Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, Vol. 12 (June 2019)
Permanent URI for this collection
This issue was originally published June 3rd, 2019.
Copyright Policy
Authors retain copyright of their work. By submitting their article to BCOM Best Business Research Paper, the author grants the journal the rights for first publishing. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item The implications of Grab in Bangkok(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Martin, TonyOn March 26th, 2018 the largest merger in South-east Asia history occurred between global vehicle-hail company Uber, and South-east Asia’s leading vehicle-hail company Grab. The merger between Uber and Grab has raised many tensions throughout Bangkok, Thailand. When walking through the streets of Bangkok, it seems that Grab drivers are now at war with traditional Meter Taxi drivers. The negative stigmas that surround Meter Taxi drivers in Bangkok has allowed Grab to become quite successful in a short amount of time. As a result of Grab’s success, many of their drivers are faced with poor working conditions due to the actions of Meter Taxi drivers. Instances of threads, violence and an on-going mafia-style turf war has begun to affect the public of Bangkok and employees from both Grab and Meter Taxi. Although Grab has been marginally successful in their first in Bangkok, they face an uphill battle when trying to establish a reputation with the business world. Cultural factors such as normative thinking and respect for tradition have possibly held businesses back from utilizing Grab in their day-to-day operations. The purpose of the paper is to explore the many implications regarding Grab and their journey to become Bangkok’s most popular and safest means of transportation for locals, tourists, and businesses alike. By performing interviews on various sources, and applying secondary research to this paper, a fundamental understanding of this phenomenon from all angles can be concluded.Item Lighting up or burning out? A look at the tobacco industry in France(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) O'Shea, SadeeWalking the old city streets of southern France is indeed as picturesque and romantic as it sounds, passing by small cafes filled with locals and tourists alike, all enjoying a coffee, a pastry, and almost always, a cigarette. Smoking cigarettes is an activity deeply rooted in the French culture, as it a social way to gather among friends to relax and enjoy one another's company. However, France is no exception to the global tobacco epidemic, and in recent years the country has seen many new regulations and campaigns to encourage French smokers to kick the habit. This study dives into different issues surrounding the tobacco industry in France including designated smoking areas, packaging regulations, taxation, and contraband sales. These will be contrasted to smoking regulations in Canada and will provide insight as to what degree big tobacco companies will feel the impact of recent waves of anti-smoking movements.Item The world of Thai prostitution: Its influences, illegality, and how it affects stakeholders(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Keene, DaniellaI will be diving into the sex industry of Thailand and how it affects business owners, workers, and officials, both socially and economically. This paper will work to uncover how influences from multiple sources, including Thailand’s history, religion, cultural values, and legal system, impact how the sex industry is executed. Furthermore, I will be focusing on how they both benefit and suffer from the illegality of the industry.Item Social innovation in Morocco(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Rudolph, MadisonThe current global atmosphere surrounding the link between economic development and environmental degradation has become increasingly negative and has incited a societal push towards creating more socially and environmentally conscious products and processes. Social innovation and social enterprises fill the gap left between inefficient governments and underfunded non-profit organizations and NGOs. The largest of these gaps can be felt in developing economies and countries such as Morocco, whose unique cultural, political, and economic history stunts equitable and sustainable development. After introducing the theoretical concepts that frame this discussion on social innovation in Morocco, a PESTEL analysis will outline the varying factors that influence the current business landscape and highlight the most prominent obstacles facing social innovators and entrepreneurs. These tools will be utilized to analyze and understand the ecosystem of incubators and financiers who support SI in Morocco followed by two case studies of Go Energyless Solutions and HydroBarley, Moroccan companies led by women social entrepreneurs. The goal of this report is to contextualize the challenges facing the two enterprises and examine the methods by which they are approaching overcoming them. These case studies highlight the major themes that negatively influence the ability for social innovation to gain momentum in Morocco: scalability, adaptability to regions, insufficient financial backing, and weak partnership opportunities.Item Exploring trust as the secret to happiness in Denmark, and how it can be harnessed to maximize team performance(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Musgrave, CatherineFor centuries, individuals spanning the world have been interested in the underlying factors influencing happiness.1 While some research happiness to inspire themselves or others to re-evaluate their priorities or life outlook, others study happiness with the objective of enhancing organizational performance or creating framework conditions for happier societies. Denmark is internationally recognized as being among the world’s happiest nations, and a great deal of its high ranking can be explained by the simple fact that Danes are extraordinarily trusting of each other (The Happy Danes, 2014). The high societal trust enjoyed in Denmark has positively impacted the entire nation’s social fabric – on both a national level and a much smaller scale, as trust is tied to enhanced team performance (Gur & Bjørnskov, 2014). This report uses information drawn from academic papers and government reports along with insights taken from an interview in Western Denmark to suggest the linkage of trust and happiness and to explore how trust influences delegation and team performance.Item China’s debt is a global problem(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Grills, RyanChina’s presence as the catalyst for global growth has caused credit levels to rise sharply, causing government officials and institutional investors to take notice. China has been able to sustain their current level