About one third of business failures are estimated to be caused by what?

The correct answer is that about one third of business failures are estimated to be caused by mismanagement. This highlights the critical role that effective management plays in an organization's success. Mismanagement can manifest in various ways, including poor financial oversight, inadequate strategic planning, lack of clear communication, and ineffective leadership. When management fails to understand and respond to the needs of the business, it can lead to operational inefficiencies, loss of customer trust, and ultimately, business closure.

In the context of the options, while employee theft and external theft can certainly impact a business's bottom line, they do not typically account for such a large proportion of failures compared to mismanagement. Poor quality of product influences customer satisfaction and can hurt sales, but it is often a symptom of underlying management issues rather than a standalone cause of failure. Therefore, identifying and addressing mismanagement is essential for sustainable business operations and growth.