In The News

Plain English Gets Harder in Global Era

Phred Dvorak November 12, 2007
The globalizing economy – particularly the rise of outsourcing and offshoring, along with the growing acceptance of English as the universal language within multinational corporations – raises the demand for sophisticated language training. English speakers confront a broader range of accents and cultures than ever before, and education programs step up their offerings. Some concepts – sarcasm,...

China Begins to Fulfill Its Potential for Big Profits

Andrew Batson October 19, 2007
Multinational corporations look to China for huge potential profits. The investment climate has transformed – a decade ago, less than half of foreign companies in China ran profitable operations and now more than 80 percent collect profits. China’s WTO bid lowered bureaucratic barriers, thereby allowing foreign businesses to tap into the domestic market. Meanwhile, personal consumption has...

Trade and Security Trump Democracy in Burma – Part II

Salil Tripathi October 4, 2007
Human-rights abuses in Burma have caused worldwide outrage, with no effect on the regime. This series analyzes external influences on the junta that controls Burma. Western activists who pressure businesses rather than supportive governments do not maximize their resources or influence, argues writer and Asian specialist Salil Tripathi, in the second article of the two-part series. Assuming that...

India Tries Outsourcing Its Outsourcing

Anand Giridharadas September 26, 2007
India was an early leader in benefiting from the technology-driven globalization of the job market, but now positions such jobs all over the globe. A traditional recipient of outsourced labor, India has experienced rising worker wages and competition from other developing countries. As a result, writes journalist Anand Giridharadas, Indian firms have opened offices in countries such as Mexico,...

Trading Ritual and Reality

Alan Beattie September 25, 2007
Trade agreements are often contentious, raising heated protests from those fearing job loss and eagerness from businesspeople anticipating record profits. Yet since major reductions in manufacturing tariffs were instituted following World War II, trade agreements have been more about style than substance. The decline in the importance of bilateral and regional treaties can be attributed to the...

Japan Sweats It Out as It Wages War on Air Conditioning

Sebastian Moffett September 18, 2007
In August, Japan's three biggest banks joined the ranks of the "Cool Biz" initiative, a movement to reduce energy use and decrease carbon output. "Cool" businesses maintain building temperatures at 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Bank officials discovered that the move was good for both the environment and business. Concerned about global warming, Japanese customers avoid firms...

The Globalization of Giving

Steve Hendershot August 29, 2007
The savviest of corporate leaders know that community giving is a good business strategy. As firms grow and do more business overseas, charitable giving has expanded beyond the home base to markets around the globe. US firms seek to develop wealthier client bases in India, China, Latin America or Eastern Europe. Two examples of recent corporate grants, provided by this ChicagoBusiness.com article...