AW

Globalization, Labor Markets, and International Business - Key Vocabulary

Globalization and the future of white-collar jobs

  • Globalization influences the offshoring of white-collar work and the rise of service-oriented work
  • Examples mentioned: software programmers and accountants in foreign countries working on behalf of large companies
  • Implication for the job market: rising competition for future job seekers from both domestic and foreign workers, especially from highly populated countries
  • The question of impact is presented as important and valid for students and future workers
  • The speaker’s framing: as a data scientist, he frequently handles large datasets to study these questions
  • He references the US Current Population Survey (CPS) as a dataset used for analysis
  • Distinguishes CPS from a census: many countries have a population census, but CPS asks questions about workers and employment dynamics
  • Key finding emphasized: humans are highly adaptive and mobile in the labor market
  • Concept of a “sorted tail” in employment outcomes:
    • When a software design job is outsourced (e.g., to India), the workers in the original location may be redistributed in the labor market
    • Some workers move up: they become managers and/or gain productivity and wage advantages by managing larger teams
    • Others move down: some workers are displaced or face downward career trajectories due to competition
  • Overall takeaway: the data show both upward mobility and downward displacement as responses to offshoring and service-oriented competition
  • Methodology: the findings are data-driven; this reflects the researcher's role as a data-oriented professional

The role of the instructor and course relevance

  • The speaker is also a professor who teaches; references his course content alignment with his own understanding
  • Why the course matters: it provides a foundation for understanding the global business landscape; the world is changing and intertwined with international factors
  • The core concept: international business is distinct because it prefixes international to business to capture cross-border dynamics
  • Invitation for feedback: asks students to point out anything missing or topics they want to learn more about

Course structure and learning activities

  • Course activities include news and case presentation discussions, framed as an apprentice-style learning experience
  • Weekly schedule:
    • Monday: lecture
    • Wednesday: students present news and cases and lead discussions
  • Focus on current events and case analyses to complement textbook material
  • The “world is in flux” theme: emphasis on real-world relevance rather than relying solely on textbook content

Course materials and updates

  • Course documents and schedule are posted on the Canvas site (excluding the syllabus, which is also available there)
  • The textbook is noted as 2024 edition and described as relatively new, yet some content in textbooks can be outdated for fast-changing topics
  • Clear guidance provided on what to do for class participation, news presentations, and case assignments; all details are available on Canvas
  • If anything is unclear, students are encouraged to ask for clarification

Access, supplements, and course administration

  • Textbook recommendation and access: materials are accessible via Canvas; the instructor’s website is also mentioned in relation to Canvas materials
  • Students should first check the class administration resources for course processes and expectations
  • A course communications forum is open for general questions; for specific questions, students can contact the instructor directly
  • Preferred method of communication: the instructor indicates a preference for Instagram messages, though he is open to other channels (email, etc.)
  • The instructor notes that he is ready to engage with student inquiries and will respond; the closing line indicates ongoing setup for communication channels

Practical implications and real-world relevance

  • The discussion ties globalization to labor-market outcomes and the potential for both upward mobility (e.g., moving into management roles) and downward displacement
  • The CPS-based approach demonstrates how data can illuminate workforce dynamics and inform career strategy for students and policymakers
  • The course design emphasizes applied learning: news and case presentations mirror real-world professional activities and prepare students for international business contexts
  • The interplay between theory (international business concepts) and practice (current events, data-driven findings) aims to provide a holistic understanding of the modern global economy

Quick recap of logistical details (summary cues)

  • Core topic: globalization, offshoring, and service economy impacts on jobs
  • Key data source: US Current Population Survey (CPS)
  • Main findings: adaptive mobility, “sorted tail” outcomes, both upward and downward trajectories
  • Course format: lectures on Mondays; news/case presentations on Wednesdays; Canvas as central hub
  • Materials: textbook (2024 edition) plus current-class content; ongoing updates on Canvas
  • Participation and assignments: defined on Canvas; instructor open to questions
  • Communication: main channels include Canvas and Instagram (preferred); other channels possible
  • Instructor stance: approachable, values student input, aims to connect theory to real-world global business dynamics