12. The conditions and forces that affect the cost and availability of goods, services and labor and shape the behavior of buyers and sellers are BEST described as the environment. a. market c. social d. economic e. regulatory 13. Every company operates within a market environment composed of three important groups: its target customers, buying influences, and a. the workforce raw material costs c. d. its competitors e. government policies and procedures 14. The policies and practices of government bodies would shape the environment for a business. a. technological b. market c. legal and regulatory d. economic e. social 15. All internal and external groups affected by a company's activities are referred to as itsL a. employees b. suppliers c. shareholder e. customer