1. Business organisations: the external environment
2. Business organisations: the internal environment
3. The global context of business

1. The political environment
2. The macroeconomic environment
3. The demographic, social and cultural context of business
4. The resource context: people, technology and natural resources
5. The legal environment
6. The ethical and ecological environment

1. Legal structures
2. Size structure of firms
3. Industrial structure
4. Government and business

1. The market system
2. Market structure
3. International markets and trade
4. Governments and markets

1. Strategy and the changing environment

The Business Environment: A Global Perspective, 9th Edition, by Thompson, Worthington and Britton offers a comprehensive, yet and accessible, introduction to how local and international business environments operate in a systematic and logical approach. Employing a PESTLE model which is relevant to a wide range of all industries, this best-selling textbook takes you through contexts, types of organisation and markets, dealing with contemporary issues in socioeconomic, political and legal structures.

The new edition offers clear explanations of economics such as why the prices of the things you buy might go up or down, or why at any given time it might be harder or easier for you to get a job. New chapters on the global Covid-19 pandemic and de-globalising factors, including Brexit, give an all-round perspective on how factors influence one another, and convey the complexity of the business environment. It also helps you put theory into practice with a wealth of contemporary case studies from local and international organisations, building into more detailed ‘International Business in Action' case studies providing real life data to analyse on.

About the authors:

Ed Thompson is an Associate Professor and Director of Apprenticeships in Leicester Castle Business School at De Montfort University. His research is focused on organisational behaviour and crisis management. He is also a member of the editorial board of the SGEN Research Review in the Philippines.

Ian Worthington is Emeritus Professor of Corporate Sustainability at De Montfort University, UK. He has published in, and reviewed for, a variety of academic journals in both the UK and the US.

Chris Britton was formerly Principal Lecturer at De Montfort University where her teaching and research interests included industrial economics, labour markets and executive recruitment.

Pearson, the world's learning company.

• Analysis of macro- and micro-environmental influences that affect business operations in today's world.
• PESTLE structure: The text is structured on the widely recognised PESTLE model with additional topical content.

• Case studies of varying complexity relate the theory represented in the chapter to real-life situations in a range of diverse organisations.
• Personal Relevance: The implications of issues are linked to personal experience, such as overdrafts, student loans, modes of employment and rising prices.

• Consistent framework: Learning outcomes at the beginning of each chapter to help students evaluate their progress.
• End-of-chapter review questions to test students' understanding and how to apply the concepts in real life context.

• NEW:chapter on the risk and impact of pandemics, including Covid-19
• NEW: chapter on the effect and precedent of de-globalising factors, including sanctions, nationalism, protectionism, and Brexit
• UPDATED! New and classic examples of contemporary business issues
• UPDATED! Two case studies for each chapter, in most cases one of which is relevant to service sector industries such as travel and tourism
• REVISED! Additional appendices including short to medium term predictions in changes in the business environment
• UPDATED! Links to relevant web pages are highlighted throughout the text to help direct students' research