Push to combat cross-border corruption

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, Ethics, Global Management, Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility, Video Report.

Description: Sandy Boucher, a fraud investigator at law firm Grant Thornton, tells BNN that there is a new push among developed economies to enforce litigations on firms dealing in cross-border corruption. Source: BNN Date: November 01 2012 Video and Text Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/11/1/Miners-face-new-reality-in-corruption-enforcement.aspx Questions for Discussion: Should Canadian companies be penalized for bribing when companies from… Read more »

Why worry about Chinese investments?

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, Ethics, Global Management.

Description: Canada signed a foreign investment partnership agreement with China. While it will encourage much needed capital investments in to Canada, many Canadians are worried. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: November 01 2012 Text: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/the-chinese-are-coming-the-chinese-are-coming/article4803722/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree that this agreement is beneficial for Canada? What are the drawbacks for such… Read more »

Trading Four Wheels for Two

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Strategy.

Description: Bicycle sales in Europe are on a high. In Italy, for the first time since the early post-war era, sales for bicycles have overtaken sales for cars. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 03 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/car-mad-italians-trading-four-wheels-for-two/article4584829/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss some of the reasons why bicycle sales have increased in Europe? Do… Read more »

Canada should boldly embrace emerging markets

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Management.

Description: Canada should follow a more balanced approach where they need to move beyond its focus on the U.S. and more actively pursue opportunities in emerging markets. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 25 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/lets-boldly-embrace-emerging-markets/article4565058/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss some of the reasons why Canada needs to pursue emerging markets more actively?… Read more »

Should Canada be protecting ownership of its oil sands?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Management, Strategy.

Description: Although they support the proposed $15.1-billion acquisition of Nexen Inc. by China’s CNOOC Ltd., top industry executives want Ottawa to protect ownership of major oil sands companies. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 25 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/protect-canadian-ownership-of-oil-sands-firms-executives-urge/article4568562/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with the executives that Ottawa should not allow foreign ownership… Read more »

Bombardier sees upside in city congestion

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Strategy.

Description: Bombardier sees growth as major cities try to overcome increasing congestion. It presently has orders worth U.S. $31.9 billion to build better public transportation to reduce people’s over reliance on cars. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 19 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bombardier-sees-upside-in-city-congestion/article4553201/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss how Bombardier has sustained such impressive growth despite the slow… Read more »

Canada slips in competitiveness rankings?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management.

Description: Canada is now ranked 14th in global competitiveness rankings; it was ranked in the top 10 in 2009. Canada received low scores on its quality of research innovation and its innovation record. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 05 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/canada-slips-in-competitiveness-rankings/article4520181/ Questions for Discussion: Suggest possible actions for Canada to improve its… Read more »

Ratings agency takes Ontario to task

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, Global Management.

Description: Moody’s downgraded Ottawa’s outlook to Aa2 with a stable outlook from Aa1 with a negative outlook. This came one day after Standard & Poor’s reaffirmed Ontario’s current AA- rating, but put the province on “negative watch.”     Source: Business News Network Date: April 27, 2012 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/4/27/Bond-markets-take-Ontario-to-task.aspx Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with… Read more »

Wal-Mart under Bribery Investigation

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Global Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: Wal-Mart will spend millions of dollars investigating US$24-million in alleged Mexican bribes. It is alleged that Wal-Mart de Mexico bribed Mexican government officials and paid US$16-million in “donations” to Mexican local governments to fuel store expansion in the country up to 2005. Source: Financial Post Date:  April 24, 2012 Video Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/04/24/wal-mart-bribery-investigation-may-expand-to-include-cover-up-claims/ Questions for… Read more »