Business Assignment 1
1.)
Many U.S. corporations use foreign companies to manufacture the products that Americans love to buy. These products range from $200 Nikes to $1 plastic bowls... and everything in between. The vast majority of these manufacturers are located in areas that can be devastatingly poor. It's been reported that some of these foreign manufacturers go to great lengths to cut their costs through low pay and questionable working conditions.
Given the chronic unemployment rate in the U.S. and numerous humanitarian concerns abroad, discuss the pros, cons, and ethics of outsourcing and contract manufacturing. Your response should cover:
a. Pros and cons of outsourcing AND contract manufacturing.
b. Discuss whether you believe U.S. companies should be held responsible for the violations committed by their contractors. Why or why not?
c. Is it ethical and/or sociably responsible for American companies to pay workers in foreign lands less than the U.S. minimum wage? Why or why not?
d. Would you change your purchasing decisions, if you knew that a product was produced in a sweatshop? Why or why not?
2.) Read an article on a Business Structure, Entrepreneurship, OR Leadership topic or concern of interest to you. You may not use an article that has been posted for a discussion question or assigned reading.
ASSIGNMENT 2
Using a business publication, select an article that captures the assigned topic and your interest. See weekly "Course Content" for the assigned topic.
Write your report:
1. Include the source: title of article, writer, and date published (15 pts)
2. Include the website link to your report OR name of printed publication (5 pts)
3. Write a two-paragraph report on the article, including:
a. One paragraph summary of the article (30 pts)
b. One paragraph reflection/reaction to article (50 pts)
i. Why was the topic important?
ii. What did you learn?
iii. What was interesting, fascinating, intriguing, etc.?
4. Your report must be based on a recent news article (within the last 3 - 6 months)
a. Up to 20 points deducted for using out-of-date articles
5. Do not use Blogs. Blogs are opinion-based and subjective.
a. Up to 40 points deducted for using a blog
6. No points will be given for articles that are off-topic.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.