ECE 510 - High-Tech Industry in a Rapidly Changing World
Taught by Bruce Lusignan, PSU
Computer devices are designed in Silicon Valley, manufactured in China, assembled in Mexico, programmed in India, sold in Europe, and disposed of in Singapore. In each country they face different labor laws, tariffs, environmental protections, restraints on competition, and investment environments. For three decades the "new world order" has seen higher concentration of wealth, increasing poverty, decreasing mineral resources, and greater environmental destruction. Recently however economic power has shifted dramatically as profits from oil and gas have enabled South America to set an independent course, increased Russia’s influence and given the Arab world unprecedented economic power, and given new hope to African communities.
To succeed today, corporations must understand the changes on the horizon. They must separate facts from fiction relating to environment and resource limitations. Staff must become internationally savvy to succeed in international markets and/or to work in the over 3,500 U.S. companies now owned by international corporations.
We will review the changes in world economic patterns, political environments, and corporate power. We'll look at several major world commodities, seeking business opportunities for new ventures or expansion of current ones. We'll emphasize enterprises to increase participation by disadvantaged communities, reduce the onslaught on the environment and contribute to a more balanced and sustainable world. Included will be cotton and textiles, world oil and gas trade, electronics and information technologies, automobiles and transportation, steel and aluminum products, international currencies and bonds.
Students will chose a country and enterprise of interest to them and develop a project report outlining how their project can deal with the changing world. They will present a summary PowerPoint presentation and final written report.
Winter 2007
Tuesday/Thursday, 7:00-8:50 p.m.
This class will be held at the Capital Center in Beaverton: 18640 NW Walker Rd.
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