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Glossary Definitions
- Debit Cards
A method of allowing bank customers to carry out cash-less or cheque-less transactions and in some cases even get money back as well. When these cards are swiped in a special terminal in the retail outlet the customer's account is debited and the amount transferred to the retailer's account. - Decentralisation
The relocation of government departments and services to small towns and cities around the country to reduce pressure on the larger urban areas and to encourage regional development. - Decentralisation
When power and authority is delegated throughout the organisation rather than being vested in the hands of a few senior managers. - CRH (13th Edition)
- Delegation
Delegation involves the transfer to others of responsibility for carrying out certain tasks, functions or decisions. - Decentralised structure
Organisations where the decision making is the responsibility of individuals at a lower level in the organisation. - The Courts Service (5th Edition)
- Decoupling
Cutting the link between support and production. Subsidies paid to producers no longer depend on the type of production. Diversification: Spreading assets across geographical locations, markets, industries or products. This decreases the risk of big losses, but also makes it harder to outperform the overall market. - AIB (12th Edition)
- Delegation
Delegation involves the transfer to others of responsibility for carrying out certain tasks, functions or decisions. - Dependancy Ratio
A measure showing the number of dependents (aged 0-14 and over the age of 65) to the total population (aged 15-64). - NTMA (10th Edition)
- Deposit Interest Retention Tax
This is a form of tax on interest earned on bank accounts. - Financial Regulator (10th Edition)
- Desk Research
A form of market research whereby information is accessed without leaving one's office through sourcing already available information e.g. statistical databases, trade journals and the Internet. Also known as "secondary research". - Deregulated market
This occurs after a government lifts former regulations to allow the market to function more freely. An example of this is the electricity market in Ireland which was formerly serviced by one state company. - Department of Finance (9th Edition)
- Developer Pays Principle
This states that whoever causes a cost to be incurred must pay that cost. - NRA (9th Edition)
- Devolved Organisation
In such an organisation the centre delegates decision making to units and managers lower down in the hierarchy. - Differentiation
The process of adding a set of meaningful and valued differences that distinguishes a company's offerings from those of its competitors. - Cadbury (9th Edition) | Musgrave (8th Edition)
- Directorate
A department or office within an organisation used to integrate and co-ordinate the activities of a particular function. - The Courts Service (5th Edition)
- Direct Costs
Costs clearly and exclusively associated with a certain strategy, issue or programme. - Department of Health and Children (10th Edition)
- Direct Debit
Permission you give a lender or other company to take money from your bank account at certain times to pay money off a loan or bill (such as gas or electricity). - Financial Regulator (11th Edition)
- Direct selling
A form of selling which by passes traditional retail outlets by dealing with consumers through telemarketing, direct mail or other such measures. - Amway (8th Edition)
- Directives
A type of legislation issued by the EU which is binding on Member States in terms of objective but which leaves choice of method to Member States. - NRA (10th Edition) | LGMSB (12th Edition)
- Disposable Income
The amount of income left to an individual after taxes have been paid, available for spending and saving. - Food Safety Promotion Board (8th Edition)
- Distribution channel
This describes the route finished goods take from manufacturer to consumer. - Amway (10th Edition)
- Diversification
Spreading assets across geographical locations, markets, industries or products. This decreases the risk of big losses, but also makes it harder to outperform the overall market. The broadening of business activities to expand into other countries and/or products to add complementary products and services. - CRH (11th Edition) | CRH (13th Edition)
- Dividend
That proportion of company profits paid to shareholders; it is denominated in pence per share. The dividend is the way that companies reward shareholders - the owners - for their annual performance. Typically some profits will be distributed in dividends and some will be kept to invest in the company's future. - CRH (9th Edition) | Financial Regulator (9th Edition)
