Economic Interactions and Flows

BBC Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12691704

Are call centres the factories of the 21st Century?

By Alex Hudson

Something that has interested me in the Greenfield Geography website, was the BBC article called “Are call centres the factories of the 21st Century?” by Alex Hudson. It says that a number of factories have turned into call centres. An interesting quote from this article was “"More people have worked in call centres than ever worked in the mining industry, and I researched that in 1998," says Matt Thorne.” Many people are starting to work in the call centre industry and it is starting to become a very popular industry. There is even MSc courses for in contact centre managing. As well as, some people in the industry even have university degrees. It is usually a career that people go into before they move on to a better job, or it is possible to move up in the call centre industry. 

Many manufacturing countries have now turned into call centres. There are more people working in call centres rather than the manufacturing and service industry, but labour conditions have improved.

Question:

Do you think that working in a service sector will result in a brighter future?

Political Outcomes: European Union (EU)

Article: For £150,000, You Can Buy Bulgarian-EU Citizenship

Author: Cecilia Rodriguez

Picture: (Article has no pictures)

Summary: 

Countries in the European Union are allowed to sell citizenship to their country, though how much is costs to buy citizenship in a country depends on how rich the country is. This time Bulgaria is selling citizenship for £150,000, as well as without requiring the minimum conditions set by the other EU countries.

My own thoughts: 

I think that if I were to need an EU Citizenship this is a smart thing to do. But, if i were one of the countries that are part of the European Union (EU) I would not be happy about this scandal that Bulgaria has. People who have an EU Citizenship can pay for things such as houses, schooling, etc... less than people who are foreigners. 

"The article explains that an EU or British student studying Preclinical Medicine at Oxford University, for example,  would pay £9,000 a year in tuition fees, compared to the £16,545 paid by an overseas student." (Forbes)

I think that they should stop selling EU Citizenships based on how much money a person has. Rather than selling EU Citizenships to anyone, the people who are buying the EU Citizenship should follow all the minimum conditions needed to become a citizen. I would say that they should stop selling citizenships but, many countries have offered to sell citizenships to attract foreign capital such as, Great Britain, France and Ireland. 

This shows a great deal about the EU and it makes me think that the EU is starting to struggle financially and they are running out of options to gain more revenue. 

Socio-cultural exchange - Cultural Diffusion

Using specific examples explain how transnational corporations either intentionally or unintentionally spread consumerism through your chosen concept.

Transnational companies operates in different countries, which can then influence the people living in those countries. Transnational companies either have intentionally or unintentionally spread consumerism through many ways, such as fashion trends, gadgets, different types of food/beverages, etc...

When it comes to fashion trends there are many advertisements that show clothes that people wear around the world, and how stylish they look. Or, the transnational companies bring in stores where you can buy those certain fashionable clothes. Which then makes people from the country want to buy it. For example, many companies have setup stores in places around Asia, and as time goes by people from the country where the store has been placed can buy the clothes, and wear it. Another example is blue jeans, blue jeans started in america and has spread all over the world and now people from different countries wear it. Even people from very deep into the countryside even wear it. As well as gadgets for example many countries are starting to put in stores that sell gadgets, which then convinces people to buy their product to be more 'in the 21st century' and keep up to date with what all the other countries have, which may ruin cultural values. 

Though, when it comes to different types of food the many companies such as McDonalds have come and set up restaurants for people to buy. for example, in the Philippines the people have become so indulged in the fast food business which has then led to people creating similar companies such as Jolibee, Brothers Burgers, etc... Many people are starting to eat more McDonalds instead of eating the food from their country. 

These companies can adapt to what the consumer wants, to try and make them feel as though this food is specifically for their country.

Pros and Cons of Globalization

Pros	Cons
Economic Integration. So companies, can trade and invest with less barriers and tariffs.	Increase in illicit trade. There are major consequences such as; money laundering, corruption and government collapse. Governments are not powerful enough to stop it.
Reduce in poverty. (Countries such as; China, India, Uganda, Vietnam, etc…)	Rich stay rich, poor stay poor. Inequalities in the current trading system, due to the weak institution, corrupt violence, etc…
Countries can share different ideas and culture.
Technology has improved the way the economy works, with more economic opportunities, easy transfers of assets and it is easier to come together with other countries.

Links used: 

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/0,,contentMDK:23272496~pagePK:51123644~piPK:329829~theSitePK:29708,00.html?argument=value

http://www.globalization101.org/what-is-globalization/