Category Archives: Global Contexts

Will suspending trade privileges for Bangladesh improve local enforcement of working conditions ?

An article in the New York Times (June 28, 2013) describes the US administration’s plan to suspend trade privileges for Bangladesh because the country has permitted safety violations and not enforced labor rights, particularly for the apparel manufacturing industry. The … Continue reading

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The impact of short cell phone life cycles in Japan

An article in the New York Times (June 26,2013) describes the example of Sony’s Xperia Z smartphone whose life cycle started on February 9 but ended one month later after selling 1 million units. The dominance of cell phone carriers … Continue reading

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US egg price rise (by 42%) and global supply chain impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 14, 2013) describes a 42% rise in US egg prices and explores possible reasons. One key reason is the avian influenza in Mexico that has created a dramatic demand increase in US … Continue reading

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Can low shale gas prices attract new steel capacity to the US ?

An article in the Financial Times (June 19,2013) describes a new plant in Ohio built by Vallourec to produce steel tubes for the oil and gas industry. The company describes the low US gas prices, as well as the surging … Continue reading

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How are US paintbrush makers globally competitive ?

An article in the New York Times (June 18,2013) describes the competitiveness of over 139 broom, brush and mop manufacturers in the US undeterred by competition from CHina. One company, Kirschner, survives by making no changes in its manufacturing and … Continue reading

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Should Europe ban the “beaching” of old ships flying the European flag?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 13,2013) describes a move to ban the beaching of old ships (flying European flags), a method used in India and Bangladesh to recycle old ships. Instead, recycling will require use of dry … Continue reading

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Is blocking logistics for US coal exports good for the global environment ?

An article in the New York Times (June 15,2013) describes efforts to block train shipments and port expansion for low sulfur coal from native American reservations. Environmentalists claim that train transport will result in coal dust being blown into rivers … Continue reading

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Oxfam assists Unilever to assess worker conditions at Vietnamese supplier locations

An article in the Financial Times (June 11,2013) describes the use of Oxfam’s personnel by Unilever to audit its suppliers in Vietnam to assess worker management practices. Oxfam focuses on worker wages, working hours and the extent of contract labor … Continue reading

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The “build your own supply chain rule” in India

An article in the Business Standard (June 13, 2013 IST) describes a new rule in India that requires foreign retailers entering the country to create new required supply chain infrastructure and stores worth $100 million, with purchases of existing retailer … Continue reading

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Decreasing production to increase profits at Ferrari

An article in the Financial Times (June 11, 2013) describes a plan to decrease production by Ferrari by 400 vehicles this year, down to 6,900 cars. The plan is to continue to maintain the exclusivity of the brand, add capacity … Continue reading

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