Canadian Pacific Railways Organizational Behaviour Analysis

Canadian Pacific Railways Organizational Behaviour Analysis

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Executive Summary

This essay seeks to describe and analyze the aspects of the Canadian Pacific Railways Company

emphasis on workplace emotions, organizational attitudes and motivation, conflict and

and activities. Since its formation in 1881, the railways have positioned themselves as significant

by providing customers excellent service and creating sustainable shareholder value. The

analysis of the organizational behavior of CPR has identified relevant factors such as emotions,

workplace attitudes, and motivation that greatly determine employee commitment and

for the company, ensuring transparency and accountability and empowering the employees to

improve the company's performance and innovative growth in the railway industry.

To boost workplace culture, CPR needs to take up flexible work configurations and work-life

initiatives to support its workers and boost their morale. Improving communication technologies,

particularly escalating communication methods and conflict management solutions, can increase

an organization's open communication and cooperation culture. The railway should also pay

attention to increasing diversity and inclusion programs as this will help the railway to ensure

that it has a good policy on diversity and inclusion to enhance equal opportunities for the

employment of the employees.

Introduction

When applied to the workplace context, it reveals the general processes of employees'

communication, cooperation, and conflict, thus explaining how and to what extent these factors

may foster or hinder efficient performance and teamwork.

perception, motivation to act, or ability to predict organizational behavior (Kehoe & Wright,

2013). Knowledge of these attitudes can help to develop a healthy organizational culture,

enhance commitment, and increase people's identification with the targets of their organizations.

This essay explores the Canadian Pacific Railways, where different aspects like workplace

emotions, attitudes, and motivation, among others, are discussed. The company was established

in 1881 to help transport Canadians from the east side of the older provinces to the west coast of

eastern provinces of Canada with the Pacific coast to develop transportation, communication,

and trade structures in the nation. Railway construction was an achievement and a big challenge

at the same time. Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald was entrusted to form a contract

delegation given to George Stephen, Donald A. Smith, and J. J. Hill (Sec.GOV, 2020). These

individuals were instrumental in sourcing the funding and other resources required for the

project. The government subsidized them by offering $25 million in money, 25 million acres of

land, and entertaining a transportation monopoly in the region for 20 years.

railways. It expanded into different fields, including shipping, hotels, and telecommunication

(CPKC, 2023). Before the mid-1900s, CPR had been established with ocean liners, hotels like

the Château Frontenac in Quebec City, and even an airline in the form of the Canadian Pacific

Air Lines, which at one time or another was referred to as CPKC Air. Lavallé (2023) highlights

that CPKC helped establish Western Canada, mainly by controlling immigration, business, and

Settlements. Major activities included land sales and settlements in the Prairie provinces,

promoting immigration and agricultural expansion. This expansion strategy assisted CPR in

identifying additional center revenue as well as the sustainability of the rail operation.

competition from other forms of transport, such as cars, trucks, and airplanes, among others

of operation like oil and gas, minerals, and property. In 1962, these assets came together under a

from the "Port of Vancouver on Canada's Pacific Coast to the Port of Montréal and eastern

Missouri; and Minneapolis, Minnesota" (Sec.GOV, 2020) (See Appendix A).

Modern Era and Recent Developments

Coal, Potash, Fertilizers, and sulfur constitute the Large Commodities transported in significant

quantities over large distances. Goods carried in merchandise freight include Energy, chemicals

and plastics, Metals, minerals and consumer goods, Forest Products, and Automotive (Sec.GOV,

2020). Express traffic comprises mainly retail merchandise in overseas containers that can be

hauled equally by train, ocean barge, and trucks, as well as domestic containers and trailers that

can be shifted by both train and trucks. The primary source of the company's revenue is in freight

transportation. The following chart presents the company's freight revenue for each 2020, 2019,

and 2018 operations category.

Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) acquired Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) to

become Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). It formed the first and only transnational railway

to link Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico to improve border-line services and

ports. The new entity intends to foster North America's development and economic progress with

efficiency in transportation services (Glassdoor, 2024). Over the years, CPKC has recorded

tremendous success and trends up to the next level. CPR has proved to be an important

transporter of goods, services, and people in Canada since it began its journey as a

logistics company. Today, after forming CPKC, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

uncompromised service, and long-term investment to the stakeholders (CP, 2021). Invoking

safety as one of CPR's central values reinforces CPR's commitment to protecting its employees,

customers, and the wider society. Reliability is a key factor at the core of railway operations

since it defines the overall clients' experiences and trust. It is consistent with its vision because it

expectations and, in turn, creating customer satisfaction and loyalty. With a long-term focus on

shareholder value, CPR strives for financial solidity and predictability. Consequently, Harrison

and his colleagues' business strategies adhere to the firm's goal of maximizing investors' value.

performing and most customer-oriented transportation company in North America.

Customer focus remains one of the core values that are most emphasized, pointing to the need

revenues (CPKC, 2024). In addition, the vision espouses sustainability, which underscores the

company's desire for growth based on sustainable business practices and environmental

concerns.

McDougall (2014), this aspect of the mission guarantees that CPR adheres to industry standards

and meets regulatory provisions that may reduce operational hazards and incidental costs. Such

alignment is beneficial for the company in achieving its principal goals of providing a high-

quality service with a strong focus on maintaining a satisfactory level of operational integrity as

that the railway makes short-run profits, and investing in issues that will create profits in the long

run. It wins and holds the investors, ensuring the business receives the necessary funds for

management, and human capital development, which allow the firm to effectively and efficiently

to customers' changing needs, leading to better customer relations and competitiveness.

Workplace Emotions, Attitudes, and Motivation

profoundly influence employee performance, job satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness

(Osborne et al., 2021). Emotions are regarded as an individual's reactions and responses to the

goings-on in the workplace. At the same time, attitudes may be defined as individual views and

mental preparation towards aspects within the workplace. Conversely, motivation deals with the

process that initiates, directs, and continuously energizes employee's actions toward attaining

This committee comprises experts and senior officials, and it acts as a dedicated channel where

employees can freely raise any ethical issues and dilemmas that may arise at their workplace. As

a result of proper investigation and endeavor to ensure that it arrives at a rational decision

regarding the ethical infringements, the committee can handle the violation of these issues

anonymous reporting option and encouraging proper clarification of the instigation shows that

independent review of the company's financial reports and internal controls for CPR. Although

comprised of experienced professionals in finance and audit, this committee is vested with the

responsibility of undertaking periodic evaluations and audits of the financial conduct and policies

of the company (Sec.GOV, 2020). It has a crucial part in the accountability process and

transparency in the organization, enhancing investor confidence in the financial management of

CPR. The organization benefits from the stack and active approach of the Audit and Finance

Committee as it helps to maintain and improve the financial condition of CPR in the future.

Evaluation of the Situation

union and the subsequent appointment of arbitrators and mediators, over 26 issues still have to be

Figure 5: Growth of employee Turnover in CPR since 2010

reduces some of its shortcomings. For instance, it has worked with Ford Motors and other

automotive suppliers to develop its supply chain, necessitating operational efficiency. Table 1

below outlines some of CPR's strategic and significant partnerships across industry sectors. It

illustrates its multi-partner approach to building and improving its supply chain, optimizing its

operations, and diversifying its services portfolio.

Table 1: CPR Alliances and Partnerships

Organization Industry Nature of Partnership

Ford Motors Automotive Supply Chain Collaboration

Port of Vancouver Transportation Logistics and Freight Operations

settlement with the employees and stakeholders. This early action maintains good employee

relations and the efficiency of its operations and adds to CPR's image among its stakeholders

mechanisms related to managing conflicts within and outside the company, which leads to

organization through defining its culture, vision, and execution (Cekuls, 2015). Leadership

enhances worker performance, directs subordinates' actions toward achieving organizational

objectives, and encourages employee cooperation and dedication. According to Cekuls (2015),

managers define the organization's goals, plans, and actions, including how they manage in the

face of challenges, risks, and dynamics that characterize the organization.

