Monday, June 1, 2015
TWIF Chapter 1 Reflection
After you have read and taken notes on Chapter 1, "While I Was Sleeping," use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2015.blogspot.com/2015/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertions. Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to an issue addressed in chapter 1 of TWIF. Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!
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Title: Made to Measure
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21651925-robotic-sewing-machine-could-throw-garment-workers-low-cost-countries-out
Summary:
Though companies seem to be expanding their business employees into Asian countries, it is possible that machines will interrupt this grow of outsourcing. In the past, it has been difficult to manufacture automate sewing, but now using advanced technology and cameras, the machines are able to track the stitches so that the fabric is smooth and even. Large amounts of money have gone to the idea of the development of LOWRY (the machine that will complete difficult sewing tasks). The first LOWRY machine will be in America at the end of this year, and it will be more efficient than having clothing made elsewhere and then shipped back after longer periods of time. Many other companies are also looking to automation so that they do not have to worry about the working conditions of their overseas employees. Companies like Nike are switching to automated machines rather than Asian factories. 3D printers and other machine advancements seem to be the future for companies.
Friedman’s argument is that the world is “flattening” since barriers are coming down between countries and many companies are outsourcing or homesourcing. However, this news article contradicts Friedman’s ideas considering it explains how clothing companies do not wish to outsource in places in Asia, as it is difficult to keep the wages of the employees low and also improve their working conditions. Instead, it explains that many companies will switch to “robots” and the first automatic textile machine will be in America (not Asia) later this year.
Title: Greece Seeks New Bailout From Eurozone, Misses Loan Payment
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/30/418786642/greece-hours-away-from-defaulting-on-imf-loan
Summary:
During the economic crisis occurring in Greece, the government was set to deliver a payment of $1.8 billion dollars towards the European Commision, but failed to deliver the payment. Being in an economical crisis, the Greek government asked for an extended period of two years "for the full coverage of financial needs and at the same time restructuring of debt." The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has asked of Greek citizens to vote "no" towards a referendum that would allow Greece to remain in the eurozone. Despite being warned by European government officials, Tsipras strongly believes that Greece should not remain in the European Union, and if they do, he insists on stepping down as Prime Minister of Greece. During this critical time in the nation's economy, Greece has had meetings with the European Commission, IMF, and European Central Bank in an effort to receive over $8 billion dollars towards reversing the pattern of debt in Greece. If Greeks follow the orders of Tsipras and vote no, Greece would no longer be part of the eurozone. This would likely be very detrimental for the economy of both countries in the eurozone and Greece because of their interconnected economies and dependence on each other.
Relevance of article:
In TWIF, Friedman argues that the world is "flattening" or more qualities are being shared across the world due to the effects of globalization. In Greece, there are many disputes whether or not the country should remain in the eurozone or not because of their dependence on the European economy. Leaving the eurozone and becoming independent could result in more struggles because there would be little support for the Greek economy and new form of currency. In a flat world, Greece would choose to remain in the eurozone and acknowledge the Euro as its source of currency because of their previous connections to the European economy. In the book, Friedman details how people are becoming more connected and similar through modern technologies, and if Greece were to stay in the eurozone (which ended up happening) Freidman’s arguments would be reinforced due to the fact that rather than having its own separate economy, Greece would be more reliant on other European countries and conform to their policies.
Title: US companies continue to outsource jobs to India
ReplyDeleteLink; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/US-companies-continue-to-outsource-jobs-to-India/articleshow/21970009.cms
Summary:
The United States in continuing to distribute jobs across the ocean and equator to India, China, and Brazil. Although many Americans are outraged by this side of business, it is a very efficient and cost effective way of growing a business. However, this great cost reducing method is greatly reducing the number of American jobs. Tens to hundreds of jobs within big name countries are being relocated to other countries. A big business that took advantage of this situation was IBM. They shipped nearly 750 jobs to other countries to save a significant amount of money. This sounds great, except for the fact that these same jobs were once in America, therefore making this big business layoff those 750 workers in America. Not quite as significant as IBM is a company, Automatic Data Processing, is also laying off between 50-100 workers for the sake of saving money. These jobs will be outsourced to India for lower labor costs. Continuing with this trend of money saving are companies like Sealed Air Corp and Sears Canada. The pressures of cost have these companies globalizing these jobs.
Friedman talked a lot about the idea of globalization. He even went as far as saying the world is flattening and walls and barriers are being brought down. This is very evident in the outsourcing of work. Friedman wrote about how some jobs can be done very effectively from other countries and other countries are offering cheaper labor. This is combined with the boom of technology and the ease of communication comes the outsourcing of jobs. The flattening of the world can even be traced to the communication of today. It is very easy to talk to someone on the other side of the world so why not expand your business there?
