Leslie Hamilton is the editor of Operating Environment: An Active Learning Approach, published by Wiley. Tom Burden is the editor of Operating Environment: An Active Learning Approach, published by Wiley.

• Introduction. Part I: The National Economic Context:.1: The UK labour force.2: The UK economic system.3: The financial sector.4: Economic policy.5: Industrial policy.Part II: Environmental Factors Affecting Business Activities:.1: Social stratification.2: Social welfare and state policy.3: Technology and society.4: The political process.Part III: Business Firms in Markets:.1: The competitive environment.2: The legal regulation of business.3: Regulatory agencies.Part IV: Resources:.1. 'Samsung plans #450 m UK plant'.2. 'Fresh ferment for the brewers'.3. 'The price police - the sleuthing skills of the EU's competition division'.