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Business Objectives: Public and Private Sector Aims - Activity

Private and Public Sector Business Objectives

The aim of this Activity is to investigate the different objectives of business activities in the private and the public sector. It is important to have a working understanding of the difference between these two sectors. However, it is also important to understand that there is some blurring of traditional roles. Many activities in key public services are provided by private sector companies - perhaps your school or college catering facilities? However, the overall responsibility for the provision of education and such catering services will be overseen by the Local Authority, which in turn is directed by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

As you go through the investigation, you should ensure you understand the following:

• What are the main objectives of those who provide business activities in the public sector?
• What are the main objectives of business activity in the private sector?
• Could the links between private and public sector business activity lead to conflict in terms of meeting objectives?
• How might the business activity you investigate be financed?

Image: Hospitals and schools are good examples of public sector organisations. But what business services does each provide, and what are the objectives of these? Copyright: Zarko Kecman and Carlos Gustavo Curado

You are going to look at some examples of business activity in the public and the private sector. The links below will help to take you directly to useful sites. The two local authorities have been selected because they provide a good example of the range of services provided - in the case of Bradford, the A-Z list allows you to view the range of services alphabetically. Try looking to see if they will remove a wasps' nest for you. Will you have to pay? The Directgov site is more general but it is very useful for a whole host of information on all aspects of government - worth bookmarking for later use!

Public Sector Activity

• A-Z of Council Services - Bradford Council (http://www.bradford.gov.uk/atoz)
• Two tier councils - SomersetOnLine (http://www.sage-sw.net/sol/Messages.aspx?Message=twotier)
• Directgov (http://www.direct.gov.uk)

Private Sector Activity

Biz/ed includes Business Profiles, which provide the answers to Frequently Asked Questions(http://www.bized.co.uk/compfact/business_profiles.htm). Try looking at the mission statements for each business and try to infer what the objectives might be - they are not always immediately obvious! You could use the Mind Map to help you with this - a sort of matching up of objectives and grand statements! Note: not all of the businesses we feature have given us mission statements.

When you have completed the task, you will be expected to discuss the results of your investigation with the rest of your class. At the end of the session. you should ensure that you can comfortably answer the learning objectives above.