Author: Shirin Jaafari
ReplyDeleteTitle: Senator: Investigate Disney for firing Americans, using US visa program to bring in foreign replacements
Link:http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-06-05/senator-calls-probe-after-disney-fires-american-workers-uses-h-1b-visas-fly
Summary:
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson requested that an investigation would be done for a visa of which the company Disney used to hire replacement Indian workers for already existing positions filled by American workers. There were about two-hundred and fifty positions in all. The American workers were being paid about one hundred thousand dollars a year along with assorted benefits. The new Indian recruits were paid sixty thousand dollars a year, saving the company forty thousand per worker each year. Disney claims that the Indian workers were only hired as backups in order to fill any openings at a moment's notice. However overtime most of these American workers were laid off and the Indian recruits replaced them. The visa in which Disney brought in the recruits was legal and is usually used in order to fill positions that are needed by people with advanced training. However, critics of this story believe that the positions could have been filled by most Americans and the people in the positions previously had no problems with completing their work.
Thomas Friedman talks about the use of outsourcing to decrease the cost of workers very often in chapter one of the book; The World Is Flat. This article agrees with the statements that Friedman made, but reveals them in a manner more abstract from previous outsourcing examples. This is shown by hiring workers from outside of the country to decrease costs (which is outsourcing,) but instead of keeping them in that country, this particular company brought the workers into the United States and used them to replace American jobs.
Author: Brooks Barnes
ReplyDeleteTitle: Disney Adds to It's India Investment with Takeover of UTV Software
Link: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/disney-adds-to-its-india-investment-with-takeover-of-utv-software/
Summary: The Walt Disney Company recently acquired UTV Software, a multi-media entertainment provider out of Mumbai. Disney offered 1,100 rupees, or $22.25 a share, valuing the takeover at $450 million. Disney already operates successful and established networks such as Disney and Disney XD in the country, but the purchase allows it to further integrate their brand and services into a heavily profitable market. UTV is one of India's largest providers for movies and television. Along with that division, Disney also acquires UTV's mobile gaming company in the deal. India's purchasing power is rapidly growing, estimates putting such explosive growth at nearly 500 million people crossing the threshold into middle class by 2025 (as opposed to 50 million today). Thus, the consumer market for downloadables and entertainment to quench the newly minted wealth will skyrocket, making Disney's investment a bid for the future.
Friedman often highlights the rapid advancement of developing countries like India due to the growing economic markets. There, as Freidman mentions, you have many American and Western multi-nationals planting new foundations and investing in establishments to tap into such wealth, skills, and cost-efficiency. Tech centers, like Bangalore, now being described as the "Silicon Valley of Asia." Behind it, huge tech companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Texas Instruments. Friedman points out the that American exports to India nearly doubled in 10 years. Disney's purchase only reinforces the idea that the world is indeed, flat. Regions of the world once untouched are now inundated with Western culture, wealth, and jobs. Walt Disney is only one of the thousands of companies to rush to India, Africa, and China en masse within the last decade. Perhaps, the companies are merely the rolling pin.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTitle: Going Online To Outsource Your Chores
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.npr.org/2012/10/17/163095702/going-online-to-outsource-your-chores
In the first chapter, "While I Was Sleeping," Friedman spends a lot of time discussing the practice of outsourcing and how the Internet makes doing so possible. He talks about how practically anything can be outsourced to the best and/or the cheapest provider thanks to the internet.
This article discusses how household chores are being outsourced in communities across the country. Websites like Craigslist and Task Rabbit allow users to easily promote their service or request a service. Task Rabbit can assign almost any job you can think of to the lowest bidder. The person hiring is then able to choose the cheapest and best person based on their reviews. These websites are growing in popularity and are helping the people on both ends; the person receiving the service as well as the person earning money. This provides more people with the opportunity to do work and earn a decent wage. Whether they are teenagers looking for work over the summer or retired people looking to supplement their income, this platform makes it much easier for people to find work. Friedman often discusses how the playing field is being leveled. This certainly is the case when a teenager looking for summer work is able to compete with a professional landscaping business.
Title: Angry French Farmers Will Have To Adapt To Globalization
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.npr.org/2015/07/26/426434695/analyst-angry-french-farmers-will-have-to-adapt-to-globalization
Summary:
As globalization synchronizes economies across the different countries, prices will drop with the improvements in economic efficiency. However, farmers in France who are unable to meet the lower-rate competition protested by destroying property or interrupting daily activities. These farmers were being pushed into bankruptcy by businesses that are able to maintain a lower price for goods. This competition for farmers was a result of globalization, and France is willing to pay their farmers a slightly larger amount, but the farmers will need to make an effort to fit into the new economy as well.
