Island Abbey Foods External Forces

Four of the external forces that may have impacted Island Abbey Foods are competitive, technological, global and societal forces. As it was mentioned by Karakowsky and Guriel in the book of The Context of Business: Understanding the Canadian Business Environment (2015) competitive forces are “The domestic and foreign competitor influences on organizational decisions.” (page 8). Competitive forces had a significant impact on Island Abbey Foods by forcing the company to innovate to gain competitive advantage and be successful on the market. The market for honey is relatively big and to gain a major share of the market the company has to provide products to the consumers that are cheaper, better in quality and more unique than those of competitors’

Global forces as described by Karakowsky and Guriel (2015) are “ The global influences on organizations that could be considered as part of the general economic, political, technological, competitive, or societal forces, but are international in nature.” (page 10). Globalization may have significantly contributed to the success of Island Abbey Foods as it provided an opportunity for Island Abbey Foods to sell their products internationally, enter the markets of foreign countries. Globalization as mentioned by Karakowsky and Guriel (2015) is “... a process involving the integration of world economies” (page 9). International trade helped Island Abbey Foods to expand their consumer market. As it was mentioned by Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (2010) “ Island Abbey Foods is distributing its diverse product line to over 80 countries around the world, and parlaying the limelight of the Global SIAL D’or award into additional partnership that promise to help them expand their markets and product lines internationally.” (par.10). Without international trade Island Abbey Foods would only be able to sell their products domestically that would reduce their growth and profits. International market also has helped the company to prosper as Global SIAL D’or award helped them to obtain necessary funds to expand and produce their products. International trade agreements that Canada has with a lot of

Societal forces as described by Karakowsky and Guriel (2015) are “ A wide range of influences in society in general, including, for example, changes in public opinion on ethical issues that affect all organization and to which business must respond” (page 10). First of all, the product was thought of because of societal needs, having honey without it being sticky and messy. The idea came to John Rowe after he has broken a jar of honey in his backpack. It was mentioned by Atlantic Canada Opportunities (2010) Agency “ While hiking in Western Canada, company owner John Rowe discovered that a glass jar of honey had shattered in his backpack. The gooey mess sparked an idea, making solid, no-mess honey.” (par.4). Second of all, in the past years concerns of health have been raised and more people have started to look after their health. Island Abbey Foods helps to provide healthy products that contribute to the well-being of people. As it was mentioned on their website “... natural food and health products to launch one of a kind products that help to promote better living and healthy and active lifestyle.”(par.1). A lot of products that are available on the market are filled with different types of chemicals that damage health and the rise of health concerns amongst the public have triggered to innovate all natural health promoting products. It was mentioned on their website by Carson Seeber MD