Just consider Apple, Inc.
Apple, of course, has been in the news recently because of the company's decision to outsource much of its iPhone production jobs to China.
According to Jordan Weissmann's article in The Atlantic, Apple argues in its self-defense that the difference in the cost of labor was one factor in the decision to outsource production of the iPhone to China. For example, if Apple built the iPhone in the United States, it would cost approximately $65 more/unit. Should Apple pass the increase to the buyer or cut corporate profits? It's a no-brainer for capitalists.
Apple also asserts five additional factors that influenced its decision to outsource production of the iPhone to China:
- The Chinese workforce is far more flexible: Thousands of workers can be made immediately available for unexpected production expansions.
- Labor regulations are much less stringent: Laborers can work longer hours with little notice.
- Tighter supply chains: With many electronic component companies already located in East Asia, wait times and transportation costs are less.
- China produces 600k engineers annually (versus 70k in the United States) who are skilled administrators.
- The Chinese government supports individual manufacturing enterprises: rapid expansion of facilities and production capacity can expand rapidly which further augments the Chinese competitiveness.
For The Motley Monk, it seems that despite all of Apple's protestations to the contrary, the company's decision to outsource production to China comes down to one fact: It engorges the company's bottom line. To wit: Just look at what's happened to APPL's stock price over the past few years.
Isn't this exactly the kind of corporate greed that provides fodder for the Catholic left "justice with peace" crew? What about all of those sweatshops? What about all of those oppressed laborers who aren't protected by their union bosses? What about the injustice of it all?
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| The Catholic left's big mouth |
Why is the Catholic left "justice with peace" crew so silent in this regard?
Could it possibly be they love using their iPhones?
Let the discussion begin...
To read Jordan Weissmann's article in The Atlantic, click on the following link:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/01/why-the-united-states-will-never-ever-build-the-iphone/251837/
If you think the so-called "Catholic Left" has been silent about the sweatshops apple has been running in China, that's just because you either aren't listening or are deaf. To paraphrase the Lord, "But we [hear] you say, so your sin remains."
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that you think I am as left-wing as any of your 5 or 6 regulars (hard to build a blog, I hear), but if you review our comments to each other after Jobs' demise, you will see I was no fan. First review, then maybe discuss, Your Motliness.
China beats the heck out of US in grades 1-12. Reasons are primarily two-fold. 1) differences parental attitudes toward education 2) differences in work attitude of teachers.
ReplyDeletePoint 1 is probably the most important. We've only ourselves to blame. Point 2 - for evidence -- public 1-12 do not face competition and perform miserably. Public colleges face competition and are the envy of the world.
The Catholic Left:
ReplyDeleteHas not been silent on Apple Sweatshops
Has not been silent on Nike Sweatshops
Has not been silent against inhumane treatment of women in China or the Islamic World
Has not been silent on the exploitation of illegals in the US
Has not been silent on the abuse of children
Has not been silent on the anti-Catholic attacks of the mainstream media
Has not been silent on the anti-Christian legislation of the current Regime in DC and its Democratic hacks
Has not been silent on Government corruption in Mexico
Has not been silent on the exploitation of the African Continent by the Chinese
Yea, sure...