Business Organisations, Environment and Topical Issues in Relation to Corporate Social Responsibilit

• To develop an understanding of business organisations and their interaction with the environment.

• To introduce a range of business concepts.

• To consider topical issues affecting the business organisation especially in relation to corporate social responsibility and ethic-driven business.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of and analyse the internal and external business environment.

2. Explain and analyse the key contextual factors using a PESTLE framework for analysis.

3. Identify the basic structure and operational needs of different types of business organisation.

4. Describe the nature and complexity of the interrelationships that exist between an organisation and its environment.

The minor assessment is intended to evaluate analytic skills, according to the above mentioned learning outcomes.

The key to success in this assessment is to use critical reflective skills to research, analyze and evaluate the economic theories covered in the module.

Cocoa Cartel Stirs Up Global Chocolate Market

Ivory Coast and Ghana, which combined produce more than 60% of the world’s cocoa, join forces KONA, Ghana An international cartel is coming for your daily chocolate fix.

The West African nations of Ivory Coast and Ghana, which combined produce more than 60% of the world’s cocoa, have banded together to form their own chocolate-coated version of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Like OPEC, whose control over crude oil output has largely driven global oil prices since 1960, the decision by the world’s top two cocoa producers to join forces is expected to raise the cost of candy bars, ice cream and cake. The two-nation chocolate bloc has decided to charge an extra $400 per metric ton of cocoa, which is currently trading around $2,500 per metric ton.“COPEC,” as some in government and industry have dubbed the new partnership, is already stirring confusion and unease in the $107.3 billion global chocolate market. The new premium, the second attempt to create a cartel in the cocoa market in the last 50 years, is due to take effect in October.

Cocoa traders and brokers call the plan the biggest overhaul of the global cocoa market in decades from its start with cocoa-bean farmers, to its finish with a consumer grabbing a bar of chocolate.

At least one major cocoa processor plans to raise its prices in anticipation of the new premium. Traders expect others to explore alternate sources of cocoa beans. Several smaller cocoa-producing countries are considering their own premiums, looking to the heavyweights as an example. Officials in Ghana and Ivory Coast must convince local farmers that regulating output will mean a boost in pay to help them survive.

“You’re talking about two-thirds of the world’s cocoa,” said Jonathan Parkman, co-head of agricultural trading at London-based brokerage Marex Spectron. “The world cannot do without that cocoa.” Mr. Parkman expects chocolate prices to eventually rise. “Who’s paying the bill for this? Ultimately, it’ll be the consumers,” he said.

You are asked to provide IN AN ESSAY FORM, critical responses to the following elements.

1. What are the similarities and differences between COPEC and OPEC?

2. Provide an analysis of the ‘sustainability’ theme which has been highlighted in this article.

3. Describe the role of central governments in the development of economies.

4. Analyse the nature of political risk illustrated in this article.