Globalization and Apple Manufacturing Case Study

Apple's leaders believe the characteristics of the Chinese labor force, such as flexibility, diligence, and industrial skills, are superior to those of the U.S. labor force.

Paying U.S. wages would add only $65 to each iPhone's expense.

Steve Jobs told President Obama, 'Those jobs aren't coming back.'

The loss of jobs to overseas locations is not temporary.

Shorter lead times and faster manufacturing processes in China.

Pros for overseas labor forces could include job creation and economic opportunities. Cons could be concerns over labor practices and working conditions. For local (US) labor forces, pros could be access to cheaper products, but cons could include job losses or wage stagnation.

There could be arguments on both sides. Some may argue that as a U.S. company, Apple has a duty to prioritize American workers. Others may contend that as a global entity, Apple should treat all employees equally regardless of nationality.

Apple's global operations could potentially strain relationships between countries due to issues like outsourcing of jobs, trade imbalances, or concerns over labor practices. However, it could also foster economic cooperation and interdependence between nations.

Potential benefits could include innovation, economic growth, and access to global talent and resources. Drawbacks could include concerns over labor practices, environmental impact, or the concentration of power and influence in a single multinational corporation.

While it may be challenging due to cultural differences and communication barriers, it is possible with proper training, cross-cultural understanding, and effective management strategies tailored to the local workforce.

The passage suggests that the perception is that the U.S. workforce needs to be better led, better trained, more effectively managed, and more motivated to be proactive and flexible in order to compete with overseas workers.

The passage suggests that Apple's shift from "100% Made in the U.S.A." to "10% made in the U.S.A." represents the natural growth pattern of a company going global, and that this may spell trouble for the future of the American workforce if U.S. (and Western European) workers are less motivated and less adaptable than overseas workers.

The passage states that the future of at least 247 suppliers worldwide depends on Apple's approximately $30.1 billion in orders per quarter, suggesting that Apple's orders are crucial to the livelihoods of these suppliers.

According to the passage, parts for the iPhone are made in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Europe.

The passage suggests that Apple's $16.1 billion in revenue from the first quarter of 2014 may be in part because its manufacturing in China builds support for the Apple brand there.

The passage mentions that "Another said, 'We shouldn't be criticized for using Chinese workers.'"