Characteristics of Resources Though we can categorise resources in various ways, they also have certain similarities. The following are some characteristics of resources. (i) Utility : ‘Utility’ means the importance or usefulness of a resource in helping one to achieve a goal. Whether or not a resource has utility depends on the goal and the situation.
For example, cow dung is considered waste. However, it can be used as a fuel and can also be used to prepare humus (manure). Proper use of important resources available to a family or community leads to greater satisfaction. (ii) Accessibility : First, certain resources are more easily available as compared to others.
Second, resources may be more easily available to some people as compared to others. Third, the availability of resources changes over time. Thus, we can say that accessibility of resources varies from person to person and from time to time. For example, every family has money as a resource.
While some have sufficient money to meet their needs, others have limited budgets. The amount of available money is also different during the beginning of a month as compared to towards the end of the month. (iii) Interchangeability : Almost all the resources have substitutes. If one resource is not available, it can be substituted by another.
For example, if your school bus does not arrive on time to pick you up, you can go to school in your car, tractor, bullock cart or scooter. Thus, the same function can be performed by a number of resources. (iv) Manageable : Resources can be managed. Since resources are limited, they should be managed properly and effectively for their optimum utilisation.
Resources should be used in such a way that we attain maximum output with minimum input of resources. For example, we should avoid using two-three buckets of water to wash clothes if we can wash them using one bucket.