There are other options.
I saw the comment about how big businesses may be forced to outsource, and I don't really think that many businesses are hurting for money. The reasons other companies outsource is that they can pay their workers low wages and sell their products for quite a bit of money in the US and all over the world. I don't know of too many companies/corporations that aren't making much of a profit off of what they sell. I think that the main reason for outsourcing is obviously to maximize profits. The general managers have so much power AND money that they can decide to do whatever they want to bring in more money for themselves. They don't care who they hurt in the long run, as long as they're becoming more successful. There are so many other options that companies could take before they have to move their companies overseas or to Mexico. I am more on a liberal view of this issue. I stand more for the people then for the business owners. That's why I don't really like the idea of outsourcing even though I know I am saving a lot of money in the long run because of cheaper prices. Thinking about the individuals that put my buy together though, makes me feel bad knowing the horrible conditions they're working in and how little they are paid.
Comments
We are talking about publicly held buisness here, and profit is a huge, HUGE factor in stock price stability and growth. If a company's GM does not push to maximize profits and growth, investors move somewhere else, and then everybody looses their job. The only way to protect your buisness is to become ruthlessly efficient and profitable. If you look at companies who follow this model, you realize that for every "low end" worker they lay off or outsource, there is an incredible demand to find and hire "knowledge workers"--the workers with high education. The only way to protect yourself is to get an education.
Posted by: "That" Guy | September 8, 2006 11:07 AM
I think that another reason that companies outsource is because such countries are underdeveloped meaning that they don’t' have environmental regulations, worker's rights, civil rights, minimum wages etc. Things that are standards in developed countries such as the U.S. and other European countries. Companies outsource so they can skip over such regulations and duties all in the sake of maximizing their profits and minimizing their expenses. Companies/businesses can be very greedy in their pursuit for profits—face it, that's their reason to exist and I regret that companies that outsource don't look out for the well being of the citizens of that particular country but instead prefer to exploit the undeveloped systems and its people. I think that proactive companies can greatly improve the lives of so many people not just by giving them a job, but by raising the standards in the work place, encouraging education, equal opportunity, and a safe workplace, but I have yet to read of a company that makes it its goal to improve the lives of people as much as their production capabilities.
Posted by: Vanessa S-C | September 9, 2006 07:40 PM
Sorry, but I agree with Kayla on this one. Yeah I understand that businesses make a HUGE profit and all, but have you even ever been to China, Taiwan or even Japan?? Once you get there and see the living and working conditions, you're going to drop your jaws and pee your pants. It's horrible, absolutely disgusting and just filthy. I have relatives there so I've been to those countries a lot! I hate going because of the living conditions. We have it made and you don't even know it. They work so hard for their money and basically get nothing back because rent is soo incredibly expensive for most. Obviously, like everywhere else, there's the upper class, middle, and lower class.
Posted by: Tina Chen | September 14, 2006 11:16 AM