Product Development - McGraw-Hill Introduction to Business

UAW Reaches Tentative Agreements with Automakers

November 1, 2023

For six weeks, members of the United Auto Workers have been on strike against General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, parent company of the car brands Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram. Demanding significant wage increases and improved job security, the union employed a bold strategy of slowly expanding its labor action to more plants as time progressed. After starting at three factories owned by each of Detroit’s Big Three automakers, the UAW gradually added more locations to the strike, confounding management and Continue reading →

[VIDEO] Why Wall Street Is Investing in Trash

October 20, 2023

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This video looks at the evolving operations of North America’s largest landfill operator, WM. Using capital provided by federal subsidies, the waste management company is investing in tech that could change the future of trash disposal, from sophisticated scanners that sort recycling to capturing methane gas to convert into fuel.

Questions:

Why is WM upgrading its operations to include more automation as well as methane gas extraction?
Do you think WM’s operational upgrades will make the company more sustainable Continue reading →

Operations Management, Ethics, Product Development, Entrepreneurship, Energy, Manufacturing, Product Distribution, Supply & Demand, Recycling, Subsidies

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Videos

[VIDEO] How Electric Vehicles Could Affect the UAW’s Future

October 11, 2023

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Since the United Auto Workers (UAW) began striking against the Big Three car companies in September, the union has expanded its action to two more plants as workers continue to fight for better contracts. This video explains one of their central concerns: the expansion of automakers into the electric vehicle (EV) market. While members of the union are worried about their wages in an EV-driven future, American car companies fear that increased labor costs could make them uncompetitive with foreign Continue reading →

Strikes, Electric vehicles, Global, Ethics, Product Development, Manufacturing, Cars, Unions, Transportation, Labor Relations

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media, Videos

Retailers Question the Benefit of Self-Checkout

October 6, 2023

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Shoppers have two options when it comes to ringing up their items at the grocery store: pushing their cart to a cashier or opting for a self-checkout kiosk. The latter path became particularly popular during the pandemic when overwhelmed supermarkets sought to keep customers and employees at a distance. Store owners also figured that self-checkout stations would cut down on labor costs as shoppers did the scanning and bagging themselves. Walmart, for instance, retooled its cashier lanes to accommodate more Continue reading →

Product Development, Pricing, Product Distribution, Marketing, Self-checkout, Operations Management, Inventory loss

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

[VIDEO] Airlines Sell Legroom at a Premium Price

September 28, 2023

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In the early days of air travel, carriers provided passengers with luxurious amounts of legroom. As the video below explains, however, today’s planes have far more seats with far less space between them, potentially resulting in uncomfortable experiences for tall travelers.

Questions:

Why do modern airlines “unbundle” the costs of travel by charging additional fees for luggage and seat selection?
Do you think government regulators should require air carriers to provide passengers with “comfortable” amounts of legroom? Why or why not?

Product Distribution, Air Travel, Supply & Demand, Product Development, Global, Regulation, Ethics, Transportation

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law, Videos

WGA and Hollywood Studios Reach Tentative Agreement

September 26, 2023

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For 146 days, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have picketed in front of Hollywood movie and television studios, demanding increased financial security and more control over their work. Talks mostly broke down as the months stretched on, until last week when the two parties met over five straight days and brokered a tentative deal. Although this agreement still needs to be written into a contract and ratified by the WGA’s more than 11,000 members, industry observers Continue reading →

Management, Motivation, Product Development, Ethics, Entertainment, Unions, Streaming, Strikes, Film & Television, WGA

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 10: Motivation, Chapter 11: Human Resource Management, Chapter 12: Labor Management and Unions, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

[VIDEO] Why Sweetgreen Struggles to Earn a Profit

September 20, 2023

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The fast-casual dining chain Sweetgreen has developed a nationwide following of fans by selling fresh salads that start at $15 apiece. Although the company certainly charges a hefty amount for one of its signature bowls, Sweetgreen still struggles to make a profit due to high labor costs and expensive ingredients. This video examines the chain’s money troubles while also looking at its plans for profitability, including automation and expanding outside of major cities.

Questions:

What are some reasons why Sweetgreen Continue reading →

American Cities Sue Automakers over Increased Car Theft

September 13, 2023

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On the massively popular app TikTok, searching for the trending topic “Kia boys” will result in hundreds of videos of people joyriding in cars. These aren’t overly enthusiastic owners, however: these users take advantage of the South Korean automaker’s lax security standards to steal vehicles for fun and Internet clout. For example, one video shows a gloved hand easily starting a car using just a screwdriver and a USB cable while a computerized voice repeats the phrase “this is why Continue reading →

South Korea, Product Development, Global, Cars, Ethics, Regulation, Manufacturing, Transportation, Crime, Legal, Product Distribution

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law

[VIDEO] How One Farm Makes Most of MLB’s Dirt

September 8, 2023

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When Major League Baseball groundskeepers prepare an infield before a game, not just any dirt will do. 26 out of 30 teams in the league depend on professional grade stuff made by Duraedge Products in Pennsylvania, which mines and processes Pittsburgh red bed claystone to create “infield mix.” This video follows the entire process from mining to mixing, showing how every year Duraedge transforms 30,000 tons of clay into a vital product for baseball teams around the country.

Questions:

Why Continue reading →

Product Development, Management, Transportation, Operations Management, Entrepreneurship, Product Distribution, Manufacturing, Facility Location

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Videos

Luxury Picnic Planners Try to Dodge Bad Weather

September 6, 2023

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When indoor gatherings became restricted during the pandemic, people turned to outdoor events like picnics in order to socialize while staying safe. Spotting an opportunity, some event planners launched luxury picnic companies that have since turned into profitable enterprises. From romantic dinners to full-scale weddings, these outdoor dining startups charge as much as $300 per person for gourmet meals with elaborate decor and cozy seating. That is, as long as the weather cooperates.

For example, Rachel LeBar of Colorado Luxe Continue reading →

Operations Management, Entrepreneurship, Product Development, Crisis management, Food & Drink

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price