Concept explainers
FOXCONN SHIFTS ITS FOCUS TO AUTOMATION
Foxconn operates a network of factories across the Chinese mainland, employing 1.2 million people, that makes products for tech companies that include Apple Hewlett Packard, and Dell. The electronics manufacturing giant has been on a steady course for a while to replace manpower with robotic systems.
‘Foxconn (has) vowed to install up to 1 million robots in its factories over the next three years, which analysts suggested was in part to address long-time scandals such as high suicide rates among employees and exploitation of workers.’
Foreign manufacturers in China are also viewing upgrades as vital to their operations in the country. In fact, numerous multinational companies have recognized the long-term benefits of replacing human labor with robots.
1. As Foxconn cuts jobs as it shifts to greater use of automation, jobs will be created in other companies in what types of companies would you expect to see jobs created?
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 6 Solutions
Operations Management
- Workers remain in dire straits despite salary increase last year — MTUC KUALA LUMPUR : Despite the salary increase in 2019, workers remain in dire straits and the worst is yet to come, said Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general J Solomon.He said the 4.4% hike in salary and wages in 2019 as reported by the Statistics Department yesterday merely represented an average increase of RM137 in monthly salary and wage. According to the Statistics Department, the average monthly salary and wage received by employees in the country increased by 4.4% from RM3,087 in 2018 to RM3,224 in 2019. “MTUC considers the increase well below what is needed by the average Malaysian workers and their families, especially those in urban areas, to survive the continuous spiralling cost of living,” Solomon said in a statement, today.He said the 2017 Bank Negara Malaysia report clearly stated that the living wage of a couple with two children in cities such as Kuala Lumpur should be RM6,500 a…arrow_forwardReuters) - Apple Inc is moving forward with self-driving car technology and is targeting 2024 to produce a passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The iPhone maker’s automotive efforts, known as Project Titan, have proceeded unevenly since 2014 when it first started to design its own vehicle from scratch. At one point, Apple drew back the effort to focus on software and reassessed its goals. Doug Field, an Apple veteran who had worked at Tesla Inc, returned to oversee the project in 2018 and laid off 190 people from the team in 2019. Since then, Apple has progressed enough that it now aims to build a vehicle for consumers, two people familiar with the effort said, asking not to be named because Apple’s plans are not public. Apple’s goal of building a personal vehicle for the mass market contrasts with rivals such as Alphabet Inc’s Waymo, which has built robo-taxis to carry passengers for a driverless…arrow_forwardMangement In a recent case study, a software development company successfully improved project management and team productivity by implementing agile methodologies. By embracing agile principles, the company achieved greater flexibility in responding to changing customer requirements, shorter development cycles, and enhanced collaboration among cross-functional teams. This shift in project management led to a 20% increase in project completion rates and a 15% reduction in defects. However, it's important to note that the transition to agile also presented challenges, such as adapting to a more dynamic project environment and the need for continuous training. Question: What specific strategies did the company employ to facilitate the smooth transition to agile methodologies, and how did they address the challenges that arose during the process?arrow_forward
- The iPhone maker’s automotive efforts, known as Project Titan, have proceeded unevenly since 2014 when it first started to design its own vehicle from scratch. At one point, Apple drew back the effort to focus on software and reassessed its goals. Doug Field, an Apple veteran who had worked at Tesla Inc, returned to oversee the project in 2018 and laid off 190 people from the team in 2019. Since then, Apple has progressed enough that it now aims to build a vehicle for consumers, two people familiar with the effort said, asking not to be named because Apple’s plans are not public. Apple’s goal of building a personal vehicle for the mass market contrasts with rivals such as Alphabet Inc’s Waymo, which has built robo-taxis to carry passengers for a driverless ride-hailing service. Central to Apple’s strategy is a new battery design that could “radically” reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle’s range, according to a third person who has seen Apple’s battery design. Apple…arrow_forwardWhich is better, controlling a drone from afar using a remote or using mission planning software?arrow_forwardCordova Research Group Cordova Research Group spent more than thirty years conducting pure and applied research for a variety of external customers. With the reduction, however, in R&D funding, Cordova decided that the survival of the firm would be based upon becoming a manufacturing firm as well as performing R&D. The R&D culture was close to informal project management with the majority of the personnel holding advanced degrees in technical disciplines. To enter the manufacturing arena would require hiring hundreds of new employees, mostly non-degreed. QUESTIONS What strategic problems must be solved? What project management problems must be solved? What time frame is reasonable? If excellence can be achieved, would it occur most likely using formal or informal project management?arrow_forward
