Monthly Archives: October 2014

Recently, there has been a debacle between the Tsilhqot’in, a first nation tribe, and the mining company, Taseko Mines. Taseko Mines have launched an 1.1 billion New Prosperity project in the Cariboo Regional District in British Columbia. According to Huffington Post, the site is said to be 125 km southwest of Williams Lake (B.C. Gold). In addition, this area is considered as traditional territories to a multitude of First Nation tribes, including the Tsilhqot’in. Although the mining area is outside of the First Nation boundaries set and recognized by the courts, the Tsilhoqot’in are attempting to change the area into a tribal park boundary (Pynn). With that being said, Taseko Mines are still trying to move forward with this project despite being already rejected by the courts.

In this situation, the political and environmental side of the PESTLE analysis would have to be taken into consideration. First and foremost, the First Nation community is heavily bounded to their cultural beliefs, which in retrospect, is vastly connected to the ecological environment. In the environment section of the PESTLE analysis, it is important to point out that moving forward with this project would not only damage the natural water flow (input and output) of Fish Lake and but will also affect the natural habitat in that area. In addition, to mine and separate the minerals, the company would have to invest in some sort of factory, which would lead to the destruction of areas of the land and may also lead to pollution. In the political side of the PESTLE analysis, the company would is up against the government, specifically the federal government as the project has already been rejected twice. In addition, in my opinion, it is necessary to respect the needs of the First Nation tribes, as after all, it is their culture and heritage that is being protected.

Works Cited

                          “B.C. Gold, Copper Mine Rejection Will Be Fought In Court.” The Huffington Post. Ed. The Canadian Press. N.p., 15 Sept. 2014.Web. 06 Oct. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/09/15/tasesko-mines-new-prosperity-_n_5822904.html>.

                            Pynn, Larry. “Tsilhqot’in Set to Declare Site of New Prosperity Mine a Tribal Park.” Www.vancouversun.com. Postmedia Network Inc, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 06 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral%2Bpark%2Bdeclared%2BTsilhqot%2Bincludes%2BProsperity%2Bmine/10192766/story.html>.

The Story

The following article from BGR (click here) discusses the recent revelation that Windows 10 discreetly asks for their user’s permission to collect their data. According to the article, stated in their privacy policy, Microsoft 10 asks for permission to store and send data to the company, unbeknownst to the user. Unfortunately, these terms of conditions are usually ignored by customers. “If you open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file, and how long it takes any use of it…Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage”(Smith). It is stated in the article that Microsoft claims to use such data to improve their operating systems.

Why does this matter?

Have you ever googled a product or a service and a few webpages later you find an advertisement somewhat related to that particular topic? In our growing technology-reliant society, it has become apparent that the lines between privacy and and public information has grown thin, or disappeared altogether.  In addition, this isn’t the first time a company has faced accusations of invading an individual’s privacy. There are many cases, such as the allocations against Google’s Street View Cars, Facebook taking information to customize advertisements, and phone companies storing data of their users (including location, phone calls and text messages). In some cases, receiving information about your customers is helpful, in the sense of what demographic does the company attract, how should they market themselves to attract more customers (extremely important for business plans) However, in my personal opinion, people don’t realize the type of information can be stored and how individuals from the outside can use that specific information. For example, JP Morgan’s hack a couple of days ago, in which millions of passwords and other secure pieces of data was obtained by third parties, and in extreme cases can lead to identity theft. What is necessary in this situation is control, at least control of the information received by second and third parties. In Microsoft’s case, it is perfectly legal for them to take information from their users once they have been given consensus (as it was stated in the terms and condition page). However, I believe that it is both at the faults of the consumer and producer. The consumers rarely read the terms and condition document while they should as it is a legal and binding contract. The producers, on the other hand, shouldn’t use such ‘under the table’ methods of retrieving such information. Big Brother shouldn’t be watching you constantly, he should only see what you wish to share with the world.

Works Cited

                 Smith, Chris. “Windows 10 Preview Lets Microsoft Collect Private Data in Frightening Ways.” BGR. BGR Media, 03 Oct. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://bgr.com/2014/10/03/windows-10-privacy-policy/>.

BBC covered a story revolving around the fact that the US and the EU are attempting to create free trade areas between the themselves though eliminating tariffs. If this plan follows through, the article said that it would be “the world’s biggest free trade zone”. Follow more upon the article by clicking here.

In my opinion, there are benefits and disadvantages to this plan, but the advantages may outweigh the disadvantages. In some cases the abolishment of tariffs, would be somewhat beneficial to the consumers in both the US and the EU. This is because it promotes greater choice of product for consumers and producers at lower prices. Consumers will now be able to buy less expensive products (domestic and foreign) and producers would be able to purchase less expensive raw materials and semi manufactured goods. In addition, opening up the market to foreigners without a tariff calls for increase in competition. Domestic firms will now be competing with foreign firms. However, there are some costs that accompany the abolishment of tariffs. Infant and domestic industries in either country (mainly the US because the EU is already a monetary and economic union) would be at a disadvantage. The infant industries would not be able to compete with the larger industries in the US and EU, as for domestic and infant industries, competition has increased immensely. On the other hand, it allows for an increase in jobs and helps the industry grow.

The article:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29482892

Resources:

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/europeanunion.asp

For the past few weeks, Air France pilots have been on strike “over the creation of the discount carrier Transavia, where their colleagues would learn lower wages” (News). The main reason for this strike was that the pilots feared that “their jobs would be outsourced and pilots would be employed on local foreign contracts” (News).  While Air France is estimated to lose 280 million euros due to the strikes, the following BBC article (click here) covers the story of how the low-cost carrier Easy Jet has been booming with revenue.

Air France’s competitor and substitute, EasyJet has been gaining handsomely due to the strikes that have been occurring. According to the aforementioned article, revenues boosted up by about 5 million Euros and it increased shares as well (Air France). This is a prime example of how competitors (or substitutes) are beneficial for companies as well. When we look at substitutes and competition, we often look at how they can threaten the company in question. This is mainly due to the fact that companies do not have control over the actions of their substitutes, its an exogenous cost that must be dealt with and monitored. In this case, Air France has harmed itself which has allowed their competition to advance immensely.

Works Cited