This article is about three parties with the interaction of hydroelectric trying to build a dam but locals are arguing that building it would flood the land. The government is still pending on making decisions.

The external factor for the company is that the local people are concerned with the flooding of the environment. BC Hydro’s argument is that they will create more jobs for the environment. But the group is also concerned that they want a smaller scale of activities for sustainable jobs. This issue could strongly effect the company if they don’t make any changes. Even if the government do approve to proceed the procedure, the group may go on protests, and the company will result in having a bad corporate social image. On the social aspects, by having more protestors, the firm will gain more brand awareness, but will have negative impacts on the company and become a threat. CSR (corporate social responsibility) is a very important aspect in the company, if external stakeholders think the company is being considerate of the environment, they would trust the brand more than other firms that focuses on profit only.

Therefore, in my opinion, BC hydro should consider the CSR and have an alternative solution that would make the local satisfied with their choices, or else it may cause more troubles.

Sources:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html#ixzz3FQnfEfEv

 (source: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/566777/20140918/samsung-galaxy-note-4-blackberry-passport.htm#.VDHKUV6fttU)

BlackBerry has launched a new Passport with a bigger screen, lower cost than rivals, a keyboard, and a longer battery running hours than most rivals. (See more information at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/blackberrys-chen-on-new-passport-big-screen-lower-cost-than-iphone/article20718050/).

This article interests me because it differs from what smartphones looks like these days, huge touch screens with only a few buttons to push. However, the company is willing to have a USP (unique selling point). To “risk” yourself by having unique designs, or to “go with the flow” of what is most popular in the current market? This is a huge debatable decision to make and it could become a success or a failure just by this one decision.

Blackberry chooses to be “risky” and not follow the trend while still capturing the key aspects customers likes. It has a lower price than iPhone, ($599 for BlackBerry), with a 36 hour battery, having a bigger screen that could view 60 characters in a roll which iPhones cannot do, while still having an elegant design.

In my opinion, they have made a few good decisions. First, it is more unique than other smartphones of all the characteristics stated above and more. Secondly, selling it at a lower price may attract more customers while still having very good features that iPhone doesn’t. And last but not the least, it has an elegant design of having a thin and wide screen that creates a more modern look.

As you all may know the current politic issue between China and Hong Kong on the protest about the future territory. Cantonese people accused China for seriously assaulting Hong Kong’s tradition of rule of law, disrupting Hong Kong’s social order, and affecting the lives of the Hong Kong public.”

This incident seems to be effecting the politics aspect between the two countries. However, this also effects on the economic aspects. Being at a deadlock between them will definitely affect on their relationships, hence, economic wise, their “partnership” (as an example) in GDP will be separated. According to CBC News, up to 2/3 of the international investment in China was from Hong Kong. This means that China’s GDP will be significantly effected if Hong Kong’s protest succeeded.

However, even though the downside for China will have a decrease in profit in the short-run, as the country is becoming a developed country, the economic in the long-term will keep on increasing even without Hong Kong’s support. In my opinion, Hong Kong may face a bigger problem of having a higher risk than China since China spreads their risks domestically and internationally. It is like a corporation who is already very strong internally and are still expanding externally, if one of the company fails, it won’t effect the company as severely comparing with a company that are not strong internally. Considering that most of the agricultural goods depends on China, Hong Kong may face some even bigger issues than what China might face in the future.

Sources:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/hong-kong-protests-peoples-daily-signals-hard-line-on-demonstrators

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/why-china-might-be-willing-to-sacrifice-hong-kong-s-economy-don-pittis-1.2784555