A large retail store is experiencing huge problems with high turnover among its sales associates. Interviews with employees who have quit their jobs has revealed that low pay, a lack of opportunities for advancement, and high stress were the main reasons why sales associates were quitting. The store manager decided that she wanted to hire a consultant to help the company to reduce employee turnover. This store manager needs to hire a consultant who specializes in .

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.