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Apple products at manufacturing plants in China and at retail stores in the U.S.- low worker pay and lack of future prospects
05/29/2010
The high margins for Apple achieved through a combination of keeping costs low- even at the risk of providing poor wage and working conditions for the majority of employees employed in the retail stores in the U.S. and in supplier Foxconn plants in China- and by a grasp for innovation and technology. The paradox of a well deserved image for pioneering in technological innovation and the indifference to working conditions and prospects for employees who add value in manufacturing and customer interface. This model of growth is a recent development, put in place after 1997. In 1995-1997 Apple was nearing collapse under Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio, as documented by WSJ technology reporter Jim Carlton in his book- "Apple- The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania, and Business Blunders." Steve Jobs returned as CEO in 1997 and set the future course and this model in place emphasizing design, his ability to grasp technologies that would appeal to customers, and hired Tim Cook to set up the manufacturing which had high rate of defects and higher costs. The model was as full of paradoxes, of genius combined with mediocre behavioursas the man Steve Jobs. Tim Cook has responded to criticism in 2012 by having the Fair Labor association audit Foxconn plants in China. Foxconn increased wages in 2012, shifted plants to the interior of China, and increased use of robotics.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 05/29/2010
Apple Stores Army, Long on Loyalty but Short on PayNew York Times 06/23/2012
The European financial crisis of 2010 starting in Greece tests the social model of Euope.
05/14/2010
Officials see the need for more growth to support the social model and experts see the need for stronger action.
Linked Articles
Amid Europe's challenges, citizens face lifestyle shifts
Wall Street Journal 05/14/2010
Spain is simply shifting the problemWall Street Journal 05/14/2010
Debt woes and how they affect the upturn in Europe.
12/09/2009
Countries like Spain and Greece and how the debt woes affect their economic growth.
Linked Articles
Spain's Debt Woes Echo Europe's Uneven Rebound
Wall Street Journal 12/10/2009
Countries' Debt Woes Pose Risk to UpturnWall Street Journal 12/09/2009
Even when the recovery occurs and inventories get replaced gorwth will be slow, as deleveraging process takes many years.
05/28/2009
Mr. Mecksworth, chief economist at MAPI says even when arecovery happens it will mean slow growth as companies will be saving money and paying off debt for many years to come.
Linked Articles
Once a Key to Recovery, Detroit Adds to Pain
New York Times 06/01/2009
Sharper Drop Is Forecast for Factory ProductionWall Street Journal 05/28/2009
Consumer spending surging in Indonesia in 2008-2012
02/24/2009
Consumer spending represents about 55-56% of GDP in Indonesia in 2011 and 2012. Honda Motor with motorbicycles, Phillips in healthcare equipment and the Lippo Group in retail stores are seeing amazing growth in Indonesia.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 04/26/2012
Motorcycles Drive Honda's ProfitWall Street Journal 02/24/2009
Drug cartels emerging in Afghaistan.
07/27/2008
The UN OFfice of Drugs and Crime ses the growth of drug cartels in Afghaistan as 10,000 tons of drugs from the opium crop have been stockpiled inside Afghistan and are controlled by narco-gangs. This is estimated as 2 years of world demand. This as efforts to curb opium growing have reduced the land devoted to the crop by 22% and reduced the crop by 10%.
Linked Articles
U.N. Sees Afghan Drug Cartels Emerging
New York Times 09/02/2009
Is Afghanistan a Narco-State?New York Times 07/27/2008
The increase in temporary workers in the U.S. and Japan and the consequences in higher inequality and poverty.
01/07/2008
About one third of workers in Japan, and one fourth in the U.S., are temporary workers. The consequences for Japan include the effects of lower consumer spending in the economy reducing the growth rate.
Linked Articles
The Rise of the Permanent Temp Economy
New York Times 01/26/2013
Growing Reliance on Temps Holds Back Japan's ReboundWall Street Journal 01/07/2008
Alberta tar sands projects are coming in at costs as high as twice the original estimate.
