In a market system: a. a firm's owners are largely shielded from risk because they can walk away from the business at any time. b. a firm's employees and suppliers are largely shielded from risk. c. employees and suppliers face the greatest risks because firms can shut down without notice and leave them unpaid. d. firm owners and employees share business risk more or less equally.

The business cycle is the periodic but irregular up-and-down movement in economic activity, measured by fluctuations in real gross domestic product (gdp) and other macroeconomic variables. a business cycle is typically characterized by four phases—recession, recovery, growth, and decline—that repeat themselves over time. economists note, however, that complete business cycles vary in length. the duration of business cycles can be anywhere from about two to twelve years, with most cycles averaging six years in length. some business analysts use the business cycle model and terminology to study and explain fluctuations in business inventory and other individual elements of corporate operations. but the term "business cycle" is still primarily associated with larger (industry-wide, regional, national, or even international) business trends.

What are the options?