BUSS4 and British Airways - a marriage made in heaven

British Airways could easily be the case study business featured in Section A of BUSS4.  The story of BA during 2008 and 2009 fits perfectly with the BUSS4 research focus on strategies in a recession, short v long-term planning and the related issue of stakeholder relationships.  And if BA isn’t the chosen example by the BUSS4 examiner, then it becomes a superb basis for research and comparison.  Just think of the issues that have come up in the last 24 months:

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Management pay is squeezed during the recession

There have been some interesting surveys on the effects of the recession on people management in the last couple of months.  This one from Hay Group is useful for students in that it highlights one of the operational effects of the recession - this time on the remuneration of senior business management.

Cash management becomes a strategic priority during the recent recession

Effective cash and working capital management has become a key strategic priority during the last 12-18 months according to a major survey of over 300 companies by accountants KPMG.

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AQA BUSS4 Section B Practice Question - BAA & the Heathrow Third Runway

In January 2009 the Government gave the go-ahead to BAA building of a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Subject to meeting environmental criteria, the new runway should be built by 2020, adding an estimated 400 flights a day at Heathrow and increasing annual passenger numbers through the airport from 66 million to around 82 million.  The decision was welcomed by British Airways, the Confederation of Business Industry and the Trades Union Congress, but is strongly opposed by environmental campaigners and some local community groups.

With reference to the main stakeholders in the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, to what extent do you believe that the decision is in the best interests of BAA? (40 marks).

Stakeholders in action - the Bournville demonstration

A nice visual example of stakeholder action in the Guardian today - pictures from the demonstration staged by Cadbury employees and their family & friends in protest at the Kraft Foods takeover.  Some great quotes in this article too A good example to use when illustrating the different stakeholders in a complex business like Cadbury.  Of course, the stakeholders that really matter (the business owners) were nowhere to be seen!. 

Stakeholders in the Trump Golf Battle

Here is a neat little video to help illustrate the impact of business expansion on the local community as a key stakeholder.

Video case study - technology transforms the checkout

A great example of the growing use of technology here in a retail environment.  The number of self-checkouts is set to grow significantly in the next year or two - but not everyone is happy. Really useful video too for covering the effect of technology on stakeholder groups.
Download student worksheet with video link

Watch BBC video

Revision Presentation - Mission, Aims, Objectives and Stakeholders

This streamed revision presentation on business objectives, aims, the mission statement and business stakeholders.

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A Mars A Day The Original Recipe Way

Six thousand complaints within a week has forced Masterfoods to do a U-turn on its decision to use ingredients which contain traces of animal enzymes.

Is this a business responding to the wishes consumers?

Video resource: Panorama on the Coal Industry

This full-length (30 minute) Panorama programme on the comeback of coal mining in the UK is well worth using as a more detailed example of the conflicts that arise between an industry and its secondary stakeholders.  Excellent material covering the viability of coal mining + a strong focus on the environmental issues raised by the renewed interest and investment in UK coal mining.

View the video on Comeback Coal

Q&A - What are stakeholders?

A stakeholder is anyone who has a vested interest in the activities and decision making of a business. 

Video case study - Wind turbine production is stalled

A super video to use at various stages for an AS or A2 SOW.  The world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer (Vestas) is considering closing its wind turbine blade factory on the Isle of Wight due to a lack of future orders - despite wind power being perceived as a high growth market!  Great for considering the nature of investment in capacity, the effect of factory closure on a local community and topics too!

Download student worksheet (including video link)

OCR 2880 (ACE) - Farnborough Airport Seeks Expansion

Another relevant news story for students preparing the OCR Unit 2880 case study exam on the business strategy of a regional airport.

A Devastating Blow for the Irish Economy

Dell’s decision to close its manufacturing capacity in Limerick and transfer production to a low-cost location in Lodz in Poland will come as a severe blow to the Irish economy....

Bracing ourselves for a series of retail business failures?

A bold (perhaps reckless) prediction in the Sunday Times today.  “Up to 15 national retail chains are predicted to go bust before the middle of January 2009"…

Funerals enter the digital age and kick up an ethical storm

Is it ethical to charge people to watch a funeral using digital video conferencing?  That is the question facing stakeholders in the funeral service in Southampton.

Tesco creates waves in seaside holiday town

A fascinating business story buried in the home news section of the Independent today.  Supermarket giant Tesco has bought the Lyme Bay Holiday Village, only to immediately close it. 

Local councils may takeover struggling post offices

A really interesting development in the story of the struggling UK post office network today. It seems that local councils may finance and control some of the post offices that Royal Mail has earmarked for closure due to sustained losses.

Can you guess - what is Britain’s fastest-growing sport?

Friday evening is approaching yet again.  And it turns out that by participating in my regular Friday exercise I’m taking part in Britain’s fastest-growing sport.  A sport that also claims to be “recession-proof”.

What do the record profits of Royal Dutch Shell tell us?

The Anglo-Dutch oil firm Royal Dutch Shell has reported annual profits of £13.9bn, a record for a UK-listed company.  Not everyone is pleased, of course! Some trade unions have objected to the level of Shell’s profits at a time when consumers and businesses have to cope with the effects of high oil prices.  One union leader described the level of profits in the oil industry as, “quite frankly obscene.  Shell shareholders are doing very nicely whilst the rest of us, the stakeholders, are paying the price and struggling.”

An important new report on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Just a quick glance through the Economist’s recent survey of Corporate Social Responsibility throws up some fascinating facts and issues for discussion.