https://blogs.ubc.ca/melodylin/2013/10/07/tim-hortons-vows-faster-service-to-fend-off-rivals/

It is stated in this post that Tim Horton’s can only continue to be a leader in the fast food market if it can cut down on wait times both at drive-throughs and in restaurant. I believe this to be too general of a statement when considering the Canadian icon’s reputation. The only reason the lines are so long is because people are willing to wait for their food, showing that the quality is worth the wait. While it is true that the threat of substitutes is increasing, Timmy’s has a loyal customer base that should keep the business a leader in this industry. It was said that the company offers too much variety of products, while at the same time saying “stand-out” items need to be introduced. This is slightly contradictory; why waste resources on a whole new product rather than simply become more efficient at producing existing ones? Tim Horton’s has become a Canadian classic, and while there may be areas to improve on, I do not think the company will be going anywhere anytime soon.

http://www.chamber.ca/media/blog/131108-Western-Canadas-Tide-Is-Lifting-Boats-Across-the-Country/

The idea of “out of province, out of mind” presented in this blog about the impact of Western Canada’s oil and gas industry is a fair statement. Often, other provinces do not think about how they are being influenced by the West, and even resent the prosperity that oil and gas has given to the western provinces. However, I believe the door swings both ways; the western provinces often do not realize the impact the East has on them. Eastern Canada has several industry such as fishing and the automotive industry that bring wealth into the country, where it is redistributed across the nation. It is also stated in the referenced post that people are more aware of things happening in America than on the other side of their own nation; this too, is true. I believe this is because America has large projects that could have a larger influence directly, rather than a smaller Canadian change that may have a mediocre effect. The ignorance of some provinces does create problems, however. This ignorance of the fact that the oil industry helps eastern provinces creates dissonance within the country as the East resents the West’s prosperity.

Photo: http://homeiswheretheenergyis.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/canadians-eyeing-non-u-s-oil-negotiations/

First off, what is social responsibility? It is commonly defined as “an ethical theory that any entity has an obligation to act to benefit society at large.” At Kellogg, work is being done to help individuals directly as well as the world at large. They aim to give over one billion snacks and breakfasts to families in need by 2016, hoping to help reduce world hunger. As a member of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), they are a part of a pledge to have zero net deforestation by 2020, meaning that for every tree cut down, another is planted. Their commitment to the global community starts with their supply chain, which is free of forced labour and all employees are paid at least minimum wage. Goals set by Kellogg include reducing energy and water use and greenhouse gas gas emissions by 15-20% from 2005 to 2015, and decrease wastes sent to the landfill by 20%. This commitment to the global community is an essential component of sustainability. Imagine a world in 200 years if no companies were willing to be sustainable, and ask yourself if you’re okay with your grandchildren living there.

http://crr.kelloggcompany.com/en_US/corporate-responsibility/environment/sustainable-packaging.html

http://crr.kelloggcompany.com/en_US/corporate-responsibility/hunger-relief/case-study-from-food-waste-to-food-rescue.html

In the past, outsourcing to Asia was an easy way to save costs. Employees were willing to work more hours for less money; with an abundance of cheap labour, production was on the rise, especially after night shifts were phased out in America. Now, Asian labour is becoming more of a headache than an asset. Tens of thousands of Korean auto workers went on strike in 2012, causing major disruptions in production and a 30% decrease in exports to North America and domestic sales for Hyundai, Kia and GM Korea. The Korean Metal Workers Union eventually settled a deal that entitled the auto workers to pay raises and the promise to phase out the night shift. This massive change in the Asian workforce comes simultaneously with American auto companies finding their sales finally rebounding. Since the global recession, GM and others shut down factories and cut back on production hours. This rebound period is forcing these companies to increase production hours to keep up with the new demand; as the night shift leaves Asia, it arrives back in America. Many American workers are realizing that it’s better to work the night shift than not work at all, and now Asian auto workers find their hours being worked by American people. The American graveyard shift is back from the dead, and outsourced car companies are coming back.

http://www.economist.com/node/21562964

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2012/10/kore-o30.html

Since the company’s first flight in 1996, Westjet had been adhered to the single fleet strategy, using only Boeing 737s for their flights. For a long time, this was considered the most cost efficient way to run the company, as it saved on maintenance and staff training. Since the planes were the same, mechanical parts were easy to have on hand, and mechanics pilots were very familiar with the aircraft. However, problems began to arise when Westjet expanded their flight plans out of western Canada. The 737 was usually overbooked on routes such as Calgary-Hawaii and underbooked on routes like Toronto-Ottawa. Prices had to be raised on underbooked flights to make up for lack of passengers, and other customers looked to different companies when they could not get a Westjet flight to popular tourist destinations. In 2012, the company moved away from the single fleet strategy and launched a fleet of smaller Bombardier turbo prop planes for short domestic flights. This way, they could optimize flight capacity, as well as cut down on prices as the smaller planes can land in different airports and sacrifice less landing fees. Westjet is also looking to launch a fleet of larger planes like the Boeing 767 in the near future for long range flights, which means Westjet can expand further into Asia and Europe.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/westjet-plan-a-new-threat-to-air-canada/article1358800/

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/08/29/westjet-airlines-ltd-pens-deal-to-buy-65-of-boeings-new-737-max-planes/

Over the years, many companies have fallen victim to a new trend: compromising ethics in order to remain profitable. In the 2011 National Business Ethics Survey conducted by the Ethics Resource Center, it was found that “ethics cultures are eroding and employees’ perceptions of their leaders’ ethics are slipping. Additionally, pressure from employers to compromise standards is at an all-time high and retaliation has reached an alarming rate.” This means that while the employees may have a desire to stick with their moral code, the employers are trying to cut corners, and it is being noticed. In an attempt to curb this trend, an entire industry has developed; there are now companies that exist solely for helping other companies write and maintain a “code of ethics.”

The fact that these support companies exist are indicative of this alarming movement towards bad business practices. As corporations move forward, are they also moving down? Are these support companies merely slowing the trend down, but not stopping it? Of course, there are examples of companies paying billions of dollars more to do the right thing: Starbucks fair trade coffee, Ben and Jerry’s paying premium for fair trade ingredients, and American Apparel selling clothing only made in fair trade factories around the world. These companies are well known and profitable; why can’t other businesses take the clue?

Links:

http://josephsoninstitute.org/business/blog/2012/02/the-state-of-business-ethics-in-america-good-news-and-bad-news/

http://fairtrade.ca/en/business-centre/registered-companies