Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, Vol. 01 (September 2008)
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This issue was originally published September 12th, 2008.
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Item Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, Volume 1 (September 2008)(University of Victoria Libraries ePublishing Services, 2008)Full issueItem Front Matter(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008)Item Note from the editor(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Goerzen, AnthonyItem The Dutch Business System in transition: An application of Whitley’s Business Systems approach for the use of executives, managers, and policy makers(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Brewis, EricThe changing nature of the Dutch business system has serious implications for businesses wishing to expand into the Netherlands, and for businesses that already operate within it. This paper attempts to clarify these changes by dissecting the nature of the system into three mutually related components based on Whitley’s business systems approach. These components include the nature of market organization, the political system, and the labour system, and are substantiated with evidence from previous studies, as well as from personal discussions with individuals that have lived in the Netherlands. In general, the basic conclusions of the research suggest that changes in voter preferences in the Netherlands have resulted in more capitalistic political policies, such as increased tax incentives for entrepreneurial start-ups, which have in turn, resulted in lower trade union participation rates, and a less egalitarian corporate atmosphere with more individual incentives for performance. For managers, this means that less emphasis needs to be placed on practices such as collective bargaining and equality, and that more emphasis needs to be placed on sustaining their competitive advantage, knowing that more small to medium sized enterprises will be entering the marketplace. However, despite these changes to a more free-market approach, the Netherlands still remains a corporatist system, where trade unions still play a significant role. Thus, the Dutch business system is not as laissez-faire as in Canada or in the United States, but is more free-market than it used to be in response to the collapse of their traditional welfare state.Item Swensen’s must engage in market penetration and diversification to retain its leading position in the Thailand market(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Douglas, KaileeThis paper will determine ways in which Swensen’s Ice Cream Parlour can retain its leading position in the premium ice cream market of Thailand. Analysis of the company, market, and customers determined that Swensen’s must engage in market penetration and diversification growth strategies. Market penetration includes opening university locations, promoting beverages, engaging in customer relationship programs, increasing the experience, and reducing the delivery gap. Diversification growth strategies include offering souvenirs, food items and media. In conclusion, these recommendations will allow managers to improve the company’s position against competitors, and maintain Swensen’s as the most popular destination for all ice cream lovers.Item Disneyland Paris: Europeanizing a resort an international expansion experience(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Louie, AmandaThis paper explores the cultural challenges faced by The Disney Company during their international expansion into the European market. With wildly successful park launches in America and Japan, Disney was hungry for further growth and global reach. However, the subsequent launch of the Euro Disney Park near Paris in 1992 did not attract the guest numbers expected and instead was met with some resentment and hostility due to anti- American sentiment. This paper discusses the cultural blunders made by Disney that lead to the disappointing launch. It will focus on the operation and marketing strategies of the company with comparisons drawn between American and French culture to highlight the different perceptions of the park. The paper will also discuss the actions taken by Disney to “Europeanize” the park to appeal to their new marketplace. The report aims to enlighten readers that even the most successfully laid plans must be thoroughly re-examined with a cultural lens during international expansions.Item IKEA: A strategy for success(2008) Luu, GarretThe way business is conducted has changed significantly over the years due to globalization and rapid advancements in technology. The economy is ridding itself of small family owned businesses and is replacing them with giant multinational corporations. These corporations are complex machines, which need highly skilled personnel to ensure their success. This paper examines how multinational corporations employ strategies and techniques that enable them to manage employees from varying diverse backgrounds. It focuses on IKEA and what they have done to transform a single store located in southern Sweden into the international powerhouse it has become today. The paper studies the underlying reasons for their success and how IKEA has spread its corporate culture through the utilization of its expatriates.Item Compulsory licensing in Thailand(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Mann, SimranThe government of Thailand instituted compulsory licenses on several types of cardiovascular disease and antiretroviral medications in 2006. This report focuses on the debate of compulsory licensing for these drugs and whether the Thai government is justified in this policy implementation. The research finds that the compulsory licensing policy adopted by the Thai government is not justified due to the following arguments: a) Thailand’s health expenditure is among the lowest, b) the country is in a strong economic position to afford western medicines, c) Thailand has high tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, d) the GPO generates millions in profit and produces low-quality generic versions, e) international pharmaceutical companies have revolutionized health care by developing safe drugs for global diseases, and f) there are alternative approaches other than compulsory licenses that could be employed.Item Changing poverty and inequity through business(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Tanner, Matthew R.Business has the capacity to positively change the global problem of poverty and inequity but traditional ways of doing and thinking about business must be transformed and revolutionized. This paper will illustrate how business can become an innovative tool for social change by focusing on the pioneering principals of microfinance and the market Base of the Pyramid (BOP). These two business models will be examined in a macro and micro context to allow the reader to fully envision how the concepts can be used to change the brutal reality of the World’s demographics. Latin America is focused on throughout the paper because it is saturated with poverty (nearly 1/4 of Latin Americans live on under $2 US per day) and has the highest rate of inequity in the World. This paper proves that if business does not harness the ideas of Microfinance and the market of the BOP, economic and social consequences have the potential to become more devastating. These two business models enforce that there is an opportunity to make a profit while providing much needed services and products to the poor. The prospects of using business to fight poverty and inequity are vast and the results can be extraordinary.Item Sweden is a nesting ground for young start-up entrepreneurs(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2008) Whyte, JamesThis paper explores the business climate in Sweden and the recent steps Sweden has made to make their country an attractive place for young international entrepreneurs to begin their careers. Through an examination of Sweden’s laws, labour force, education system and culture (supported by first-hand testimonials), the author builds a convincing case that places Sweden as an international leader in entrepreneurial thinking and policy and a favourable climate for first time start-ups.