The decline of union membership in the United States raises questions about whether unions will continue to exist in their present configurations. What do you think are the major problems with unions that are costing them membership? Do you think that unions will survive, or do you think they will have to change? What do you imagine unions will look like in the future? Why? Present your views in approximately 250 words in your initial discussion post. Respond to at least two of your peers’ posts. Utilize the course text, weekly lecture, and at least one other scholarly source. Remember to properly cite your sources.

For this assignment, you are to read and respond to a short chapter in the book 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism by economist Ha-Joon Chang.  The chapter argues that restrictions on immigration and not differences in worker productivity drive international differences in wages and standards of living, a very different perspective from the models of trade and immigration that we have covered in this class.

You are to write a 2-3 page response to Professor Chang’s observation and challenge.  Do you think he has a point?  If so, can his claim that differences in wages are just due to restrictions on immigration from poor countries to rich countries be reconciled with the models we have examined?  If you disagree with his claim, where do you think he errs?

As with the prior assignments, you will not be graded for this assignment on whether you agree or disagree with the reading.  You may answer however you want.  The point of this assignment is to get you to think critically (in the sense of not taking as gospel and asking tough questions) about the models we are covering in this class.

No plagiarism. Using easy vocabulary is enough. 

ha_joon_chang_immigration_and_wages.pdf

Instructor Comments – Please FOLLOW.

Our next assignment is an Individual Project (IP)

The heart of the PowerPoint should be an overview of the steps that are needed to make a good location decision, whether it is for an additional manufacturing facility in some other state or country, or a new distribution center location in another state or country.

  Use a colored background for your slides

  Have few words but lots of eye-catching graphics, clip art, or pictures on each slide

  Have speaker notes of 100–200 words for each slide

  Assume the presentation should last 30–45 minutes and should have 15–17 slides

You are selecting a mass merchandiser that has multiple USA locations and international locations too.  Consider the big box retailers such as Walmart for this assignment or any other retailer that has multiple USA locations and an overseas presence. 

Your presentation is based on the following 7 facts:

1.  The retailer has 200 retail locations all over the United States.

2.  Right now, all shipments come from the East Coast manufacturing plant finished goods warehouse.

3.  Western United States sales growth rates are expected to be double that of the Eastern United States.

4.  The retailer has a total of 50 stores located outside of the United States, mostly in Europe, where population growth is averaging 1% a year.

5.  It has no retail locations in India, China, or Mexico, where on average, population growth is averaging 10% into the future.

6.  Your product is a “high-cube” product, like a refrigerator or color television.

7.  The raw materials for your manufacturing facility are also high-cube and have a lot of cardboard packaging (which takes up space) to protect the high-dollar value components that the factory buys.

Finally, the CEO reminds you that this presentation is meant to be a how-to guide for the overall decision-making process that you will be using in your future assignments.

·  Given these facts, what do you recommend and why?

·  Remember that you are offering the steps to follow for this location decision.

Here is what you need to do:

• List and describe at least 12 steps
• Each of the steps are fully explained to include how they are integrated with each other.
• You have demonstrated knowledge of systems thinking.
• Be sure to label each of your steps.
• Feel free to offer more than 12 steps if needed.
• Remember that in PowerPoint presentations the bulk of your words are listed in the slide notes portion and the requirement is for 100-200 words per slide in the notes section.
• Also keep in mind that you are considered the “expert” in this presentation; that is, YOU are the presenter standing in front of the audience.
• You are telling the audience what your recommended plan is for a new location along with why you believe as you do.
• You are NOT asking for their advice; they are relying upon you to explain what you are proposing and why.
• In other words do NOT make the mistake of asking them what needs to be done or what their thoughts are on the matter.
• You are telling them what needs to be done and why.
• You are the expert on location decisions.

Respond to this post and comment on the following: Do you think the variables are appropriately used? Why or why not? Does the addition of the control variables make sense to you? Why or why not? Does the analysis answer the research question? Be sure and provide constructive and helpful comments for possible improvement. If there was a significant effect, comments on the strength and its meaningfulness. As a lay reader, were you able to understand the results and their implications? Why or why not? Post and both respondent income and the highest level of schooling. Kim

Write a paper showing how Supply and Demand impacted the economic decision you have made.

Paper Requirements:5 pages in lengthAPA style4 credible, scholarly sourcesTitle page and reference page Not Counted toward 4 page requirement.