Are call centres the factories of the 21st Century?

This article expressed that perhaps call centers are becoming the factories from the industrial revolution of the 21st century.Call center pioneer 'Direct Line' opened its lines in Croydon, south London, with 63 employees on 2 April 1985, no-one could have imagined the impact it would have on the UK's service industry. The sprouting of the new 'contact industry' in countries all over the world can help generate a greater source in developing countries. This is due to call centers becoming more common among countries especially in developing countries such as India and the Philippines.

How do you think call centers will affect the economy of developing countries in the next 20-30 years?

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

Nafta Trade Value Rises 2.6% in 2013

• The growth in trade has increased between the USA and Mexico/Canada increased by 2.6% compared to 2012.
• $66.1 Billion dollars worth of exports and imports were distributed by trucks alone.
• Exports rose by 3.6% and imports by 1.8%

I found it interesting how goods are exported and imported to neighboring countries from a country with numerous transnational corporations such as the USA. The increase in exports by 3.6% and imports by 1.8% most likely indicate that globalization increases as well. It is also easily to relate to this article as i see trucks pass through the South Luzon Expressway everyday as i go to school everyday. It makes me realize how much products are being imported and exported in central Luzon.

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=34467

Socio-Cultural Exchange

The concepts of cultural diffusion (voluntary/consented change in culture) can be seen in several trans-national corporations which have intentionally or unintentionally spread consumerism. Consumerism can be defined as the social/economic influence that encourages an increase of the purchase of goods and services in greater amounts. This is used by corporations to encourage people to feel like they need to purchase certain products. Nike is an example of a well known transnational corporation that has utilized the concepts of consumerism through cultural diffusion. Nike has pushed consumerism through marketing strategies such as fashion trends, advertisement, and gimmicks.

In commercialized countries, people tend to follow latest fashion trends in order to conform with society's expectations. A trans-national corporation like Nike has adapted to appealing to the vast majority of the public by studying latest fashion trends and incorporating them into their products. This incorporation of fashion in their products evolve as latest fashion trends change. This will appeal more to the public as people will be more attracted to Nike's products that fit in nicely with latest fashion trends thus increasing purchases of goods.

Trans-national corporations such as Nike utilize advertisement techniques to spread awareness to potential consumers. Nike uses advertisements to grab the attention of a population through the means of media outlets such as television, internet, billboards, and magazines. Popular human figures are also used to advertise the company by holding their brand name or logo. Through advertisement, trans-national corporations such as Nike gain popularity as people become more aware of the company. As popularity rises, more people are likely to purchase goods and/or services from the company.

Gimmickry is used by trans-national corporations such as Nike in order to trick a population into purchasing their products. Encouraging consumers to purchase goods and/or products by making them believe that they need their products by displaying true or false advantages the product may provide for the consumers i.e. gel soles on shoes for "extra comfort".

Certain strategies are used by trans-national corporations such as Nike in order to increase consumers and consumer consumption of their products. A company like Nike uses marketing strategies such as advertisements, gimmicks, and fashion trends to increase their revenues.