Unions and the middle class

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Chapter 3 - HIstory of the Canadian Union Movement.

Description: Columnist Antonia Zerbisias argues that “when union membership thrives, so does the middle class.”

Source: The Toronto Star

Date: 08/31/2012

Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1249944–is-decline-of-unions-leading-to-decline-of-middle-class

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize Antonia Zerbisias’s arguments. Do you agree? How would an opponent of unions respond?
  • What is happening to the strength of unions in Canada?
  • How would you define “middle class”?
  • Do you think of union members as being “middle class”? Why or why not?
  • Discuss your personal experiences with unions. Have you or a family member belonged to a union?

Autoworkers vote to merge with CEP

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: Members of the Canadian Auto Workers have voted to merge with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The resulting union, if approved by CEP members in October, will represent 325,000 workers.

Source: CBC

Date: 08/22/2012

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2012/08/22/wdr-caw-merger.html

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Why are these two unions merging?
  • What kinds of workers will the new union represent?
  • What arguments can you think of in favour of this merger? Against it?
  • If you were a member of one of these unions, how would you vote? What questions would you ask your leaders?
  • Can you think of other ways unions might respond to current conditions?

The Costs of using Credit Cards in Canada

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Social Responsibility.

Description: The Canadian Competition Bureau argued that Canada’s credit card system is a “perverse” place where Visa and MasterCard shoppers charge merchants much higher fees. They argue that Canadian merchants pay among the highest fees in the world for accepting credit cards. The merchants pass some of the higher fees to consumers who end up paying higher prices for their products.

Source: Yahoo News Canada

Date:  May 9, 2012

Video Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/competition-bureau-says-credit-card-issuers-set-perverse-153652181–finance.html

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you agree with the stand taken by the Competition Bureau? Why?
  2. Should credit card companies charge the same fees in Canada as they do in the U.S.?
  3. Why banks such as TD Canada support credit card companies?

Infant Pyjamas with Biosensors

Posted by & filed under Strategy, Technology.

Description: Rogers, Canada’s largest mobile provider has partnered with Exmovere Holdings Inc., a U.S. company best described as tech-meets-apparel, to launch infant clothing such as infant pyjamas, embedded with biosensors. These biosensors will allow parents to monitor a newborn’s temperature and movement via a remote computer, tablet or smartphone.

Source: Business News Network

Date: May 8, 2012

Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/05/08/rogers-eyes-youngest-wireless-user-segment-yet-babies/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Discuss whether such products are likely to be successful.
  2. Which other products on similar lines can Rogers launch?
  3. Will parents be comfortable noting their children’s temperature every hour?
  4. Discuss any repercussions of such products for parents and infants.

Dollarama a bright spot in struggling retail sector

Posted by & filed under Environment, Strategy.

Description: Amidst shrinking margins for most Canadian retailers and grocers, Dollarama has surpassed expectations with with swelling margins and strong profits.

 Source: Business News Network

Date:  April 11, 2012

Video Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/4/11/Dollarama-a-bright-spot-in-struggling-retail-sector.aspx

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What do you feel are the reasons for Dollarama’s success?
  2. Does the success of Dollarama indicates that Canadian consumers are constrained for cash?
  3. What lessons can other retailers adopt from Dollarama?

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:

  1. Do you agree with the rating agency’s decision to downgrade Ontario’s outlook?
  2. Will people in Ontario be favorable towards austerity measures proposed by the Ontario government?
  3. Is Ontario in danger of joining the ranks of European governments, such as Greece, Spain and Italy?

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 Discussion:

  1. Do you think Wal-Mart can carry out a fair investigation of its subsidiary in Mexico?
  2. Discuss why is bribery so rampant in countries such as Mexico?
  3. What should a multinational firm do in host countries where it is difficult to run business unless they bribe government officials?

Insurers lodge complaint against RBC, BMO

Posted by & filed under Conflict, Environment, Strategy.

Description: In Canada, banks cannot promote insurance products on their websites. Recently, insurance brokers lodged a complaint alleging that RBC and BMO are flouting Ottawa’s rules by promoting insurance on their websites.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: April 23, 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/insurers-lodge-complaint-against-rbc-bmo/article2410371/

Questions for Discussion:

 

  1. Do you agree that the Canadian government should stop banks from promoting insurance products on their website?
  2. From a consumer’s perspective, will it not be better to get all financial services from one service provider?
  3. Will the current rule encourage banks to acquire smaller insurance companies?

 

 

 

Audi revs electric car engine with synthetic sound

Posted by & filed under Strategy, Technology, Video Report.

Description: Manufacturers are showing growing interest in Electric cars. However, they are completely silent on the road. This may be a problem for pedestrians.

Source: itbusiness.ca

Date:  April 12, 2012

Video Link: http://bcove.me/ok4f1dck

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What do you think of Audi’s strategy to rev up the engine sound?
  2. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of an electric car?
  3. Do you agree that drivers like to hear an engine sound?

Ottawa Questions Target’s Move to Canada

Posted by & filed under Change, Conflict, Diversity, Environment, Global Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility.

Description: The Canadian federal government has ordered a review of U.S. retail giant Target Corp.’s move into Canada, examining whether it would be of net cultural benefit to Canada.  

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: April 05, 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/ottawa-to-review-targets-move-to-canada/article2393504/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you agree that the Canadian government should question whether Target Corp. is a good cultural fit for Canada?
  2. Is it a government’s responsibility to curtail foreign operations due to cultural differences?
  3. What should Target do to appear more culturally amiable to Canadian values?