International business Essays (479 words) - Business, Economy

International business Tarhab Motiwala Assignment 2 Answer questions page (129) Q: Reread the Country Focus about Islamic capitalism in Turkey. Then answer the following questions: a. Can you see anything in the value of Islam that is hostile to business? b. What does the experience of the Regio around Kayseri teach about the relationship between Islam and business? c. What are the implications of Islamic values toward business for the participation of a country such as Turkey in the global economy? ANS: Responses to this question will obviously vary based on the countries chosen by the students and their knowledge of the countries. Hopefully students can present some information on the dimensions of culture including values, norms, social structure, religion, language, and education of the countries and also describe the key differences and similarities of the countries along these dimensions. Relating the differences between the countries along these dimensions to differences in the costs of doing business, the potential for economic development, and business practices. Answer question page (171) Q: Should Nike be held responsible for working conditions in foreign factories that it does not own, but where subcontractors make products for Nike? ANS: yes, I agree that Nike should be held responsible for the working conditions in foreign factories where subcontractors make products the company sells. As perspective are likely to argue that since the workers are there to produce the products for Nike, the fact that the company does not actually own the facilities is immaterial - Nike is the beneficiary of the work done in the factory. Some students may suggest that Nike be resolved of some responsibility if the factories also produce products for other companies. Q: What labor standards regarding safety, working conditions, overtime, and the like, should Nike hold foreign factories to: those prevailing in that country, or those prevailing in the United States? ANS: whether to hold foreign factories to the same standards as domestic factories is difficult. Some might argue that Nike should require all factories regardless of their location to maintain the same standards when it comes to working conditions, overtime, and so on. Other however, may suggest that it would be completely out of line to pay workers the same wages around the world, or require factories to follow expensive safety procedures. might argue that doing so could push some factories out of business and leave workers in an even less desirable state. Some might also argue that if working conditions, wages, and so forth are standardized around the world, there will be little incentive for companies to outsource production, and countries like Indonesia will suffer. Still other students may suggest that some middle ground be found, where wages are in line or slightly above local wages, and some basic safety procedures are required. Students advocating this approach might suggest that Nike invest in the factories to ensure that working conditions are safe.