What does the term "gearing" refer to in a business context?

Gearing specifically refers to the ratio of a business's debt to its equity, acting as an indicator of financial leverage. A higher gearing ratio implies that a greater portion of the business’s financing is sourced from debt, which can enhance potential returns on equity but also increases financial risk, especially in times of economic downturn. Conversely, a lower gearing ratio suggests a more conservative approach, indicating less reliance on borrowed funds.

The other options do not accurately capture the meaning of gearing. Total revenue generated by a business pertains to income and is unrelated to its financing structure. Management of human resources focuses on employee relations and workforce management, which falls outside the scope of financial ratios. Global sourcing of materials addresses supply chain practices and procurement strategies, which again does not relate to a company's debt-to-equity ratio and how it finances its operations.