OPPapers.com

Starbucks And Its Approach To Employee Relations

This assignment analyzes the management of employee relations at Starbucks UK.
The beginning introduces the company as a whole, yet the information on its employee approach is only applicable to Starbucks in the UK, as employee approach varies in different countries, due to different legislation and cultural issues. The following paragraphs break down the management approach and style as well as the internal communication of the company.

1. The Company
1.1 An overview
When people are asked about Starbucks, the most common answer given is „it is a Coffee Shop". Starbucks is indeed a premium seller of Coffee and therefore based in the retail sector. However, there are additional fields in which it operates.
Today, Starbucks does not only purchase and roast coffee beans from the coffee-growing regions such as Central America, Africa and Indonesia. It has gone further and diversified its product range. Together with its espresso based drinks it offers a range of pastries and confections as well as coffee related equipment for home usage. Starbucks has built up a subsidiary named Tazo Tea Company, retailing premium tea, and a number of Joint – Venture Companies such as the one with Pepsi Cola Co. selling Frappuccino coffee blended beverages in selected coffee shops and supermarkets throughout the United States.

1.2 Starbucks' development
Starbucks started off with one coffee shop in Seattle, Washington in 1971. The concept of an Italian Coffee Shop as Starbucks is known today was introduced in 1984. The idea derived from a visit in Italy by the former company head and became very popular in its starting location Seattle. Due to its rapidly growing success Starbucks was able to establish a leading position in the US and is operating more than 7000 company operated and licensed coffeehouses. The company is present in 34 countries outside of the United States these days. (Company Fact Sheet, 2005; Company Profile, 2005; Company Timeline, 2005)
The European...