How could the developed world be of assistance in these cases? Could developed countries do more?

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CH4
1. Can you think of additional examples of complementarities from everyday life? Does the S-shaped curve of Figure 4.1 shed any light on them? Do you think your examples help as a metaphor for economic development problems?
2. What role do you think international trade and foreign investment can play in solving some of the problems identified in the big push model? In the O-ring model? What limitations to your arguments can you think of?
3. The word trap suggests that there may be a way to escape. Do you think developing countries can escape all of the traps described in this chapter? Which ones would be most difficult to escape? How could the developed world be of assistance in these cases? Could developed countries do more?
4. Why might high levels of inequality lead to lower rates of growth and development? Why might it be difficult to get out of this kind of trap?
5. Why is the government sometimes a part of the problem of coordination failure rather than the solution? Does this make the problem hopeless? What could be done in this case?
6. One of the characteristics of some developing economies is the relatively low level of trust of people outside one’s extended family. How might the models explored in this chapter shed light on this problem?
7. Can you think of an example of O-ring production from everyday life? Do you think your example is a good metaphor for development problems?
8. Modern economic models sometimes require strong assumptions. What do you think are some of the trade-offs between a more rigorous, logically cohesive model with strong assumptions but clear inferences and a description of problems followed by a verbal discussion of possible implications? Do you think the two approaches can be used together to inform each other?
9. As you read later chapters, think about whether the models described in this chapter are useful in shedding additional light on the nature of problems considered. Some of the later problems you might consider are child labor, poor health and nutrition among the poor, high fertility, environmental degradation, availability of credit for the poor, urbanization, protectionism in international trade by developed and developing countries, reform of government, and land reform.

10. Select a developing country that interests you and search for evidence suggesting which factors are the binding constraint on growth. (For inspiration, see the sources in Box 4.2.)

Explain the meaning of dualism and dual societies.

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CH3
1. Explain the essential distinctions among the stages-of-growth theory of development, the structural-change models of Lewis and Chenery, and the theory of international dependence in both its neo-Marxist and false-paradigm conceptualizations. Which model do you think provides the best explanation of the situation in most developing nations? Explain your answer.
2. Explain the meaning of dualism and dual societies. Do you think that the concept of dualism adequately portrays the development picture in most developing countries? Explain your answer.
3. Some people claim that international dualism and domestic dualism are merely different manifestations of the same phenomenon. What do you think they mean by this, and is it a valid conceptualization? Explain your answer.
4. What is meant by the term neoclassical counterrevolution? What are its principal arguments, and how valid do you think they are? Explain your answer.
5. Given the diversity of developing countries, do you think that there could ever be a single, unified theory of development? Explain your answer.
6. Is the neoclassical, free-market theory necessarily incompatible with dependence theory? How might these two approaches work together?

Explain the distinction between low levels of living and low per capita incomes

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QUESTION: What critical issues are raised from the examination of development problems and prospects facing Brazil?

CH2
1. For all of their diversity, many less developed countries are linked by a range of common problems. What are these problems? Which do you think are the most important? Why?
2. Explain the distinction between low levels of living and low per capita incomes. Can low levels of living exist simultaneously with high levels of per capita income? Explain and give some examples.
3. Do you think that there is a strong relationship among health, labor productivity, and income levels? Explain your answer.
4. What is meant by the statement that many developing nations are subject to “dominance, dependence, and vulnerability” in their relations with rich nations? Can you give some examples?
5. Explain the many ways in which developing countries may differ in their economic, social, and political structures.
6. What are some additional strengths and weaknesses of the Human Development Index as a comparative measure of human welfare? If you were designing the HDI, what might you do differently, and why?
7. ”South Asia has a lower income per capita than sub-Saharan Africa.” Comment on the validity of this statement.
8. What is the meaning of a “colonial legacy”? Discuss any disadvantages and possible advantages.
9. State five characteristics of the developing world.
Discuss diversity within the developing world on these characteristics in relation to the developed world.
10. Discuss the differences between the traditional HDI in comparison to the “new” (NHDI) formulation. In what ways do you think either one is a better measure of human development?

COMPANIES OR INDUSTRIES FOR WHICH JIT WOULD BE TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE

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COMPANIES OR INDUSTRIES FOR WHICH JIT WOULD BE TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE

Discussion board postings.

  1. The process of Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management was first introduced in the auto industry to eliminate wastes and improve efficiencies.  According to the text, just-in-time is used to assist companies in analyzing operations to discover better ways to work (Vonderembe & White, 2013). In other words an approach to achieve excellence in different industries based on continuing to eliminate waste (waste is considered things which do not add value to the product). JIT refers to the movement of material at the right time and the right place.

JIT has led to many companies adopting standard work or standardized processes throughout to eliminate non value add work and improve efficiencies. Non value add or waste come in many forms: waiting, over producing, rework, excess motion, over processing, inaccurate inventory levels, and transportation (Vondermebse & White, 2013). Companies like my current employer seek to benefit from lean manufacturing using JIT to reduce direct/indirect labor and space requirements.  In addition, the company thrives to increase quality, responsiveness, innovation, flexibility, and employee enthusiasm using lean practices.

While the auto industry and other OEMs are suited for JIT it is not always appropriate. Advantages to using JIT are when the scope and boundaries of a problem are clearly defined and understood or when results are needed immediately (i.e. capacity constraints). According to Kuzma (2011) people often times dive into ideas to solve problems with understanding the root cause or without completely understanding the idea (Kuzma, 2011).

An example of when JIT is not appropriate is in the healthcare industry. Although some of the methodology can be applied to eliminate wastes and improve efficiencies. JIT inventory is not appropriate in a hospital setting and having supplies on hand could mean the difference between life or death. This constricts the ideology behind being lean or utilizing JIT processes. This could also translate into other emergency care associations like the Red Cross or FEMA. In these companies having inventory on hand is somewhat the point of the organization. In a crisis supplies and talented workers are available and having the right amount of inventory is unknown based on the patient, natural disaster, etc.

However, there are innovative ways to solve some of the pressures of overstocking products. According to Wardlaw (2015) hospitals are creating new ways to manage inventory such as designing nurse server stations. This is a minicloset in each room with stocked items that are used often (Wardlaw, 2015). Without proper supplies on hand could mean more disruptions in a hospital setting compared to automotive or the manufacturing environment. However, JIT may not be appropriate in healthcare, but being creative and using the lean methodology can be useful in certain areas.

References:

Kuzma, D. (2011). When JIT Gives Lean a Bad Name. Material Handling & Logistics, 66(7), 20-22. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds.

Vonderembse, M.A. & White, G.P. (2013).   Operations Management .  San Diego, CA:  Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Wardlaw, W. (2015). 8 PATHS TO BETTER HOSPITAL DESIGN. Industrial Engineer: IE, 47(2), 29. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds.