Monthly Archives: November 2013

Global Sourcing Challenges – The case of Apple

Observers of the labor practices of its suppliers, specifically Foxconn, have criticized Apple. Here is a look at some of the issues…

After reading the Storify  at the link http://storify.com/jfboers/global-sourcing-challenges-the-case-of-apple  (see full Storify below) and watching the videos I would like you to post a response to the follow three items:

1. Take a position on the subject: “Should investors in ALL companies that use Foxconn insist on finding alternative suppliers?”
2. Explain why you take this position.
3. Describe the ONE thing (a new story, facts that come to light, report released, etc.) that would possibly make you change your mind.

Your assignment will be evaluated out of 25 points using the following rubric:

• The Position in (1) is clearly delineated – 5 points
• The justification in (2) supports the position taken in (1) – 15 points
• The potential “game changer” in (3) is realistic, does change the assessment justification in (2) and position in (1) – 5 points

This video is a great introduction to critical thinking in an International Business course.  The topic is provocative and allows you to introduce the issue of questioning assumptions and also finding credible sources.

Assignment:

First, without looking it up, I would like you to ask yourself if you can:

1. List the 5 (five) languages spoken by the most people in the world.
2. What languages do you now think is spoken by the most people in the world?  Second most?  How about 3rd thru 5th most?

Then I would like for you to write these down – on a paper, in your notepad, in Evernote – wherever most convenient to you.

Second, still without looking up the answer, I would like you to watch the video below.  After the video I have a few more questions. Here is the video you need to watch:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jay_walker_on_the_world_s_english_mania.html

I hope you found the video interesting.

1. Now I would like you to look up the answer using any reference tool; an encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Google search, Bing search, anything convenient to you…
2. Here is the last question?  How reliable do you think your reference source is?  Are there more reliable sources?  Any suggestions on where I could find a reliable source for the answer to the question “What language is spoken by the most people in the world on August 27, 2013?

This is it for this exercise.  Thank you for going along on this ride with me…