Types of resources

Resources are any physical or intangible assets that are required in order to perform certain tasks or activities. Resources can include personnel (such as human resources, labour and expertise), financial resources (such as budgets, investments and loans), material resources (such as raw materials, equipment, tools and technology), and information resources (such as data, knowledge and intelligence). In the context of management, resources are the inputs that are used to achieve the desired outputs, which are the goals of the organization. Resources are essential for any business to be successful and must be allocated and managed effectively in order to achieve the desired results.

Example of resources

• Human Resources: Human resources are the people who work in an organization, including employees, volunteers and contractors. They provide the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve the organization’s objectives. Examples of human resources include office staff, customer service representatives, engineers, IT professionals, salespeople and project managers.
• Financial Resources: Financial resources include the money and other assets that the organization has available to achieve its goals. Examples of financial resources include cash, investments, loans and credit facilities.
• Material Resources: Material resources are the physical objects and equipment used to produce goods and services. Examples of material resources include raw materials, machinery, tools and technology.
• Information Resources: Information resources are the data, knowledge and intelligence that the organization needs to make decisions and take action. Examples of information resources include market research, customer databases, competitive intelligence and internal records.
• Natural Resources – These are resources that are found in or around the natural environment and include things such as land, water, minerals and energy.
• Social Resources – These are resources that are provided by society, such as education and health care.
• Technological Resources – These are resources that involve the use of technology to help an organization achieve its goals. This includes computers, software and other digital tools.

Advantages of resources

The advantages of different types of resources include:

• Human Resources: People are a valuable resource and can provide a competitive edge to a business. Human resources can bring knowledge, expertise, and creativity to a business, as well as the motivation and enthusiasm to drive it forward.
• Financial Resources: Financial resources can help businesses to acquire equipment, hire staff, and invest in the future. They can also provide the capital to fund research and development and allow businesses to take advantage of opportunities.
• Material Resources: Material resources such as raw materials, tools, and technology help businesses to produce goods and services efficiently. They can also help businesses to reduce costs, maintain quality, and stay ahead of the competition.
• Information Resources: Information resources such as data, knowledge, and intelligence can help businesses to make informed decisions and develop strategies for success. They can also help businesses to stay up to date on trends, industry developments, and customer needs.

Limitations of resources

The types of resources available to an organization are limited by various factors, including availability, access, cost, and expertise. Below are some of the major limitations of resources:

• Availability: Resources may not be readily available when needed, either due to geographical constraints or due to a lack of supply.
• Access: Resources may be difficult to access due to restrictions, such as legal regulations, or due to a lack of infrastructure.
• Cost: Resources may be too expensive to acquire or maintain, making them prohibitively costly.
• Expertise: Resources may require specialized knowledge or expertise which is difficult to obtain or maintain.
• Time: Resources may be limited by the amount of time available to use them effectively.
• Sustainability: Resources may not be sustainable in the long term, making them difficult to maintain or replace.

Types of resources — recommended articles

Fixed capital — Productive resources — Resources and capabilities — Small business management — Capital intensive business — Allocation of resources — Access to finance — Capital resource — Offshoring and outsourcing

References

• Greene, P. G., Brush, C. G., & Brown, T. E. (1997). Resources in small firms: An exploratory study. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 8(2), 25-40.
• Ellabban, O., Abu-Rub, H., & Blaabjerg, F. (2014). Renewable energy resources: Current status, future prospects and their enabling technology. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 39, 748-764.