Analysis and Critical Thinking

under the presidency and CEO, Mr. Keith Creel, where there is an emphasis on innovation,

efficiency, and growth. This commitment is tangible in the carefully designed organizational

structure and the highly individualized Creel leadership (CPKC, 2023). The company's

management has provided transparency, accountability, and delegation of power to the

employees, two of the operations' central pillars. Transparency is another valuable practice at

CPR since it significantly facilitates the sharing of information and efficient communication

within the company, which makes the staff involved and aware of what is going on in the

organization (CPKC, 2024). Such transparency promotes confidence and trust among the teams,

and individual participants are in a position to make well-considered decisions that enhance the

company’s goals

report directly to Creel, who oversees the company's operations, finance, marketing, and human

resources.

railroad business environment, including changes in its regulations, advanced technology, and

change and competitiveness (Lavallé, 2023). Thanks to the top interest in innovation, the

company has been managing to capitalize on new technologies in existing operations, such as

using advanced tender locomotives or even developing algorithms for data analysis to improve

only served the company in developing the operational efficiency of CPKC but has also helped

the firm address its customers' expectations in the context of the ever-growing culture of

digitalization.

while preserving CPKC's image and preventing accidents or events that lead to expensive

lawsuits.

When compared with its industry competitors, CPKC's leadership approach exhibits both

relation specialization and adopting cooperation models where conflicts are actively managed

and resolved amicably, UP has been accused of handling conflicts in labor relations poorly. For

example, the recent and protracted industrial action by the union rail workers across UP that

difficult (Glassdoor, 2024). The following differences in leadership approaches thus point to

CPKC’s strategic approach to labor relations rather than UP.

CPKC vs BNSF Railway

the two railways to regulate employee' strikes. Where BNSF Railway is aggressive, especially in

and understanding are priorities at CPKC to tackle the source of conflict and create a pleasant

atmosphere at the workplace for higher operation efficiency and performance.

environmental concerns in equal measure. While many big-box retailers are now promoting

of sustainable practices, CPKC proves that every corporation should be socially responsible.

Nevertheless, both global companies have a similar purpose of enhancing operations and

creating value for the stakeholders, although they act differently and apply various techniques.

Ethnicity and Diversity of Canadian Pacific Railway

rapidly grown to be a national political issue in Canada (Hiranandani, 2012). Ethnicity and

diversity have become the basis for creating an energetic, diverse, and inclusive workforce in the

changing landscape of Canadian organizations. In this regard, the Canadian Pacific Railway

Corporation analysis brought valuable information as an example with notable efforts in

promoting the formation of ethnocultural organizations and integration with a multicultural

workforce.

Analysis and Critical Thinking

in this railroad company (CPKC, 2023). By concentrating on hiring the best talent in the job

to develop a competent and committed workforce, which, in turn, improves company

comprehensive training programs to improve the skills and abilities of the employees (Belcourt

practices and remain a competitive player in the market. However, some weaknesses have been

identified, and one of them is the relationship between HRD activities and the strategy of the

company (Mahapatro, 2021). By emphasizing the link of HRD initiatives to organizational

and the most effective ways to foster the organization’s sustainable success. In addition, it means

that CPR has to stay active in recruiting and retaining talented staff regardless of the growing

competition in the market. This means that the methods should be adopted in a dynamic nature in

a way that addresses the changing needs of the employees and the dynamics in the market

(Mahapatro, 2021). In pursuing a positive employer brand, managing career development, and

The effort of CPR towards identifying top-down, bottom-up, and two-way communication and

other employee engagement methods in achieving a better employee-discount culture for

CPR has implemented diversity training and support services for the groups that may face

underline that CPR has a clear strategic focus on talent management in comparison to BNSF

Railway. Besides the general themes of talent acquisition and career management, there are also

differences within these categories: It can be assumed that CPR has more concrete activities to

develop its own talent pyramid and succession management programs (Blampied, 2022).

