Introduction
Law plays a crucial role in the efficient operation of the business together with the society. Laws are responsible for regulating social behavior, which results to society that operates with efficiency. Additionally, laws offer ethical values and prospects, as they give rules of conduct, measures for enforcing these rules and the means for settling disputes. Other law functions comprises of keeping of peace, checking the power of government and personal freedom promotion, facilitation of planning and realization of rational prospects, promotion of growth in economy through fair competition, protection of environment and promotion of social justice (Mallor et al 2004 ). It is worth noting that without laws governing the actions of businesses and people, the society would be unable to operate efficiently, and commerce would be have high chances of failing. Despite the general functions of law appearing to be rather simple, the legal system of the United States is considerably convoluted. The laws are broken down into several distinct types. These comprise of common law, statutes, constitution, administrative regulations and decisions, ordinances, treaties and executive orders.
Functions of Law
Court: Members of the society feel secure when their counterparts who fail to adhere to the law are excluded from the society. Criminal courts enhance fairness to all society members and impose punishment when necessary. Businesses have impact of the society and court through purchasing supplies, provision of building utilities and employment contracts.
Order: Laws ensure that order is maintained, and enable government to give instructions to its citizens on the behavior that is acceptable in the society. Public law comprises of administrative law, criminal law, and constitutional law. Public laws keep the society members safe through regulating behavior and imposing punishments for malfeasance. Agencies have been established by public law for enforcing the law. Private laws like real estate, contract and business laws ensure there is order in the business.
Safety: Law operates for enhancement of public safety. The government issues laws for regulating the quality of medication, food and drinks while imposing other laws for regulating mechanical quality of automobiles and household items. Businesses abide by these laws that take charge of the food that is grown, the transport and packaging of the said food, the method of payment and the sale of food. The society is kept safe from diseases and injury through product quality control.
Natural resources: Laws authorize the use of sale of public land on the basis of society interest. Government restricts the exploitation and hoarding of water, oil, land, and tress through imposition of restrictions on businesses. Businesses convert the utilization of natural resources into commercial profit by provision of electricity for running appliances, water for taking showers and lumbar for home construction (Bushman, 2007)..
Application of law in industry
In the current industry, I have seen law been applied to bring sanity in the operations. Firstly, I observed the prosecution of a finance officer who misappropriated the company funds. This officer was also charged with allegations of corruptions a vice, which is condemned in the society. Additionally, I observed application of law in reinstating of employees who had been wrongly dismissed from their duties. These employees sued the employer for what they claimed to be unfair treatment in the job. Law has a myriad application in the society and business and it seems without law many businesses would collapse.
References
Bushman, M. (2007). The Role and Functions of Law in Business and Society. Accessed on April 30, 2013 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/139783/the_role_and_functions_of_law_in_business.html
Mallor, J., Barnes, A., Bowers, T., Langvardt, A. (2004). Business Law: The Ethical, Global and E-Commerce Environment. 12th ed. Burr Ridge: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