In Friedman’s The World Is Flat, he discussed the globalization that is currently taking place between countries. He explained that outsourcing and other collaboration methods allowed countries to be more financially-efficient. This article fits into this idea because the French farmers were not making a significant effort to fit into the modern economy and acting out on France’s financial decisions. However, the economies are interconnecting, and lower wages are emerging, so the farmers will need to discover a way to fit into the new society or end up bankrupt.
Title: Baghdad's ice cream diplomacy
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/middleeast/2015/07/blog-baghdads-ice-cream-diplomacy-150716192126830.html
Summary: This article is written about the implementation of American frozen yogurt and Iranian ice cream in the city of Baghdad. This may seem quite regular, however Baghdad is located in Iraq. Almost all of the Iraqui people believe that either Iran or America has ruined their country. This is what makes the article so interesting is that the company is trying to make a business out of two thing most people in that area hate. This relates to Friedman's first chapter because he states that he finds it strange that he is on a golf course in India yet he is still surrounded by American business, accents, and names. This article is showing the growth of American things (ice cream) in other parts of the world, even those that are not quite at peace with us at the moment.
Title: European Publishers Play Lobbying Role Against Google
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/29/technology/european-publishers-play-lobbying-role-against-google.html?ref=international&_r=0
Summary:
In this article it states that large publishers and media companies from France, Germany, and elsewhere have teamed together and with European officials to discuss the growth and limit the digital economy. Many companies have been calling fouls on the American company Google, by saying it has been operating unfairly. They want to find ways to make more money and one of these ways is to limit the growth of Google. This relates to Friedman's chapter one because he is traveling the world and experiencing different cultures, while he is doing this he is realizing how companies from America have moved into other continents. This shows how Google dominates many people's browsers and also shows that it is not just in America, but in different countries as well.
Author: Karishma Vaswani
ReplyDeleteTitle: What Progress Has India's Economy Made in the Past Five Years?
Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34060926
Summary: In India, the growth rate of the economy was highly escalated. With Indians using outsourcing, it became easier for them to get jobs in order to support their families. An example of this was with the company Tata. The company is buying important factors overseas which is attracting many other Indians to aspire for the job. Outsourcing helped these families get higher paid jobs in different countries. This is similar to the call center situation because in America, people who work for 24/7 call centers are not paid as much and are considered working “low-wage and low-prestige jobs”. However, this company is the complete oposite in India. Call centers in India are considered high-prestige and also high-wage because of outsourcing.
Title: Typical Roles in a Call Centre
ReplyDeleteLink: http://www.callcentrehelper.com/typical-roles-in-a-call-centre-51389.htm
Summary:
In the first chapter, Friedman interviews a guy named Kenichi Ohmae which states the recruiting is not as hard. Since, ‘“About one-third of the people in this region [around Dalian] have taken Japanese companies are coming in”’ (Ohmae 33). Here in the United States, one must obtain good navigation skills on a PC computer as well as the internet. They must also acquire good keyboard techniques. They also need to have a clear and understandable voice when speaking in the telephone. As well as decent communication skills and able to work in a team.
Title: The Voice is the Future
ReplyDeleteLink: www.euronews.com/2013/12/12/the-voice-is-the-future/
Summary:People trying to advance technologies are finding ways to use voice to find answers to questions. For example: siri or google's voice softwear.
This relates through how as technology advances, the world becomes "flat." Even if you can not read, you will still be able to use these technologies by just listening.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Victoria Burnett
ReplyDeleteTitle: Cuba’s Web Entrepreneurs Search for U.S. Clients, and Reliable Wi-Fi
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/11/world/americas/cubas-web-entrepreneurs-search-for-us-clients-and-reliable-wi-fi.html
Summary:
Since Febuary 2015, American companies and individuals have had the ability to outsource their work to Cuba. This outsourcing in Cuba most commonly takes the form of web development and design. While Cuba may seem an unlikely place to outsource web development to, there are actually copious amounts of Cuban programmers, many of whom went to, or go to, the University of Information Sciences, next to Havana. These Cuban programmers are some of the best foreign coders, according to John McIntire, who states that they are "world class." With the market for cheap Cuban programming exports growing, the future seems bright for Cuba's growing economy.
Friedman's assertions are that the world is flattening, in the sense that the boundaries between countries are being torn away, and jobs are being outsourced to developing countries, whose economies and technological prowess are growing. This shift in occupations and power is the "flattening" of the earth that Friedman speak so excessively about in his book. While it won't be like Bangalore, Cuba's up-shift in jobs and workers is giving its economy a boost like it hasn't had in decades. This boost is "flattening the playing field" between Cuba and other countries in Latin America, like Ecuador and Brazil.