Chapter Chronology

Quiz for Beyond America’s Borders: “Jobs in a Globalizing Era”

Select the best answer for each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work.

Question

1. Which occupational sector was the first in the United States to take advantage of outsourcing as a way to lower costs, starting in the mid-twentieth century?

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Correct. The answer is d. Manufacturing was the first occupational sector to begin outsourcing jobs from the United States. One of the first American companies to outsource its production was Nike, which began moving shoe manufacturing jobs to Japan in the 1960s. In the years since, the service sector has also been increasingly outsourced.
Incorrect. The answer is d. Manufacturing was the first occupational sector to begin outsourcing jobs from the United States. One of the first American companies to outsource its production was Nike, which began moving shoe manufacturing jobs to Japan in the 1960s. In the years since, the service sector has also been increasingly outsourced.

Question

2. Some American workers who have lost their jobs to outsourcing suggest that in the twenty-first century—in contrast to the mid-twentieth century—companies care so much about profit that they no longer care about

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Correct. The answer is c. In the mid-twentieth century, especially during and after World War II, many companies felt a strong commitment to their local community and to the United States. However, as globalization expanded in the twenty-first century, many companies have chosen the low costs associated with outsourcing over an obligation to community. This shift in priorities caused one autoworker to comment that corporations today have “no commitment to community; no commitment to country.”
Incorrect. The answer is c. In the mid-twentieth century, especially during and after World War II, many companies felt a strong commitment to their local community and to the United States. However, as globalization expanded in the twenty-first century, many companies have chosen the low costs associated with outsourcing over an obligation to community. This shift in priorities caused one autoworker to comment that corporations today have “no commitment to community; no commitment to country.”

Question

3. How has technology affected where services are provided in the twenty-first century global economy?

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Correct. The answer is a. Although the first jobs to be outsourced were in the manufacturing sector, more and more companies are now outsourcing service jobs, too. Thanks to communication technology like telephones and the Internet, companies can hire service providers in countries like India, and feel confident that technology will easily connect the workers to the customers.
Incorrect. The answer is a. Although the first jobs to be outsourced were in the manufacturing sector, more and more companies are now outsourcing service jobs, too. Thanks to communication technology like telephones and the internet, companies can hire service providers in countries like India, and feel confident that technology will easily connect the workers to the customers.

Question

4. How has the globalization of production changed the character of the American labor force in the twenty-first century?

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B.
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Correct. The answer is b. Outsourcing has been particularly common in manufacturing industries, such as shoemaking and automobile manufacturing. As a result, the number of Americans who have manufacturing jobs has decreased. Although there has also been outsourcing in the service sector, increasing numbers of Americans work in service jobs today compared to previous generations.
Incorrect. The answer is b. Outsourcing has been particularly common in manufacturing industries, such as shoemaking and automobile manufacturing. As a result, the number of Americans who have manufacturing jobs has decreased. Although there has also been outsourcing in the service sector, increasing numbers of Americans work in service jobs today compared to previous generations.

Question

5. How was the first Nissan auto plant in the United States, which opened in 1983, different from the American auto plants run by companies like General Motors in the mid-twentieth century?

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Correct. The answer is a. The fact that the Nissan plant built in 1983 is non-union is significant because unionization was so prevalent in mid-twentieth century manufacturing industries, especially auto manufacturing. Over the last thirty years, it has become more common for corporations to be non-union, just like the Nissan plant.
Incorrect. The answer is a. The fact that the Nissan plant built in 1983 is non-union is significant because unionization was so prevalent in mid-twentieth century manufacturing industries, especially auto manufacturing. Over the last thirty years, it has become more common for corporations to be non-union, just like the Nissan plant.