and administrative techniques to improve institutional functioning and achieve objectives.
Science and Technology’s Interdependence
Science and technology are interdependent. New scientific knowledge leads to technological advancements, while technology provides scientists with the tools needed for research.
Science, Technology, and Society
The relationship between science, technology, and society aims to improve quality of life using human and material resources. In a society with limited resources, technology management involves managing these resources to produce goods and services that meet societal needs. These needs arise from:
- Basic Needs: Essential for human survival and development from conception.
- Cultural Needs: Stem from the desire for spiritual growth and personal fulfillment, influenced by individual vocation and life philosophy.
Resources for Production
The basic resources for producing goods or services are:
- Natural Resources: Provided by the environment, classified as plant, animal, and mineral.
- Capital Resources: Goods used to produce other goods or services, such as machines and tools.
- Human Resources: People who work to transform nature.
Organizations
Organizations consist of people working to achieve objectives. They are categorized by activity:
- Primary: Extract raw materials from nature.
- Secondary: Transform raw materials into finished goods.
- Commercial: Sell the produced goods.
- Services: Provide intangible deliverables.
Pricing and Costs
Price includes costs such as:
- Raw Materials: Primary materials used in production.
- Direct and Indirect Materials: Needed in addition to raw materials to create the finished product.
- Labor: Wages and labor costs.
Business Management
For-profit organizations, or businesses, have various departments including administration, production, planning, safety and hygiene, quality control, distribution and transport, and commercial (buying and selling).
Commercial Buying and Selling
A sales contract involves a seller, who may or may not own the goods, delivering them to a buyer, who pays an agreed-upon price. Purchases are made for resale or rental use.
Payment Methods
- Cash: Immediate payment upon delivery.
- Cash on Delivery: Payment a few days after delivery, according to local customs.
- Credit:
- With documents: Signed promissory notes.
- In current account: Unsigned promissory notes with agreed-upon payment schedules.
Sales and Payment Charges
- Discount: Reduction in price for cash payment or early payment.
- Interest: Charge for late or outstanding payments.
- Bonus/Rebate: Reduction in price due to factors like seasonal closures, faulty products, promotions, customer loyalty, or bulk purchases.
Business Documents
Business documents are written records of company operations. They are typically kept in duplicate numbered books with pre-printed information and blank spaces for specific details. Copies are provided to all parties involved. Documents are sequentially numbered to prevent loss and are essential for verifying operations, company control, accounting records, and legal evidence. Companies must retain these documents for 10 years from the date of issue.