Globalisation. Outsourcing. Downsizing. These are some of the economic issues at the centre of today's society. Time after time, we see that business is one of the most powerful forces in the modern world, profoundly affecting every facet of our lives whether we work in a corporate environment or not. Because in one way or another the world is all about economics, students need to understand and appreciate the role of business in their lives. This book provides an overview of the most important topics and issues characterising the role of business in today's society.The work includes alphabetically arranged entries on more than 70 critical issues or topics central to the role of business in our lives. Each is written by an expert contributor and provides a summary of the topic's relevance and influence, a consideration of opposing viewpoints, and a list of resources for further research, including: affirmative action; executive pay; drug testing in the workplace; environmental degradation; health care costs; inflation; interest rates; the minimum wage; oil economics; pensions; equal pay; sexual harassment; and telecommuting. For students and general readers, this book is an engaging, accessible, and essential resource on the role of business in everyday life.