Owner�s equity is the term appropriate for PROPRIETORSHIPs, while owners� equity applies to PARTNERSHIPs and CORPORATIONs. Both terms represent the owners of a firm. Equities represent internal claims against a firm�s ASSETS (the investors/owners), while liabilities represent external claims (the firm�s creditors).

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a U.S. government agency created to support private INVESTMENT by U.S. firms abroad. OPIC�s primary activities include � insuring investments overseas against political risks � financing overseas business investments � financing private investment funds that provide equity to businesses overseas � advocating American business interests overseas OPIC insurance reduces business RISK.

Outsourcing takes place when an organization contracts out functions, tasks, or services. Typically the goals of outsourcing include circumventing distractions from the company�s core activities, acquiring specialized expertise, and reducing COSTS.

Outplacement is employer-provided assistance for employees who are about to lose their jobs. With corporate downsizing, rightsizing, and �return to core competencies,� many U.S. companies will lay off large numbers of employees. Many companies feel an obligation to try to support former employees.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a CARTEL of 12 nations that seek to influence oil prices through control of the supply of oil to world markets. OPEC was created in 1960 with initial members including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. At the time, oil prices were less than $5 per barrel.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is a regional political organization for discussion and cooperation on social and economic issues. Comprised of 35 member states representing North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean, the OAS was created in 1948, originally with 21 member countries.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) provides a forum for discussion and development of public-sector and corporate policy making. The OECD consists of 30 member countries and maintains relationships with other countries and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) involved in social and economic policies.

Organization behavior (OB) is the study of the actions of individuals and groups within organizations. Important considerations are the individual employee and how he or she relates to others, both as individuals and groups within the organization. From this standpoint, most analyses are performed on the individual or group level.

There are many ways to view organizations, so researchers, professors, and students need some structure and guidance to aid discussions on the topic. Organization theory offers a structured way to talk about the organization as a unit and the subunits, groups, and individuals who work within an organization. Organizations and the people who work in them are the focus of study in organization theory.

Organizational commitment has to do with how much employees identify with and are involved with the company they work for, as well as how hard they are willing to work for the organization. Many factors affect such commitment, including whether an employee accepts and endorses the company values and goals, how willing he or she is to exert extra effort on the company�s behalf, and whether he/she has a strong desire to remain affiliated with the organization.