of debt, because of their high savings rate, strong growth rate, account surplus and low external debt, but those features are now weakening. As their growth rate slows, the existence of high levels of moral hazard has become increasingly evident. Large surplus of capital and the mentality that the central government will always cover the debt of local governments and state-owned enterprises, has led to rushed due diligence and investment in assets with little to no potential for returns. This paper starts by providing a background on how China became a highly leveraged nation, an overview of China’s credit developments and outlines their current credit size and structure. The research focuses on the debt taken on by the non-financial sector, and identifies key vulnerabilities in the economy and potential for systemic risk. This is followed by what the research findings means for the global market and recognizes key markets at risk. This paper concludes by making policy recommendations that will help increase China’s credit sustainability and assist in their transition from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.Item Mental health illness’ negative impact on the Japanese youth employment: Importance of workplace mental health support(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Chen, HannaMental health related issues and disorders have always been a sensitive and hindered topic that create tension in our society. During the past few years, the public has gradually shown concern and attention to how mental health illness could strongly affect our daily activities. Inherited from the Confucius mindset, in most Asian countries, including Japan, it is important to act collectively and avoid showing one’s opinions to avoid standing out. This phenomenon, therefore, took away people’s courage to seek help when it comes to their personal feelings. This paper discusses the correlation between workplace stress to mental health illness (especially from the young millennial perspective), the reason behind why culture and history aggravates and lengthens the process of resolving mental health issues in the Japanese workplace, and further suggests possible amendments companies, government, or third party could take. To gain an overview of the current work environment, survey is conducted with Canadian and Japanese new graduates and students to obtain qualitative information. Further discussion with Professor Robert Glenda from Waseda University, who has the research focus on the Japanese labour situation, was conducted to further elaborate the research outcome. By analyzing government regulations, company employee benefit policies, and appeal system, this research intends to reveal liabilities within each party. This paper recommends recovery, advocacy, and support actions that each party could take in the short-run and long-run to alleviate the issue.Item International Business Research Experience(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Chen, Hanna; Jackson, Graeme; Jeffrey, Sloane; Keene, Daniella; Martin, Tony; Musgrave, Catherine; O'Shea, Sadee; Rudolph, MadisonItem Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers: Vol. 12 (2019)(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019)Item Note from the editor(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Kalra, KomalItem Arming entrepreneurs: Effect of Singapore’s National Service on the entrepreneurial ability of young Singaporeans(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Jackson, GraemeSince 1967, Singapore has enforced conscription, a two-year compulsory military service that all Singaporean males must participate in. This long-standing practice, referred to as National Service (NS), has deep roots in the creation of Singapore’s unique identity. National Service has near unanimous support from Singaporeans, who believe NS is crucial to Singapore’s survival. The need for NS is connected to Singapore’s desirable geographical placement on the junction of major shipping routes which drives economic success. In this aggressive, innovation driven economy, Singapore has continued to provide entrepreneurs with an abundance of opportunities. This report explores the effect of Singapore’s National Service on the entrepreneurial activity of young Singaporeans. One would expect that as a result of the two years spent in NS, young Singaporean males are hindered in their ability to transition into such career, losing a time dependent advantage. Despite this challenge posed by the NS, Singapore maintains a strong climate for the development of entrepreneurs. Although it seems unlikely, research indicates NS does not compromise the entrepreneurial ability of Singaporean youth, but in actuality, it enables their ability. The participation in NS provides Singaporeans’ training which develops important values and life experience. Additionally, participation provides many support systems to financially aid members of NS. The educational experience of NS maintains integral in Singapore’s society, and its prominence continues to provide young Singaporeans skills transferable to the entrepreneurial practice.Item Seafood slavery: Canada’s investment in human trafficking in Thailand(Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 2019) Jeffrey, SloaneHuman trafficking and debt bondage continue to be an unfortunate reality for numerous individuals around the world. Thailand specifically, has been notorious for human trafficking and debt bondage for many years. Due to the publication of recent reports, awareness of the violence and corruption are beginning to spread, forcing the Royal Thai Government to take action. This paper investigates the factors which contribute to Thailand’s human trafficking problem within their fishing industry, specifically through the analysis of their economic, legal and social environment, as well as the part developed countries play in this horrific phenomenon. This report contributes the same form of exploration of Canada through the same environments. In doing this, one is able to question Canada’s overlap in both their nation’s anti-trafficking laws and legislation and their role in Thailand’s human trafficking practices. Many countries and organizations around the world attempt to prohibit such acts, yet Thailand is still a major exporter of seafood and fish products. The United States and the European Union have both made major threats to Thailand in order to attempt to combat these human rights violations. Through both global reports, and information provided by the Royal Thai Government, this paper will challenge how serious Thailand is about changing this industry, and the risks involved if it does not. Finally, recommendations on all organizational levels are considered including: the individual consumer, business retailers, and the Royal Thai Government.