Chapter 3: Globalization - McGraw-Hill Introduction to Business

Honda Becomes an American Exporter

March 31, 2014

The slow reemergence of American manufacturing has been touted by politicians on both sides of the aisle as an essential force in the recent economic recovery. But in many cases, the manufacturers driving production across the nation aren’t American at all. In fact, Honda recently announced that it built and shipped more cars from the U.S. than it imported here from Japan.

According to Honda executives, the company’s current status as an American exporting power wasn’t the intention when it Continue reading →

Cars, Transportation, Exporting, Honda, Global, Manufacturing

Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management

Mobile Entrepreneurs Operate on the Go

March 19, 2014

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For many years, the famous phrase “location, location, location” served as one of the most unfailing maxims in the business lexicon. But as the digital age has broken down borders and streamlined commerce, the importance of physical locations has diminished. In fact, some intrepid entrepreneurs have given up permanent addresses entirely in order to cut down costs and increase mobility.

The types of business best suited for going off the physical grid are tech companies, service providers, media firms and Continue reading →

Innovation, Startups, Mobile Entrepreneurs, Travel, Global, Entrepreneurship

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 5: Forms of Business Ownership, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Ford Goes Global with New Subcompact Car

January 23, 2014

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As emerging markets like India and Brazil continue to grow, more and more of their citizens will enter the middle class. This relatively untapped consumer group presents plenty of lucrative opportunities for companies across the globe. However, finding the right products to sell to this expanding class is not so simple, even for companies operating in their home countries. For instance, Tata Motors launched its ultra-cheap Nano model as an introductory vehicle for Indian consumers. But with a price tag Continue reading →

Product Development, Cars, Transportation, Marketing, Ford, Global, Tata, Manufacturing

Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution

Non-Traditional Students Become the Norm

January 12, 2014

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When people think about the average American college student, their minds often wander to images of fresh-faced teenagers hitting campus right out of high school on their parents’ dime. But in reality, only one-third of the nation’s more than 20 million students enrolled in two- and four-year universities fit that description.

Though it may not surprise seasoned professors, the idea of the “traditional” college student is becoming increasingly outdated. According to recent data collected by the U.S. Department of Education, Continue reading →

Seniors, Students, College, Demographics, Veterans, Education

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization

Who Does the U.S. Owe Money To?

November 1, 2013

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In the fall of 2013 the U.S. came perilously close to defaulting on its debt. Already reeling from a two-week government shutdown, lawmakers were able to come together at the eleventh hour to raise the debt ceiling through February 7, 2014. If it had failed to do so, then for the first time in history the U.S. would have been unable to pay the interest on Treasury bonds. This would have sent global markets into disarray while almost certainly setting Continue reading →

China, U.S. Debt, Debt ceiling, Government shutdown, Economics, Global

Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 19: Securities Markets, Chapter 20: Money and Financial Institutions

Making Clothing Production More Transparent

October 17, 2013

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For many of today’s conscientious consumers, it’s not enough for a product to be simply affordable and effective. Environmentally minded diners, for instance, prefer to know as much about the origins of their food as possible. That’s why so many modern restaurants make sure the names of their organic and artisanal suppliers appear as prominently on menus as the dishes. Now the trend is expanding out of the culinary world and into retail as more and more clothing companies use Continue reading →

Retail, Fashion, Distribution, Marketing, Nike, Ethics, Everlane, Supply chains, Product Development

Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion

SU Labs’ Altruistic Business Incubator

September 19, 2013

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For many budding tech entrepreneurs, getting accepted into a prestigious business incubator is almost as important as receiving a diploma from Stanford. The jolt of capital and resources provided by accelerator programs like Y Combinator or Techstars often act as springboards into multimillion-dollar successes. But not all startups want to become the next Google. Some would rather operate more like the Bill Gates Foundation by applying their innovative skills to addressing major world problems. While these aims are certainly noble, Continue reading →

Incubators, Education, Ethics, Silicon Valley, Innovation, Finance, Benefit Corporations

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 14: Product and Price

How Foreign Investment Helps Emerging Nations

September 14, 2013

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For emerging economies, investment from foreign powers has long been a contentious topic. In fact, as recently as last year protestors lined the streets of India’s major cities against a series of reforms designed to open the country’s retail sector to foreign direct investment (FDI). The laws would allow companies like Wal-Mart and Tesco to buy up to 51% stakes in local businesses. The proposed reforms inflamed the fears of many Indians who felt that the economy would become Continue reading →

Walmart, Global, Brazil, India, Finance, Foreign Direct Investment, Developing Nations

Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 18: Financial Management, Chapter 19: Securities Markets, Chapter 20: Money and Financial Institutions

Chinese Tourists Spend Big Abroad

July 17, 2013

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China’s surging economy has provided its citizens with a constellation of benefits that would have been scarcely imaginable even a decade ago. But of all China’s consumer-enabled freedoms, the opportunity for worldwide travel perhaps represents the nation’s biggest leap into modernity. After all, Chinese tour groups were forbidden from traveling to the U.S. until 2007. The following year, 493,000 Chinese tourists flooded America. That number has since grown to more than a million visitors annually. But that’s nothing compared to Continue reading →

Tourism, Global, Ethics, Retail, China

Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility

Pepsi Expands Its Russian Empire

July 15, 2013

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Throughout Pepsico’s history, one thing has remained constant: the company’s flagship soft drink has always played second fiddle to chief competitor Coca-Cola. Known by name by billions throughout the world, Coke is not only the gold standard of soft drinks, but of branding in general. Although Pepsi and its umbrella of products certainly command a fair market share, Coca-Cola’s continued worldwide dominance is all but assured at this point.

Except in Russia, that is. Pepsi was one of the first Continue reading →

Product Lines, Global, Pepsi, Food, Russia, Snacks, Product Development

Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 8: Organizational Culture and Structure, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution