Q:

Why don't we use the definite article before these examples?

'We need to look closely at business growth, technological advancement, economic trends, and product development.' 
I would never say 'the business growth' or 'the technological advancement' etc. 

A:

The simple answer is that, if you're talking about a particular instance of business growth, you would use the definite article (e.g., the business growth we've been experiencing).

