Designed for the non-specialist, students and general readers, this encyclopedia will help any novice understand the complex and sometimes confusing concepts and terms that are used in the world of business. Five general areas of business are covered: accounting, banking, finance, marketing, and management. Encyclopedia of American Business contains entries on topics such as annual report, balanced budget, capital, deflation, exchange rate, joint ventures, marketing concept, mutual funds, profit sharing, and zero-sum game.