Description: In the wake of the recent tragedy at a factory in Bangladesh that killed more than 1000 workers, a new Bangladesh safety accord was set-up. While a large number of European retailers signed the accord, several large North American retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Gap Inc., abstained from signing the accord. Source: The Huffington… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Global Management
Barrick Gold Corp’s continuing problems with their Chile project
Description: Chile files serious violations against Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corporation (world’s largest gold miner) dealing a blow to their Pascua-Lama mine project. The Pascua-Lama mine is believed to house nearly 18 million ounces of gold reserves. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: May 24 2013 Text link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/chile-freezes-barricks-pascua-lama-orders-urgent-measures/article12129034/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Passengers bypassing Canadian airports
Description: An estimated five million Canadians hop the border every year to catch their flights from U.S. airports. By driving a few extra hours to U.S. airports, Canadian passengers save thousands of dollars. Source: CBC Date: May 03 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2383198577/ Questions for Discussion: Should Canadians be flying out of U.S. airports given that… Read more »
Loblaw on Bangladesh
Description: Following the tragic collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh, Loblaw decided to compensate the families of the victims and to continue their operations in the country. They also stressed that they will increasingly audit the working conditions at their outsourced factories. Source: CBC Date: May 02 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2382985825/?page=2 Questions for Discussion:… Read more »
Should the temporary foreign worker program be scrapped?
Description: Recently, the temporary foreign worker program has come under heavy criticisms. This program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers when they can’t find Canadians to fill the job. Source: National Post Date: April 12 2013 Text link: http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/04/12/temporary-foreign-worker-program-works-for-canada/ Questions for Discussion: List the benefits and drawbacks of this program? Are employers misusing the… Read more »
BlackBerry Z10 is launched in the U.S.
Description: BlackBerry Z10 has hit the stores in the U.S. Recent reports suggest that the sales have been underwhelming and there are no iPhone-style lines of shoppers outside stores. Source: Financial Post Date: March 23 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/22/blackberry-z10-us/?__lsa=b85e-77e8 Questions for Discussion: What is the importance of the U.S. market to BlackBerry? What can you… Read more »
Canada Retail Sales Plunge
Description: In December 2012, Retail sales in Canada fell by 2.1%, the largest monthly drop since April 2010. Source: National Post Date: February 22 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/02/22/canadas-retail-sales-plunge-most-in-three-years/ Questions for Discussion: Which sectors saw the biggest declines? In your view, what are some of the reasons for drop in retail sales? Do you see the… Read more »
Starbucks to Open 150 New Outlets in Canada
Description: Subsidiary of Seattle based Starbucks Corp., Starbucks Canada plans to open 150 new outlets in Canada, and most of these will be housed in new Target Stores in Canada. Source: Financial Post Date: February 8 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/02/08/starbucks-canada-to-open-150-new-outlets-in-biggest-expansion-ever/ Questions for Discussion: Which Starbucks product has fuelled it’s grown in Canada? Why do… Read more »
SNC Lavalin accused of bribing Gadhafi son
Description: It is alleged that SNC Lavalin, one of Canada’s biggest companies, paid $160 million to son of Libya’s dictator to bag engineering contracts in Libya. Source: CBC Date: January 25 2013 Video and Text Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2329231193/ Questions for Discussion: Do you feel such cases—bribing people to win contracts—are common in international dealings? In your… Read more »
Where can Canada improve in 2013?
Description: Bill Currie,Deloitte Canada’s vice-chair and Americas managing director; and John Ruffolo, CEO of OMERS Ventures, discussed come of the obstacles and opportunities for Canada in 2013. Source: National Post Date: December 18 2012 Text Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/12/18/how-canada-can-improve-its-productivity-in-2013/?__lsa=9bcc-5479 Questions for Discussion: What are some of the major obstacles facing Canadian businesses? What are some of the major opportunities… Read more »