Moreover, the amount of money invested in developing training and performance management

systems as a means of ensuring that organizational goals and objectives are met by all employees

employing their efforts may be another reason why CPR has higher levels of employee

engagement and job satisfaction than BNSF Railway. According to Blampied (2022), the

proactive approach of CPR in establishing the workplace as free from discrimination and

actively seeking and recruiting employees from diverse backgrounds to create a diverse and

inclusive culture within an organization certainly holds merit in adopting a broader perspective

and views across the enterprise towards problem-solving and creativity.

Key Findings/Strengths, Recommendations and Development Opportunities, Implications

which has also helped the railway to become one of the most important transport suppliers

great successes amidst challenges and open window opportunities to company success in the

did not waver in his determination to build the transcontinental railway as it was the key to unite

leadership that he could facilitate the giving of support to CPKC when it needed to overcome

hurdles and accomplish its objectives.

Comprehensive Employee Training and Development Programs

company’s intent of improving the understanding, skills, and capabilities of the employee to

enable him/her meet the task requirements and promote organizational achievement. Such

programs are in tandem with its policy of staff and career development, where the organization is

keen on developing its human assets continually (Glassdoor, 2024). Per the human resource

management at CPKC, the company provides different professional development to enable the

their business and have therefore set up strong safety systems, processes and programmes to deal

services provision for its customers (Sec.GOV, 2020). Another one of the things that show that

instance, it has adopted Positive Train Control (PTC) systems on its network; these are systems

Recommendations and Development Opportunities

improve the CPKC workplace culture (Hiranandani, 2012). Thus, providing employees with

more schedule control as well as the choice between such opportunities as working from home or

having flexible hours, CPKC can enhance the staff’s abilities to effectively balance work and

life. This focus on work-life balance can produce numerous benefits for CPKC, which stem from

resulting in a better work environment of employees.

and employees' satisfaction with their employment conditions, and at the same time shows that

CPKC is interested in employees' health. On the one hand, CPKC effectively demonstrates its

conditions because its main strategic goals state that people should be able to have their private

responsibilities they may have, resulting in higher morale to the employers and more loyalty to

management, thus, healthy organization is communication. Canadian Pacific Railway has not

been left behind in this aspect and has volunteered to be in charge of the promotion of healthy

workplace through the management of conflicts. CPR should see its chance for the upgraded

communication network that is to be developed for the organization (Lavallé, 2023). The use of

broader and / or less formal ways of communicating and consulting can be effective in

expanding a culture of openness within CP in relation to the identification of the working place

enhancement of the employee's role in the organizational decision-making process (Laurino et

when they have gained sufficient experience. These employees are able to train and develop

Figure 9: Benefits of VR in corporate training

pioneer of magnificence in the rail sector. Remaining competitive and up-to-date with modern

requirements, the implementation of such technologies as VR allows considering CPKC as a

manage to employ the best brains in the field thus improving the human resource capital of the

Conclusion

and proactive problem solving in its operations. Under the leadership of its President and CEO,

Keith Creel, CPR has anchored itself on the principles of strategic innovation and operation

efficiency as some of the key factors that define the firm's success, especially in grappling with

principles of openness, responsibility, and staff involvement, CPR has created conditions where

people are motivated to work, where they are stimulated and involved, which enables

organizations to improve performance and stability in the long run.

company’s exhaustive HRD activity charts, and its proactive approach to managing talent act as

on its people will still stay among the key factors that will help CPR to maintain the company’s

success in the future.

improve the culture and communication in the workplace since they have a critical role in

industry through enhancing work initiatives on work-life balance enhancement, communication,

tap into the potential and strengths of its employees.

References

Advantage 2023 Annual Report. (2023). Retrieved March 12, 2024, from

Belcourt, M., Singh, P., Snell, S., & Morris, S. (2022). Managing Human Resources 10CE.

Blampied, T. E. (2022). “Ontario’s Development Road”: . The Ontario Northland Railway and

Bunk, J. A., & Magley, V. J. (2013). The role of appraisals and emotions in understanding

Canadian Pacific. (2021). CP is #AlwaysInnovating to move the rail industry forward. Retrieved