- What do you think can be done to improve the situation in the common Amazon SWP? What do you think about a job rotation program?arrow_forwardYou have been put in charge of a massive undertaking at your current UWI campus. Funds have been provided to completely overhaul/renovate the existing sporting facilities. The goal is that the updated facilities will include high-tech, AI based facilities for team-based sports (cricket, track and field, soccer, netball and basketball). These changes should also include spectator interaction and engagement, as well as a media box. You have also been asked by the student athletes to purchase some instrumented equipment such as balls and bats for use in training. You research what is available and start to make a shopping list. For your presentation, choose ONE instrumented facility technology (e.g. Hawkeye), and ONE instrumented equipment (e.g. cricket ball ) to discuss. Prepare a narrated PPT (no video necessary) lasting 15 minutes on these items i choose any cricketing equipment. can you provide me with information for the followingarrow_forwardAs a response to COVID -19 issue, Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, has started treating coronavirus patients since last month. Healthcare workers are on the frontline toward the COVID-19 response. Two volunteers from North South University intend to join in Kurmitola General Hospital to assist the medical team. Since they do not have any technical knowledge, they will be helping the team with activities like registering the patients, providing initial information about treatment, collecting samples, etc. As the manager of this hospital, you must arrange training for these volunteers to enhance their skills and willingness to work. Therefore, list and briefly explain the steps you will follow to train these individuals. How would you measure the effectiveness of the provided training?arrow_forward
- Jorge is a senior project manager at the Toyota motor corporation. The Toyota Camry is a mid-size automobile manufactured by the automaker. In his role, Jorge reports to both Kelsey, the Camry Product development director, and Ali, the Toyota manufacturing VP. Lately, both of jorges bosses have competing priorities for him. Kelsey wants him to focus on how to increase the née Camry's acceleration while Ali wants him to focus on reducing gas consumption. Reducing gas consumption is a theme for all Toyota automobiles, but would work against kelsey's goal to make the Camry go faster. What type of organizational structure is represented by the Toyota motor corporation in this situation? Explain your answer. What do you recommend happen to solve the competing priorities Jorge is facing?arrow_forwardAs Jerry met with his executives to discuss the situation, the general manager, Tracy Lee, provided more information. She described the hotel as mainly targeting the upscale and luxury business market segments (75 percent), while also attracting the upscale and luxury leisure market segments (25 percent). The hotel’s main competitors are Four Seasons, J.W. Marriott, Shangri La, Mandarin Oriental, Landmark Hotel, and Conrad Hotel, which are all located within a two-mile radius. There is fierce competition among the hotels in this market segment, and firms have resorted to price-cutting tactics during economic downturns before. The products and services of the Great Eastern Hotel have been unique and of high quality. Guests have been particularly satisfied with the ambience of the hotel given that it has focused only on its core market segments for business. The rooms have been designed and appointed to satisfy its market segments. In fact, there has been a coherence among product…arrow_forwardAs Jerry met with his executives to discuss the situation, the general manager, Tracy Lee, provided more information. She described the hotel as mainly targeting the upscale and luxury business market segments (75 percent), while also attracting the upscale and luxury leisure market segments (25 percent). The hotel’s main competitors are Four Seasons, J.W. Marriott, Shangri La, Mandarin Oriental, Landmark Hotel, and Conrad Hotel, which are all located within a two-mile radius. There is fierce competition among the hotels in this market segment, and firms have resorted to price-cutting tactics during economic downturns before. The products and services of the Great Eastern Hotel have been unique and of high quality. Guests have been particularly satisfied with the ambience of the hotel given that it has focused only on its core market segments for business. The rooms have been designed and appointed to satisfy its market segments. In fact, there has been a coherence among product…arrow_forward
- Practical Management ScienceOperations ManagementISBN:9781337406659Author:WINSTON, Wayne L.Publisher:Cengage,Operations ManagementOperations ManagementISBN:9781259667473Author:William J StevensonPublisher:McGraw-Hill EducationOperations and Supply Chain Management (Mcgraw-hi...Operations ManagementISBN:9781259666100Author:F. Robert Jacobs, Richard B ChasePublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
- Purchasing and Supply Chain ManagementOperations ManagementISBN:9781285869681Author:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. PattersonPublisher:Cengage LearningProduction and Operations Analysis, Seventh Editi...Operations ManagementISBN:9781478623069Author:Steven Nahmias, Tava Lennon OlsenPublisher:Waveland Press, Inc.