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Introduction to PEST Analysis (external environment)

PEST analysis is concerned with the environmental influences on a business.
The acronym stands for the Political, Economic, Social and Technological issues that could affect the strategic development of a business.
Identifying PEST influences is a useful way of summarising the external environment in which a business operates. However, it must be followed up by consideration of how a business should respond to these influences.

Political – these factors have a direct impact on the way a business operates. Decisions made by government affect our everyday lives and can come in the form of policy or legislation.
The government’s introduction of a statutory minimum wage affects all businesses, as do consumer and health and safety laws and so on.

Economical – businesses are affected by these factors nationally and globally. Interest rate policy and fiscal policy will have to be set accordingly. Within the UK the climate of the economy dictates how consumers may behave within society. Whether an economy is in a boom, recession or recovery will also have an effect on consumer confidence and behaviour.
An economy that is booming is characterised by certain variables. Unemployment is low, job confidence is high, and because of this confidence spending by consumers is also high. This has an impact on most businesses. Organisations have to be able to keep up with the increased demand if they are to increase turnover.
An economy that is in a recession is characterised by high unemployment and low confidence. Because of high unemployment spending is low, confidence about job security is also low. Businesses face a tough time, consumers will not spend because of low disposable income. Many businesses start cutting back on costs i.e. labour, introduce shorter weeks and cut back on advertising to save money.

Social – within society forces such as family, friends, media affect our attitude, interest and opinions. These forces shape who we are as people and the way we behave and what we ultimately purchase.
For example, within the UK peoples attitudes are changing towards their diet and health. As a result the UK is seeing an increase in the number of people joining fitness clubs and a massive growth for the demand of organic food. On the other end of the spectrum the UK is worried about the lack of exercise its youngsters are obtaining.
Population changes also have a direct impact on all organisations. Changes in the structure of a population will affect the supply and demand of goods and services within an economy.
As society changes, as behaviours change, organisations must be able to offer products and services that aim to compliment and benefit lifestyle and behaviour.

Technology – changes in technology are changing the way business operates. The Internet is having a profound impact on the marketing mix strategy of organisations. Consumers can now shop 24 hours a day comfortably from their homes.
Those businesses that are slow to react will not succeed in the long term. The technological revolution means a faster exchange of information that is beneficial for businesses as they can respond quickly to changes in their operating environment.
There is renewed interest by many governments to encourage investment in R & D and develop technology that will give their country the competitive edge. The pace of technological change is so fast that in the computer industry the average life of a computer chip is decreasing rapidly. In the name of progression technology will continue to evolve, organisations that ignore it will face extinction.

The table below lists some possible factors that could indicate important environmental influences for a business under the PEST headings:

|Political / Legal |Economic |Social |Technological |
|Environmental regulation and |Economic growth (overall; |Income distribution (change in|Government spending on |
|protection |by industry sector) |distribution of disposable |research |
| | |income) | |
|Taxation (corporate; consumer) |Monetary policy (interest |Demographics (age structure of|Government and industry focus |
| |rates) |the population; gender; family|on technological effort |
| | |size and composition; changing| |
| | |nature of occupations) | |
|International trade regulation |Government spending |Labour / social mobility |New discoveries and |
| |(overall level; specific | |development |
| |spending priorities) | | |
|Consumer protection |Policy towards |Lifestyle changes (e.g. Home |Speed of technology transfer |
| |unemployment (minimum |working, single households) | |
| |wage, unemployment | | |
| |benefits, grants) | | |
|Political / Legal |Economic |Social |Technological |
|Employment law |Taxation (impact on |Attitudes to work and leisure |Rates of technological |
| |consumer disposable | |obsolescence |
| |income, incentives to | | |
| |invest in capital | | |
| |equipment, corporation tax| | |
| |rates) | | |
|Government organisation / attitude| Exchange rates (effects |Education |Energy use and costs |
| |on demand by overseas | | |
| |customers; effect on cost | | |
| |of imported components) | | |
|Competition regulation |Inflation (effect on costs|Fashions and fads |Changes in material sciences |
| |and selling prices) | | |
| |Stage of the business |Health & welfare |Impact of changes in |
| |cycle (effect on | |Information technology |
| |short-term business | | |
| |performance) | | |
| |Economic "mood" - consumer|Living conditions (housing, |Internet! |
| |confidence |amenities, pollution) | |

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