Comprehension
Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The Quaternary Sector
The Quaternary Sector along with the Tertiary Sector has replaced most of the primary and secondary employment as the basis for economic growth. Over half of all workers in developed economies are in the ‘Knowledge Sector’ and there has been a very high growth in demand for consumption of information-based services from mutual fund managers to tax consultants, software developers and statisticians. Personnel working in office buildings, elementary schools and university classrooms, hospitals and doctors’ offices, theatres, accounting and brokerage firms all belong to this category of services.
Like some of the tertiary functions, quaternary activities can also be outsourced. They are not tied to resources, affected by the environment, or necessarily localised by market.
Question: 1

Define the concept of ‘outsourcing’.

Show Hint

Outsourcing = Giving work to an outside agency.
It helps in cost reduction and specialization.
Common in IT, customer service (BPO), and data processing.
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
• Outsourcing is a business practice where a company hires a third party to perform tasks, handle operations, or provide services that are usually done by the company's own employees.
• It is a key feature of the modern global economy, especially in the service sector.

Step 1:
Understand the primary motive
Companies outsource to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and gain access to specialized skills available elsewhere.

Step 2:
Define the term formally
Outsourcing involves the contracting out of a business process to another party. It often involves transferring work to locations where labor is cheaper or more skilled in that specific area (Offshoring).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2

More than 50 percent of all workers in developed countries belongs to which sector of economy ?

Show Hint

Developed economies are dominated by the service and knowledge sectors.
The quaternary sector is an extension of the tertiary sector focusing on high-level intellectual activities.
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
• Economies transition from primary to secondary, and then to tertiary and quaternary sectors as they develop.
• The knowledge sector includes quaternary activities that involve information processing and research.

Step 1:
Analyze the provided passage
According to the text, "Over half of all workers in developed economies are in the ‘Knowledge Sector’."

Step 2:
Identify the economic sector
The 'Knowledge Sector' refers to the Quaternary Sector of the economy.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3

‘Mutual funds managers’ are demanding which type of services ?

Show Hint

Information-based services involve data analysis, research, and technical consultancy.
These are core components of the quaternary sector.
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
• Financial services are a major part of the quaternary and tertiary sectors.
• These services rely heavily on the analysis and dissemination of information.

Step 1:
Extract information from the source passage
The text states: "...there has been a very high growth in demand for consumption of information-based services from mutual fund managers to tax consultants..."

Step 2:
Finalize the answer
Mutual funds managers demand high-end information-based services to perform their specialized tasks.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0