09/12/2007
A project by Petro-Canada came in at $4.8 billion, twice the original estimate. With costs rising and crude oil prices dropping below $50 a barrel, and viability of projects requiring price of $60, new projects may be cut.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/12/2007
The Costly Compromises of Oil From SandNew York Times 01/07/2009
An internal 2006 Pemex report showing a sharp decline in production, and the situation in 2013 with Mexico a net energy importer in March 2013
08/02/2006
Mexico's oil law comes as the nation faced a crisis in declining oil production since 2006. Efforts by the newly elected PAN party Calderon administration in that year and throughout its term in office failed to open up the oil industry to foreign investment, as the PRI and the PRD opposition parties opposed this. A two thirds majority in Congress was needed to change the constitution allowing foreign oil companies to compete with state owned Pemex. The increasing oil production from shale in the U.S. and Canada has increased the urgency, and the potential in deep waters off Mexico for which Pemex needs the technology of foreign oil companies has added to this.
Linked Articles
How Shale Helped Frack Mexico's Energy Impasse
Wall Street Journal 12/12/2013
Mexico's Biggest Oil Field Sees DeclineWall Street Journal 08/02/2006
The plausible threat of deflation in 2011.
05/27/2010
Experts see deflation as a very real possibility in 2011 and beyond. This creates poor prospects for growth.
Linked Articles
New York Times 07/11/2010
The Recovery: Why Deflation Remains a ThreatBusinessWeek 05/27/2010
El-Erian's sees further problems from Europe and the overleveraged investor in the USA.
05/14/2010
Shiker and El-Erian's views on the risks to gorwth.
Linked Articles
Wall Street Journal 05/22/2010
Fear of a Double Dip Could Cause OneNew York Times 05/14/2010
The $5 trillion in new debt expected for 2009-2010, will become harder to reverse if the rising foreclosures weaken any recovery.
06/02/2009
With 15.4 million homeowners under water and rising unemployment exacerbating the foreclosure rate, and no governement solution in sight, any recovery will be weak. This makes the debt reduction less likely, and weakens prospects for economic growth.
Linked Articles
Rising Interest on Nations’ Debts May Sap World Growth
New York Times 06/04/2009
Foreclosures: No End in SightNew York Times 06/02/2009
Is Erdogan missing the lesson of 2009 elections- the AK Party depends on economic growth for voter support
04/04/2009
Linked Articles
A wake-up call from the voters
Economist 04/04/2009
Turkey's Economy Surged 11% in QuarterWall Street Journal 07/01/2011
The paradox of low U.S. productivity growth holding back wages in 2015-2016 (1) - Apple Google, Facebook and low productivity improvement since 2005
12/31/2008
Linked Articles
Whatever Happened to Silicon Valley Innovation?
BusinessWeek 12/31/2008
The Big MehNew York Times 05/25/2015
China's oil demand to grow at 2-3% over the next 15 years by one estimate.
06/20/2008
A much slower growth in oil demand as fuel efficient engines make a strong impact. Government policy raising oil prices, giving tax breaks for smaller engines to promote smaller cars on Chinese roads, and promotion of new hybrid and electric car technologies with significant subsidies, all push in this direction.
Linked Articles
China's Thirst for Oil Could Come Up Short
Wall Street Journal 06/01/2010
China Sharply Raises Energy PricesNew York Times 06/20/2008
Rapid cost increases for Canadian oil sands projects
09/12/2007
Petro -Canada faces risks in its oil sands project as project costs continue to rise as rapidly as oil prices, could end up 2-3 times the original estimate.
Linked Articles
Oil Sands Are Shifting in Alberta
Wall Street Journal 02/05/2008
Petro-Canada Faces ChallengeWall Street Journal 09/12/2007
IBM's strategies and growth in India.
09/03/2007
IBM's rapid upscaling of the Indian operations as one of its biggest overseas operations. And as a first IBM has focussed on getting a large share of the Indian IT market which Indian IT companies haven't focussed on to the extent IBM has.
Linked Articles
BusinessWeek 12/28/2007
A Red-Hot Big Blue In IndiaBusinessWeek 09/03/2007
Employment in the auto industry, GDP growth targets and increasing auto emissions in China's cities
06/13/2006
Environmental pollution in China's cities and increasing auto emissions that pose dangers to health. The situation in 2007 was deteriorating . By 2013 Beijing was seeing air quality extremes of 700 micrograms per square meter, with 500 routine. WHO standards show 300 micrograms as dangerous for health. Pressure to push for GDP growth is intense for local officals and the environmental agency lacked powers for enforcement. The car population was doubling every few years in this period 2000-2012.
Linked Articles
As China's Auto Market Booms, Leaders Clash Over Heavy Toll
Wall Street Journal 06/13/2006
As China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly ExtremesNew York Times 08/26/2007
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