Подчеркните Infinitive, определите его функцию.
While this can
refer to the use of computers in a class room, the term more broadly refers to
a structured environment in which computers are used to teach. The concept is
generally seen as being distinct from the use of computers in ways where
learning is at least a peripheral element of the experience (e.g. computer
games and web browsing). The external environment If the economy is in
recession, firms selling goods which are income-elastic will find sales falling
unless they take appropriate action. They may find themselves under severe
pressure from competitors who embark on price-cutting strategies. On the other
hand, there may be advantages: the cost of goods from suppliers may be falling
and the cost of labor may be cheaper. With a pool of unemployed labor to choose
from it may be easier to recruit and retain skilled workers. If the economy is
in the middle of a boom, the points made above are reversed. In particular,
firms may suffer from the effects of inflation. Inflation is best defined as a
fall in the value of money. This means any savings (reserves) firms have will
buy less and less. Firms will face rising costs for raw materials and may face
labor disputes as workers seek to increase their wages to maintain their living
standards. If the rate of inflation is higher in the UK than in competitor
countries, then UK firms will face tough competition. This competition will
occur in both overseas markets and in domestic markets as foreign firms will
become more price competitive in each market. The balance of payments will be
affected and there may be a fall in the exchange rate. A fall in the foreign
exchange value of the pound (sterling) will affect different firms to a greater
or lesser extent and in a variety of ways. (NB: You will be expected to be able
to make a distinction between a domestic fall in the value of money and a
depreciation in the exchange rate.)
Governments are
very likely to alter their economic policy in response to the economic
difficulties outlined above. If inflation is getting out of control, the
government is likely to raise interest rates. They hope that this will have the
effect of reducing consumer borrowing and encouraging saving. Both of these
will reduce consumer spending and therefore lower demand-led inflation.
However, high interest rates also increase the cost of borrowing for firms and
therefore discourage them from investment. This means UK firms may be
technically behind foreign firms when the government allows demand to grow
again. It may also show the seeds of future inflation as the UK firms lack the
capacity to meet increased demand, not having been able to afford to invest in
new plant and machinery. Their response to increased demand may therefore be to
raise prices and the inflationary cycle can start all over again.